Rules & Regulations ISL 2025

Effective Date: October 18, 2025

Welcome to the Inter Academy Super League (ISL) website. These Rules and Regulations are applicable for ISL Dubai league 2025.

INTER-ACADEMY SUPER LEAGUE 2025

(ISL DUBAI)

RULES & REGULATIONS

1. RULES

The ISL DUBAI will be played in accordance with applicable sections of the IFAB Laws of the Game and FIFA rules. When subject to the interpretation of FIFA rules or regulations, the English text applies.

2. THE ISL DUBAI ORGANISER

The decisions of the tournament organizers are final and cannot be appealed.

3. COMPETITION RULES

3.1 The league will be played on a round-robin basis for most categories, if the number of teams in any category is more than 10 then the league will be divided into two groups and the top 2 teams from each group will play a knockout match.

3.2 The team will be awarded 3 points a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

3.3 If two or more teams finish with the same number of points, their final group standing will be decided in the following order:

The ranking shall be determined in the order given below:

Higher number of points obtained in all matches,
If two teams are equal on the basis of the above criterion, then by the result of the matches between the concerned teams, with the team securing the highest points in these matches placed higher.
If points are equal, then the team having higher goal difference will be placed higher.
If the goal difference is same, then the team with the higher number of goals scored will be placed higher.
If still the winner cannot be decided, then the ranking will be decided by taking lots.

4. AGE CATEGORIES

U 9 – born 01/01/2016 or later (7-a-side)

U11 – born 01/01/2014 or later (8-a-side)

U13 – born 01/01/2012 or later (8-a-side)

U15 – born 01/01/2010 or later (7-a-side)

5. PLAYING PERIOD

U 9 (7- a-side) 2x 15 min

U11 (8-a-side) 2x 20 min

U13 (8-a-side) 2 x 20 min

U15 (7-a-side) 2 x 20 min

Note: If both teams fail to report on time for kick-off, the match referee has the right to reduce the match duration

6. PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

6.1 For 7-a-side matches, a maximum of TWELVE (12) players may be used for the match squad.

A substituted player may be reintroduced during a match (rolling substitution) Substitutions can only take place during a break in play (free kick, corner, throw-in) to protect the integrity of the game, substitutions will be managed at the referee’s discretion.
All substitutes entering or leaving the field of play, should do so from the teams’ technical area or at the center line. The player that will be substituted must leave the field before the new player can enter the field. Substitutions which are not made correctly will be punished with a yellow card.

7. TEAM MASTER LISTS

7.1 Teams must submit a final team registration list of players and staff a 48 HOURS prior to the start of the tournament. This list will be used for the age control check and any player not listed will be deemed ineligible.

7.2 On top of this final list, all players need to provide the organization with a copy of their passport/EID and a headshot photo.

7.3 Shirt numbers assigned on the master list must be worn for the duration of the ISL DUBAI. Any player without a shirt number will not be able to participate in any official matches.

7.4 It is permitted to use a player from the same club in maximum two different categories. But NOT permitted to play for two different academies.

7.5 Maximum number of players allowed on the participant list is 20 players each for U9, U11, U13 and U15 age groups

8. PROOF OF AGE & CONTROL

8.1 The age control will take place prior to the league kick-offs. The team must also have a staff member responsible for age control, and they must also attend the check.

8.2 Each player will receive their own personalized ISL ID

8.3 ISL ID will be issued after checking the ORIGINAL EID

9. MATCH ARRANGEMENTS

9.1 Team Sheets & Lanyards

Each team must submit a team sheet to the ISL DUBAI administration 10min before every match in the tournament.
All players MUST be able to identify themselves with their personalized ISL ID before the start of each game.
Only players that are on the team sheet and have their own personalized ISL ID are eligible to play in the tournament
All team officials (maximum 4) have to be indicated with their names on the team list. Only these officials are allowed to be in the technical area. If there are no markings for the technical area, it is considered to be an area of 8 meters along the sideline where the substitutes are located.
Controls of team list and participant lists will be carried out.

9.2 Player kit

Teams should identify color of their kit in advance and any secondary options available.
All team shirts must be numbered, and the numbers must correspond to the numbers on the team registration list. Numbers must be on the back of the shirts. Two players may not use the same number.
The ISL DUBAI will recommend the color of each team in advance but if the referee decides that one team should change shirts due to similarity to the opposing team’s shirts, the team appearing last in the match schedule has to change.
- Before, during and after the game
All teams should be ready at the field no later than 30 minutes before kickoff, where their ISL ID will be checked by a member of the organizing committee.
The team manager must make sure that his players are adequately insured.

Please note that per IFAB Laws of the Game number 4, the wearing of shin guards by players is mandatory. No player will be allowed to play without shin guards.

The teams are responsible for their supporters’ and parents conduct. Inappropriate supporters’ behavior or conduct can result in team’s exclusion from the tournament or future tournaments.
The responsible team official (coach) must sign the referee’s match card after the match to confirm the result, red cards and other events during the game. Failure to sign may result in a notification to the ISL DUBAI Committee.

9.4 Match Balls

All games will be played using official ball sizes: Size 4 for U9, and Size 5 for U11, U13, and U15 age groups

10. MATCH FORMAT

U9 & U15 play the 7-a-side format (one goalkeeper and SIX outfield players). While U11 & U13 will play 8-a-side (one goalkeeper and seven outfield players)

11. MATCH OFFICIALS

The match officials will be appointed by the ISL DUBAI Committee and will be of an excellent standard with adequate experience.

12. PROTESTS & SANCTIONS

12.1 Protests

Any and all protests must be made in writing and delivered by a responsible official to the ISL DUBAI Committee no later than 60 minutes after the match is finished.
A protest fee of AED 500 applies which will be refunded should the protest be successful. Only protests that concern the Laws of the Game and ineligible players will be considered. All decisions will be in the best interest of football and may not be appealed.
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with the game are final. (FIFA rule no. 5). No measures will be taken on protests on decisions made by the referee.

12.2 Cautions and Red Card Offenses

Any player or official given a straight red card is automatically suspended from participation in the following match. Any player or official given two cautions during one match will receive an automatic one match suspension if this occurs at any stage before the final whistle.
Each team has the responsibility that a suspended player does not participate in a game (or games) where he/she is suspended. Severe offenses will be reported to the FA of the nation concerned.
Any serious offences reported to the tournament organizers will be reviewed and escalated if further action is required.

13. NO SHOWS, ABANDONED MATCHES

13.1 Any team not appearing at the appointed time and place for a match can be declared the loser by a score line of 0-3. The grace waiting time will be a maximum of 15 minutes from the appointed time. If a team fails to appear in a second game, they will be excluded from the tournament.

13.2 If a match is interrupted for some reason and can’t be played to the end, the committee will decide which of the following actions will take place.

The game must be replayed
The game is decided by penalty shoot-out
The game is restarted from the minute when it was interrupted
The result will be confirmed based on the score at the moment of interruption
- If a team forfeits or is removed from the tournament, all matches due to be played or already played, will result in a 3-0 win for the opposing team.
- In the unfortunate event of any team (with at least 4 players) being not present for a match, the opponent team will receive a 3-0 win as a forfeit. A game is called a forfeit if players on a team fall below 4 or if a team turned up for the match, 15 mins late reporting for the match.

14. MATCH FIELDS

14.1 Following category matches (U9, U11 & U13) will be held at HIS HIGHNESS SHAIKH RASHID AL MAKTOUM PAKISTAN SCHOOL DUBAI, AL QUASAIS.

14.2 For U15, the matches will be held on natural grass ground at TOPSPIN ARENA, AL JADDAF

15. MATCH SCHEDULE

15.1 The tournament organizer has the right to change the groups, times, and fields at their discretion.

15.2 For the full ISL DUBAI Schedule, contact isldubai2023@gmail.com

IMPORTANT NOTE: If a player that is suspended or ineligible participates in a game, the team in question will see the player suspended and a 0-3 loss will be incurred for the match in question.

16. REGULATIONS FOR TOURNAMENT PROPERTY

16.1 The team manager, as indicated on the participant list, is responsible for any damage caused by his players.

16.2 Consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden for all players. Smoking is prohibited in the match venue.

17. INSURANCE & RESPONSIBILITY

17.1 By registering to participate in ISL DUBAI, the registrant (who is the team manager in charge or someone else tasked by the team manager to be in charge) verifies that the team manager to be in charge has been made aware of these stipulations and that the team manager in charge has the necessary authority and permission from the participants, the participants’ guardians and the registered association. Participation in the tournament is at the participants’ own risk and the team manager in charge is responsible for all participants whom the team manager has registered, which should be included in the list of participants.

17.2 The team manager in charge is obligated to ensure that all participants are insured on the pitch. Each participant is responsible for his/her personal insurance off the pitch. Neither ISL DUBAI nor the organizer has collective insurance to cover injuries, illness, theft or any other losses.

17.3 Neither ISL DUBAI nor the organizer is responsible for compensation and they are also not responsible for financial losses or damages that may occur due to events outside the control of ISL DUBAI or the organizer, such as warlike events, fire, flood, pandemics, interruptions in public transport connections, government actions, strike or other similar circumstances.

18. PHOTOGRAPHY AND MEDIA USAGE CLAUSE

By attending or participating in this event, all players, coaches, staff, and spectators consent to being photographed and/or recorded by event organizers, media partners, and authorized personnel. These images and recordings may be used for promotional, marketing, and broadcasting purposes, including but not limited to social media, websites, and other public-facing platforms, without further notice or compensation. Any personal data captured in such media will be processed in accordance with applicable privacy laws. If you do not wish to appear in any photographs or recordings, please notify ISL CORE team prior to the start of the event.

19. CODE OF CONDUCT

Codes of conduct are important as they set out expected behaviors. They are more than a list of what can and cannot be done; they are a shared set of agreed and acceptable behaviors that help to create and maintain a positive, fun and safe environment for children. On and off the field, I will lead by example when it comes to good sportsmanship and be a role model for children by:

Always respecting the rights, dignity and worth of everyone involved in games regardless of their age, race, skin color, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, disability, language, religion, political or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason.
Sticking to the rules and celebrating the spirit of the game.
Encouraging fair play and high standards of behavior.
Never engaging in, or tolerating offensive, insulting or abusive behavior or language.
Always being supportive of children’s efforts and valuing more than just winning.

When working with children under 18 years old, I will:

Comply with the child safeguarding policy, and put the well-being, safety and enjoyment of children above everything else.
Challenge any form of bullying among children.
Provide meaningful opportunities that empower all children.
Not humiliate or belittle children or their efforts in a match or training session.
Not groom or exploit a child for personal or financial gain.
Not engage in any sexual relationship with any player under 18 years of age, which includes not making sexually suggestive comments to a child.

I acknowledge that I have read and understood the above policies and procedures in their entirety and agree to abide by them.