UK5ASIDE RULES & REGULATIONS (2009)

Summary of Main Rules (and the penalties for their infringement)

1. Players must not enter the goalkeeper’s area at any time
   (penalty if own area; direct free kick if opponent’s)
2. Goalkeepers must remain within their area at all times – this includes during the course of making a save
   (penalty)
3. Players should not slide-tackle when playing/challenging for ball, or go to ground at any time
   (direct free kick)
4. Player receiving ball from goalkeeper must not pass directly back to goalkeeper
   (direct free kick)
5. Up to 7 players can take part in each game. Unlimited substitution is allowed during the game, but only during a break in play or when goalkeeper is holding the ball. All substitutions should be acknowledged by the referee before taking place
   (direct free kick from centre)
6. Ball must remain below head height at all times. If ball travels above head height whilst in the goal area no free kick is awarded provided the ball is below head height when it then leaves the area. Free kick is taken from the place the ball was kicked – not where it went above head height
   (indirect free kick)
7. Goalkeepers must roll the ball underarm below waist height
   (indirect free kick)

All other Association Football Rules regarding fair and foul play are the same as for 11-a-side football. If players need clarification of any of these rules please see League Administrator.

Unlike 11-a-side football, indoor 5ASIDE football is a ‘low-contact’ sport. To protect players from injury, all charging and other dangerous tackles/challenges (including hands/elbows at head height) will be penalised

Penalties & Free kicks

Penalties:All players must be behind the ball (or outside the designated area if marked). Goalkeeper must be on his line when ball is struck. Penalty taker's run-up is limited to a maximum of 1m

Free kicks: All players from the opposing team must be at least 2m from the ball when the free kick is taken. Infringement of this rule may result in the referee moving the kick 2m nearer the offender's goal. Free kicks awarded just outside goalkeeper's area are taken 2m outside the goalkeeper's area
• Sin-bin / Sending-off / Abandoned Game (at the referee’s discretion)
• ‘swearing at’ or ‘arguing with’ the referee or other players (on or off the pitch)
• aggressive or threatening behaviour towards the referee or other players (on or off the pitch)
• tackles/challenges deemed to be too dangerous for indoor play
• persistent ‘heavy contact’ challenges
• ‘professional foul’ committed when a player would otherwise be through for a shot at goal 

Players in the Sin-bin cannot be substituted, and must remain off the pitch until referee signals them back on  (usually 3 minutes). If referee abandons game as a result of a team’s bad discipline, a 6-0 walkover will be awarded to their opponents.

Disciplinary Penalties

• Any player gaining 1 red card (sending off) or 2 black cards (sin-bins) will be suspended for the next game. His team will be deducted 2 league points
• Any team collecting 5 or more black cards in a season will also be deducted 2 league points

UK5ASIDE SoccerLeagues are affiliated to the Football Association and as such we must abide by their code of practice, particularly with reference to players conduct and discipline. With this in mind please make careful note of the following:-

• Players’ conduct on & off the field of play must be of the highest order; disciplinary procedure will be enforced
• Any suspensions gained in the league may also affect your eligibility to play in other football leagues

In extreme cases players and teams may be banned from the UK5ASIDE SoccerLeagues indefinitely

Late Arrival / Cancellation of a Fixture

Teams arriving over 3 minutes late for their fixture can (at the opposition’s request) be penalised by awarding a 6-0 ‘walkover’ to the opposing team. The game will then be played as a friendly. The offending team, at the League Administrator’s discretion may also suffer a 1 league point deduction

Any team unable to meet a stated fixture will be penalised by awarding a 6-0 ‘walkover’ to the opposing team (1-0 ‘walkover’ in knock-out tournaments) and an automatic 1 league point deduction per game

Any team failing to notify the League Administrator on 07973-121679 at least 2 hours before the league start time will suffer an additional 1 league-point deduction per game. The smooth running of the league depends on your reliability. Your opponents have paid their league fees and are expecting a game. Make sure you have a team for all fixtures

Players & Guest Players

Players must be registered with the League Administrator before they are eligible to play in the league

A maximum of 10 players per team can be registered at any one time. Any changes to the team sheet during the season must be made known to the League Administrator before the new players are eligible to play in the league

Players cannot be registered with more than one team in the same division. Any player representing a team on three or more occasions must be registered with that team and cannot be treated as a ‘guest’ player

A minimum of 4 registered players per team are required for a fixture to be played (see below*). Any team arriving for a fixture with less than 4 registered players will suffer an automatic 1 league point deduction per game

*If a team intends to play an illegal player (any player registered to another team in the same division), or more than one ‘guest’, this must be agreed with the captain of the opposing team before kick-off. The opposing team can then choose to play the game or claim a 6-0 ‘walkover’ and play the game as a friendly. The decision to claim a ‘walkover’ must be made clear to the offending team and the League Administrator or referee before kick-off

League Tables

League Tables are updated weekly and displayed on the league notice board and on the league web site, hosted at http://www.uk5aside.com/  If teams are level on points, the order of placing will be decided in the following order:-
1. goal difference
2. goals scored
3. results between the relevant teams

A final point to keep in mindThe referee’s decision is FINAL and is not negotiable. Arguing only serves to disrupt the game and waste playing time. You will occasionally get decisions going against you - that’s football. Even referees are human!

Enjoy your football!

UK5ASIDE League Administrator: Neil Maddison
Tel: 07973 121679          Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it