Indoor Soccer (Futsal) By-Laws

(REVISED APRIL 2024) SWAN ACTIVE LOCATIONS

1. INTERPRETATION

1.1. Day to day interpretation of these By-Laws shall be the responsibility of the Swan Active staff present at the time.

1.2. Appeals against interpretation shall be taken up with the on duty Sports Program Team Leader on the day.

1.3. Unresolved appeals against interpretation can be lodged in writing to Swan Active.

1.4. FIFA Futsal Laws of the game shall apply unless otherwise provided for in these By-Laws.

2. REGISTRATION

2.1. Swan Active’s Teams must register via either the Sportfix website or app. https://www.swanactive.com.au/sports/adult-competitions/

2.2. The team representative registering a team on Sportfix must accept the Competition By-Laws and Swan Active Conditions of Entry.

2.3. After the season has commenced, to register a new player to the team an email must be sent to Swan Active.

2.4. No premiership points will be awarded to non-financial teams and they may be withdrawn from the competition.

2.5. All players must have current first and last names registered as required on Sportfix. Captains and vice-captains must have first and last names, contact numbers and email addresses registered on Sportfix.

2.6. In the event of a player, fill in or guest player not having sufficient information on Sportfix for the purposes of official correspondence, including the processing of a Management Inquiry, the designated team contact will be required to take the responsibility of any issues which arise in relation to that player’s involvement in games.

2.7. Failure to assist in these matters may result in disciplinary action against the team, including withdrawing the team from the competition.

2.8. Grading and re-grading of teams will be at the sole discretion of Swan Active. Grading is subject to change up to three (3) weeks after grading has been completed.

2.9. The team representative who registers the team in Sportfix must distribute

3. NOMINATION FEE

3.1. Subject to by-law 3.4, teams are required to pay a non-refundable nomination fee for the season equal to the game fees for two (2) games.

3.2. The nomination fee must be paid prior to the first match (in addition to the first game fee).

3.3. If a team is financial (i.e. has no outstanding fees payable), and has not withdrawn or been removed from the competition, Swan Active will apply their nomination fee as the game fees payable for their final two (2) matches of the season.

3.4. If a team is financial, has not withdrawn or been removed from the competition, and is not able to have their nomination fee applied under by-law 3.3 (for example, because an opposing team forfeits one of the relevant games), then at the end of the season the team can elect for any remaining nomination fee amount that has not been applied to be either:

3.4.1 returned in full; or
3.4.2 if the team has registered for the following season — rolled forward as the team’s nomination fee or part of the team’s nomination fee for the following season.

4. FORFEIT FEES

4.1. If a team wants to forfeit they must notify Swan Active by providing a minimum of 48 hours’ notice in writing to avoid incurring a forfeit fee.

4.2. If no match is played, then a forfeit fee of one (1) team game fee will apply to the team responsible for the forfeit in the event that less than 48 hours’ notice is provided.

4.3. If a team has paid game fees for a match that does not occur because the opposing team forfeits the match, the team can choose to:

4.3.1 if Swan Active is able to arrange for an alternative scratch match to be played — play that scratch match (game fees are payable for scratch matches);
4.3.2 have the game fees refunded to the team; or
4.3.3 have the game fees applied as a credit for the next game fees that are payable by the team in the current or following season.

4.4. Any team forfeiting twice in any one season may be removed from the competition without notice at the discretion of Swan Active.

4.5. Any team that has two unpaid forfeit fees outstanding at once will be removed from the competition without notice.

4.6. Premiership points that are not awarded due to outstanding forfeit fees will not be able to be recouped once payment is made. Forfeit fees must be paid by the next fixtured game.

4.7. Registrations for new seasons will not be accepted from teams with outstanding debts.

5. TEAM UNIFORMS

5.1. All players in each team are required to present themselves in conforming uniforms for each match (same colour and not clashing of numbers).

5.2. Four (4) weeks grace will be allowed from the commencement of a season for players to produce conforming uniforms. If players are not in correct uniforms after this time a two (2) point penalty will be enforced for each offending player.

5.3. Teams using Swan Active provided bibs to match their uniform will be penalised two (2) points for each offending player.

5.4. Any new player/s joining a team during the course of a season will be required to wear conforming uniform.

5.5. A team replacing another team at any time during the season in progress shall be allowed four (4) weeks grace to produce a conforming uniform.

5.6. In the event of two teams with similar coloured uniforms, the team listed second on the draw must wear bibs provided by Swan Active.

5.7. Board shorts, denim shorts/jeans and track pants are not considered as suitable attire.

5.8. Player’s shoes must be enclosed; leisure based, non-marking and not contain steel caps.

5.9. Fill in players must wear similar uniform to avoid penalties against the team. The decision to impose any penalty will be at the discretion of the Sports Program Team Leader on duty.

6. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

6.1. Players must be 16 years or older to register in a team.

6.2. Teams are required to ensure score cards display the players that are present and ready to play for the fixtured match.

6.3. The penalty for including the names of players who are not present and ready to play in the match is a loss of all premiership points accrued for that season.

6.4. Late arrival players who are ready to play may have their name included on the official match score sheet before half time. Should it be discovered during the course of a match that the name of an on-court player does not appear on the score sheet, the players name may be added without penalty.

6.5. A substitute player who is present and ready to play but does not actually participate in the match shall be
considered a legal player as long as they are financial (i.e. paid their game fee) and have their name on the score sheet.

6.6. Players must only play for their registered team. Any registered player shall not be permitted to play for another team in the same grade unless approved by Swan Active.

6.7. Players are ineligible to fill in for lower ranked divisions or grades than their registered team. If this occurs it will result in an immediate forfeit. The game may continue to be played with no refunds given.

6.8. Whilst Swan Active recognises the right to introduce new players during the season, Swan Active reserves the right not to allow teams to increase their playing strength beyond the capability of the grade in which they play by the introduction of such players.

6.9. A player is only permitted to play in more than one (1) game on one night at the same venue to assist a team to avoid a forfeit. Players may only play for one team during finals weeks.

6.10. The team captain may (in writing) ask for special permission from Swan Active for non-eligible players to play finals matches. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis with no guarantees.

7. FINAL MATCHES

7.1. To qualify for finals matches, a player must have played at least four (4) minor round matches for that team during the season.

7.2. A player is not permitted to play for more than one (1) team during the final series in the same grade and can only play for the team they are registered to play for.

7.3. Swan Active has the right to ask for proof of identification for any player believed to be playing under another name.

7.4. Due to a team’s inability to play finals, Swan Active has the right to approve teams to play in place of the team unable to play.

8. TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

8.1. All teams must provide their own scorer for the duration of the game. Failure to provide a scorer will leave the offending team no recourse to challenge the score.

8.2. A team shall be held responsible for the conduct of its players, coaches and other members and spectators. Swan Active staff have the capacity to penalise offending teams and spectators and offending teams and spectators may be removed from the courts and facility.

8.3. Team Captains can approach the umpires during quarter and half time to discuss any queries with umpiring decisions.

8.4. All players must ensure, to the satisfaction of the umpire that fingernails, rings, chains, piercings, jewellery, medical casts, and other apparel do not present a hazard to other players. This may include cutting, taping of medical bracelets, or removal of items.

9. PLAYER REPORTS BY OFFICIALS

9.1. Players, teams, team officials and spectators shall be subject to a Management Inquiry for any form of misconduct.

9.2. If Swan Active receives a written complaint about any player, team, team official or spectator or if Swan Active deems it necessary, then they may tender a case against that player, team, team official or spectator for misconduct.

9.3. Misconduct shall include but not be limited to abusive language, unsporting conduct, undue rough play, resisting, striking and attempted striking or any action or behaviour that contravenes the Conditions of Entry or Competition By-Laws.

9.4. The Swan Active official shall complete an Incident Report Form which shall be lodged at the location where the incident occurred.

9.5. Swan Active may deem it necessary, at its sole discretion, to conduct a Management Inquiry.

9.6. All players, teams, team officials, parents and spectators are required to participate in a Management Inquiry and provide requested information to Swan Active if asked to do so. Failure to cooperate with a Management Inquiry by the reported person or other relevant participants without prior written notification to Swan Active may be interpreted as an admission of guilt and Swan Active may hand down any penalty it considers appropriate in that person’s absence.

9.7. A player, team official or spectator found guilty from the Management Inquiry may appeal the decision.

9.8. The appellant player, team official or spectator must lodge the appeal in writing to Swan Active within 48 hours of
notification of the decision with sufficient grounds for the appeal as well as an appeal fee of one match payment.

9.9. All appeal decisions will be final.

10. ABANDONED MATCHES

10.1. In the event of misconduct by players, substitutes, coaches or spectators, the umpires have the authority to abandon matches. Decisions in relation to the outcome of abandoned matches will be determined by Swan Active.

11. ILLEGAL PLAYERS

11.1. The penalty for playing illegal players is the automatic forfeit of the match or matches in which the offences occurred.
Illegal players are defined as follows:

• Playing in more than one grade on one night unless approved by Swan Active.
• Failing to pay the appropriate game fee.
• Playing under an assumed name.
• Non- observance of the eligibility criteria for finals matches.
• Playing while under suspension.
• Playing while under suspension by any affiliated club, association or organisation.

12. PREMIERSHIP POINTS

12.1. Points shall be awarded on the following basis;

• Win 3 points
• Loss 1 point
• Draw 2 points
• Bye 2 points
• Forfeit 0 points

12.2. Teams joining the competition after the commencement of the season will receive premiership points equal with the last team and nil for or against scores.

12.3. Premiership points are not awarded during the grading period.

13. PROTESTS

13.1. Protests from teams or players are to be lodged in writing to Swan Active within forty eight (48) hours of the alleged incident.

14. COMMENCEMENT OF MATCHES

14.1. A match cannot commence until both teams present proof of payment to the umpire and full names appear on the score sheet.

14.2. Each team must have a minimum of four (4) players for the match to commence. As soon as both teams have four (4) players ready to play, the match must commence.

14.3. If a team does not have four (4) players ready to start, a penalty of two (2) points per minute or part thereof will be awarded until four (4) players are on the playing court ready to start.

14.4. Should the other player/s arrive ready to play before the expiration of ten (10) minutes after the official starting time, the match will proceed as a normal game. If no other players arrive within ten (10) minutes of the start time the game will be considered a forfeit and points awarded to the opposition team accordingly.

14.5. The final score awarded for a forfeit will be twenty (20) points to nil.

15. DRAWN MATCHES

15.1. In the event of an equal score at the conclusion of full time of any non-final match, then the match will be considered a draw and each team will be awarded two (2) premiership points.

15.2. In the event of a draw in any finals match at the conclusion of full time, the match will be continued by one period of five (5) minutes. If the scores are still tied after this extra period of time then the match will be decided by sets of five (5) penalty kicks.

16. TIME CLOCK OPERATIONS

16.1. In finals matches play shall only be stopped for an injury at the umpire’s discretion for a period not exceeding three (3) minutes after which the match shall be recommenced. In minor round matches time cannot be held for injury.

16.2. Any injured player who cannot be moved from the court should not be. If the game is abandoned due to injury, Swan Active shall decide the outcome of the match.

16.3. No time outs may be taken in the last two (2) minutes of the last half.

16.4. Games shall commence and finish on the location’s timing sirens.

16.5. Time clocks will start at scheduled game times. Time clocks will not be delayed to wait for the arrival of teams or players.

17. LENGTH OF MATCHES

17.1. All matches shall consist of the following times unless indicated otherwise by Swan Active. Two (2) fifteen (15) minute halves with a two (2) minute interval at half time.

18. PRIZES

18.1. Trophies or prizes shall be awarded to winning premiership teams and runners up to a maximum of seven (7) players.

19. TEAM WITHDRAWAL

19.1. Teams can withdraw from the competition prior to the end of the season without penalty. A request to withdraw from the competition must be in writing.

20. WARNINGS, DISQUALIFICATIONS AND REPORTS

20.1. Level One
Verbal warning to offending player/s if Swan Active officials perceive misconduct, officials will establish why warning was given (game can be halted to enable this).

20.2. Level two
Yellow card shown to a player indicates a recorded foul on the score sheet and a warning for misconduct. A player may be removed from the court for two (2) minutes at the discretion of the umpire. If a player accumulates three (3) yellow cards in any one season the penalty will be automatic suspension of one game in the current or following season.

20.3. Level Three
Red card shown to the player indicates suspension for misconduct for that particular game. The player will also receive an automatic one (1) week suspension. A player who receives three (3) red cards during the season will be investigated by Management Inquiry and may be suspended for a specified number of consecutive games in the current or following season.

20.4. Swan Active officials have the right to enforce any level described in by-laws 20.1-20.3 at any time based on the severity of the incident.

20.5. Disqualified Player
In the event of a player being expelled from the game a substitute player is not permitted to replace the expelled player.

20.6. Player Reports
It is not necessary for a player to be issued any level of warning/disqualifications prior to being reported. Players can be reported by officials for any form of misconduct. Swan Active officials may report a player without first issuing any warnings/disqualifications.

20.7. Removal from competition
Swan Active may in its sole discretion decide to remove any team from the competition having regard to the conduct and behaviour of the team or any player or spectators of the team, the safety of other teams, Swan Active staff and patrons, the result of any report lodged prepared under by-law 20.6, or any misconduct under by-law.

21. MATCH EQUIPMENT

21.1. Swan Active provides the game balls, bibs and score clocks. Players and spectators must not abuse any equipment provided. It is the captain’s responsibility to ensure that all bibs are neatly returned to the location after each game concludes.

21.2. If any equipment is damaged or not to standard please report this information to the Sports Program Team Leader on duty.

22. CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK AND PAYMENTS

22.1. Payments must be paid to the customer service desk prior to the game commencement. The game will not commence until both teams provide a proof of payment to the umpires.

22.2. Please note fees and charges are subject to change annually and are effective in July each year (mid- season).

23. FIXTURES

23.1. Fixturing of games will be at the sole discretion of Swan Active.

23.2. Swan Active reserves the right to change fixtures where necessary during the season.

23.3. Fixtures are available online. It is the team captain’s responsibility to ensure each player has a current copy of the fixtures.

24. FREE KICKS

24.1. A direct free kick (or penalty kick if the infringement occurs in the goal area) will be awarded to the opposing team for the following infringements where a player:

• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
• Trips an opponent
• Jumps at or throws himself at an opponent
• Charges at an opponent from behind unless the latter is obstructing
• Charges at an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
• Strikes or attempts to strike at an opponent
• Holds an opponent
• Pushes an opponent
• Slides in an attempt to play the ball, whether touching an opponent or not (sliding tackle)
• Handles the ball, except for the goalkeeper in his area
• Charges an opponent with the shoulder

24.2. An indirect free kick (or penalty kick if the infringement occurs in the goal area) will be awarded to the opposing team for the following infringements where a player:

• Plays in a manner considered by the umpire to be dangerous (e.g. attempting to kick the ball out of the goalkeeper’s hands)
• When not playing the ball, intentionally obstructs an opponent
• A delay by the goalkeeper for more than 5 seconds putting the ball back into play after he has received it.
• Obstructs the play of the ball, by falling on it, by holding the ball with the feet, or preventing the movement of the body (with the exception of the goal keeper).
• Playing the ball on the floor.
• Delays by more than 5 seconds in putting the ball in play from a free kick, goal kick, throw-in or penalty kick.
• Uses use a verbal expression in order to distract his opponent with the intention of gaining an unfair advantage.

24.3. Penalty kicks.

• A penalty kick is taken from the penalty spot, which will be 6 steps out from the goalmouth.
• At the moment of the kick, the goalkeeper will be on their own goal line and all other players apart from the player taking the kick will be at least 2 metres behind the line of the penalty spot.
• The penalty kicker cannot touch the ball twice in a row.
• In the event of a penalty shoot-out, the goalkeeper cannot be changed between penalties (unless severely injured).
• The player kicking the penalty must only take two steps before kicking the ball.

25. GOALKEEPERS

25.1. Goalkeepers must always throw the ball under arm into play.

25.2. Goalkeepers cannot throw the ball over the halfway mark; it must bounce on his team’s own half before it passes the halfway.

25.3. Goalkeepers cannot pick up a ball that is passed back by a teammate.

25.4. Goalkeepers may walk out of the goalkeeper area but cannot handle the ball outside of this area.

25.5. When in an offensive move, if the attacking player kicks the ball out behind the goalkeeper’s goal, the goalkeeper may only pass the ball back into play to his player if his player is standing outside the goalkeeper’s area.

25.6. If in a similar offensive move the goalkeeper ‘saves’ the ball and manages it to control it or ‘catch’ it, he may then pass the ball to his player even if that player is standing inside the goalkeeper’s area.

25.7. The goalkeeper is allowed to slide in his own area as long as he does not foul the oncoming attacker.

25.8. If the goalkeeper saves a shot but does not control the ball fully with his hands or does not pick up the ball, he may proceed to play with it with his feet and is still allowed to pick it up when and if he sees fit to do so.

25.9. The goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands but only in the goalkeeper’s area. The goalkeeper’s area is indicated by the line that creates a semi-circle around the goal.