FAQ

The author of this document believes that the information contained within reflects the true position of the cdsfa rules. However, the ultimate authority for the implementation and interpretation of the rules are the rules of the association and the constitution of the association.

If in doubt the rules of the association and the constitution of the association should be consulted. This document is meant only as a simplification of the rules

1. On what day of the week does my age division play and on what field size?

Rule 1.1.2

Note

• Girls can play in mixed teams up to and including under 13s.
• Catch up games may be played on any Saturday or Sunday or during the week

2. How long does my game go for and what size ball should I use?

Rule 1.10

Note

No stoppage time is played except in finals series for competitive age groups ages 12 and over

3. Where should corner kicks be taken?

Rule 8.6

• For the following age groups corner kicks are taken 7 metres from the edge of the penalty area: Under 12 boys/mixed , Under 13 girls , Under 14 girls
• All other age groups take a corner kick from inside the ‘full field’ corner area.

4. How is my team graded?

Rule 4.1, 4.2

• Clubs submit a grading sheet for each team to the Association by the first Sunday in March. This grading sheet must contain the appropriate number of names for that age group, and history for at least the last two years of each player listed, so as a proper grading may be done (See Rule 4.1.4)
• The following Tuesday each Grading Committee (there is a separate one for Juniors, Youth, Seniors and Women). Each Committee consists of members who are nominated by the clubs.
• The Grading Committees send to the clubs provisional grading sheets once the grading is done on the Tuesday evening.
• Clubs may be able to  appeal against this original grading by using the appropriate form. The Grading Committees will meet to hear any appeal and make a final decision
• The Grading Committees determine the number of teams in each age/division.

5. How many games will I play during the season?

Rule 1.4.1

The number of games played during the season depends on how many teams are in your age division.

Note

Depending on the weather all games may not be played. Most games affected by weather, outside competitions etc will be rescheduled

6. Are there special rules for small sided Games ( Under 6's to Under 11's)

Rule 1.5

Yes

• No points are recorded.
• Play need not be stopped to swap players. This can be done at any time.
• Only the registered coach can coach from the sideline.
• Players must not be placed deliberately off side.
• Coaches are not allowed on the field.
• All free kicks are indirect except for deliberate fouls in the penalty area.

7. How can I lodge a protest regarding my match?

Rule 1.15

• A protest regarding a match played must come via the club.
• Such protest must be lodged by 5:00 pm on the Monday following the match and accompanied by the fee set annually by the Board of Directors.
• The Secretary will send to all clubs involved in the protest the relevant details at least 72 hours prior to the protest being heard.
• No protest can be lodged in relation to Rules of the Game or on the interpretation of the Rules by a match official.

8. What do I do with my match sheets?

Rule 2.1, 2.2,1. 14.1

• Match sheets are printed through Compman.
• It is the responsibility of the home team (team listed first on the draw) to provide the match sheet.
• The manager shall enter any player playing in a higher grade name age and grade he plays in on the match sheet
• If a player on the match sheet does not take part in the game his name should be struck from the list. If not he is taken to have played in that game.
• Any injury should be noted on the sheet.
• A manager can request any reasonable matter regarding the game to be entered on the match sheet.
• Both team managers must sign the sheet at the end of the match and initial the score
• The home team must arrange for the match sheet to be delivered to the CDSFA office by the following Wednesday.
• If a match sheet is not filled out correctly there is a fine.
• If a match sheet is not returned to the CDSFA by Wednesday there is a fine.

Note

In finals series for competitive teams it is the winning team’s responsibility to provide the match sheet to the CDSFA.

9. How many players can I register and how many can be put on the match sheet?

Rule 5.1, Rule 3.1

Note

Match sheets are not required for under 6/7s but a maximum of 7 players (4 plus 3 substitutes) is recommended.

10. How are games decided in the Final Series?

Rule 1.7

• If a final match is a draw at the end of normal playing time 5 minutes each way of extra time is played (for Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14) and 10 minutes each way for older age groups.
• If games are still a draw after extra time a penalty shootout is done, based on FIFA rules
• Stoppage time is played in final series games
• There is “Golden Goal” The first team to score in extra time is the winner of the game
• There are no replays in final series games unless the match is abandoned due to external factors. In this case the game is replayed in full and any send offs or yellow cards earned will stand in the replay.
• If a final series game is washed out and cannot be rescheduled, the highest ranked team entering the final series game after the normal rounds of games, entering the game shall be the winner(except for BBC and GMS)

11. How are places determined for the semi-finals?

Rule 1.8

Where teams finish the regular season on equal points the places on the competition table are determined by:

In matches between the tied teams only...

1. Competition points (ie how the teams fared against each other, excluding other teams), then if still equal
2. Goal difference

If still equal then teams are compared against all results in the year for that division:

1. Goal difference then,
2. Goals “for” then,
3. Number of matches won, then
4. Least number of red cards, then
5. Least number of yellow cards.

If all the above criteria are equal, a playoff game will be held during the week to determine who goes into the semi-finals.

12. What if I don't play all my games during the season, how are places determined for the semi-finals?

Rule 1.8

If not all games are played during the season, then the rankings of the teams are determined by dividing the number of points won by the number of games played (eg 36 points and 16 games played gives 36/16 = 2.25).  If still equal, the criteria for determining semi-finalists will then be used.

13. When does the season start and end?

Rule 1.9, 1.6

• The competition commences on the first weekend in April and concludes on the last weekend in August
• Semi-finals commence immediately after the normal league rounds are completed.
• Players should be prepared to play until the last weekend in August.

14. When are matches rescheduled?

Rule 1.9

• Washed out matches, games deferred because of external games etc will initially be rescheduled for the catch up weekends set aside in the July school holidays and the June long weekend.
• If additional games need to be rescheduled, these will be rescheduled for the alternate day that that age division plays on eg. if a team normally plays on a Saturday, the rescheduled game will be put on a Sunday.
• Games may be rescheduled of an evening if grounds are available.
• If a field is washed out games may be rescheduled to another field on the same day.

15. Can I appeal against a rescheduled match?

Rule 1.9.4

• Clubs have 48 hours to appeal against a rescheduled match. The appeal must state the grounds of appeal and arrive at the Association office within 48 hours of the club being notified of the reschedule.
• Teams who have entered into an external competition (eg State Cup) have no right of appeal regarding a rescheduled match

16. Can I change the time / date of a match between my team and another team?

Rule 1.9.3.6

Yes.

• Written notification, on the approved Association form, completely filled and signed by both parties must be received in the Association office at least 21 days prior to the date the match was originally scheduled for.
• Such matches as described above must be played by June 30.

17. What happens if I do not have enough players to start a game at the scheduled time but I know other players will turn up?

Rule 1.11

• A maximum period of 10 minutes grace is allowed for a team to delay the start of a game so more players can turn up.
• Once the minimum number of players needed to start the game arrive as set out in Rule 5.1, the referee must start the game.
• If the game starts late the referee must reduce the time played.
• With reduced time, the match time of each half must be equal.
• If not enough players (under Rule 5.1) needed to start the game after the 10 minute grace period the team not having enough players shall forfeit the game

Rule 5.1

number of players needed to start game

Note

If during the game for Under 12s and above the number of players reduce below the minimum, the game will be deemed to be forfeited.

18. If my match is abandoned what happens?

Rule 10.2, 2.3

• If a match is abandoned, both clubs must submit within 48 hours to the Association a report stating the circumstances of the abandonment,
• If the match is abandoned because of violence, the referee must keep the ID cards of the players and forward them to the Association
• If a match is abandoned for other reasons than violence the referee shall return to the teams the player ID cards.
• The appropriate body (eg Fixtures Committee, Board) shall determine the outcome of the game eg replay, replay part of game, determine winner and award points, etc)
• If a game is abandoned  for any reason except for violence,only that part of the game not    played at the time of abandonment shall  be replayed (ie if a game is abandoned in the 50 minute of a senior game, only 40 minutes will be played).

19. How can I forfeit a match?

Rule 1.16

• Forfeits must be notified by the Club Competition to the Association at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled starting time of the game.
• If less than 72 hours’ notice is given the club is fined.

20. What happens to a player if he is sent off?

Rule 2.3, 6.2, 6.3

• The ID card of the player sent of shall be retained by the referee and forwarded to the Association.
• The player is automatically suspended for one match and fined.
• The Judiciary Committee will hear the players send-off report the following Tuesday and determine a sentence. The player has no need to face the Judiciary at this time unless so requested by the Chairman of the JC
• The player may appeal the decision of the JC and appear the following Tuesday subject to paying a fee determined each year by the CDSFA.
• The player’s ID card may be collected from the office once the suspension is completed

21. What about yellow cards?

Rule 6.1

• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Certified copy of baptism certificate
• Certified copy of current valid passport
• Certified copy of current driver’s licence (over 18)
• Proof of identity card from RTA (over 18)

23.  How do I register a player / Official?

Rule 3.1

• Before a player/official can participate in the CDSFA competition he must be registered and receive a valid ID card.
• Players/Officials are registered first in MFC and then in Compman.
• Registrations can commence immediately after grading, when the clubs know what team is in in what division. To be eligible to compete in the first round registration data must be entered no later than 5:00pm on the Sunday following the first round of competition.
• Following the first round of competition, data must be entered no later than 7:00pm Wednesday so as the player is eligible to play the following weekend
• May 31st at 7:00pm is the closing dates for registrations, except for non-competitive grades
• A player cannot register with two clubs of two football Associations/organisations at the same time.

24. Can a team be regraded during the season?

Rule 4.2

• Under 8’s to Under 11’s are automatically reviewed on the weekend prior to the June long weekend.
• Teams in a 12 team division will be split into two groups of six after the completion of Round 11 (ie played each other once).
• 6,8 and 12 team division teams in Under 12 to Under 17, may be regraded if  the team is clearly uncompetitive in that division.
• Teams in senior age groups may be placed in a higher division if requested by that team.
• All regradings are at the sole discretion of the Grading Committee

25. How are ID Cards used?

Rule 5.1

• No player can take the field unless he has a current CDSFA ID card to present to the referee of his match.  No card, no play, no exceptions.
• Then referee of a match shall check the ID cards and collect the cards of both teams prior to the match and return them (unless a game has been abandoned because of violence or a player has been sent off) after the match.
• Players arriving late shall give their ID card to the assistant referee or the referee before they take part in the match.
• It is the responsibility of the team manager to collect the ID cards after the match.

26. What happens if I have lost my ID Card?

Rule 5.1

• New cards may be printed by the Association. There is a fee attached to this service
• Where a player may have mislaid an ID card a request may be made to the Association to give written permission to play for a particular game.
• Such written permission shall be presented to the referee before the match.

27. What are the rules if I am registered in one age group and want to play in a different age group?

Rule 5.2

• Junior players can play in their own age group and also a maximum of 2 years above.
• If playing in a higher age group one year above (eg under 11 playing in under 12) then that player can only play in the equivalent age division or above (eg a 12/2 player can play in 13/2 or 13/1, but not in 13/3).
• If playing in a higher age group 2 years above (eg under 14 playing in under 16), the player can play in any age division that is not more than three divisions lower (eg an Under 14/3 can play in under 16/1, 16/2.16/3.16/4,16/5.16/6 but not 16/7)
• A junior player cannot play in an age higher than two years above the age group they are registered in.
• A player cannot play in a lower age group from which he is registered.
• A player cannot play for a team in the same division (eg an under 15/1B cannot play in Under 15/1A or vice versa)    
• A  female player may play in the next youngest age group in any division higher than  two divisions below the players registered division (eg an Over 30/1 woman may play in AA Women Div 3  or higher)

28. How old do I have to be to play in senior age groups?

Notes

• A female player who would turn 15 years of age in the relevant year may be eligible to play in WIL subject to parental application to the Board.
• A male player who would turn 17 years of age in the relevant year may be eligible to play in the under 21 age group subject to parental application to the Board.
• Teams registered in the Over 30 Women completion may have 3 players who are between the ages of 27 to 30 register. These players must have reached the age of 27 by January 1st of the relevant season.

29. I play in the AA, Over 35 or Over 45, where else can I play?

Rule 5.2

• Players registered in AA, Over 35 or Over 45 can only play in the age division in which he is registered(eg an AA player cannot play in Over 35 or over 45), except if his team has been nominated from which to draw players for the BBC.
• No player can play for a team in a lower division from which he is registered (ie an over 35/2 cannot play in Over 35/3, Over 35/4 etc) but can play in higher age division (eg over 45/3 can play in 45/2 and 45/1)
• Players registered in AA, over 35 or Over 45 cannot play in the AA Sunday competition and vice versa.
• Where a club has two or more teams in the same age division then players cannot play for a team in the same age division (eg a player registered in the AA3B cannot play in the AA3A and vice versa).

30. How many games can I play in a higher division?

Rule 5.2.9

• Once a player has played six games in a higher division he must stay in that higher division
• The player must obtain a new card indicating the player’s new age/division.
• If a player has played in a number of different higher age divisions he must stay in the age/division in which he played his sixth match.
• State Cup and similar competition matches count as part of the six matches.

31. Who can I play for in the final series?

Rule 5.2.10

• To play in a final series, a player must have played a minimum of 3 games for that particular team.
• A player can only play for one team in the final series.
• If a player is eligible to play in a higher age/division team in the finals he must obtain a new ID card for that team.

32. How many replacements can I make during a match?

Rule 5.3

• The CDSFA has unlimited interchange for all Age Groups (ie players may be change as often as desired).
• Interchange must only be in stoppages of play and when allowed by the referee and from within one metre of the half way line for competitive teams.

33. What happens if a referee does not turn up to referee my match?

Rule 7.2

• If an official referee does not arrive to referee your match, both parties must agree on a person to referee the match.
• If both teams cannot agree on a suitable person to referee the match, then
  • The game shall not proceed
  • The match sheet shall be filled in and also state on the match sheet the match was not played and returned to the Association.
  • Both teams shall forward to the Association within 48 hours a report indicating why the match was not played.
• The Fixture Committee shall decide the outcome of the match.
• Where a person is appointed to referee the match, he shall have all the powers of an official referee.

34. Who provides Ground Officials?

Rule 7.4

• For each field used by a club, that home club must provide at least one ground official.
• If a game is played on a neutral ground each team is required to provide a ground official.
• The ground official must be clearly visible and be identified as the official.

35. Do I have to rope off our fields?

Rule 8.2

• Mini fields do not need to be roped off.
• All other grounds must be roped off to a minimum of two metres to the extremities of the Penalty areas and at least metre high.
• There is a fine if a ground is not roped adequately.

36. Who is allowed inside the ropes / technical area?

Rule 8.3

• Any person inside the ropes/technical are must have current CDSFA ID card.
• Only coaches/manager/players in playing strip are permitted inside the ropes/technical area.
• A maximum of 2 officials (managers/coaches) are permitted within the ropes/technical area.
• No person can stand behind the goal or within 15 metres of either end of the penalty area.
• The referee may stop the match and remove any person to behind the ropes if he decides that it is necessary for the efficient management of the game.

37. If the colour of shirts clash who has to change?

Rule 8.8

• The home team (first team mentioned on the team sheet) must change their shirts.

38. Can my club host a Gala Day?

Yes

• but notification to run a gala day must notify the Competition Secretary of age group, date and venue of the gala day(s) prior to round 1 of the competition starting.
• Gala Days cannot be arranged on the same day where the CDSFA has that age group playing.