General Rules

 

 Player Eligibility:  

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• Players are only allowed to play in the year they were born or one year up. They cannot play in a year group two years above or below their birth year. For example, a player born in 2015 is eligible to play in the 2015 and 2014 year groups only.

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Spectator Placement:  

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• Parents must stand on the opposite side of the pitch from the coaches and substitutes during matches.

 

Referee Absence:  

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• If a referee is absent or delayed, team coaches are responsible for starting the match on time.

 

Match Timings:  

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• All matches must begin and end at the scheduled times, regardless of how many minutes have been played. When the final whistle blows, the game ends, and the ball is considered dead—even if it is in the air. 

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Player Attire:  

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•   Players must wear their club’s official kit when participating in matches.  

•   Players must bring their YFLHK player cards to all fixtures.  

•   Appropriate playing shoes/boots and shin guards are mandatory for all players.

 

Post-Match Cleanliness:  

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• All players, coaches, and supporters are required to leave the venue neat, tidy, and free of litter after matches.

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Color Clashes:  

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• In the event of a color clash between teams, bibs can be worn by one team. The decision on which team wears bibs will be made by a coin toss. Goalkeepers must wear a color that is different from the outfield players.

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Penalty Shootout Rules:  

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• During knockout competitions, the goalkeeper in goal at the final whistle must remain in goal for the penalty shootout. Goalkeepers may only be substituted before the final whistle, not after.

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Player Registration Policy for the League

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Mandatory Registration:

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•  All players must be registered with the league prior to participation in games. Registration must be completed through the official league registration process, including providing all required documentation and fees.

• Under no circumstances will unregistered players be allowed to participate in games, even if they are brought to games by their respective clubs. Clubs found in violation of this rule will face disciplinary action, which may include fines, forfeiture of matches, or suspension.

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Player Identification Cards

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• Each registered player will be issued a digital and physical YFLHK Player Card by the league.

• Players must bring their YFLHK Player Card (physical or digital) to all fixtures in which they are participating. Failure to produce the card may result in the player being deemed ineligible to play.

• Clubs are responsible for ensuring that all players have their cards available before the start of each fixture.

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Age Group Registration:

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• Players are only permitted to play within the registered age group for which they are eligible based on their date of birth.

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Playing in Multiple Age Groups:

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•  If a player wishes to play in a higher age group (i.e., "play up"), they must separately register for both their primary age group and the additional age group(s) they intend to participate in.

•  Registration in multiple age groups must meet all league requirements, including payment of fees and approval from the league, where applicable.

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Enforcement:

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• Clubs are responsible for ensuring that all players participating in games are properly registered and adhere to their designated age group(s).

• Teams fielding unregistered players or players not registered for the correct age group(s) will automatically forfeit the match in question. Additional penalties may apply at the discretion of the league.

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Exceptions:

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• No exceptions will be made to this policy under any circumstances.

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By adhering to this policy, the league ensures fairness, player safety, and compliance with all administrative regulations. Clubs and players are encouraged to complete their registration promptly to avoid any disruptions.

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Rules and Regulations for Missed Match Days

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Missed Match Penalty:

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• If a team misses a scheduled match, it will automatically forfeit the game. The opposing team will be awarded a 3-0 victory, regardless of the reason for the absence.  

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Notification Requirement:

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• While the result of a missed match will remain a forfeit, teams are still required to notify the league organizers of their inability to attend the scheduled match as soon as possible. Providing notice ensures proper scheduling adjustments can be made for other teams and matches.  

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Friendly Matches for Present Teams:

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• If a team is absent from their scheduled match, the other teams present will have the opportunity to play friendly games in place of the forfeited match. These games will not count toward the official league standings but are intended to provide participating teams with match play experience and ensure the event remains engaging for attendees.  

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Rescheduling Matches:

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• Missed matches will not be rescheduled under any circumstances.  

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Repeated Infractions:

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• Teams that miss multiple matches throughout the season may face additional penalties, such as point deductions or suspension from future tournaments, at the discretion of the league organizers.  

 

Disputes and Appeals:

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• Any disputes regarding missed matches or the application of these regulations must be submitted in writing to the league organizers within 3 business days. The organizers will review the case and issue a final ruling.

 

These rules are designed to ensure fairness, maintain the integrity of the competition, and minimize disruptions to the league schedule. All participating teams are expected to adhere to these regulations.

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Transfer Policy

 

This policy outlines the process and requirements for player transfers within the league to ensure transparency, fairness, and respect among all parties involved.

 

Notification of Transfer:

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• All player transfers must be brought to the attention of the league organizers prior to the transfer being finalized.  

• Clubs are required to notify the league in writing (via email or the designated league communication platform) about the transfer, including the name of the player and the clubs involved.

 

Player Re-Registration and Fee Payment:

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• Any player transferring to a new club within the league must re-register with the league under their new club.  

• The player is also required to pay the registration fee again to reflect their transfer to the new club.  

• Transfers will only be considered complete once the registration process and fee payment have been finalized.

 

Courtesy Notification to the Former Club:

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• Out of respect and to maintain good relations among clubs, it is requested that the club receiving the player informs the player's former club about the transfer.  

• This notification should take place before or immediately after the transfer process has been initiated.

 

Compliance:

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• Any transfers that do not adhere to the above process will be deemed invalid, and the player will not be eligible to participate in league matches for their new club until compliance is met.

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This policy is set to promote transparency, maintain respect, and ensure the smooth administration of transfers within the league.

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Weather Policy

 

When/If severe weather conditions arise, the safety of players, staff, and spectators becomes the top priority.

All games, tournaments and events will be cancelled if the HK Observatory raises:

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• Black Storm warning.

• Typhoon No. 8 Signal.

 

For all other inclement weather conditions, league officials will closely monitor the situation and make the decision to either postpone or cancel a scheduled match. 

If postponed, the match will be rescheduled for a later date, allowing time for the severe weather to pass and playing conditions to return to safe levels. 

Safety of players, staff, and spectators are the key determining factors considered when making the difficult call to postpone or cancel a highly anticipated match due to adverse weather.