WICIV

** It is required that ALL players, captains, coaches, managers, referees and other participants of WIC read what is stated in this rulebook and also have a good understanding of it. I know it’s long but it is still important to read this rulebook if you’re participating in WIC ** Thank You

Chapter 1: Team Requirements
Chapter 2: Gameplay (Basics and other features)
Chapter 3: Conduct and Discipline
Chapter 4: Layout and Features


[ Chapter 1 ] Team Requirements

[1.1] - National teams are required both a home and away with a sufficient contrast in colour; a third kit is also optional to improve the contrast in colour.

[1.2] - A goalkeeper kit is also highly recommended for the tournament; the goalkeeper kit must also be worn by goalkeepers during games.

[1.3] - Squad sizes will range from 12 - 16 players with 2 reserves (optional).

[1.4] - Each national team must have ONE person in prime to have authority over the team and to take control of reserve substitutions and squad changes etc.

[1.5] - Team names are compulsory for this tournament. Club names (whether real life or custom) e.g. Manchester United or Bloxfield Rovers; or custom national team names: BAD EXAMPLE: Ivory Blox >> CORRECTION: Ivory Coast, will not be accepted.

[1.6] - This tournament will only accept FIFA-based national teams e.g. Spain, Brazil, United States etc. Countries that are non or ex-FIFA members in real life, WILL NOT be accepted into the tournament.

[1.7] - National teams must be prepared and active throughout the WIC tournament.

[1.8] - During pre-season, national pools (max. 25 players) are recommended for your team, if captains want to do call-ups for Qualifiers or international friendlies.

[1.9] - Teams are recommended to train and work together for this cup.

[1.10] Reserve rule - reserves cannot play unless switched into players; but you must have the player(s) switched to reserves. You can only switch reserves to players; other way around; once a week. The captain must inform the WIC board if they are doing a reserve substitution.

[ Chapter 2 ] Gameplay

The gameplay for this edition of WIC has been altered and enhanced to improve the experience of players in Ro-soccer. The feature of TPS Goalkeeper tool will be ENABLED in WIC. The brand new realistic-sized ball fits with the latest overhauled Ro-soccer tools; including a brand new and advanced shoot tool, as well as the combination of skills added to perform in games. 

*Behaviour during gameplay will be explained in Chapter 3*

Basics: 

[2.1] - Game sizes range from minimum 5v5 to maximum 7v7; however teams may play at a handicap up to a minimum of 3v5, if a team has any less than this, 10 minutes after their game, they will forfeit the game. 

[2.] - If both teams don’t come or don’t have enough players for their match (one team needs at least 5), 10 minutes after their game, then it is automatically a 0-0 draw. If a captain decides to forfeit (or a team has less than 3 players) during a game, three goals will be added on the current scoreline for the team that didn’t forfeit (e.g. Team A 4-2 Team B, Team B forfeits, final score: Team A win 7-2).

[2.] Outs (goal kicks, corner kicks and throw ins) will be ENABLED for this edition of the tournament, however the offside rule will DISABLED for this tournament.

[2.] - Loaning is not allowed, no exceptions.

[2.] - The corner kick tool can only be used for goal kicks and corners ONLY. The tool cannot be used to score from corner kicks.

[2.] - If the ball disappears or is “eaten” by the player, then a face-off will occur between 2 players (1 in each team). The ball must be kicked once the referee beeps, followed by a short countdown. If the incident occurs inside the opposing team's box, then a goal-kick will be awarded for the opposition.

[2.] - Teams may bring in a maximum of 12 players (including captain) to any one game, any further players must be kicked; this rule has been put to allow certain amount of spectators and officials to enter and to prevent mass spamming from substitutes to be subbed in; however if a player leaves, then the team is allowed to let another player enter the server to replace that player.

[2.] - The game size cannot be changed in first half, it is only until halftime or second half (during a stoppage) that the game size can be changed.

[2.] - Each game will consist two halves of 12 minutes (with stoppage time); for knockout stages, extra time will be 4 minutes (with stoppage time).

[2.] - If unreasonable time is taken during a set piece (goal kick, corner kick, free kick, throw in, penalty), then the referee retains the authority to ask the player to hurry up play or book the player. Players will be expected to know how to take throw-ins.

[2.] - Teams are given up to 5 minutes between each half to do team talks; however the main referee has the power to skip the break if they are delaying time in the game schedule. Once a team is ready they can walk into the pitch and get into positions for the next half.

[2.] - Both teams are required to have at least one sub to play 7v7; this rule has been put so that if a player disconnects/leaves the server or is AFK for more than 1 minute, then the sub can come into the pitch to replace that player.

[2.] - A team captain may decline to increase/decrease the game size from the starting game size; however to make that decision, a reasonable reason is required.

[2.] - Each team is limited to one captain (player with admin) in each game.

[2.] - If red card is given to a team, they are forced to play with one less player and the red carded player is kicked from the server; if the person red carded is a captain, then they must give their authority to another player in their team for the rest of the game. This rule applies even if the game size is changed; the sent off player cannot be subbed in. If there is a match scenario of a team playing with 3 players and one of their players gets red carded then the team will be forced to forfeit.

[2.] - Pausing is WIC is allowed but it will be very limited in this tournament:
This season will enforce a limit to pauses. Captains can only pause TWICE in maximum, if you pause a game twice then you can no longer pause the game for the rest of the game.
Captains are the only ones that are allowed to pause, any pauses from the players will be denied, unless the captain was subject to disconnecting or leaving the server.
Pauses can only be made when the opposition has an opportunity to score.
However, the pause can be denied by the referee if the attacker has a clear goal scoring opportunity and the captain attempts to pause the game. The exception to this is if a player dies, disconnects or quits the server RESULTING in the goal-scoring opportunity.
Please remember that to pause, you must make it clear to the referees, meaning that you must say it in “:h”.
Captains cannot do pauses for the game to halt (excluding goal-scoring opportunities). Instead their team has to kick the ball out of play or wait till next stoppage then tell the referee to wait, explaining why.
The ball will be placed in the position it was in when the person paused. If the ball was paused inside their box, then a penalty is awarded for the opposition team.

Dragging and E shots:

[2.] - To prevent the abuse of “dragging” in WIC, the following tricks have been banned:
Shoot drag: e.g. using chip + kick to shoot
Pace drag: e.g. using pass + dribble, chip/shoot/high-pass/kick + dribble
Back heel drag (ONLY WHEN USED TWICE OR MORE): using back heel + dribble

[2.] - E shots are banned in WIC, no exceptions.

If players violate these rules, then a free kick will be awarded for the opposing team and the referee will be given the choice to give that player a warning/booking.

Substitutions:

[2.] - Substitutions can only be made during stoppages in play; the team leader MUST inform the referee and receive acknowledgement to carry out the substitution.
If a substitution is required urgently, you have the choice to kick the ball out of player (as explained above) or just play with a man less until next stoppage.
Substitute players MUST stay at their technical areas at all times, when the game is running; if any substitute players are caught interrupting play or walking into the pitch then they will be faced with an automatic red card.
There is no limit to how many substitutions can be made.
Substitutes must be wearing their substitute top, so that they can be easily recognised as a sub. There is absolutely no exception to this.

Fouls:

[2.] - The following situations during a match are fouls:
Not standing at least 25 studs away from an opposing throw-in taker; if the ball is touched whilst in the restricted region, a free kick is given where the ball was touched.
Intentionally not giving the goalkeeper a sufficient amount of space to throw the ball if he is holding it; this results in a free kick from where the goalkeeper was standing and the referee may book the player.
Not standing at least 35 studs from the ball during a corner kick, or 30 studs from the ball during a free kick; failing to follow this rule results in a booking/warning.
Standing in box as an opposing player during a goal kick; failure to follow results in booking/warning for the player.
Being on the pitch when throw-in is taken, or passing the ball to yourself during any set piece (corner kick, throw in and free kicks)
An outfield player using goalkeeper tool; if a player fails to follow this rule, then a red card is mandatory.
The goalkeeper using TPS Goalkeeper tool outside the box (apart from GK kick); failure to follow this rule results in a booking for the goalkeeper, however the referee has the choice to even red card the goalkeeper if he attempts to use it in a cheating manner during the game (e.g. handling the ball outside the box).
The goalkeeper or player intentionally attempting to score a goal with CK/GK kick during play; this will result in a free kick for the opposing team and the referee is given the choice to give the player a warning/booking.
A player passing the ball, intentionally, back to their keeper, by kicking it, and the goalkeeper picks it up (pass back); this rule does not apply for header or deflection. If this offence is committed, then an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from where the goalkeeper handled the ball (players are not allowed to shoot in these free kicks, they must pass the ball first).
If a player kicks the ball in a face-off before the referee beeps his whistle; failure to follow this rule will result in a turnover.

Penalties:

[2.] - Each team will take five penalties each
If scores are level after 5 penalties, it goes to sudden death; if a player scores and the opposing player misses (IN THE SAME ROUND) then the penalty shootout ends e.g. if a player scores Team A’s 6th penalty and a player misses Team B’s 6th penalty, then Team A win.
The player who was goalkeeping when the final whistle of extra time was blown must be the goalkeeper for the penalty shootout, unless they have to leave (for a reasonable reason).
Players cannot take multiple penalties, each eligible player (who attended the game) in the team (including the goalkeeper) must take one penalty each in the order of kicks the coach has put. If it becomes necessary for players to take a second kick (because the score has remained equal after all eligible players have taken their first kick), then teams are not required to follow the same order of kickers as was used for the first kick.
Players who have been sent off from a game cannot take a penalty.
Each kicker can kick the ball only once per attempt. If the ball rebounds off the goal frame or saved from the goalkeeper, the kicker may not play the ball again.
Keepers must stay on their line during a penalty; if they do not, it is a retake (if they saved it); on the second time of failing to follow the rule, a goal is given. There is a margin of 3 studs for how far players can go from their line.
Non-takers MUST be on halfway line during the shootout.
Players can stutter a run-up (stop), but CANNOT go backwards; failure to follow this rule will lead to a retake, regardless whether they scored. If they again break the same rule in their retake, a miss is awarded.
Players cannot pretend to kick the ball; this will lead to a retake, breaking the same rule in the retake results in a miss being awarded.
The non-active goalkeeper must stand on the goal line OUTSIDE the box during the penalty


[ Chapter 3 ] Conduct and Discipline

In WIC, you must keep yourself under control and stay focused and maintained because serious offences will get you suspended from WIC and the game. WIC was made for the enjoyment of the Ro-soccer community. There should be NO ignorant and unacceptable behaviour going around matches and even outside matches. You will be expected to have good and responsible sportsmanship around players, coaches, managers, and especially officials. Remember that we are representing the Ro-soccer community, don’t try to make us look bad.

The officials in this edition of WIC will be majorly strict and take any serious misconduct that you have made into account. A little badmouth between the opposition will most likely be ignored or signalled off with a warning. Always listen to the official, he makes the decisions, he is in charge of the game and match you are currently in. He has every right and power to book you for serious misconduct.

[3.] - Misconduct in WIC will be taken in the following areas: the official WIC group wall, an official WIC venue, the WIC training pitch, and other places associated with WIC.

[3.] - Teams are allowed up to one minute to celebrate a goal and return to their half, after which a booking is given to the goal scorer; referees are allowed to reduce the team a team has to celebrate if it is clear that they are attempting to waste time by celebrating.

[3.] - Disrespect, harassment, threats, ignorance and profanity towards the referee MUST NOT BE TOLERATED; the referee has the power to warn, book, or even send off the offending player(s), depending on the severity of offence.

[3.] - The captain (player with admin) is allowed to challenge a referee’s decision but must do so respectfully. ONLY the captain is allowed to challenge the referee, if other players from the team join in challenging the decision, the captain loses his ability to challenge that decision; the same rule regarding disrespect applies to the captain. Continuous challenging of the referee unreasonably will lead to a warning/booking.

[3.] - Discrimination or disrespect against someone’s race, disability, family, gender, religion is unacceptable; 2 match to season ban, depending on severity.

[3.] - Cheating is unacceptable (as any participant of WIC); 2 match ban to season ban or suspension from refereeing, depending on severity and history.

Examples of cheating could be ineligibly playing for a team (as an main or alternative account), using admin or any software to gain an advantage (but it is not limited to just these).

[3.] Exploiting a server that has a match in progress should not be tolerated; 3 match ban to season ban, depending on severity.

[3.] - Mass spamming will only result in a warning/booking and a 1-match suspension if continued.

[3.] - Abuse of admin will result in a 1-4 game suspension, as well as your admin rights being removed for that period.

[3.] - A red card gives a 1 match suspension.

[3.] - Five yellow cards results in 1 match suspension; the card count is reset if a red card is given.

[3.] - If you have an issue with an incident that occurred in a match, then speak about it privately with a WIC executive. Concrete evidence or witnesses (unless they are not biased) are recommended if you want to enforce your complaint. The WIC board can investigate the incident and if the complaint is justified then the people involved will receive the expected punishment in form of suspension/ban. However, criticising the referee openly in a place/group wall will remove your chances of getting your complaint justified and may only result you in being punished.

[3.] - The length of the match suspension depends on severity.

[ Chapter 3 ] Layout and Features

[4.] - For the first time in WIC, this edition will contain 24 teams in total; 6 groups of 4 teams.

[4.] - Draws - 24 teams are organised into 4 pots of 6 teams and then drawn into 6 groups of 4 teams, the pots will be: 
Pot 1 (Hosts + Seeds)
Pot 2 (Africa + South America)
Pot 3 (North America + Asia + Oceania) 
Pot 4 (Europe)

[4.] - National teams will play each other ONCE in their group stages; 3 game weeks.

[4.] - Rule of classification of groups: 1) points 2) goal difference 3) number of goals scored 4) number of goals conceded 5) If still drawn.

[4.] - The top 2 teams of each group at the end of the group stages will automatically advance to the knockout stages. The third placed teams will be ranked according to their performances in their groups. The four best teams among those ranked third will advance to the knockout round and be placed with winners of group A, B, C and D.

[4.] - Knockout stage format -

RO16 Match 1 - Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C
RO16 Match 2 - Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B / E / F
RO16 Match 3 - Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A / C / D
RO16 Match 4 - Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E
RO16 Match 5 - Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D
RO16 Match 6 - Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A / B / F
RO16 Match 7 - Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F
RO16 Match 8 - Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C / D / E

QF Match 1 - Winner RO16 Match 1 vs Winner RO16 Match 2
QF Match 2 - Winner RO16 Match 3 vs Winner RO16 Match 4
QF Match 3 - Winner RO16 Match 5 vs Winner RO16 Match 6
QF Match 4 - Winner RO16 Match 7 vs Winner RO16 Match 8

SF Match 1 - Winner QF Match 2 vs Winner QF Match 2
SF Match 2 - Winner QF Match 3 vs Winner QF Match 4

Finals - Winner SF Match 1 vs Winner SF Match 2

[4.] - Knockout stages will consist one leg, as it is an international cup.

[4.] - The loser of the two semi finals will play each other in the third place play-off.

[4.] - As the tournament progresses, the venues you will play in will develop and build bigger with more features e.g. progression of stadium stands. The final will be played in a real-life Spanish based stadium, Santiago Bernabeu.

End of the WIC Season III Guidelines and Rules Handbook, Thank you for reading as it is very important. I wish your team good luck in this competition -

(C) 2014 WIC - RS CORP.