RULES AND REGULATIONS

Massachusetts League of Nations Football Championship
225 Flaggler Drive
Marshfield, MA 02050
E-mail: ricklane@oldenglandpaint.com
Tel: (781) 424 2534

 

    

MISSION STATEMENT

The primary focus of a successful soccer tournament is to promote the joy and fun of the game and to offer a safe venue for players to express themselves and develop their skills. The focus of The League of Nations tournament is to bring diverse  cultures together to play the world’s most popular sport. We believe that the benefits of organized soccer are numerous and it is our mission to provide all players with quality soccer opportunities that:

• Promote fun, entertainment and satisfaction for all participants 

• Promote health and fitness through physical activity 

• Provide a safe environment through a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship 

• Develop soccer skills and interest in the game 

• Encourage teamwork, camaraderie and friendship  

  

MALON FC, (Massachusetts League of Nations football Championship),  strives to be an all inclusive soccer league, which reaches players across a broad spectrum, including those new to soccer, former youth players, weekend warriors, and the most advanced competitors.  Our program is built around quality with experienced staff and quality referees.  We anticipate all of our members will encounter a rewarding and satisfying experience in MALON FC for many seasons to come.

 

  

GOAL

The goals of MALON FC and each National representative team shall be to provide an enjoyable experience for the fans, players, officials and everyone involved with the staging of a soccer game.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

*             The tournament Starts June 7th, 2015 and Ends August 23rd, 2015

 

*             Matches will be played every Sunday evening between these dates, see fixture list for complete list of times, dates and locations.

 

 LEAGUE FORMAT

 

All teams will play each other once over the course of the season.  Three points awarded for a win, one point for a tie. Results will be tabulated and displayed in a single league, guaranteeing all teams FIVE games this season. In the event of a tie at the end of league play, Goal difference will be the deciding factor, if this is equal also, Goals scored will come in to play.. If this is equal also, Head to head record will determine the final league positions. If that is also tied a single play off match will be played to determine the 2015 league champions.

 

The top four teams at the end of the season will advance to play offs, to be played on the evening of August 16th

 

The semi final pairings will be 1st vs 4th, and 2nd vs 3rd. These will be 90 minute matches, which if level at full time will go directly to a penalty shoot out  The winners of these two  matches will go on to the Cup final as part of the Martin Collins Memorial event at Danehey Park on August 23rd.

 

REGISTRATION & FEES

 

*             Tournament Fee is $1600 per team. Full payment is required by the day of your first match
*             A Non-refundable deposit of $200 is due by March 15th to guarantee your spot in the summer league.

 This includes a, REFUNDABLE “Assurance” deposit of $375, which will be held in escrow.

 This refund is dependent on on-field and off field rules being observed,

*             All players must sign an Individual MALON FC liability Waiver and understanding of the rules and regulations to be eligible to play

         

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH COACH OR MANAGER TO INFORM THEIR PLAYERS THESE GUIDELINES

 

FIFA laws shall govern all games with the exception of the league rules listed below.

 

MASTER ROSTERS 

 

This is a gentlemen’s agreement. The theory and purpose behind MALON FC is for each team to make the best effort possible to field a legitimate National team.

I have incorporated a rule this year that there is a maximum of three non-national players per match day squad.

There is also an age restriction in place for the 2014 season.  No team may field more than three players born after August 11th 1988, (under 27 years of age), maintaining a healthy balance of mixed ages in each team.

No Non National player on any team may be under the age of 27, that is a privilege reserved for three national born players only

I will need a master roster from each team organizer on Match day, detailing name, age,  and nationality Players recruited after the roster deadline should be made known to the tournament director, and  should bring ID, once processed / waiver signed, they will be subject to a one time $10 processing fee to the League

 

 

UNIFORM

*    Teams are required to have a full set of matching numbered jerseys.. The referee has the discretion to start the game clock if teams are not ready to play due to jersey conflicts, players arriving late, etc. 

     
*   All players shall be required to wear acceptable cleats as determined by FIFA. Players from the same team will be required to wear matching uniforms. 

 
*   All players must wear shin guards during play. Under NO circumstances may a player participate without shin guards. Shin guards must be completely covered by socks.

 

England will wear RED, (ALT WHITE)

Ireland will wear GREEN

France will wear BLUE

Sco/NI will wear GREEN, (ALT BLUE)

Germany will wear WHITE

USA will wear WHITE

 

In the event of color conflict, Numbered training vests that can be worn over the jersey will be provided.

 

Goalkeepers will need to bring at least two jerseys to avoid conflict with opposition team

 

Officials will wear BLACK

 

GAME OFFICIALS (REFEREES)

The three man system will be used throughout the tournament. 

The match officials for MALON FC games will consist of three officials, who will be consistent for all matches.

There are two matches per evening, and officials may rotate for the second game.

The Officials word is final, remember discipline while dealing with them.

The Team captain only can discuss a decision or directly challenge an officials ruling on his teams behalf. All other players will not challenge or try to intimidate the referee or his assistants.

 

GAME TIME

It is essential that all matches kick off on time, and that all players are respectful to the fixture list and their opposition by being ready to play at the posted kick off time.

              
        *     All games will start on time or be shortened or forfeited if more than ten (10) minutes elapse past scheduled kick off.

*     Matches at ROTCH will kick off at  5pm and 7pm SHARP.
*      Teams are required to be ready to play 30 minutes before game time.
*      If a team is not ready to play after 10 minutes, then the game is an automatic forfeit.
*      Play will be divided into (2) 45-minute halves separated by a ten minute halftime.
*      A maximum of 11 players per team on the field with one being the goalie.
*      A minimum of 7 players per team is required to be present to start the game.

 Penalties are in effect for incomplete teams and forfeits this season

 

FORFEIT

A forfeit will result in a 5-0 win to the team not at fault and the forfeiting team will record the result as a 0-5 loss. A forfeit will also count against your assurance deposit. If you are unable to make up that game, (at the team who originally forfeited cost), during the season, that will be seen as an inability to complete your schedule and you will lose your entire deposit.

PERSONNEL ON THE BENCH
The same code of behavior applies to substitutes and coaching staff as do to players on the field. No challenging the Officials or distracting them from match play.

 No encroachment on the sidelines, impeding the line official job.

 

Team organizers, please keep your substitutes off the sideline, and if not in play, have their jersey covered so as not to be confused with players on the field.

 

SUBSTITUTION DURING PLAY AND STOPPAGES

 

Teams may not substitute “on the fly”. All substitutions of players will be performed by the nearside line official notifying the referee of the number of changes before the player enters the game. Substitutions may occur during any stoppage of play for either team with the permission of the referee.   Stoppages may include:

 

*             Throw-ins

*             Scoring of goals

*             Goal kicks

*             Fouls
*             Injuries

 

LEAGUE DISCIPLINE

 

*             A sending off (red card) will result in a minimum of a one (1) game suspension for non violent actions, or a two match ban for a straight red card for actions that merit more severe punishment. A sending off as a result of two cautions (yellow card) in the same game will result in the player being suspended for the next match. Any team using suspended players will be disciplined with point deductions and a continued suspension of that player for the remainder of the season.

*             Red carded player must immediately leave the vicinity of the field. Player is also suspended for the next game and must speak with team organizer and league official before playing in league again.

*             Yellow cards are a part of the game, and Individual Yellow cards will not be punished.

*             Three yellow cards by any one player during the season results in player suspension for the next game.

*             Two red cards in a season results in immediate ejection of player from the league.

*             Any disruption due to fighting results in immediate ejection from the league.

               Red cards are also punished by a $20 penalty being deducted from your refundable disciplinary fund that is to be paid at the start of the season

 

POINT SYSTEM 

The Massachusetts League of Nations Football Championship, (MALON FC) shall operate under a point system. The point system shall award three points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss.

In case of a tie in the standings, the following criteria will be used to determine final standing

Goal difference
Goals scored
Head to head record
In the event of a deadlocked tie a Play off match will be scheduled.

 

TEAM RESPONSIBILITY

Each team must have a team manager that handles the following responsibilities:
*             Reporting of scores and communication with appropriate league officials. 
*             Completion and filing of team roster on match days
*             Management of squad to meet age and nationality eligibility. 
*             All team managers must list a current email address and phone number on their team registration form

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER

*             Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear on the field of play, ready to play as scheduled.
*             Failure to play will result in the forfeit of the match.
*             Only referees and/or the Tournament Director can cancel or postpone a match.
*             If a game has to be terminated due to weather and/or other conditions and the tournament's timetable does not allow for the match completion within a reasonable timeframe, the game will be considered official after one half has been completed and the score at the time will stand.

 

GAME REPORT 

 

The referee will record the score, report the specifics of any cautions and/or sending offs and sign the game report. A coach from each team shall be required to validate and sign the game report. It is the shared responsibility of the referee and the coaches to ensure that the game report is correct.

 

A match report and team photos will be added in the week following the matches to the MALON FC Website and Facebook page

SHOW GOOD FAIR PLAY

Immediately following the match, players and coaches from both teams:

 

*             Are expected to exchange congratulatory handshakes

*             Are expected to respectfully thank the referee(s)

 

 

 

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO 

 

Alcohol and Tobacco products are prohibited from the grounds of the tournament fields at all times during the tournament weekend. Also, at Rotch Playground, Sports Drinks and food are banned from the field of play, and sidelines

 

TRASH REMOVAL

 

Coaches, players and spectators are expected to clear their respective areas of trash at the conclusion of each match.

 

AWARDS

 

The Massachusetts League of Nations Football Championship trophy is the ultimate prize. However, other prizes will be awarded as long as team fees are received in the appropriate time frame.

 

We will also be monitoring the matches for

 

Man of the Match
Golden Boot- For the tournament top scorer,
MALON FC Fair Play, ( fewest deductions  over the course of the season)

 

 

 

FIELD

 

 All matches will be held at Rotch Playground, 50 Randolph Street, Boston, MA 02118, or Danehy Park, 99 Sherman St, Cambridge.

 

 

Each team organizer will have a copy of the permit that they must bring to each match to present to field security.

 

 

Rotch playground has strict rules regarding food, drinks, trash and pets at the field….Please abide by these rules so that we may continue to use this facility.