OFFICIAL BALL SUPPLIER

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RULES
By registering to play in the Tokyo Metropolis League teams accept all the Rules & Regulations pertaining to the league, in their entirety, as laid out herein.

1. SCHEDULING:
   
   i) Where possible games will be scheduled up to 1-month in advance, these schedules (and any changes) will be available to captains via the TML newsletter, or on the TML fixtures page: http://www.footyjapan.com/tml/pages/fixtures.html
   
   ii) Captains are required to be aware of their teams' schedule at all times.
   
   iii) Teams will not be able to reschedule/cancel games within 14-days of the scheduled match. Offenders, in all cases, will be forfeited 1pt and a 3-0 win will be awarded to the opposition.
   
   iv) Captains are to confirm by return e-mail their agreement to a match. No response, in all cases and the fixture will be deemed confirmed.
   
   v) Captains must give advanced notice of weekends (public holidays) they are unavailable to play (bearing in mind point iii above).
   
   
2. LEAGUE SYSTEM:
   
   • AWARDING OF POINTS:
   
   - 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss, -1 point (+3-0 loss) for a forfeit.
   
   • LEAGUE RANKING:
   
   - At the end of the season the league(s) will be decided by:
   
   i) Total points
   ii) Goal difference
   iii) Goals scored
   
   • PROMOTION/RELEGATION
   
   - Last two teams in Divisions 1 & 2 will automatically be demoted for the start of Season 6. The top 2 teams in Divisions 2 & 3 will be promoted likewise.
   
   
3. MATCHES/GROUNDS:
   
   i) Each match will consist of 2-equal halves of 40-minutes, with a 5-minute break for half time.
   ii) Each team may use 11-players on the field and rotate a maximum of 5 substitutes during the game at the referees discretion.
   iii) Teams will arrive at the ground at least 30-minutes before the scheduled kick off time.
   iv) For a game to start, at least 7-registered players for any one team must line up for the kick off no later than 10-minutes after the scheduled kick-off time. Any deviation from this rule will result in the forfeiting of 1-point and a 3-0 win will be awarded to the opposition. If this adversely affects promotion/relegation chances a head-to-head playoff will decide the outcome.
   Forfeiting teams will also be invoiced and required to pay the match fees for BOTH teams.
   v) The league will provide a referee for all matches but teams must supply 1 capable person to act as an impartial linesman and to be wearing attire that doesn't confuse any of the players or the referee. The linesman’s decisions will be taken at the discretion of the referee. If a referee is unsatisfied with the ability of a linesman he may, at his discretion, replace the linesman or opt to use none.
   vi) Teams must wear matching numbered uniforms including socks and shorts and be aware of color clashes with other teams (http://www.footyjapan.com/tml/pages/teams.html)
   vii) Teams will completely clear up after themselves after matches including the field, the area surrounding it and ensure the changing rooms are left tidy (garbage and dirt free). Grounds with specific rules must be adhered to, failure to do do may result in expulsion form the league. (http://www.footyjapan.com/tml/pages/fixtures.html)
   viii) Teams are expected to do their utmost to assist TML in securing decent grounds to play on, the teams who secure grounds to play on get priority use over them.
   
   
4. DISCIPLINE:
   
   - During matches, the referees will impose FIFA regulations, red and yellow cards will be shown in accordance with these rules and be carried across both league and cup competitions, as deemed necessary by the TML Committee.
   
   - All bans will come into force immediately after the card is issued.
   
   - The following suspensions will be imposed for more serious offenses:
   
   i) 2 yellow cards resulting in sending off = subsequent 1 game ban.
   ii) 3 yellow cards = subsequent 1-match ban.
   iii) 6 yellow cards will result in a 2-match ban.
   iv) All yellow cards will be wiped on 1st FEBRUARY 2008.
   v) All red cards will result in a minimum 1-match ban. (2nd red card (of season) will result in a minimum 2 match ban, 3rd will be a minimum 4 match ban & so on)
   vi) Physical violence towards players will be determined by the TML Committee in all instances but a minimum 3-match ban will be imposed. Harsher rulings will be sought for repeat offenders including permanent expulsion of the offending player from the league.
   vii) Any and all acts of physical violence or threatening behavior including continued verbal abuse towards a TML official, before, during or after a Footy Japan Ltd. organized event, including TML games, FJ Cup games, tournaments and social events, will result in the automatic and permanent expulsion of the offending player from all Footy Japan Ltd. organized football, by order of the TML Committee.
   
   
5. ADMINISTRATION:
   
   - New players must be fully registered BEFORE they play their SECOND game in the TML. Violation of this rule will result in 1-point being deducted, from the offending team.
   
   - Players may not play for another team in the same division without prior transfer approval between both captains and only then once TML have been informed.
   
   - Players may play for teams in other divisions providing they are properly registered.
   
   i) Captains will fill out a team sheet (which they have already downloaded from: here), to be emailed to tmladmin@footyjapan.com by the WEDNESDAY following EVERY TML match.
   ii) Captains will also ensure that following the game the referees know the full names of all goal scorers and players who have received cards.
   iii) TML has a zero tolerance policy for late payments of dues and for administrative tardiness. TML has (unfortunately) instituted a STRIKE system - teams failing to meet payment/admin deadlines for a THIRD time during a season will forfeit 1-point and risk the very real chance of not being invited to participate in the TML in following seasons. (The STRIKE system will be publicly available on the league tables page of the TML website (http://www.footyjapan.com/tml/pages/tables.html) Teams highlighted in GREEN = 1st strike, ORANGE - 2nd strike, RED indicates a point has been deducted.
   
   
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
   
   All teams are expected to be represented at the TML AGM. It is on this occasion when teams have voices and the league and it's policies and practices can be further and democratically enhanced for the good of the TML community.
   
   
7. SPONSORS:
   
   The sponsors of the Tokyo Metropolis League, including Metropolis (magazine), are in no way responsible for the running of this league and as such should NOT be approached about TML football-related matters