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Gen Alpha League
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Gen Alpha League

Rules & Regulations

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Rules & Regulations:

 A. Laws of the Game

 Gen Alpha League is played in accordance with the Laws of the Game of IFAB, with several amendments and additions for purposes of convenience.

B. Teams & Groups:

  •  For the categories of 8 teams, they play the first stage as one group (home-away format). The first four teams qualify for the semi-finals (2 legs; home-away), and two teams qualify for the finals (one match on neutral ground except the final festival host academy which plays on its field).
  • For the categories of 14 teams, they are split into 2 groups (Northern Conference and Southern Conference). The first four teams in each group qualify for the quarterfinals (2 legs; home-away), and four teams qualify for the semifinals (2 legs; home-away), and two teams qualify for the finals (one match on neutral ground except the final festival host academy which plays on its field).

C. Age Groups & Category Levels Teams

    • A player cannot play for more than one academy
    • A player cannot play for more than one branch of the same academy
    • A player cannot play in different category levels of the same age group
    • A player is allowed to participate in an older age group but may only shift up or down by one category level. Shifting from Pro to Novice of an older age group is prohibited.

D. Match Squad & Delegation

  • Player Rules:
    • Open substitution.
    • Maximum squad size (as per the reference table)
    • Up to three female players, one year older than the age category, are allowed per match.
  • Staff:
    • Up to four staff members are allowed on the bench.
    • One photographer/cameraman is permitted on the field.
  • Academy Liaison: An appointed representative for each academy coordinates with the league and must be reachable during all matches.

E. Transfer Window

  • Transfer Period: January 26 – January 28, 2025
  • Rules:
    • Transfers between teams are only allowed during the Transfer Window.
    • Each team is allowed a maximum of two transfers.
    • Adding players from outside the league counts as a transfer.
    • Players cannot transfer to another team within the same academy.
    • Both academies, the players, and the parents must agree to the transfer.

F. Group Standings and Tie Breaker:

The teams of the same category will be ranked according to the following criteria in order:

  1. number of points
  2. head-to-head points of the concerned teams
  3. goal difference in the matches of the concerned teams
  4. goals scored
  5. draw

When 3 or more teams are tied on points, the same criteria listed a priori (a–e) still apply, but they are applied to the mini-league formed only by those tied teams:

  1. Head-to-head points among the tied teams
  2. Head-to-head goal difference among the tied teams
  3. Head-to-head goals scored
  4. All matches goal difference
  5. All matches goals scored
  6. Draw

G. Match Forfeiture

Any match with at least one team having a number of players below the minimum stated below at the start of the match will be considered forfeited:

  • 5-a-side: Minimum 4 players
  • 6-a-side: Minimum 5 players
  • 7-a-side: Minimum 5 players
  • 8-a-side: Minimum 6 players
  • 9-a-side: Minimum 7 players
  • 11-a-side: Minimum 8 players.

    Any team not paying the match fees at the end of the match will lose the match with the same final score, in case the team already lost the game. In case the team draws or wins the game, the match is considered forfeited.

  1. A forfeited match ends in a final score of (3-0) in favor of the opposite team, except in the case of knockout stage, where the forfeiting team cannot benefit from this rule for aggregate reasons.
  2. A team which forfeits three games is considered out of competition.
  3. A team which is late 20 minutes from kick-off time will lose the game (3-0) and will have to pay the match fees.

H. Match Scheduling

 Every academy liaison is entitled to agree with his counterpart upon a schedule for each match, week by week. Each liaison must offer at least two distinct options.

  • The academy liaison, after coordinating with his counterpart, should send the schedule of the match week on Wednesday of each week.
  • In case of disagreement, both teams will abide by the schedule imposed by the organizing committee. In case any team does not abide by the imposed schedule, the team loses the match, and six points will be deducted from its points.

    I. Match Postponing

  •  In case of critical security situation
  • In case of heavy storms with lightning
  • Any other case given by the organizing committee

The organizing committee solely decides whether the game is postponed or not.

 

J. Uniform and Accessories

  •  In case both teams are wearing uniforms of the same colors, or close colors, the referee asks the team playing away to wear bibs.
  • In case the away team does not have bibs, the home team must provide them.

K. VAR

 The VAR system will be implemented at the Grand Final Festival Matches at an extra fee.