Guidelines and standards for a fair, competitive, and enjoyable experience in our league, ensuring all participants play with integrity and sportsmanship.
IN-GAME RULEBOOK
In-Game Rulebook
Hosts & Halftime
- Each team is allowed to host one half of the match in their region. Failure to join the other team’s host will result in an automatic loss.
- During the second half, if your team has not hosted yet, you may request to switch to your host. If no request is made, continuing to play in the same host will be considered acceptance of that host, and the half will not be replayed.
- If the match proceeds to extra time (tournament matches), the first half of extra time will be played in the same host as the most recent half. The second half of extra time may be switched to the other team’s host if they request it.
Penalty: Auto loss or voided match, depending on the circumstances.
Appeal Status: No (Host decisions must be made during the match).
Mercy Rule
- The mercy rule enforces the game to be stopped after a certain goal difference is achieved. A team managing a goal difference of 6 goals will automatically win the match with no further action afterward. For example, if the score reaches 6-0, the team who scored 6 goals will automatically win, and the game will be stopped regardless of the leg.
Penalty: N/A
Appeal Status: N/A
Pass Back (PB)
- A pass back occurs when a player passes the ball to their own goalkeeper, who then picks up the ball with their hands (using the GK tool + R/F). An auto-goal will be given to the opposing team if this occurs. This rule does not apply when the ball is chested (using dribble + X) but only when it is passed via the legs.
Penalty: Auto-goal.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Last Centerback
- Similar to the ‘last man’ rule, this applies in a reversed scenario—when an attacker fouls a center-back in a 1-on-1 situation to gain possession of the ball. This is deemed unfair play, and any goals scored from this situation will not count.
Penalty: Disallowed goal.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Time Wasting
- Blatantly wasting time by repeatedly kicking the ball outside the pitch to run down the clock while in the lead is prohibited. Individuals caught doing this will be awarded a red card. If multiple players on a team engage in this behavior, it may result in a point deduction. However, wasting time by passing the ball around or back to the goalkeeper is allowed.
Penalty: Red card or point deduction.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Unstable WiFi
- If a player is lagging multiple times, causing them to teleport or experience other forms of lag, they will be asked to leave the game immediately. A substitute player can replace them, but the lagging player cannot rejoin until they have stable WiFi.
Decision: Leave the game.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Fielding Illegal Players
- Teams are strictly prohibited from fielding players who are not officially signed and registered with the league or the team roster.
Penalty: Automatic loss of the match in which the illegal player participated.
Appeal Status: Yes, if there was an error in the registration process.
Additional Punishments for Illegal Loans:
- A 1-season sanction for the player.
- A deduction of 200k from the team’s budget.
- A warning for the manager.
- If a manager receives 2 strikes, their team will be disbanded unless there is a valid reason approved by admins.
Strikes can be given for:
- Breaking a rule in the IFA Rulebook.
- Getting mercy ruled.
- Not showing up for matches.
- Fielding illegal players.
Ragdoll Save
Definition:
The “Ragdoll Save” scenario occurs when a goalkeeper:
- Dives into their own net, causing the ball to cross the goal line.
- Is flung into the net after colliding with the crossbar or post.
Rule:
- Diving Into the Net:
- If the goalkeeper dives into their own net and the ball crosses the line as a result, it counts as a goal.
- The referee will assess the goalkeeper’s direction of diving. If the dive was already toward the goal (regardless of hitting the crossbar or post), it will be considered a goal.
- The referee will hypothetically determine if the goalkeeper would have gone into the net without the crossbar or post being present. If yes, it counts as a goal.
Decision: Goal!
Same rule as above applies (Diving into the Net- regardless of hitting the crossbar or post)
Footage / Decision by RFL itself!
Decision: Save
He hit the pose and it pushed him backwards into the goal- Ragdoll save
Footage / Decision by RFL itself!
- Crossbar/Post Collision:
- If the goalkeeper is flung into the net solely due to colliding with the crossbar or post, and the dive was not originally directed toward the goal, it does not count as a goal.
Penalty: N/A (The outcome depends on whether the ball crosses the line and the goalkeeper’s diving direction).
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Last Man
- The “last man” rule refers to the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity in which the last defender on the pitch fouls the last attacker in a 1-on-1 situation. Regardless of whether the in-game referee blows for a foul, an official may deem it a last-man foul if the ball is not won. A tackle key used to clear the ball, which also results in a foul on the player, will not be seen as a last-man foul unless the ball is not cleared with the same tackle. A red card will be given to the defender, along with a game suspension.
Penalty: Red card and game suspension.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Spacing/Corner Rushing
- If a goalkeeper experiences an auto-drop of the ball or encounters any glitch that can be clearly evidenced, any goals scored from such situations will be deemed invalid and disallowed.
- When a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team, the player rushing toward the ball must wait until the ball is kicked by the corner taker. Rushing prematurely will result in a warning for the first offense. If this action is repeated a second time, the opposing team will be granted an automatic goal.
Penalty: Auto-goal (second offense).
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
(Intentional) Fouls
- An intentional foul occurs when a player deliberately fouls an opposing player to disrupt their progress, prevent a goal-scoring opportunity, or gain an unfair advantage.
- Non-intentional fouls that still impede the opposing player will be treated as a yellow card. This includes misjudged tackles or slight impediments.
- A severe intentional foul (e.g., a tackle from behind) that clearly aims to impact the opposing player without any intention to touch the ball will result in a red card and automatic suspension.
Penalty: Depends on intention and severity (suspension & red card or yellow card).
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision if a clip is provided after the match).
Third-Party Software
- Third-party software refers to any software outside of Roblox used to manipulate the game, such as VPNs or applications that alter ping or reaction times. Any software that alters ping is strictly disallowed. However, software like FPS unlockers and macros (key rebinding programs) are allowed. Exploits are never allowed.
Penalty: Season-long suspension.
Appeal Status: Yes.
Delay
- If a player shoots and the ball gets delayed or bugs in the air before going into the goal, it may be disallowed. If the delay is caused by the goalkeeper’s unstable WiFi, the goal will still count unless it is a server bug or affects multiple people. A clip is necessary for referees to take action.
Decision: Depends on the circumstances.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Improper Goal Claims & Referee Decisions
- Claiming goals that clearly did not cross the line or were invalid, as well as challenging referee decisions without valid proof, is strictly prohibited.
- Any player or team questioning a referee’s decision must provide a valid clip or proof demonstrating the decision was wrong.
- Claiming decisions were “rigged” or using derogatory remarks about referees or administrators without evidence will result in sanctions.
- Players may suggest referee or admin decisions, but this must be done respectfully and through private chat only.
Penalty:
- First offense: Warning.
- Repeated offenses: Player suspension and/or league ban.
Appeal Status: No.
Red Cards
- Receiving 2 in-game yellow cards (regardless of leg) results in a red card. For example, if a player receives a yellow card in the first leg and another in the second leg, they will be given a red card and must leave the current game. A red card results in a 2-game suspension in the current competition (e.g., a red card in the league does not carry over to a cup).
- Failure to leave the game after a red card within a reasonable time will result in a 4-game suspension instead.
Penalty: 2-game suspension or 4-game suspension.
Appeal Status: Yes (If the referee is believed to be at fault).
In-Game Glitching
- Glitching includes speed boosting, abusing throw-in techniques (e.g., throwing the ball to yourself), or using illegal glitch shots that prevent players from reacting. Any clear use of glitches will result in the cancellation of goals scored from them. Consistent abuse of glitches will result in a red card.
Penalty: Red card (for consistent abuse).
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Kick-Offs
- During kick-offs, it is illegal to pass the ball forward. The ball must be passed back into your own half. The player passing forward will receive a straight yellow card.
Penalty: Yellow card.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Trolling/Sabotage
- All official games must be played formally. Any form of sabotage or trolling, such as intentionally giving away the ball or scoring own goals, will result in a suspension.
Penalty: Game suspension(s).
Appeal Status: Yes.
Knockout Games
- If the score is tied during a knockout game, it may proceed to a third leg, hosted by the team that hosted the first leg. If the score remains tied after the third leg, a fourth leg will be hosted by the team that hosted the second leg, with a golden goal rule—the team that scores first in the fourth leg automatically wins.
Penalty: N/A
Appeal Status: N/A
Side Net
- If a player’s shot is saved by a defender or goalkeeper and deflects into the side netting before going out, it counts as a goal.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Decision: Goal.
Penalties
- During in-game penalties, the goalkeeper is not allowed to two-touch penalties. Only one touch is permitted to shoot from the spot where the ball spawns. Touching the ball for a teammate to shoot is allowed, but more than one touch to shoot from a penalty will result in the goal being disallowed.
Penalty: Disallowed goal.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
Alt Registration
- Players using an alternate account (alt) must register their alt by:
- Providing a screenshot showing their Discord account and Roblox account side by side.
- Submitting the Roblox username of the alt account in the #alt-register channel on the league’s Discord server.
Penalties for Unregistered Alts:
- First offense: Warning and 1-game suspension.
- Repeat offense: Suspension for the player and a permanent ban of the alt account.
Appeal Status: Yes (If the player can prove the alt was submitted for registration before the match or if there was an administrative oversight).
Ragdoll Shot
- The “Ragdoll Shot” technique involves using the ragdoll animation after sprinting and releasing the shoot button to kick the ball in a unique way. This method is prohibited as it is considered unfair and unrealistic.
Rule:
- Any goal scored using the ragdoll shot technique will be disallowed.
- If a player is found intentionally using this technique, they will be penalized.
Decision: Disallowed Goal
Penalty:
- First offense: Disallowed goal and a warning.
- Repeated offenses: Disallowed goal and a yellow card.
Appeal Status: Yes (The match referee may review the decision after the fact if a clip is provided).
League RULES
Jailing
- A manager may jail a player until the next transfer window, which typically opens at the start, middle, and end of the season. Players should carefully consider their team choice at the start of the season.
- Jailing issues during a closed transfer window are to be resolved between the player and the manager.
- The jailing rule can be applied if a player:
- Is banned from the team server.
- Is blocked by the manager.
- Has not played in 3 of the most recent games.
- Proof must be provided if any of these conditions are met.
- Note: Instant release from jail can be purchased using tickets.
Penalty: N/A
Appeal Status: No
Emergency Signings
- Players signed to a team 1 hour or less before a match are not eligible to play in that match. This rule prevents last-minute signings that could create an unfair advantage.
- If an emergency-signed player is caught playing, they will receive a red card for that match.
- If a referee identifies an emergency-signed player after the game, an auto-goal will be awarded to the opposing team.
- Managers are responsible for ensuring players are signed on time.
Penalty: Red card (auto-goal).
Appeal Status: No
Hosts
- In fixtures, teams may be marked with (H) for Home and (A) for Away.
- The home team hosts the first leg of the match.
- The away team hosts the second leg.
- The away team may agree to keep the first leg’s host for the second leg, avoiding the need to switch hosts.
Penalty: N/A
Appeal Status: N/A
Arriving at Matches
- A team must have at least 4 players present within 15 minutes of the match start time. Failure to do so will result in an auto-loss for the absent team and an auto-win with a +2 goal difference for the opposing team.
Penalty: Auto-loss.
Appeal Status: N/A
Stream/Referee
- A match cannot start without two essential conditions:
- A stream from the team hosting the leg.
- A referee present.
- Goals recorded or clipped by either team may be counted if approved by the referee.
- If no referee is present, the match is considered a fault of fate and must be rescheduled for another date/time.
Penalty: N/A
Appeal Status: N/A
Postponing
- Postponing a match is only allowed up to 3 hours before the original match time.
- Both pre-poning (rescheduling to an earlier date) and postponing (rescheduling to a later date) are permitted if both managers agree.
- Managers cannot disagree to postpone without providing an alternative proper time to play the match.
- If managers disagree, they must work together to find a suitable rescheduled time.
- Refusing to cooperate or rejecting reasonable rescheduling proposals may result in a strike for the uncooperative manager.
- The match will not be played until a new postponed time has been agreed upon.
Penalty: Strike for uncooperative managers.
Appeal Status: No
Cupties
- Players are not allowed to switch teams during an ongoing knockout tournament (e.g., UCL, UEL, UECL, domestic cups).
- If a player’s team is knocked out of a tournament, they may only play league games for their new team.
- Players caught switching teams and playing in a previously knocked-out competition will receive a season-long suspension.
Penalty: Season-long suspension.
Appeal Status: No
Mobile Players
- Mobile players who cannot join private links must be friended by the server owner to gain access.
- If the server owner refuses or blatantly ignores requests to add a mobile player, they will receive a red card for unfair sportsmanship.
Penalty: N/A
Appeal Status: No
Competitive Integrity
- A team cannot lose two or more matches by mercy rule (where the opposing team achieves a significant lead, triggering the mercy rule) in a single season.
- Teams with multiple mercy losses will be considered uncompetitive and may be disbanded or replaced by another team.
Penalties:
- First Mercy Loss: Warning to the team and management, with a requirement to improve performance before the next match.
- Second Mercy Loss: The team will be disbanded and replaced by a new or under-represented team. The disbanded team will not be eligible to compete in future matches without significant improvement or rebuilding.
Appeal Status: Yes (If the team can prove the mercy loss was caused by unforeseen circumstances, such as key player injury, unavailability, or administrative issues. The appeal will be reviewed by league admins).
Note on Evidence
- Any evidence older than 14 days will be considered inadmissible. This rule prevents blackmail and pressure on individuals.
- Players and managers are encouraged to use active clipping/recording software to document incidents and avoid disputes.