LG FIFA eLeague Rulebook

-1.1a League Format


FIFA eLeague will be ran with 16 teams in the first division and 16 teams in each subsequent division after that. In the instance that there are teams left out of the divisions currently running, accommodations for smaller leagues may be made. It is important to keep fluidity across all divisions to make sure competition levels stay high and allow our schedules to flow correctly. All teams must follow all announced criteria to be eligible for each season.


In each division, the top eight clubs will advance to the playoffs. The winner of the playoffs will have a separate title than the winner of the league, “Playoff Champion”.


--1.1b Promotion/Relegation


INSERT PROMOTION/RELEGATION


-1.2 Tiebreakers in League Standings


When the season comes to a close, a tie-breaking procedure will occur in the chance of any ties within the league table. The procedure is as follows:

• Goal Differential
  
  
• Total Goals Scored
  
  
• Head-to-Head results (Total Points)
  
  
• Head-to-Head Goals scored

-1.3 Playoff Regulations


All playoff rounds will be two legs. The club with the better score on aggregate without away goals will advance. In the event that a tie occurs, further matches will be played abiding by the league structure but with Golden Goal rules. The golden goal match will be hosted by the higher seeded team until a winner has been decided.


The playoff system will work in the fashion of a standard bracket. (1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5) and follow the path of the bracket until the final..


-1.4 League Schedule


All games will be scheduled to take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00pm ET and 10:30pm ET. There is a no tolerance policy on reschedules and any late starts may be subject to forfeiture unless previously approved. However, games may be played at an earlier date to accommodate to Media Team requirements and will be approved on a situational basis.


-1.5a Transfer Regulations


When the transfer window is open, players may join and leave any club at any time. The transfer window will open at 12:00am ET on Fridays and close at 12:00am ET on Tuesdays throughout the Season. Players who transfer from a club during the window will have to sit out for a four match ban. These four matches are to be the next four scheduled matches for the team they have joined, regardless of when they are played due to any pending problem that could occur.


--1.5b Free Agents


Free Agents may join any team at any time until the conclusion of the last transfer window of each split.


-1.6 Team Ownership


A team must declare one player the owner of a team each season. This player is responsible for all reprimands and responsibilities of ownership and of a team. The owner is required to make sure the team follows all requirements to be eligible for each season including roster minimum and maintaining roster keep level. (Maintaining 8 players from the beginning of last season on the new season’s roster). If a team is unable to do this, any player from the team may step up and attempt to reach these requirements. If unsuccessful, the team will be folded and the next highest POINTS total team not in Division 1 will replace them.


-2.1a Start Time Tolerability


Communication between opposing management is key to not only the game itself but the success of the league. It is required that management or a representative from either team get in contact with the other within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time for all games scheduled in one night. This communication is key and if it is not reciprocated by one side of management, a forfeit can be applied for. Communication must be made on a league approved platform. We will allow a 10 minute grace period in terms of allowing a team to get ready to compete in a match. We ask that you do not abuse this period or we will have to review this policy and refine it.


We will analyze all data provided to us when it comes to abusing the grace period. If we are supplied evidence or notice a trend in a team consistently not being ready at game time, we will take appropriate against management and the team. Up to and including removal from the league.


While we want to lean away from forfeits as much as possible, we also believe that the best way to shape the community in the correct way is to punish in a definitive and consistent way. We do not want to hand out forfeits for such minuscule actions but we need everyone to understand how important each small action is to the big picture.


--2.1b Reschedules

There will be no reschedules allowed in the league unless an extraneous factor has come into play. These factors will be evaluated on a case by case basis and are subject to any result the League Staff sees to be fit.


-2.2 Pre-Game Setup


To begin the process of starting a game, each club must meet the following requirements:

• Each player in the match lobby must be on the club's roster
  
  
• Each club must have at least 10 players in the lobby.
  
  
• Each club must have a player in the ANY position. This player cannot be the goalkeeper.
  
  
• Each club must have a player in the GK position
  
  
• Each club's captain must be a player with stable connection. This player must be hosting from North America.

If a team breaks any of these rules at the beginning of a match, an automatic forfeit win may be demanded by the affected team if conclusive proof is provided. If the club in violation of any requirement in Rule 2.2 informs the opposing manager(s) of the potential rule violation, and the opposing manager agrees to continue with the match, then the match will be valid and the teams will be bound to the result of the match. In this situation, Rule 2.2 cannot be invoked for a forfeit win after the match. *Post match forfeits can be issued if an illegal player is used



-2.3 Hosting


The club that is entered in the schedule as the home team must be the one that sends the opposing club a friendly invitation. Make sure that each club has a captain who is located in North America and who is able to support a good connection.


In the situation that conclusive proof has been provided and we see data backing up the statements. We the league reserve the right to remove a team’s ability to host a match. If we see consistent dropping of players on a certain team’s connection or possible lag/frame drop against certain teams, we may exercise this right.


-2.4 Pre-Game Connection Issues


If there is a connection issue whereby clubs can not connect into a game lobby, make contact with management of the opposing team and make an attempt to fix the connection issue. If troubleshooting steps do not seem to fix the problem, please contact your deputy admin as soon as possible.


-2.5a Mid-Game Connection Issues


Clubs have the ability to back out of the game due to bad connection before the 10-minute mark. Clubs may back out in this fashion one time each. On the fourth attempt, the game must be played. *Please see rule about Hosting


--2.5b Mid-Game back outs


If the Goalkeeper lags out after the 10th minute of game play, the club MAY back out at half-time. Clubs should only play one half of the next game. If the Goalkeeper lags out during the second half, the game must be continued to be played as normal.


If the ANY lags out after the 10th minute of game play, the club MAY back out at half-time. Clubs should only play one half of the next game. If the ANY lags out during the second half, the game must be continued to be played as normal..


If the club has 7 or fewer players remaining (due to lag-outs) after the 10th minute of game play, the club MAY back out at half time. Clubs should only play one half of the next game. If this situation occurs during the second half, the game must be continued to be played as normal..


If abuse of this rule is seen to be occurring, we will analyze the evidence and data provided to us and take action accordingly, up to and including removal from the league.


-2.6 Goals Scored During Back-Out


Any goals scored during the process of backing out will roll over to the restarted game, so make sure the ball is far away from danger before backing out.


In an effort to promote fair play, we ask that teams do not persist in scoring after a team has made a clear effort to remove the ball from play or to a non-threatening situation to allow a clean back out.


As well as to promote fair play, we have decided that any goals scored in a kit clash scenario will not be counted. It is to be understood by both members of management teams that if kits are clashing, the game is frozen and any actions that partake in the match will not be counted. *Evidence should be provided to prove that kits were clashing*


-3.1 Game Play Conduct


Evidence of any game play that appears to veer from "normal" game play may be reviewed and penalized. This includes glitching, hacking, or any other non-regular game play.


-3.2 Height Restrictions


Due to a competitive imbalance created by the game, we have implemented a restriction on maximum height a player may play as a field player. The maximum height is 6’1. We have created this rule to bring back down the imbalance created by taller heights as well as to increase the quality of the style of play to help increase viewership and provide closer simulation to soccer.


-3.3 Goalkeeper Interference


Goalkeeper interference is prohibited if it results in any advantage to the team. Sufficient evidence of this happening may lead to removal of a goal from the final score, a warning/suspension to the club's manager(s), and a warning/suspension to the player that committed the infraction. Sufficient evidence of goalkeeper interference means video footage of the incident from one or multiple camera angles, with the camera: (1) focusing on the affected GK, and (2) having a clear view of the ball and the player that ends up affecting the GK.


Goalkeeper interference is given if a player from the opposing team impacts the goalkeeper, while the ball is dead or away from the play, in such a way that it moves the goalkeeper, causes him to perform an unnatural animation, or disables him from normal action. Goalkeeper interference will be given in the instance that a goal results from the previously mentioned actions.


*We will take all instances of goalkeeper interference with the ideology that the Goalie always has a chance to make the save unless his actions took him out of the play


-4.1 Restitution


When any pre-game rule is broken, make sure video or photo evidence is taken. Then proceed with backing out of the game and filing a complaint to a site admin.


If any rule is broken during the course of the game, proceed in returning the game play back to its original state as quickly as possible. Make sure to make the restitution clear and obvious to avoid any confusion. For example, in the event that a goal is scored due to a rule break (e.g. GK interference), be clear about your intentions and score an own goal. Neither goal will be recorded on the stat sheet if restitution is made. If you believe a club has violated a rule during game play and no restitution was made, proceed in filing a complaint via the complaint form.


-4.2 Scoreline Modifications


If any pre-game or mid-game rule is broken and your club chooses to complete the match anyway, your club loses the right to file a complaint and the score will stand. However, the admins reserve the right to modify the score of a completed match and levy punishments against the offenders if one of the following infractions occur and are proven to have occurred following match completion:

• A player in the match lobby is not on the club's roster on the website..
  
  
• The host is not located in North America.
  
  
• An illegal mid-game back-out occurred.

-4.3 Filing a Complaint


To file a complaint, please file through the Action Center by clicking HERE. With your complaint and any evidence that can be given to help your case, whether it be witnesses, audio evidence, or video evidence. Your complaint will then be reviewed by League staff and a ruling will be made. Complaints without evidence, may be ignored. Evidence is key in helping staff determine an outcome on all complaints.


-4.4 Rulings


The Rulebook Commissioner will make a decision on whether something violates the league rulebook. If a violation is declared, the Operations Commissioners will decide if they agree with the ruling. If they agree, the Rulebook Commissioner will announce the decision and give the declared punishment for that violation. A team/player may appeal this decision if they believe it is unjust. If the Operations Commissioners do not agree with the Rulebook Commissioner, the ruling will then be brought to the League Commissioner for a final ruling. This decision will be declared as final and not able to be appealed.


-4.5 Red Cards


If a player receives a red card during a regular season match, they will be punished with a one-match ban. This match will be the next match scheduled for the team via the schedule. If a player receives a red card during any post season or playoff situation, that player will be suspended for the rest of that series.


-5. Code of Conduct


We will be setting a standard for how players in our community act and will act towards each other and towards members of other communities as well. Please keep in mind that all actions on LeagueGaming.com are also enforced within our league as well. Please review the LG CoC (Code of Conduct) by clicking HERE.


-5.1 League Staff conduct


Staff is expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times when representing LeagueGaming and FIFA eLeague. This includes all platforms that FIFA eLeague is promoted or participates in. Any behavioral or situational issues outside of these times can be reported and will be addressed if deemed necessary.


-5.2 User Conduct


All league members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional but yet competitive level. Competitive Gaming is nothing without the competitive nature that comes with it but with that we must also know where the line is drawn. Anybody deemed to have surpassed this line in a public entity that represents the league will be addressed and reprimanded accordingly.


-5.3 Modified Pros


Hacking/glitching your pro is not allowed in any capacity. Evidence of this cheating will be reprimanded accordingly.


The "skill points glitch," is inherently banned and if the usage of it in actual games is proven, the aforementioned punishments can, and will be enforced. Anyone with sufficient evidence of a player illegally using this glitch, please report it to an admin.

Please click HERE to see the skill point glitch post.


-5.4 Secondary Accounts



Creating secondary accounts on our site will not work in the first place but will result in FIFA long bans if ever caught. Doing this is very detrimental to our community and its integrity. We see no reason to ever need to abuse this due to the constantly open transfer window. Sufficient evidence of this rule violation will result in the previously stated sanctions.


-5.5 Club Folds During the Season


Clubs disbanding during the season is absolutely forbidden and will result in harsh punishment. In the event that this does occur, the owner of the club is the one who will be held responsible. Please also note that the owner of a team may not step down during the season without naming someone on the team to have filled this role and their acceptance of this.


-6.1 League Integrity Clause


League Staff reserves the right to at any time make a ruling that differs from those previously stated in the rulebook or possibly not covered in the rulebook if they believe it is in the best interest of the league or helps protect its integrity. These situations will require more approval than normal by receiving the approval of the Board of Directors. Also in this clause, the league has the right to add or remove a rule from the league at any time if it goes against the integrity clause. These situations require the same approval as the aforementioned clause.


-6.2 League Rewards Clause


League Staff reserves the right to refuse rewards to any person(s) at any time. While prizing will be awarded in this league, if any violation of the rulebook is thought to be in play or any legal violations may occur as a result of awarding the prize.