SAPL

SAPL

Rules

Official SAPL competition rules.

Team Setup

  1. 1Special characters placed in a team name is prohibited.
  2. 2All teams have a maximum squad size of 18 players.
  3. 3The appointed captain and vice captain are required to see out the season in their respective roles. If they are not available, replacements must be nominated on condition that they have played for the club for at least two seasons uninterrupted.
  4. 4Players, captains or vice captains will no longer be allowed to take over another club in a higher division. Only players who have played for the club for a minimum of 2 seasons will be allowed to take over captaincy or vice captaincy and control of the club. In the unlikely event of both captains retiring and no suitable player is found to take over, the club may only assign a new captain (<1 Season) if the club's inception is less than 1 season. If this condition is not met, the club is forced to disband.
  5. 5If two teams in the same division merge, they are allowed to assign captains or vice captains from either team.
  6. 6In the unlikely situation where there is no suitable vice captain who has played for at least 2 seasons, a new player will be allowed to become vice captain, on condition that the captain stays for another 2 seasons. If said captain leaves, the club will disband or be relegated to the lowest division.
  7. 7Under no circumstances can a team buy another team's slot.
  8. 8Minimum squad size for registering is 6 players.

Game Requirements

  1. 1Every team must have a minimum of 2 players to be able to play a match, if not then your team will be given a default loss.
  2. 2An outfield player cannot make use of the GK Outfit Glitch, if an outfield player is found making use of the GK outfit glitch, the opposing team is to immediately take a video or picture and then quit the game, thereafter it is to be sent to an admin who will decide on the necessary action to be taken.
  3. 3It is mandatory for each team to have at least one person stream/record their matches each game day. It is mandatory for the stream to be linked to SAPL TV.
  4. 4Overseas Teams may only send a game invite if a South African captain is hosting the game.
  5. 5All SAPL teams need to have their region set to "SOUTH AFRICA", proof thereof will have to be shown to the opposing captain should a query arise, if found guilty this will result in a default loss.
  6. 6If a team forfeits more than "6 - Six" games in a season INCLUDING CUP GAMES (Total: 7 games), they will be issued with a 2 season ban. All their results played/unplayed will be null and void with a forfeit 3pts being awarded to all the teams.
  7. 7All teams are required to have a CAPTAIN and a VICE CAPTAIN, no exceptions.

In-Game Procedures

  1. 1Teams are allowed to enforce a maximum 10 minute "Grace Period" as long as it is properly communicated to the opposition manager prior to the scheduled start of the game. Preferably this message would be sent in both the manager's chat as well as mandatory in a private message. In the event of Loadshedding/Special Events (Deemed by SAPL Administration), teams are allowed to call 15 mins grace per time slot.
  2. 2If a player lags out of a match under 10 minutes of game time, you may restart the match up to two times without penalty as long as there is evidence your team has begun backing out before 10 minutes have passed. If a player lags out of a match over 10 minutes of game time, you cannot restart the match and must finish the game with the remaining players. Any goal(s) scored before a team begins quitting still stands when the match is restarted. This rule applies as long as the game has started before the actual grace period (10/15mins) of the local time.
  3. 3If a team is in the process of leaving/quitting before the 10 minute in game time and a goal has been scored, the goal will NOT stand and the game will be restarted as a 0-0 scoreline.
  4. 4If the time has passed the 10 minute grace period for a game to start, the team who "Enforced Grace" will only be allowed ONE quit. The team that "Accepted Grace" are still entitled 2 quits. If both teams have delayed kick off, then both teams will have 1 quit each, leaving a game more than the stipulated times after the 10 minute grace period has elapsed can enable the other team to claim the win based on this rule.
  5. 5JOIN LIVE FEATURE IS PROHIBITED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
  6. 6If there is a kit glitch, or any "Gamebreaking" glitch which has caused a delay, or has caused a team to leave the game unexpectedly, proof is to be provided to an admin with video evidence. Failure to provide evidence will result in the opponent gaining 3 points. If a game continues to be played past the 10 minute in game time, the game is to be completed. Failure to comply will result in a default loss for your team.
  7. 7"Gamebreaking" - Causing the game to break, crash, or become unplayable for a time.
  8. 8Players of BOTH teams being SIMULTANEOUSLY kicked from the game lobby at any point in the game (Must exceed 3 players per side). If this glitch occurs in the first half both teams are REQUIRED to replay the ENTIRE GAME, whereas if the glitch occurs during the 2nd Half only the half is to be played. (scores as per halftime)
  9. 9Evidence of Score "split" Glitch must be provided by Both captains for the game to be replayed. Procedure for replay is as stated above i.e First Half - Entire Game; Second half - Only one half(Scores as per halftime)
  10. 10If teams are found to fraudulently state a "Glitch" has occurred, Captains and Vice Captains of the offending team will receive a 2 season ban.
  11. 11A manager cannot call a default or claim against a team for not showing up on time, after the match is played. Teams that don't meet the match times set by the league will receive a default loss unless a reschedule is agreed by both Managers and Admins.
  12. 12All Rescheduled games must be played before Friday 23:59 GMT +2
  13. 13If a team fields with an ineligible player (red card or a player not on their roster), they will receive a default loss. Default losses will result in a 3-0 score line for the winner, at which point an official warning will be delivered. Captains and Vice captains (Incl. Offending Player) who persist with fielding an ineligible player will be awarded with a season ban and relegation to the league below their current.
  14. 14In the event where a team cannot receive an invite, a change of in game captain is Mandatory.
  15. 15The in game Captain/Player who is in charge of sending or receiving game invites must be the registered account to SAPL TV as well as recording the game for possible disputes.
  16. 16Teams are not allowed to use stadiums with Glitched Cameras. If a team is found to be using one of these stadiums the opposing team will be awarded a default win. It is recommended to use the default stadium to avoid any possible accusations against your club
  17. 17No custom kits - Only Authentic kits allowed
  18. 18If a team has proof of 11 players prior to Relobbying/Resetting, Stream must be provided to the opposition captain and a further 5 minutes grace is granted

In-Game Rules

  1. 1Blocking the opposition goalkeeper during an attacking set piece i.e corner, or freekick is PROHIBITED. If your team is found guilty of blocking the keeper and a goal results from that motion of play, the goal itself will be disallowed and will be considered null and void. (Eg. A player stands next to the keeper during a set piece and moves to prevent his natural range of motion as the ball is played in. If the player were to go near the goalkeeper (No Contact) but move a couple of seconds before the ball is kicked, that would NOT be considered blocking the keeper). The board also reserves the right to view footage of the incident and make a ruling based on what the footage shows.
  2. 2The defensive team is allowed to have blockers on the goal line during set pieces.
  3. 35 yellow cards in a season will result in a 1 game ban.
  4. 4A red card is a 1 game ban, which falls on to the next game day.
  5. 5League cards will apply to league games and cup cards will apply to cup games in regard to red cards
  6. 6Red Cards awarded during the Last Gameday/Semi-final entails that the offending player is INELIGIBLE to compete in the immediate next fixture.

Disputes

  1. 1In the case of a dispute, Captains need to request access to the dispute group by notifying their League admin of the issue. The case will be held in the dispute group in the presence of all league admins and ruling will be made after deliberation.
  2. 2Video Proof MUST be provided for any disputes that may arise. If there is no video proof, a captain's claim will NOT be entertained.
  3. 3Messages to and from captains or vice captains must be kept as proof as well, failure to produce these as well will result in your claim being null and void
  4. 4The board exercises its right to refuse any claim being brought forward
  5. 5All disputes must be sent to the admins within 24 hours of the incident. Anything thereafter will not be entertained.
  6. 6All dispute verdicts are final

Reschedule Procedures

  1. 1Managers who wish to reschedule any games must have the opposing manager agree as well as obtain admin approval in order to move a game. Games cannot be rescheduled for later than Friday 23:59 GMT+2 (Same Gameweek); they may be played earlier or later in the same or next game day taking into consideration they do not disrupt other fixtures. Teams that are unwilling to comply with the above will be awarded a default 3-0 loss.

Stat Capturing Procedures

  1. 1Managers are responsible for their players' stats.
  2. 2Stats must be recorded after every game played with video/picture proof of stats. An admin can ask for proof of stats, if it cannot be provided then no players will be considered for season rewards.
  3. 3After each game has been played all stats must be uploaded via the League Republic site. "Statpadding" is a grave offence and is punishable by a ban of at least 1 season.
  4. 4All stats must be 100% clear for all admins to understand. If they are not, then admins have the right to disregard those stats.
  5. 5Video Evidence of stats needs to be held for a minimum of 2 weeks in case of audits.
  6. 6All stats must be done by SATURDAY 23:59 GMT+2 of that game week. No stats will be recorded for the team if this deadline is missed.
  7. 7In the case of a claim, the winning team will receive a 3-0 scoreline. No goals/assists allocated, no MOTM but clean sheets will be awarded. Each player will be awarded 8.0 rating, 75% pass accuracy, 50% tackle success rate.
  8. 8STATS MUST BE TAKEN FROM IN LOBBY POSITIONS

Transfer Rules

  1. 1Players are allowed two transfers per season, but a player may only sign for a club once per transfer window for free, example: if a player signs for a team in the pre season window, he may only sign for another team during the mid season window.
  2. 2All Out-Of-Window Transfers cost a fee of R200. The team losing the player will receive an extra free agent transfer for their team. The transfer will only be valid once money has cleared. Paid transfers still abide by the 2 moves a season rule.
  3. 3The transfer window will be closed prior to league commencement, the transfer window will then re-open mid season with the board reserving the right to control the duration as per their discretion. The transfer window will once again open at the end of the season once all matches have been completed.
  4. 4Teams are allowed a maximum of 2 free agents per season if the window has been closed.
  5. 5FREE AGENT - someone who has not played for a club, associated to a club, or has signed for a club during that season. If a player is associated to a club when the season starts, irrespective of whether that player plays a game or not, leaves his team during the season for whatever reason, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A FREE AGENT. They may only be allowed to join other teams by paying the aforementioned transfer fee or completing a transfer during a transfer window i.e mid season window, or the transfer window which commences at the end of the season.
  6. 6CAPTAINS and VICE CAPTAINS will no longer be allowed to transfer mid season to another club, the said captain and vice captain will have to see out the season with their club and will only be allowed to leave when the season has concluded
  7. 7In special cases where a team disbands during the season, the board will determine the status of the players affected and give a ruling of whether they can be signed to other teams or not.
  8. 8Captains are advised to provide a team poll to assist league admins with this decision
  9. 9Deadline for same day transfers is 5pm. Any Player transfer submitted after 5pm will deem the player ineligible to play on the same game day.

Manager Rules

  1. 1All managers must respect others and fulfil their duties at all times.
  2. 2A manager whose team disbands during the season must stay on that roster for the remainder of the season and cannot be transferred, bought out, or released.
  3. 3A manager who transfers ownership of the team to someone else on the roster must inform their admin before any changes can be made.
  4. 4Any Captain/Vice Captain caught fraudulently allowing an unregistered individual to play on a registered player's account will be banned from the league. The admins will then investigate the remainder of the team to find out who knew about the offence and hand out punishments accordingly. The Registered and Unregistered player will both receive lifetime bans.

Player Rules

  1. 1Players must respect the league, the admins and SAPL rules or they face potential punishment.
  2. 2Players signed with one team who are found guilty of playing with another team on a separate account will be banned from the league.
  3. 3No racism, hate speech, threats or family insults will be tolerated in SAPL (Incl Private Chats)

League Structure

  1. 1SAPL is divided into 5 separate divisions - Super League Premiership, Super League Championship, Super League 1 West, Super League 1 East, Super League Conference.
  2. 2Teams will participate in a round-robin format
  3. 3End of season standings will be decided based upon the highest point totals. If necessary, the following tiebreakers will be used to sort any teams that are level on points - Goal Difference, Goals For, Head-to-Head Results, Games Won, Tiebreaker.
  4. 4Relegation and promotion of teams will be at the SAPL board's discretion.

SAPL Cup Structure

  1. 1The SAPL Cups consist of a League Stage and knockout phase involving all teams in the league, that will be played after league fixtures on each game day unless stated otherwise.
  2. 2The KO Rounds will be a two-legged tie with no away goals counting. Should teams be tied after two legs, those teams will need to start a 3rd match and play until a winner can be determined. If a winner cannot be decided in 90min of the 3rd game , use extra time and penalties to determine the winner.
  3. 3If a cups league games end with 2 teams having the same points, Goal Difference, Goals For, and same head to head, a final game between the 2 teams will determine who finishes above the other in the group.
  4. 4The final is a one-legged tie. If the teams are tied after 90 minutes, the use of extra time and penalties will determine a winner.

Personal Information

  1. 1No player is allowed to use names and cellphone numbers from the SAPL community to create private groups or tournaments without authorization from the board. Any unauthorized data that is taken from SAPL groups without permission will result in bans.
  2. 2No player is allowed to impersonate another individual with the intent to cause harm to the victim's reputation in the league.
  3. 3The Board will have final say on all rulings and reserves the right to update rules at their own discretion based on any issues that may or may not affect the league.