DCFA REGULATIONS/RULES FOR JUNIOR FOOTBALL 1. AGES The age of players is determined on 1 January each year i.e. if a player turns eight on or after the 1st January, the player is eligible to play in the Under 9 section. This rule applies to each age group. Age group breakdown as per SAFA ethekwini youth development requirement. 2. REGISTRATIONS a. Registration Cards all players from the age groups, Under 6 to Under 19, must be registered with DCFA. Player registrations will be issued on the official cards provided by SAFA, and will bear the players photograph, name, surname & Club name. These cards will only be issued if a player has presented his/her original birth certificate or a certified copy of same stamped by the player s school, and three identical passport sized photographs to the DCFA administration office. Players older than 16 years must supply certified copies of ID or passport. The onus is on the Clubs to ensure that certified copies of birth certificates/id's are legitimate and that photographs correspond to the correct players. The cards of both teams must be inspected before teams take the field. Teams will only be allowed to field players who have the proper registration cards. Referees will enforce the No Card No Play rule, unless otherwise instructed by DCFA. b. Transfers & Clearances. Any junior player transferring from one Club to another during a current season, must produce a clearance certificate to show that the player has honoured all his/her obligations to their previous Club. This clearance certificate plus the old registration card must be submitted to DCFA administration office before a new registration card will be issued in the name of his/her new Club. c. Lost Cards. If a player s registration card is lost by either the player or the players Club, this matter must be brought to the attention of the Secretary of DCFA. A new registration card will be processed on receipt of two (2) passport sized photographs & his/her original birth certificate or a certified copy of same stamped by the player s school. Replacement of a lost card will be subject to a R40.00 fee & will be replaced at the discretion of the DCFA committee. d. Registration cards will be processed free of charge up to 30th June, thereafter a fee of R40.00 per card will be levied. e. Issue of Registration Cards. Cards will only be processed during the stipulated office hours. A turn around time of at least five (5) working days must be allowed for the issue of registration cards. 3. AGE RESTRICTIONS OF PLAYERS No player falling in the Under 6 - Under 9 age groups will be permitted to play competitive football. Special dispensation may be granted to allow players to play in a higher age group but, permission must first be granted by the DCFA committee. It is preferable for a player to play in the age group in which the player qualifies, and not in a higher one, however, a Club may exercise their prerogative to play players in an older team with permission from the standing DCFA committee.
4. CLASH OF COLOURS Where a clash of colours occurs, it is compulsory for the home team to arrange a change of colours. Any decision on clash / acceptability of colours is to be made by the referee. 5. REFEREES In conjunction with DCFA the affiliated Little League Referees Association shall appoint referees to games as and where it deems fit. Junior and new referees will be appointed to officiate at under 6 to under 13 levels under a mentor programme. This is designed to increase the membership of the Little League Referees Association and ensure that in future more games are covered with qualified officials If a Club has been notified that an official referee has been appointed, and he/she is not present at the scheduled start of the match, it is incumbent on the home team manager concerned to appoint a referee. A referee, carrying the official current Little League Referees Association card, shall take preference over any other person in officiating, save the referee as appointed in above. Any team refusing to play will be deemed guilty of misconduct & subject to a DC and/or fine. Should the appointed referee arrive at the ground after the match has been started by a substitute referee, the appointed official has the right to take over the refereeing duties if he/she deems such action advisable. The match may not be re-started under any circumstances. An official referee appointed by the Little League Referees Association shall take preference over any other person. Referees are compelled to examine player registration cards prior to the start of the game. The referee s decision at a particular match is final. Referee s fees will be set at the beginning of the season. Referees are to be paid by both teams before commencement of the game. Under 13 to Under 19 scheduled games R60.00 (R30 per team) Postponed rescheduled games R80.00 (R40 per team) Under 9, 10, 11 & 12 games R50.00 (R25 per team) Under 6, 7 & 8 games R50.00 (R25 per team) The committee has instructed referees appointed by DCFA to start games at the scheduled kick off time and if not, reduce each half accordingly to ensure that the following game is not delayed. This instruction will also be enforced where there is no official referee in attendance. In our effort to eliminate the verbal abuse & disruptive behaviour by parents and spectators from the sidelines, DCFA have given the Little League Referees Association the authority to issue RED cards to any parent, spectator, manager or coach who is deemed to be causing any form of disruption. The referee will submit a written report and the Club will be issued with an automatic fine of R300.00 without the right of appeal. Should the DCFA Executive Committee find that further action is required then additional fines, banning or points deducted will be considered. If a game has been postponed with the approval of the DCFA, the onus is on both teams to notify the Little League Referees Association. If a referee is
sent to officiate at a game and neither team arrive, the home team shall receive an automatic R200.00 fine for not notifying the Referees Association or the office. In addition the home team will receive a further automatic fine of R80.00, which will be paid to the referee. Referees will enforce that the technical areas are used by the coaches/managers in all age groups games and that parents and spectators share the opposite side i.e. the side where there is no technical area or in provided stands. No parent, spectator & coach will be allowed around the goal areas. 6. RE-SCHEDULING OF FIXTURES Any fixtures that need to be changed should be played before the scheduled date or within 2 weeks after the scheduled date. This change of date is subject to the opposition team s agreement. The team requesting the change must give the option of setting the alternate date to the opposition team provided they have agreed to the change. The postponing team has the responsibility of notifying the DCFA office and the Little League Referees Association of the change and the alternate date and time. Any match not played within the scheduled 2 weeks period, a 0-0 score will be recorded and points allocated accordingly. Any changes of date and/or time are to be notified by email or faxing the office three (3) working days prior to the scheduled date. Any changes notified thereafter will not be accommodated by the DCFA. Any team not abiding by the above Rules or playing their fixtured game will be subject to an automatic R300.00 fine without the right of appeal. The defaulting team will be immediately and automatically suspended from further fixtures until the fine is paid in full. All teams fixtured to play the defaulting team within this period, will be awarded a 2-0 victory to prevent a backlog in fixtures. Any breach of the above Rules will in be in addition to the above automatic fine, and subject to any DCFA Disciplinary Committee ruling. 7. COACHES No coaches or managers are allowed on the field during games with the exception of under 6, 7 and under 8 s. (Maximum of one per team). It is the responsibility of the coach, the manager and the Club to educate their supporters in the Junior Laws of Association Football and the Rules herein. All coaches and managers are to carry registration cards at games. One (1) passport photograph is to be forwarded to the DCFA office (no identity necessary) but must have the date of birth on back. 8. RESULTS All results must be sent through to our DCFA office by either fax or email, team cards must subsequently be dropped off at our offices by noon on the Thursday following the scheduled date of the game. If only one Club has submitted a result within this time, that result will stand. If no result is submitted by either Club within that time, a 0 0 draw will be awarded and points allocated accordingly
9. TEAM RETURNS Team returns must be completed and signed for all matches. In non-competitive games, team returns need not be submitted to DCFA. Before the game. Team coach/manager will exchange team returns with each other prior to the start of each league or cup game, so that the opposing team s players cards can be checked. Referees have been instructed to check the cards of all players, substitutes and coaches on the relative team returns. The NO CARD NO PLAY RULE WILL BE ENFORCED, or unless otherwise instructed by the DCFA. If an unregistered player is used in a match, the offending team will be deemed to have lost the match. During the game. Referees are to hold a set of team returns for the duration of the game. After the game. Both team cards must be signed by both coaches/managers and referee. If there is no official referee, the team cards (i.e. those held by the referee) are then to be submitted by each team within four (4) days of the game being played. If an official referee has taken the game, he/she will submit the team cards to the DCFA office, together with any match report. The referee has the authority to check or examine either team s team return at any time. In the event of a player being sent off the field as a result of a red card, the team return plus the player s registration card shall be retained by the referee and forwarded with his/her report to the DCFA office within 72 hours of the incident (excluding week-ends and public holidays), an automatic 2 match suspension will be enforced. Should the offence be of a serious nature to warrant a DC hearing, the player cannot play until such hearing. League match suspensions will not be considered independent to any tournament or cup match suspensions. In the U10 to U12 age groups, players that have been red carded or sent off due to accumulation of yellow cards, may not re-enter the field of play. Clubs not complying with the above laid out Rules will be dealt with by the DCFA Disciplinary Committee, who has the right to take whatever action they deem necessary. 10. CUP & SHIELD UNDER 10 AND ABOVE COMPETITIVE MATCHES All Under 10 and above age group A teams will compete for the Cup Trophy and all B and lower teams will compete for the Shield Trophy. No Under 6-9 players may participate in cup/shield matches. Team returns must be submitted for all cup & shield games. To control the loading of sides the following Rule will be observed:- A player who has played in a higher age group or higher level cup/shield fixture shall be termed cup tied i.e. the player will not be allowed to compete in a lower age group or lower level cup game or shield competition. A shield tied player who has been promoted to the A side, must get prior written permission from the DCFA committee to play in the cup competition prior to the cup game taking place. Once a player has played in a cup or shield game, the player is termed cup tied and may not play a cup or shield game for another Club if the player transfers during the course of the season.
The duration of cup/shield games shall be as per league matches. In the event of a draw, 7 minutes each way extra time shall be played by the Under 10, 11 and 12 and 10 minutes each way extra time for the Under 13,15, 17 and 19 with instant turn around. If there is still no result after all the extra time, 5 penalties by 5 different players identified to the referee will be taken. If the match is still not decided, penalties will continue to be taken by the other players until a result is reached sudden death. As a result of the rolling substitutes policy adopted by DCFA in the U10 to U12 age groups, all players listed on the team return shall be cup tied whether they take the field or not. Any Club entering the cup & shield competition will not be permitted to enter a B team unless their A team is entered & likewise no C team may enter unless an A and B team are entered. The maximum number of rolling substitutes will be limited to four (4) and all names must be listed on the team return whether they take the field or not. 11. LEAGUE MATCHES In the event of a player being called upon to play in a higher age division, that player shall remain playing in the higher age division for a minimum of 3 league games. A player may not be allowed to play in a lower team of a higher age group which is more than one team lower than he normally plays in e.g. Under 10 A team may not play in the under 11 C team. This Rule refers to under 10 s playing for an under 11 team. Any player who represents his/her Club in a higher team for any period of time and who drops back to a lower team must remain in that lower team for a minimum of 4 games. In the event of a Club having two sides in the same league this Rule also applies. This Rule refers to A side players playing for a B team, & B side players playing for a C team. In the event of a lower league team having league matches to complete, and the higher league teams having completed the matches for the season, no player from a higher league team may play in that lower league team. The maximum number of rolling substitutes will be limited to four (4) and all names must be listed on the team return. Any team not playing their fixtured league games (in all age groups), will be subject to an automatic R300 fine without the right of appeal and will be reported to the DC for further action. Once a Club has entered teams into the leagues for the season, all teams are bound to play their games. The maximum number of players listed on the team return will be limited to maximum number of players allowable per age group. This will encourage Clubs, coaches and managers to utilize their players correctly and ensure that all players participate on a regular basis. 12. TEAMS RETIRING OR WITHDRAWING Any team withdrawing from the league will be subject to an automatic fine of R1000.00 per team without the right of appeal and the club will be subject to a DC. In the event of a team withdrawing before the completion of the league, the record of this team shall be expunged from the league table if the first round has not been completed by the withdrawing club. In the event however, of a team withdrawing after commencing the second round, opposing Clubs shall
count three points in matches arranged but not played subsequent to withdrawal. 13. LEAGUE WINNERS, PROMOTION & RELEGATION In the event of a tie (i.e. equal number of points), the league winners will declared by goal difference. Promotion and relegation will be decided by the results achieved from the previous season or at the discretion of the DCFA. A B team may not be promoted to League 1 (Stream A). Promotion & relegation is at the discretion of the DCFA Committee and their decision is final. 14. FLOATING TROPHIES & MINATURES The coach/manager of each team winning a trophy will sign for the receipt of that trophy. Each Club is responsible for returning that trophy to the DCFA offices in good condition by the 30th August the following season. In the event of the Club not meeting this deadline, the DCFA will automatically purchase a replacement trophy and the cost of the trophy will be for the offending Club s account. Each Club shall at their own cost have a small shield placed on the trophy base with the Club s name & year engraved on it if the DCFA has not done this. A Club will be held responsible for any trophy that is returned in a damaged condition or not returned at all and shall bear the cost of repairs or replacement. A maximum of 15 miniatures/medals will be awarded to Under 10 Under 12 which includes the coach & manager. A maximum of 20 miniatures/medals for the older players. 15. COMPLAINTS AND PROTEST All complaints must be made to the DCFA Secretary in writing within 48 hours of the game being played (excluding week-ends and public holidays). All protests must be made to the DCFA Secretary in writing within 48 hours of the game being played (excluding week-ends and public holidays) and a fee of R750 must e paid. The right of appeal may be granted. A R2000.00 payment to DCFA must be submitted with the appeal. All complaints must come through the official channels of the Club Chairman or Club Representative concerned. The DCFA DC decisions will be final. 16. POINTS Points will be awarded as follows: 3 points for a win. 1 point for a draw. No points for a loss.
17. BALL SIZES. Under 6 to Under 8 use a size 3 ball. Under 9 to Under 12 use a size 4 ball. Under 13 to Under 19 use a size 5 ball. 18. GOAL SIZES 11 a side games - Height: - 2.44 meters Width: - 7, 32 meters 6 / 7/ 9 a side games - Height:- minimum 1,5 meters maximum 2 meters Width:- minimum 4,0 meters maximum 5,0 meters 19. FIELD SIZES 11 a side games - Length: minimum 90 meters maximum 120 meters Width: minimum 45 meters maximum 90 meters U6 & 7 - U8 and 9 - U10-12 - Length: minimum 30 meters maximum 40 meters Width: minimum 25 meters maximum 35 meters Length: minimum 40 meters maximum 50 meters Width: minimum 25 meters maximum 35 meters Length: minimum 55 meters, maximum 70 meters Width: minimum 40 meters, maximum 50 meters 20. DURATION OF THE GAMES All under 6 & 7 games are 15 minutes each way with 5 minute half time Under 8 & 9 games are 20 minutes each way with 5 minute half time. Under 10, 11 & 12 games are 25 minutes each way with 5 minutes half time. Under 13 & 15 games are 30 minutes each way with 5 minutes half time. Under 17 & 19 games are 35 minutes each way with 5 minutes half time. 21. UNDER 6 and 7 ( FIVE v FIVE no Goalkeepers) - non competitive Non competitive games are fixtured each week allowing for 9 players per squad including 4 rolling substitutes. Games may be played concurrently or one after the other should the manager or coach so wish and should the fields be available. a. There will be a maximum of 9 players per team, with 5 players on the field (NO goal keeper) at any one time. b. Games will last 30 minutes with two 15 minute halves and a 5 minute interval. c. These games will be played on a full field which will be split 4 ways into quarters to accommodate four matches. This will involve 40 players who can play simultaneously.. d. A size 3 ball will be used.
e. No penalties are allowed. Free kicks will be indirect. f. There will be no centre mark or halfway line the referee must use his/her discretion in choosing a kick-off mark. The referee must ensure that the opposing team is 5 meters away from the ball at the kick-off. g. Where a free kick is given, the opposing team is to retreat 5 meters from the ball. h. Rolling substitutes (maximum 4) can rotate as often as the coaches see fit and must be made at the sideline with the referee s permission. i. Corner kicks will be taken at the corner mark. All defenders to be a minimum of 5 meters away. j. Goal kicks will be taken approximately 10 meters from the goal line. k. There will be no off side Law. l. Coaches are allowed on the field during games (maximum one per team) and must in no way obstruct or interfere with play. m. It is the responsibility of the coach and the Club to educate their parents and supporters in The Laws of Association Football and the Byelaws of the DCFA n. All players must be correctly registered with the DCFA & must present registration cards at each game. o. Teams who do not arrive for scheduled games must be reported to our DCFA office and will be subject to a fine of R300.00 and/or disciplinary action. 22. UNDER 8 and 9 (SIX A SIDE WITH GOAL KEEPER) - non competitive All the above laws which apply to under 6 & 7 will apply to the under 8 s and 9's. Maximum of 10 players per squad including 4 rolling substitutes. Games may be played concurrently or one after the other should the manager or coach so wish and should fields be available. a. There will be a maximum of 10 players per team, with 6 players on the field, including a goalkeeper, at any one time. b. Games will last 40 minutes with two 20 minute halves and a 5 minute interval. c. Coaches are allowed on the field for U8 but not for U9 during the games d. A size 3 for U8 and size 4 ball for U9 will be used. e. No penalties are allowed. Free kicks will all be indirect. f. There will be no centre mark or halfway line. The referee must use his/her discretion in choosing a kick-off mark. The referee must ensure that the opposing teams are 5 meters away from the ball at the kick-off. g. Where a free kick is awarded, the opposing team is to retreat 5 meters from the ball. h. Rolling substitutes (maximum 4) can rotate as often as the coaches see fit and must be made at the sideline with the referee s permission. i. The goalkeeper may roll or dribble the ball before kicking into play but should release it within a reasonable amount of time. j. There will be no off side Law.
k. Corner kicks will be taken at the corner mark. All defenders to be a minimum of 5 meters away. l. It is the responsibility of the coach and the Club to educate their parents and supporters in The Laws of Association Football and the Byelaws of the DCFA. m. All players must be correctly registered with the DCFA and must present registration cards at each game. n. Teams who do not arrive for scheduled games must be reported to our DCFA office and will be subject to a fine of R300.00 and/or disciplinary action. 24. UNDER 10 - UNDER 12 (NINE A SIDE) All the above laws which apply to under 6, 7, 8 & 9 will apply to the under 10 s - under 12 s except for the following: a. There will be a maximum of 13 players per team, with 9 players on the field, including a goalkeeper, at any one time. b. These games will be played across the width of one half of a full size field, so that two matches can be played simultaneously. c. No coaches will be allowed on the field during games. d. The duration of games will be 25 minutes each way with a 5 minute interval. e. The size of the ball will be a size 4. f. Corner kicks will be taken at the corner mark. All defenders to be a minimum of 5 meters away. g. Where a free kick is given, the opposing team is to retreat approximately 5 meters from the ball. h. Penalties will be allowed in the under 10 - under12 age groups under the following conditions. If, in the opinion of the referee, a direct free kick would have been awarded to the attacking side. Provided that the infringement occurred within an area covered by an imaginary line 5 meters from the goal line & 3 meters from the outside of each goal post into the field of play. i. Penalties (under 10 s - under 12 s) will be taken at an imaginary mark made 8 meters from the goal line and midpoint between the goalposts. j. The goalkeeper will remain on his goal line facing the kicker and between the goal posts until the ball is kicked. k. The player taking the penalty kick must be properly identified. l. All other players other than the kicker are to be at least 3 meters behind the penalty mark. No parents, coaches or others allowed behind or near goals m. The referee will indicate when the kick is to be taken and the referee will decide when a penalty kick has been completed. n. A player cautioned for dangerous play will be sin binned for 2 minutes
and may not be substituted by another player. Persistent foul play may result in the offending player been red carded. o. There will be no off side Law. 25. LAWS OF THE GAME The Laws of Association Football will apply subject to the following DCFA Rules:-. Harassing of goal keepers is not allowed. There is to be no coaching or standing behind the goal line by coaches, managers, parents or supporters. No liquor is to be present or consumed on the side line. No referee may coach while in control of a game. The onus is on the home team to provide a match ball. The maximum number of rolling substitutes will be limited to 4 (four). All rolling substitutes must be made at the halfway line and from one side of the field at the Referees discretion. It is imperative that if football is to be successful all players, coaches and managers must be at the game venue at least 15 minutes before scheduled kick off to avoid late starts. The No Card No Play rule will be enforced, unless otherwise instructed by DCFA. All shirts are to be numbered. 26. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT - UNDER 10 - U12 (9 A SIDE) a. All infringements committed by the attacking team in the areas adjacent to the penalty area, resulting in a free kick to the defending side, shall be taken in line with the penalty area line. b. All corner kicks to be taken on the goal line approximately 1 meter from side line. c. The goalkeeper shall not take more than six (6) seconds while controlling the ball with his/her hands before releasing it from his/her possession. Referees are to be lenient with regards to bouncing of the ball but goalkeepers should release the ball as quickly as possible d. All other Laws of Association Football shall apply including the pass by foot to the goalkeeper by his/her own team mate & a throw in from his/her own team mate which he/she may not control with his/her hands. e. If a game is forced to be abandoned through a power failure, lightening storm, inclement weather or any other reason at the discretion of the referee. The whole game must be replayed within 2 weeks. The Clubs will set the re-scheduled date and advise DCFA office and the affiliated Little League Referees Association. f. Teams arriving late for their allocated kick off time for any league or cup / shield games will be subjected to disciplinary action and concede a walkover. Late arrivals must be reported on the referee s result card or on the result sheet submitted by the Clubs.
27. U13 -U19 (11 a-side) - Normal FIFA rules will apply 28. TOURNAMENTS a. Clubs who wish to hold tournaments, fun days and/or family days must first obtain permission for such tournaments from the committee of the DCFA Committee prior to commencement of the season. b. Clubs who officially enter tournaments, and who do not fulfil their commitment in both participating and meeting the financial obligation will be subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the DCFA Committee. c. Clubs wishing to participate in tournaments, either within the DCFA boundaries or across the boundaries, must first obtain permission to enter such tournaments from the committee of the DCFA Committee. This also includes overseas tours. d. Clubs not sending their best players when requested to do so by the DCFA for selection purposes, will be subject to a DC. 29. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT The Laws of Association Football will apply subject to the following DCFA Rules:-. a. Shin guards are compulsory and shall be covered entirely by the socks. b. Appropriate Footwear. c. No jewellery such as watches, neck chains and ear rings and the like. d. Goalkeepers shall wear a distinguishing playing strip. e. No hats, caps or other headgear to be worn by players. However, goalkeepers will be allowed to wear caps. 30. REPRESENTATION AT MEETINGS All Clubs are required to send a representative to all DCFA council meetings. This applies to all meetings arranged by the DCFA office such as monthly council meetings, brainstorming coach's meetings (held at the end of the season in mid October), Annual General Meeting. Clubs will be subject to an automatic fine of R100.00 if a representative is not present at any meeting called for by the DCFA Committee.