Manipur State League

With the establishment of the Vision India Pilot Project, there has been tremendous development in the field of football in Manipur. Consequently the Manipur State League has become a part and parcel of improving football in Manipur. The objective of the Manipur State League is to introduce an elite football competition in Manipur. It is participated by well-organised clubs with the highest standards of players, coaches, referees, administrators, event management and facilities. Its main target is to provide inspiration from the grass root level and also for Youth Development. The Manipur State League has already become a major sporting event is Manipur.

Terms and condition of the League
The Manipur State League is within the control and direction of the All Manipur Football Association. The clubs selected by AMFA should participate by fully complying with the club regulations laid down by AMFA. Besides, all the clubs selected must register their club with AMFA on the official entry form supplied by AMFA. During a season change of club colour is not permitted. When a clash of colour occurs, the home team shall change.

The formats of the Manipur State League is a two-round league format. Each team will play every other participating team twice in the competition - once at its designated home venue and once at the designated home venue of each of its opponents. The winning team in a match will be awarded 3 points with no points for the losing team. If the match ends in a draw each team will receive one point. At the end of the season, ranking of the teams will be determined by:

a) The number of points won;

b) In case of equals points, goal difference will determine the ranking;

c) In case of both equal points and goal difference total number of goals scored will determine the ranking;

d) In condition where all the above three ranking criterias are equal, then the teams shall be of equal ranks.

e) If this equality exists between two or more highest ranked teams, then there shall be a play-off match or matches to determine the champion team.

The two lowest ranked clubs will be relegated at the end of the season. AMFA will award the Trophy to the champion club at the end of the competition. Cash awards will be presented to the Winner and the Runners-up.
All players must be registered by their clubs with AMFA to be eligible to play in the League. Each player's registration is valid only till the end of the football season. Any club playing an unregistered player or players in a match will be deducted 3 points and will be deemed to have forfeited the League fixture by the score line of three goals to zero. A club is allowed to register a maximum of 25 players for the tournament. On match days, each club will reproduce a team sheet to the referee appointed and to the match commission appointed by AMFA at least one hour before scheduled kick-off. The team sheet comprises the starting 11 players and a maximum of 7 substitutes, 3 of whom can play as substitutes. Identity cards is compulsory for all members of the team.

Fixture will be set out before the start of the League. No fixture can be postponed except by AMFA. Only AMFA has the authority to reschedule postponed matches.

AMFA will appoint a referee, two assistant referees and a fourth official for every match. The referee will be appointed from the panel of active referees who had participated in the course conducted for the purpose of MSL. AMFA shall bear the payments of the Referees and match commissioner. No club may approach a referee and attempt to influence him in refereeing a match. If any club is found guilty of making such an approach, the club will be immediately expelled form the League. Ever referee will submit a written report in official form to AMFA. AMFA will also appoint a Referee Inspector to assess the performance of the referee, assistant referee and fourth official.. The match commission may also act as the Referee Inspector.

All clubs selected for participating in the League must honour and regard the ethos of football and participate in a spirit of fair play. AMFA will maintain a record of yellow and red cards awarded against each player. In addition, fines shall be imposed to the player as fixed by AMFA. A player who is sent-off during a match will automatically be suspended for the next League game. No club is entitled to publicly criticize AMFA referee's or a referee's assistant in the media. Thus, all disciplinary actions shall be taken up as per the provisions of the AMFA/AIFF disciplinary code.
In case of any protest, it should be written to the organising secretary though the match commissioner, not, later than one hour after the close of the match concerned accompanied by a fee of Rs. 1000/-.

The facilities used must meet the standards set out by AMFA is the regulations for clubs. Most importantly, the venue must have a good quality playing surface with a dimension of 105 m × 68 m.

AMFA has the right to request a urine sample or other tests for doping control purposes from any player registered with a MSL club. Any player found to used prohibited substances including masking agents, in the FIFA/WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) list of banned substances will be immediately suspended for a duration recommended in the FIFA/WADA sanctions.

Finally, AMFA, in consultation with AFC, shall have the right to delete, add or amend the rules laid down herein.

Inputs Courtesy: All Manipur Football Association.