With finals football just around for the corner for the majority of CDSFA competitions, here’s all the important questions you need answered.
Whether your team has already secured a place in the top four, or if you’re fighting to secure that top spot, here’s all the information you need to ensure you are fully prepared.
Reminder of important finals rules
Is stoppage time played in finals matches?
Yes. Stoppage time, also known as injury time, time added on, and additional time, will be added to both halves of EVERY finals game. The total amount of time will be at the referees discretion.
What happens if a finals match ends in a draw?
If a match is drawn at full time, then the game will go to golden goal extra time. Golden goal means the first team to score a goal is declared the winner. Is the match is still even at the end of extra time, then it will go to a penalty shoot-out.
Extra time for U14s and under is two period of five minutes. For all other age groups, extra time is two periods of ten minutes. Penalty shoot outs are as per FIFA regulations (best of five, ABAB style)
Who can be in the technical area?
Injured players who are not participants in the game are not permitted in the technical area.
The only people allowed in the technical area are two registered team officials (who must be wearing their Officials Bib and ID Card), and five substitutes (who must be on the team sheet and in full kit).
Referees will be enforcing this so please avoid confrontation by doing the right thing.
General finals questions
Will finals go ahead?
Yes. Finals will go ahead. If needed, your season may be extended in September to fit in a full three-week finals series. Click here for more information.
How are positions on the ladder decided?
Teams are ordered in terms of competition points. If teams are tied on competition points, the positions will be determined using head-to-head results between those teams.
If the head-to-head results are the same, then the following criteria will be used (in order):
- Goal difference
- Total goals scored
- Number of matches won
- Least number of red cards
- Least number of yellow cards
What happens if a finals match is washed out?
In the event that a finals series match cannot be completed due to external factors (such as weather, serious injury, or failing light etc), where possible the match will be rescheduled with only the remaining time left in the match to be played. For example, if a match is stopped in the 60th minute, then only the final 30 minutes of the match will be played when the game is rescheduled.
Except for Grace Martin Trophy and Bill Brackenbury Cup matches, if a game cannot be rescheduled then the highest ranked team, according to the competition ladder, will be declared the winner.
Am I eligible to play finals?
To be eligible to play finals, you must have played three competition matches for that team during the season.
If you qualify to play “up” for a higher team in finals, you need to have your registration moved from your current team to the team you will play for in finals. This must be done by your club by the Wednesday prior to your finals game.
Important: a player can only play for one team in any finals series, including their original team. So for example, you cannot play a finals match for your original team and then play “up” for a higher team in finals. You can only choose one.
If a team plays an ineligible player in the finals, they will be ruled to have lost the match.
Feature image credit: Photographed with Love
