NATIONWIDE VICTORY LEAGUE 2024/25 SEASON

RULES & REGULATIONS

League Objective
Offering young footballers throughout Taiwan the opportunity to play regular, competitive football in order to develop both their talent and build new friendships. As of 2023 the Victory League is the first to offer a season long competition nationwide, catering to all levels of junior football.

 Playing Rules::

Age categories:

• U6 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2018 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2017
• U8 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2016 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2015
• U10 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2014 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2013
• U12 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2012 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2011
• U14 boys born on or after 01-JAN-2010 & girls on/after 01-JAN-2009

2. Players can be added to a team’s squad:

• Before August 31st, 2024.
• Between December 16th, 2024, and December 31st, 2024.
  During the December transfer window, a maximum of two (2) players may transfer to your team from another participating team within the same age category. Team managers are required to obtain a transfer approval notice from the original team of the player(s) prior to the transfer.
  A notification request must be made in writing to the league organisers to add players during the December 1st to December 31st window for approval.

3. Prior to a player's first match, they must come to the registration desk at the pitch and complete the official registration process. This will involve matching their name and date of birth from their official ID (passport or Taiwanese ID card) with the information provided by the team on the Victory League online player registration.
   After this process each player will receive a Victory League ID Card, which they must present before every game at the pitch; failure to do so may result in the player's ineligibility to participate in that particular match.

4. Game & Field Size

• U6: 4v4, no goalkeeper (maximum registration of 12 players), minimum of 3 players required to start the game. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit (see section 18 below). Field Size: Min 25x15m / Max 30x20m
• U8,U10,U12: 7v7, including goalkeeper (maximum registration of 18 players), minimum of 5 players required to start the game. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit (see section 18 below). Field Sizes: U8 & U10: Min 36x26m / Max 50x35m, U12: Min 50x35m / Max 60x40m
• U14: 11v11, including goalkeeper (maximum registration of 26 players), minimum of 9 players required to start the game. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit (see section 18 below). Field Size: Min 100x60m / Max 110x73m

5. Game Duration & Location (location subject to change with reasonable notice):

• U6: 2x15 minute halves, with a 5-minute half time break
• U8, U10, U12: 2x20minute halves, with a 5-minute half time break
• U14: 2x35 minute halves, with a 10-minute half time break
  Note(s):
  5a) Parents and spectators are strictly prohibited from entering the designated team area. This area is reserved exclusively for coaches and players. Each team is permitted a maximum of three (3) coaches.
  5b) In the case of extreme high temperatures, a one-minute water break will be provided to on-field players at the midpoint of each half, once the ball is out of play and at the referee's discretion. Players must remain on the field during the break, and the additional minute will be added to the end of the half.

6. League Fixtures & Tables

• League fixtures will be circulated approximately 2 weeks prior to season commencement.
• Fixtures, results and league tables can be accessed at the official VL website, and we are currently working on an app that will be used as well. Results and tables will be updated within 48 hours of a game day.
• Fixture Changes & Fees; as competitions increase, so do fixture rearrangement requests. Booking venues and referees incur costs, and efficient match day operations are crucial. While we'll try to accommodate changes within the existing structure, please note if extra field rental or even an alternative location is necessary then requesting teams will need to pay $3,000 per game (7v7) or $6,000 per game (11v11).

FIFA Laws of the Game apply, other than the following exceptions:

7. Offside Rule:

• U6, U8, U10, U12: No offside rule applies.
• U14: FIFA offside rule applies.

8. Substitutions

• Substitutions can be made at any time during the play and at half time with the referee’s permission. Player-off, before player-on applies. A player previously substituted can return to the game only as a further substitution.

9. U6 & U8 ONLY – On goal-kicks the opposing team players MUST all retreat behind the halfway line.
10. Kick-off, corners, free kicks and goal kicks:

• U6, U8, U10, U12:
  • Opponents must be a minimum 5 yards away.
  • From Kick-off, a goal can only be scored if the ball has been touched by another player from either the team in possession or the opposing team.
    • If a goal is scored without such contact, a goal kick shall be awarded to the opponent.
    • If kicked into the players own goal without such contact, a corner kick shall be awarded to the opponent.
• FIFA Rules Apply

11. Mercy Rule:

• U8, U10 & U12 - The Victory League is an environment for children to develop through playing the game. Where playing levels will be mixed it’s important to challenge the stronger teams whilst not discouraging less experienced players and teams from continuing their football journey. With this in mind, a ‘Mercy Rule’ shall be applied as follows;
  • Where goals scored less goals conceded is 3 or greater: The team losing may bring on an extra (8th) player until such time the deficit is 2 or less.
  • The team coach is then responsible for asking the referees permission to add the 8th player. 
• U6 & U14 - No mercy rule applies.

12. All teams must be ready 5 minutes before the appointed time and field of each match otherwise they may be liable to forfeit the match.
13. Each player must be assigned and registered with the same jersey number for the duration of the season. Duplicate jersey numbers in the same squad will not be accepted.
14. In the event of a colour clash and either opponent does not have a change of shirt, the organiser shall provide different colours bibs (pinnies).
15. A player who is sent off during a game will be disqualified from the next league match.
16. Excluding transfers (Rule 2 above), players are permitted to play for only one team within their own age category. Additionally, they may play for a team in the age category directly above their own (e.g., a U8 player may participate in both U8 and U10 categories).
17. League Positions will be determined through accumulated points.
    Win = 3 points
    Draw = 1 point
    Loss = 0 points

• In the result of two or more teams accumulating the same amount of points the deciding factor shall be based on (in determining order):
  • Highest goal difference (goals scored less goals conceded), then
  • Highest number of goals scored shall determine, then
  • Head-to-head record, then
  • Coin toss
• For Play-off Games (where applicable), a tied result shall be determined by the best of 5 penalty kicks, selected from the players who finished the game. If still tied, then sudden death applies using the remaining players who finished the game.
• The only exception will be the U14 National Final, where extra time will be played, consisting of two 10-minute halves with a brief two-minute halftime break. If the score is still tied at the end of extra time, the outcome will be decided by a penalty shootout with the best of five penalty kicks taken by players who were on the field at the end of the match. Should the game remain level after five penalties, sudden death penalties will follow, utilizing the remaining eligible players.

18. Forfeit of Games:

• If a team is unable to play a scheduled game and does not provide the organisers with at least two weeks’ notice the match and the points will be forfeited.

• 3 points and 3 goals will be awarded to the opposing team.
• Where such a team cancels at the last minute the organisers will make its best efforts to ensure that the team affected by the late cancellation gets to play a friendly game against one of the other teams but not guaranteed.
• If a team fails to show up for 2 games in a season, including last minute cancellations, then they will be withdrawn from the Victory League with no refund given.

19. Team Trophies & Medals:

• U8, U10, U12, U14: Team winners in each age category shall receive the Championship Trophy plus medals for every player for the teams who finished 1st (gold), 2nd (silver), and 3rd (bronze). All other players in U6 shall receive a participation medal, no other medals shall be awarded in other age categories.

20. Individual Awards;

The following individual awards shall be rewarded to each age category at the end of the season.

• Season Golden Boot – the player who scores the most goals during the season. In the event of a tie, the number of games played by each player's team will be taken into consideration. The player whose team has played fewer games will be given the advantage.
• Season Golden Glove – will be awarded to the goalkeeper from the team that has conceded the fewest goals. In the event of a tie, the number of games played by each team will be considered, with the advantage going to the player whose team has played more games. If the teams have played the same number of games, the team that finishes the season in the higher position will have the advantage. The team coach will be contacted to confirm the primary goalkeeper's identity.
• Season Most Valuable Player (MVP) – The coach of the winning team will be contacted to nominate their most valuable player for the season.

21. Complaints Procedure; complaints must be submitted in writing by the team manager or coach to the Organising Committee, whose decisions are final. The Committee will consider complaints regarding referees' decisions, although such decisions will not be reversed. Please submit complaints via the website contact form:https://www.victoryleague.com.tw/contacts/

• The Committee shall have the power to deal with any matters arising, not provided for in these rules.
• The Committee reserves the right to amend these rules.

22. The Committee regrets they cannot accept liability for Players or Spectators injuries, or loss or damage to property. The committee strongly recommends that parents enrolling their child to participate in the League should take out appropriate insurance protection.
23. The League Parent Code of Conduct

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. Behaviour is an increasing concern in the game. This includes both the abuse of match officials and the unacceptable behaviour by over competitive parents, spectators and coaches on the side-lines.

By signing your child into the Victory League 2024/25 Season you agree to play your part and observe The League Code of Conduct:

• Be your child’s best fan and support him/her unconditionally.
• Support all the players in your child’s squad. Do not criticise anyone.
• Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result. Remember winning is not as important as the performance.
• Do not criticise the opponents, their parents, or officials.
• Display self-control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language at any time.
• Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They WILL make mistakes but are trying their best.
• Parents must not coach from the touchline during matches and leave this to the coach or you will cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence. Be positive in your support but not directional.

Failure to adhere to the above guidelines may result in parents or spectators receiving a warning. In the event of a subsequent violation, they will be politely asked to leave the field of play. Continued non-compliance may lead to the parent and/or respective child being banned from participating in the league.