SAFA Rule Book

All SAFA members, including players, managers, and free agents, are required to uphold the highest standards of fair play and professionalism across all platforms and in all SAFA-related activities, including matchdays, trials, and team management.

SAFA enforces a zero-tolerance policy against:

• Bullying
• Harassment
• Discrimination of any kind

All participants must treat one another with respect, integrity, and sportsmanship at all times, both in communication and conduct.

All players and managers must adhere to fair play principles at all times.

• Only registered players are eligible to participate in official matches
• Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage, exploit rules, or bypass regulations will be subject to disciplinary action

Rule Governance: The SAFA Admin Team reserves the right to add, modify, or enforce rules at any time and introduce new regulations to maintain competitive integrity. Any situations not explicitly covered will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decided in the best interest of fairness and competition.

Final Authority: All administrative decisions made by the SAFA Admin Team are final and binding, enforced in the interest of maintaining a fair and competitive environment.

Account sharing is strictly prohibited. Players may not play on another player's EA / PSN / Xbox / Origin account under any circumstances. Any such action will be treated as cheating.

If proven with valid evidence:

• The team will receive a 3-0 default loss
• The Manager, Assistant Manager, and both involved players will be banned for 4 months

If the 4-month suspension overlaps with an ongoing or upcoming season, the ban will extend into and include the next active SAFA season. SAFA reserves the right to investigate suspicious activity based on gameplay patterns, reports, and other relevant indicators.

All rule violations must be reported through the official SAFA support system at playsafa.com/support.

Reports must include:

• A clear explanation of the incident
• Relevant evidence (video footage, screenshots, match context, and involved players)

Time Limit: All reports must be submitted within 24 hours of the incident unless stated otherwise. The SAFA Admin Team will review all submissions and issue a final decision based on the evidence provided.

• Reports without sufficient evidence may not be considered
• Once a decision is made, it is final and binding
• Any disputes must be raised through a counter-ticket or by contacting the Admin Team through official channels

The SAFA Rulebook is subject to continuous review and improvement to ensure a fair and competitive environment.

• Any changes or updates will be communicated through official SAFA announcements and the website
• Updated rules take effect from the time of announcement unless stated otherwise

All players, managers, and staff are responsible for staying informed about the latest version of the rulebook and any updates made during the season.

The SAFA Admin Team is responsible for the administration, enforcement, and governance of all SAFA competitions and activities.

Composition: The SAFA Admin Team consists of Community Managers and the Leadership Group (for escalated or high-level decisions).

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Enforcing all rules outlined in this rulebook
• Reviewing disputes, reports, and evidence
• Managing match-related decisions (defaults, reschedules, eligibility)
• Handling disciplinary actions
• Ensuring competitive integrity across all SAFA competitions

Managers are required to communicate with the opposing manager before every match. All official match communication must take place in the designated Managers' Chat on the SAFA Discord server.

Grace Period: Each team is allowed a 15-minute grace period from the official or rescheduled kickoff time.

• At least one manager must initiate communication within this period
• The opposing manager must respond within the same timeframe

Failure to do so may result in a 3-0 default loss, subject to admin review.

Default Claims (Communication-Based): A default win may only be claimed if clear communication proof is provided. Proof must show attempt to contact the opponent and no response within the 15-minute grace period. Being "online" is not considered valid communication — it must be clear, visible, and match-related.

No-Show / Dual Failure: If both teams fail to communicate or make reasonable efforts to play, the match may be declared a draw. Final decisions will be based on submitted proof and admin review.

Managers are required to submit their official lineup and stream link before the start of every match. All submissions must be completed through the designated SAFA system at least 20 minutes before the official match time.

Pre-Match Requirement:

• Both teams must submit: Starting lineup and Active stream link
• Match invites must NOT be sent or accepted until both teams have completed their submissions

Any match started without both submissions is considered invalid for official review and may result in disciplinary action.

Lineup Accuracy: Submitted lineups must accurately reflect the players participating in the match. All players listed must be registered to the team and have their correct EA ID linked. Any mismatch may result in match penalties, default loss, or player eligibility investigation.

Streaming Requirement: The submitted stream must be active before kickoff and clearly capture: match lobby (player list), match invite, in-game footage, half-time player list, and full-time player ratings. Failure to provide complete footage may result in inability to process stats, rejection of claims or reports, and disciplinary action if repeated.

Failure to Submit: If a team fails to submit a valid lineup and stream within the required time:

• First verified offense: Official Warning
• Repeated offenses: Disciplinary action, including potential 3-0 default loss

Missing or incorrect lineup submissions must be reported within 24 hours. Only matches with valid lineup submission and stream evidence will be considered for official stats and records.

If both teams are present but the match cannot begin within the 15-minute grace period due to EA server issues, glitches, or technical problems:

• Both managers must report the issue immediately via playsafa.com/support with clear video evidence
• No default win may be claimed
• The match will be rescheduled by the Admin Team

Default Claim Restrictions: A default win cannot be claimed if the delay is caused by EA servers or in-game technical issues, the opposing team is actively attempting to resolve the issue, or a manager is currently playing another official SAFA match during the grace period. Any false or unjustified default claims may result in disciplinary action.

Matchday Scheduling Priority: If the first scheduled match cannot begin within the grace period and no valid default is claimed, the second match must proceed as scheduled and the delayed match will be rescheduled.

All delay-related situations are subject to Admin review and final decision. Repeated misuse of delay claims, stalling, or failure to cooperate may result in disciplinary action.

All match invites must follow the SAFA regional eligibility rules.

• Only players residing within South Asia are permitted to send or receive match invites in official SAFA matches
• The Home team is responsible for sending the match invite under the Home & Away system

Violation & Enforcement: If a team is found to be using a player from outside South Asia to send or receive match invites:

• The team will receive an immediate 3-0 default loss
• No warnings or exceptions will be given

All claims must be supported with clear evidence (match footage, player identification, any relevant supporting proof). Reports must be submitted within 24 hours. All regional eligibility decisions will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team, whose decision will be final and binding.

Disconnections must be handled fairly and consistently to maintain competitive integrity.

Early Match Disconnections (Before 10 In-Game Minutes):

• Each team is allowed a maximum of 2 restarts within the first 10 in-game minutes
• Any goals scored before the disconnection must be carried forward into the restarted match
• Both managers must clearly agree on the scoreline before restarting

Abuse Prevention: If the opposing team is clearly attempting to leave the match (players standing still, multiple players disconnecting), any goals scored during that period will not count. If a team receives a red card and then quits within the first 10 minutes, the match will be awarded as a 3-0 default loss to the offending team.

Disconnections After 10 In-Game Minutes:

• Matches may only be restarted if both managers mutually agree
• Once both managers agree to restart, the decision is final — no disputes or claims regarding that restart will be accepted later
• The score may be carried forward if both teams agree and the full situation must be reported with evidence

Mandatory Reporting: All disconnection incidents (especially restarts after 10 minutes) must be reported via playsafa.com/support. Reports must include stream footage, score at time of disconnection, and confirmation of mutual agreement (if applicable).

Failure to Agree: If managers cannot agree on how to proceed, the match must not be restarted independently and the situation must be escalated to the Admin Team for a final decision.

Repeated Disconnections: Repeated or suspicious disconnections (especially involving key roles such as Goalkeepers) may be treated as intentional disruption or exploitation of rules. This may result in match penalties, default loss, or further disciplinary action. All disconnection-related cases will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

The Hot Join / Mid-Game Substitution feature must be disabled for all official SAFA matches.

• No player may join or leave a match once it has started
• All participating players must be part of the starting lineup submitted before kickoff

Violation & Enforcement: If a team is found using Hot Join or mid-game substitution, the team may receive a 3-0 default loss and the incident may be subject to further disciplinary action depending on severity.

This feature is currently restricted due to potential stability issues, gameplay inconsistencies, and risk of exploitation. SAFA may review and introduce this feature in future seasons once it is confirmed to be stable and fair for competitive play.

All players must have their correct EA ID linked to their SAFA account before participating in any official match. SAFA uses EA ID linkage to automatically record and update player statistics from all official matches. Accurate linking is essential for stat tracking, match validation, and player eligibility.

• Each player is responsible for ensuring their EA ID is correctly entered and fully updated before matchday
• Managers are responsible for verifying that all players in their lineup have valid and linked EA IDs

EA ID Lock: All EA IDs will be locked once the season officially begins. Players are not permitted to change their EA ID during the season without approval. In case of a required EA ID change, a request must be submitted via playsafa.com/support. Changes will only be approved under valid and verifiable circumstances. Playing with a changed or unapproved EA ID will be treated as a rule violation.

SAFA is not responsible for missing or incorrect stats caused by unlinked EA IDs or incorrect/outdated Gamer Tags. Only players with correctly linked EA IDs are guaranteed to have their stats recorded.

Violation & Enforcement: If a player participates without a properly linked or approved EA ID and is reported with valid evidence, the case will be handled under Section 3.8 Player Eligibility. Penalties may include default loss, player suspension, or further disciplinary action.

Red Cards: Any player who receives a red card will serve a one-match suspension. The suspension must be served in the team's immediate next official fixture. If the red card is received in the final match of a game week, the suspension will carry over to the team's first match of the next game week.

Yellow Cards: Yellow cards do not result in any suspension. There is no accumulation system for yellow cards.

Suspension Enforcement: Suspended players are strictly prohibited from participating in the affected match. It is the responsibility of both the player and the team management to ensure compliance.

Violation & Penalty: If a suspended player participates in a match, the team will receive a 3-0 default loss. Additional disciplinary action may be applied if deemed necessary. All booking and suspension-related decisions will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

The use of the "ANY" player role is strictly prohibited in all official SAFA matches.

• No player may control the ANY position at any point during a match (match start, mid-game, or any duration including brief or accidental use)

Zero Tolerance Policy: The use of ANY will be treated as a serious competitive violation, regardless of intent. Claims such as "It was accidental" or "It was only for a few minutes" will not be accepted.

Violation & Penalty: If a team is found using ANY with valid evidence, the team will receive a 3-0 default loss and the player responsible will receive a 3-match suspension. All claims must be supported with clear video evidence clearly showing a player controlling the ANY role. All decisions regarding ANY usage will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Deliberate time-wasting is strictly prohibited in all SAFA matches.

Definition: Time-wasting includes, but is not limited to:

• Holding the ball in the corner area for more than 20 in-game seconds without attempting to progress play
• Repeatedly avoiding forward movement with the sole intention of running down the clock
• Any form of intentional stalling that disrupts the natural flow of the game

Allowed Play: Normal possession-based gameplay, controlled build-up and tactical passing, and game management that includes genuine attempts to progress play are all considered legal and acceptable.

Violation & Penalty: If a player is found to be deliberately time-wasting with valid evidence, the player may receive a 3-match suspension. Additional action may be taken in repeated or severe cases. All claims must be supported with clear and continuous video evidence showing the duration of the time-wasting and lack of intent to progress play. All time-wasting incidents will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Deliberate interference with the goalkeeper's movement during set pieces is strictly prohibited.

Definition: Goalkeeper interference includes, but is not limited to:

• Intentionally blocking or restricting the goalkeeper's movement
• Standing directly in front of or around the goalkeeper to limit their ability to react
• Using player positioning to create an unfair obstruction advantage during corners, free kicks, or any similar set-piece situation

Allowed Play: Normal attacking positioning during set pieces is allowed. Players may occupy space naturally, provided there is no deliberate attempt to obstruct the goalkeeper.

Violation & Outcome: If a goal is scored as a direct result of goalkeeper interference and is supported by valid evidence, the goal may be disallowed and the match result may be reviewed and adjusted if necessary. Repeated or clearly intentional interference may result in player suspension and additional disciplinary action.

All claims must be supported with clear video evidence demonstrating intentional obstruction and direct impact on the goalkeeper's ability to play. All goalkeeper interference incidents will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Strict positioning rules apply during direct free kicks near the goal area.

Positioning Rule:

• No outfield player (attacking or defending) is permitted inside the 6-yard box before the free kick is taken
• Only the defending team's goalkeeper is allowed inside the 6-yard box
• All players must remain outside the 6-yard box until the ball is played
• Players are strictly prohibited from entering early or moving toward the goal into the 6-yard box before contact is made

Violation Window: A violation is considered if a player enters or remains inside the 6-yard box for more than 2 seconds before the ball is played.

Violation & Outcome:

• Defensive Violation: If a defending player illegally enters the 6-yard box and interferes with play, a goal may be awarded to the attacking team
• Attacking Violation: If an attacking player illegally enters the 6-yard box, any resulting goal will be disallowed

The player responsible for the violation may receive a 2-match suspension. Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action. All claims must be supported with clear video evidence showing player position before the kick, timing of movement, and impact on play. All free-kick-related incidents will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Restrictions apply to corner kick routines to ensure fair play.

Corner Taker Limit: A team may change the corner taker a maximum of two (2) times during a single corner sequence. Any additional change beyond this limit will be considered a rule violation. A "change" is defined as switching the player assigned to take the corner before the ball is played.

Violation & Outcome: If a team exceeds the allowed number of corner taker changes, any resulting goal will be disallowed. The incident may be subject to further review if repeated or clearly intentional.

All claims must be supported with clear video evidence showing the number of taker changes and the sequence leading to the goal. All corner kick violations will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

All players participating in a match must be eligible and properly registered under SAFA regulations.

Eligibility Requirements: A player is considered eligible only if:

• They are officially registered to the team
• They have a valid and linked EA ID on their SAFA account
• They are not suspended or banned
• They are not registered with or playing for another team

Ineligible Player Violations:

• Using an unregistered / unsigned player
• Using a player with an unlinked or incorrect EA ID
• A player participating for multiple teams
• A suspended or banned player taking part in a match

Reporting Procedure: All eligibility violations must be reported via playsafa.com/support within 24 hours of the match. Reports must include clear video or screenshot evidence and match details and player identification.

Violation & Penalty: If a violation is confirmed, the team will receive a 3-0 default loss for the reported match and a 3-0 default loss for their next 2 scheduled matches. If no upcoming matches are available, default losses will be applied to the last 2 played fixtures. The player involved will receive a 4-month ban from all SAFA competitions. Repeated offenses or deliberate abuse may result in extended player bans or team suspension or removal from the competition.

It is the responsibility of both the team manager and the players to ensure full compliance with eligibility rules before every match. No action will be taken without valid and sufficient evidence. False or misleading reports may result in disciplinary action. All eligibility-related cases will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

All matches must be streamed and properly recorded for verification and dispute purposes.

Streaming Requirement: Managers must submit a working stream link while submitting the lineup (as per Section 2.2). Matches must be fully streamed and recorded from start to finish.

Mandatory Footage Coverage: The recorded stream must clearly include:

• Pre-Match Lobby Lineup (both teams visible)
• Match Invite / Match Setup Screen
• Half-Time Player List
• Full-Time Player List & Match Summary
• Post-Match Player Ratings Screen
• Match details (scoreline, teams, timing)

Optional Footage: Attacking stats, defending stats, and goalkeeping stats are recommended but not mandatory.

Failure to Comply: If a team fails to provide complete or valid match footage, they may lose the right to raise disputes or defend against claims. Repeated or serious violations may result in default loss and further disciplinary action.

Evidence Standard: All submitted footage must be clear and continuous, unedited and uncut. Missing key moments may result in the evidence being deemed invalid.

Valid Stream Link Requirement: All submitted stream links must be accessible and functional, direct to actual live or recorded match footage, and contain appropriate and relevant content only. Submitting non-functional or broken links, links unrelated to the match, or misleading, fake, or placeholder content will be treated as violations.

Prohibited Content: Any stream link containing explicit, offensive, or inappropriate content or content unrelated to SAFA matches will be treated as a serious violation. Penalty may include player or manager suspension, team penalties, and escalation depending on severity.

SAFA reserves the right to remove or invalidate any submitted stream link and take immediate action against users violating content or integrity standards. All decisions will be final and binding.

Official SAFA matchdays are: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Each matchday consists of scheduled league fixtures that must be played within the defined time window.

Match Times:

• 11:00 PM IST (GMT+5:30)
• 11:45 PM IST (GMT+5:30)

Teams are expected to be fully prepared and ready to play before the scheduled kickoff time.

Home & Away Rule: The Home team is responsible for sending the match invite and initiating the match setup. The Away team must accept and coordinate accordingly.

Game Week Structure: A SAFA game week runs from Sunday to Saturday. All scheduled fixtures must be completed within the same game week.

Rescheduling Restriction: Matches cannot be rescheduled beyond the end of the game week (Saturday). Any unplayed match after this deadline will be handled as per default rules or admin decision.

All scheduling-related matters, including exceptional rescheduling cases, will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Squad Size: Each team may register a maximum of 18 players and a minimum of 10 players on the SAFA platform. Only registered players are eligible to participate in official matches (as per Section 3.8).

Match Participation Requirement: Teams must field a minimum of 7 players to start a match. This requirement applies at kickoff and throughout the match.

Failure to Meet Minimum Players: If a team is unable to field at least 7 players at kickoff, the opponent may claim a 3-0 default win.

Mid-Match Player Drop: If a team drops below 7 players during the match due to disconnections or other reasons, the situation will be reviewed under Section 2.5 Match Disconnections and Section 4.4 Repeated Disconnections. The match outcome will be determined based on circumstances and evidence provided.

Goalkeeper Clause: Teams are allowed to play with or without a goalkeeper. This does not affect eligibility or minimum player requirements.

It is the responsibility of the team manager and the players to ensure the team meets squad and match requirements at all times. All squad and match participation-related decisions will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Reschedule Request Window: All reschedule requests must be made at least 6 hours before the scheduled kickoff time. Requests submitted after this window may be rejected at the discretion of the SAFA Admin Team.

Mutual Agreement Requirement: A match may only be rescheduled if both managers agree and the new date and time are clearly confirmed. The rescheduled match must be played within the same matchweek and completed on or before Saturday.

Reporting Reschedules: All approved reschedules must be officially reported by posting in the Managers' Chat and tagging the opposing manager and Team SAFA. The report must include the new date and new time.

Matchweek Deadline: A SAFA matchweek runs from Sunday to Saturday. All matches must be completed within this period. Matches cannot be carried forward into the next gameweek unless prior approval is granted by the SAFA Admin Team.

Failure to Agree: If both teams fail to reach an agreement, the match must be played at the original scheduled time.

Unplayed Matches: Any match not played by Saturday will be recorded as a 0-0 draw, unless one team is present and ready to play at the scheduled time and the opposing team fails to appear — in such cases, the available team will be awarded a 3-0 default win.

Abuse Prevention: Any attempt to misuse the rescheduling system (deliberate delays, avoidance of fixtures, repeated last-minute requests) may result in default losses and additional disciplinary action.

All rescheduling matters and disputes will be handled by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Transfer Windows: Player transfers are only permitted during official SAFA transfer windows. Outside of these windows, no player may be transferred or released, and all squads must remain unchanged.

Free Agent Signings (First Half of Season): During the first half of the season, teams may sign free agents, provided that the player has not been registered with any team since the start of the season and the signing occurs within the allowed transfer window or designated free agent period.

Mid-Season Transfer Window: A mid-season transfer window may be introduced by SAFA. During this period, teams may transfer, release, or sign players in accordance with transfer rules.

Squad Lock: Once the mid-season transfer window closes, all squads will be locked until the end of the season. No further additions, removals, or transfers will be permitted.

Eligibility Enforcement: A player is only eligible to play if they are officially registered within the allowed transfer period and their transfer has been completed and approved. Any violation will be handled under Section 3.8 Player Eligibility.

It is the responsibility of team managers and players to ensure all transfers are completed within the defined windows and in compliance with SAFA rules. All transfer-related matters, including disputes or exceptional cases, will be handled by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

A team is considered to have folded if it withdraws from the competition or is unable to continue participating in scheduled matches.

Before Mid-Season Break: The SAFA Admin Team may replace the team with a waiting list team, subject to availability and approval. Until a replacement is confirmed, all upcoming fixtures and past fixtures will be awarded as 3-0 default wins to the opposing teams.

After Mid-Season Break: No replacement team will be introduced. All remaining fixtures will be awarded as 3-0 default wins to their opponents.

Replacement Team Conditions: Any replacement team must meet all SAFA eligibility and registration requirements and will enter the competition under conditions determined by the Admin Team. The Admin Team reserves the right to decide how previous results are handled (if applicable) and how the replacement team is integrated into the standings.

Competition Integrity: SAFA reserves the right to take any necessary action to preserve league fairness, competitive balance, and standings integrity.

All team folding cases and related decisions will be handled by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

Submission Requirement: All default claims must be submitted within 24 hours of the scheduled match time via playsafa.com/support. Each claim must include clear and valid evidence and match context and details.

Late Claims: Claims submitted after the 24-hour window will not be considered.

Good Faith Requirement: Default claims should only be made when necessary and justified. Managers are expected to communicate in good faith and allow reasonable flexibility (e.g., short delays within the grace period). Abuse of default claims may result in disciplinary action.

Default Match Result: All default wins will be recorded as a 3-0 scoreline. No player stats will be awarded.

Repeated Defaults: If a team defaults more than 3 matches during the season, the SAFA Admin Team may issue warnings, apply additional penalties, or remove the team from the competition.

False or Misleading Claims: Submitting false, incomplete, or misleading claims may result in rejection of the claim and disciplinary action against the reporting team.

All default claims will be reviewed by the SAFA Admin Team. Decisions will be final and binding.

These rules are subject to change at the discretion of the SAFA Admin Team. Players will be notified of any updates via Discord announcements. If you have questions or need clarification on any rule, please open a support ticket.