Official Rule Book

Pune Premier League 2025 - Complete Rules & Regulations

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Table of Contents

General Guidelines Rules of Play Points System Player Regulations Conduct & Discipline Miscellaneous Rules Promotion & Relegation

1. General Guidelines

1.1. Team Size

  • Each team must register a minimum of 10 players and a maximum of 16 players in the squad.
  • A team must field 7 players (including goalkeeper) during a match.
  • The minimum number of players required to start or continue a match is 5. If a team cannot field 5 players, the match will be awarded as a walkover to the opposition.

1.2. Match Format

  • Each match will be played in two halves of 14 minutes each, with a 5-minute half-time break.
  • League stage matches can end in a draw.

1.3. Kick-off & Reporting

  • Teams must report at least 30 minutes before the scheduled kick-off.
  • A 15-minute grace period will be allowed from the official kick-off time. If a team fails to field the minimum required players within this time, the match will be considered a walkover, with a 3-0 scoreline awarded to the opponent.

2. Rules of Play

2.1. Standard Football Laws Apply

  • Matches will follow the FIFA Laws of the Game, adapted for 7-a-side format.
  • Each match will have 1 central referee and 1 assistant referees. The referee's decision will be final and binding.

2.2. Offside Rule

  • No offside rule will be enforced in the PPL 7-a-side format.

2.3. Substitutions

  • Rolling substitutions are allowed. A player can re-enter after being substituted.
  • Substitutions must take place from the halfway line with referee's permission.

2.4. VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

  • No VAR system will be used. Referee decisions on the field are final.

2.5. Discipline

  • A yellow card results in a warning.
  • A red card results in immediate suspension for the rest of the match and a minimum 1-match ban.
  • A team reduced to fewer than 5 players due to red cards or injuries will forfeit the match.

3. Points System (League Stage)

Basic Points

Win 3 points
Draw 1 point
Loss 0 points
Walkover 3-0 scoreline awarded

Tie-breakers

If teams are level on points:

  1. Goal Difference
  2. Goals Scored
  3. Head-to-Head Result
  4. Alphabetical order of the team name

4. Player Regulations

4.1. Player Registration

  • All players must be registered before the start of the league.
  • A player can only be registered for one team per season.

4.2. Transfers

  • Transfers (internal between PPL teams or external) are only allowed during the official Transfer Window, declared by the organizers.
  • Once the transfer window closes, no player movement will be permitted until the end of the season.

4.3. Unregistered Players

Any team found fielding an unregistered or suspended player will forfeit the match (3-0) and may face disciplinary action.

5. Conduct & Discipline

  • Players, coaches, and spectators must maintain sportsmanship and respect towards referees, opponents, and officials.
  • Abusive language, violent conduct, or misconduct can result in suspensions, fines, or expulsion from the league.
  • The League Committee reserves the right to make final decisions on disputes, protests, or disciplinary issues.

6. Miscellaneous Rules

Kit Requirements

  • Teams must wear proper kits (jerseys with numbers, shorts, stockings, shin guards, and proper football shoes).
  • Goalkeeper must wear a distinctly different color jersey.
  • In case of a clash of jersey colors, the away team must change.

Committee Rights

  • The League Committee reserves the right to amend or add rules for smooth conduct of the tournament.

7. Promotion & Relegation System

7.1 League Structure

The PPL will operate in a 3-tier system:

  1. Premier League (Top Division)
  2. Championship (Second Division)
  3. Division One (Third Division)

Premier League

  • • The bottom 3 teams at the end of the season will be relegated to the Championship.

Championship

  • • The top 2 teams gain direct promotion to the Premier League.
  • • Teams finishing 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th enter the Promotion Playoffs.
  • • The bottom 3 teams will be relegated to Division One.

Division One

  • • The top 3 teams will be promoted to the Championship.
  • • There is no relegation from Division One (base division).

7.2 Promotion Playoffs (Championship)

  • Semi-Finals: 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th (one-leg knockout).
  • Final: Winners of the semi-finals play each other.
  • The winner of the playoff final is awarded 3rd place and earns promotion to the Premier League.

7.3 Additional Notes

  • In case of a points tie for promotion, relegation, or playoff spots, the following tie-breakers will apply:
    1. Goal Difference
    2. Goals Scored
    3. Head-to-Head Record
    4. Alphabetical Order of the team name
  • Promotion and relegation take effect at the start of the following season.