Rules for FLC

• § All managers must read and acknowledge these rules before the start of each FLC season.
• § By accepting the manager role, you confirm that you have read and understood all rules listed below.

General Rules

• § Your account must have a verified gaming ID linked to it (e.g. PSN ID or Xbox Gamertag). If you need help with this, open a support ticket.
• § All players must have a valid gamertag linked to their account. Failure to do so will result in a default loss. If the FLC username closely resembles the in-game gamertag, a final warning will be issued and the player must update their details.
• § All teams must field a minimum of 8 players: 7 outfield players and a goalkeeper. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a 2–0 default loss.
• § All teams must include a designated Goalkeeper and an Any position. Premium teams are exempt from this requirement. Teams playing with a full squad of eleven are not required to fill the Any position.
• § Team lineups must be submitted before the scheduled kick-off time. Failure to do so will result in escalating penalties: a warning for the first offence, a final warning for the second, and a default loss for the third. If no lineup is submitted, admins will verify player registrations manually — any unsigned players will result in a default.
• § Every player in the lineup must be contracted to the team they are representing. Playing with an uncontracted player will result in a default loss. To claim a default, you must provide an in-game screenshot showing the opponents' gamertags.
• § A match may only be abandoned early if: fewer than ten in-game minutes have elapsed, no goals have been scored by either team, or there is a legitimate reason such as a player lag-out or significant team lag — in which case video evidence is required.
• § If one or more players lag out or disconnect before the 10th minute, the match must be stopped and restarted from 0–0. If no players are moving due to the lag/disconnect, any goals scored during this period will not count. After the 10th minute, the match must continue regardless, unless exceptional circumstances arise.
• § If a match is abandoned twice due to connection issues, the third attempt must be played through to completion. If teams are still unable to finish the match after three attempts, it may be rescheduled at no cost. Evidence of all three attempts must be submitted via a ticket.
• § The maximum squad size is 18 players. With a Premium membership, this limit increases to 30 players.
• § Cup matches cannot be rescheduled.
• § There must be at least 30 minutes between the scheduled kick-off times of consecutive matches. This refers to the time between kick-offs, not the time after a match ends. If your matches are scheduled less than 30 minutes apart, contact an admin to have the schedule adjusted.
• § If two or more players simultaneously lag out or crash during a match, the game may be restarted — but only if the score is 0–0 and the incident occurs before half-time. Video evidence of the lag-outs or crashes must be provided.
• § Default claims must be submitted by midnight (00:00 UK time) on the day of the match. Claims submitted after this deadline will be void. Premium teams have 24 hours from the scheduled kick-off time to submit a default claim.

League System

• § If a team folds mid-season, it will be replaced by a new team where possible. After the halfway point of the season, a replacement may not be possible. If a replacement team takes over, existing points stand. If no replacement is found, the remaining fixtures for the folded team will be defaulted, awarding 3 points to each opponent.
• § Teams may reschedule one or two match nights per season, depending on their premium level. Reschedule requests must be made at least 3 hours before the official kick-off time. Rescheduled matches can be played at any mutually agreed time. If both teams cannot agree on a date, the match will be played on the first Monday after the season ends. If both reschedule allowances have been used, the second rescheduled match must be played on the Tuesday after the season ends.
• § Reschedule requests must be posted in the designated matchday Discord channel for your division or league. You must tag the opposing manager, who must acknowledge the request.

Manager Support

• § If you are close to folding your team, open a ticket on the Discord server and we will do our best to support you.
• § Managers in difficulty will receive additional support, including help sourcing available players to stabilise the team's situation.
• § If players abandon a manager, we will offer additional support based on the circumstances — with evidence provided — including: 1) helping find replacement players, and 2) actively sourcing available free agents.
• § Managers are responsible for maintaining professional conduct in team chats at all times. If unprofessional messages are reported, admins may be invited to investigate. Bans may be issued. Please refer to the Fair Play section.
• § Each team may have up to two co-managers within their management structure.

Player Accounts

• § All players must have a gamertag linked to their account. This gamertag must match the one used in-game. Failure to link a gamertag will result in a default.
• § An exception applies if a player has no gamertag linked but their website username closely resembles their in-game gamertag — in this case, a warning will be issued. If the gamertag is not added by the next game day and the player still participates, the team will be defaulted.
• § If a player has a gamertag linked to their profile that does not match their in-game gamertag, the match will result in a default.

Match Hosting

• § If you experience a latency of 100 ping or higher, you have the right to decline the current host and request a switch to a European server. This request must be made before any goal is scored and before the 10th minute. Proof of the high latency may be required.

Manager Responsibilities

• § Managers are bound to a minimum one-season management contract. Failing to honour this contract will result in a two-season management ban and a one-season player ban.
• § As a manager, you are responsible for your team and for ensuring all rules are followed.
• § It is your responsibility to recruit and sign an Assistant Manager and players for your team.
• § Team lineups must be submitted before kick-off. Failure to do so will result in warnings, escalating to a default.
• § Managers are responsible for ensuring that all players in the lineup are contracted to their club.
• § Managers are responsible for ensuring all players have up-to-date gamertags linked to their accounts.
• § If you step down as manager, you are responsible for finding a suitable replacement — whether by promoting an Assistant Manager or another player from your team. If the replacement also steps down, both parties will be banned.
• § Match results must be submitted by 10:00 PM on match days. Repeated failure to do so may result in administrative action against the team.
• § You are responsible for communicating with the opposing manager and ensuring matches kick off on time.
• § You must make contact with the opposing manager at least 30 minutes before kick-off.
• § You may request a 10-minute kick-off delay for league matches, but this must be communicated before the scheduled kick-off time.
• § All managers are responsible for streaming their matches. If any in-game issues arise, stream footage must be readily available as evidence.
• § Managers are responsible for maintaining professional standards in team chats at all times. Unprofessional conduct may result in bans.

Folding A Team

• § Teams may only fold between seasons, once the one-season management contract has been completed.
• § At the end of each season, teams will be asked via a poll or ticket to confirm whether they are continuing or leaving for the next season.
• § Confirming your intent to stay is a binding commitment to another season. Once confirmed, you cannot fold. Folding after agreeing to stay will result in a one-season player ban and a two-season management ban.
• § If a team folds, the manager will receive a one-season player ban and a two-season management ban. In serious cases, admins may extend the ban to the entire team.
• § If a team agrees to join a league and then folds or disappears without communication, they will be removed and banned from all competitions.
• § If a team folds, all contracted players will be locked for the remainder of the season. The only way to release yourself from a locked contract is through an FLC Premium membership.
• § Premium players whose team folds are free to move to another team. Without Premium, players will remain locked until the end of the season.
• § If a folded team has not been replaced, players will not be released. Please do not contact admins to request a release in this situation.
• § Contracts from a folded team will not be reset unless the team is replaced. Players will need a Premium membership to remove their contract from a folded team.

Player Stats

• § Players must submit photo proof of their performance statistics. Failure to provide proof will result in those stats being removed.
• § Managers may submit individual game statistics for each player. Image or video proof is required.
• § Any issues with submitting stats through the app must be reported to a league admin immediately. If issues are not communicated and no proof is available, the stats will be permanently deleted.
• § If a player is found to have submitted incorrect images or falsified statistics, they will receive a warning. A second offence will result in their entire stats history being wiped.
• § Player statistics must be submitted within 72 hours of the scheduled match time.

Contracts

• § Only Premium managers and assistant managers may release players from their contracts. Admins will not release players if a team folds during the season. Contracts are automatically removed at the end of each season.
• § Only Premium players may release themselves from their own contracts.
• § Do not ask admins to free-release players mid-season without a valid reason. A genuine issue must be present for admin intervention.
• § If a manager chooses not to use their Premium to release a player, they cannot be forced to do so. How a manager uses their Premium benefits is entirely their own decision.
• § Player contracts last for one full season from the point of registration. Players cannot release themselves unless they have individual Player Premium, or their manager agrees to use Manager Premium to release them. A free transfer market is held at the end of every season.
• § A player may only be released once per season. An exception applies if their team folds. With Player Premium, this limit increases to two releases per season.
• § For any issues regarding the management of your team, do not hesitate to contact your league admin.

Lateness

• § If an opponent without Premium is more than 5 minutes late and has not made contact, a default will be awarded.
• § If an opponent with Premium is more than 15 minutes late and has not made contact, a default will be awarded.
• § You must make contact with the opposing manager at least 10 minutes before kick-off.
• § Premium teams that anticipate being late must notify the opposing team in advance. Premium teams are entitled to request a kick-off delay of up to 10 minutes.

Default Losses ('Byes')

• § Only Head/Senior admins are permitted to issue defaults.
• § Claims for defaults must be supported by video evidence.
• § A default loss results in a 2–0 scoreline in both league and tournament formats.
• § If a team receives more than three defaults in a season, they will be removed from the league and replaced by another team.
• § If a match goes to a penalty shoot-out and the opposing goalkeeper lags out or leaves, a default will be awarded.
• § For default win statistics: players awarded a 2–0 default win may submit a match rating of 7.5 and a clean sheet only — no other stats.
• § If a team leaves the league and has not been replaced, all of that team's matches will be reset to a 0–2 loss.
• § When a default is awarded, all managers in the league will be notified via the league chat the following day.

Premium

• § A Premium player may play for a maximum of 3 different teams per season on official contracts.
• § You may only terminate your own contract if you have a Premium membership, with a limit of 2–3 team transfers per season. One season equals approximately 2 months.
• § Teams may only release players if the manager holds a Premium membership.
• § Premium teams are not required to have a human-controlled goalkeeper.
• § If a non-Premium team plays without a human-controlled goalkeeper, the opposing team must leave the match to claim a default. This must be done before half-time — claims made after half-time will be void.
• § Premium teams may request a kick-off delay of up to 10 minutes for FLC Midweek matches and up to 15 minutes for FLC Sunday matches. This request must be communicated at least 30 minutes before the scheduled kick-off. If a request is made within the 30-minute window due to circumstances beyond your control (e.g. a kit glitch or lag), admins will assess the situation — no warning will be issued if the delay is not your fault. A first offence for a late request will receive a warning; a second offence will result in a default. Proof of the issue must be provided.
• § Premium teams may reschedule up to 3 league match nights per season. At least 3 hours' notice is required, and the new match time must be agreed upon before submitting the request. Reschedule requests must be made on the same day they are needed. If the rescheduled match is not updated within one week, it will be recorded as a 0–0. Admins must also be informed of all reschedules.
• § Once a match has been rescheduled, it must start on time. Being more than 5 minutes late to a rescheduled match will result in a default.
• § Once a match has been rescheduled, it cannot be rescheduled a second time.
• § Non-Premium teams that attempt to reschedule matches will be defaulted for those games.
• § Matches cannot be rescheduled during the final week of the season.
• § If your team folds, you may use a Premium membership to release yourself from a locked contract.

Cheating

• § Cheating will not be tolerated. Any player found cheating will be penalised.
• § Speed-up lag glitch: if a goal is scored against your team while your players are inactive or unresponsive due to a lag glitch, the goal will not count and the opposing team will receive a warning.
• § Players are not permitted to knock over opponents by running into them during set pieces. This may result in a player ban. Where the interference affects play, the Head Admin team will determine the outcome, which may include a replay or a default.
• § Any glitch banned in official EA events is also prohibited in FLC. In cases involving banned glitches, goals may be removed or a default awarded.
• § Premium players may not assist other teams in the same league on a temporary basis. You may only join a new team if you are making a permanent transfer. Assisting another team in the final stages of the season will result in a default.
• § Human players are not permitted to press pause in order to let the AI control the goalkeeper. If a goalkeeper is found to have been AI-controlled for all or part of a match, the result will be overturned to a default loss.
• § Players may not intentionally block the goalkeeper from moving during set pieces. If a goal is conceded as a direct result of deliberate goalkeeper interference, the goal will be deducted from the final score.
• § Only one player is permitted on each post when defending a corner. If more than two players are positioned across the goal line and this prevents a clear scoring opportunity, a goal may be awarded after the match concludes. The match must continue regardless.
• § Using the L2 button to hold the ball stationary in the corner of the pitch is not allowed. The ball must remain in motion at all times. If a team is found to be using this tactic, the match must continue but a warning will be issued. Repeat offences will result in a points deduction. Evidence must be submitted to #contact-flc.
• § Using emotes to gain an advantage during set pieces is prohibited. If this is found to have interfered with play, the offending team will receive a default and the player responsible will be banned for one week.
• § Strikers may not charge towards the goalkeeper during goal kicks. If a striker blocks the goalkeeper and scores as a result, the goal will be disallowed.
• § You cannot sign players from other teams to help you win in the final stages of the competition.
• § Team mergers are not permitted during the season.
• § If caught playing while banned, you will be banned for a full year.
• § Sabotaging Teams
• § To protect the fairness and integrity of FLC, any deliberate action aimed at undermining a team's cohesion, performance, or reputation is strictly prohibited. Violations may result in immediate penalties, including bans. Sabotage is defined as any intentional behaviour intended to destabilise or harm a team's success, including but not limited to:
• § Recruitment Tampering: Attempting to influence or persuade groups of players to leave their current team in order to form or join another team.
• § Contract Violations: The unauthorised deletion, manipulation, or tampering with contracts or agreements between players and teams by anyone with assistant access.
• § Match Interference: Deliberately undermining a team's performance through actions such as throwing matches, playing unethically, or compromising the integrity of competitive play.
• § Defamation and Slander: Publicly or privately spreading false information with the intent to damage the reputation of teams, players, managers, or the organisation as a whole.
• § Consequences for violations depend on the severity of the offence and may include temporary suspensions, permanent bans from the league, or other disciplinary action.

Fair Play

• § Every member of the FLC community — including players, managers, and free agents — must abide by the fair play regulations on all platforms and in all FLC-related activity, including match days, trials, and the running of their teams.
• § There is a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment, and discrimination on any grounds, including but not limited to: gender, race, religion, sexuality, disability, and age.
• § All FLC players and managers are expected to treat everyone with respect at all times. Consider the impact your words and actions may have on others.
• § Any breach of the above rules, if proven, will result in a ban.
• § To report an incident or breach of these rules, create a ticket including: a clear explanation of what happened, screenshots or video evidence where possible, context for any evidence provided, details of others present if the evidence is unclear, and any other relevant proof. Incidents should be reported as soon as possible to allow for a thorough investigation.
• § All decisions made by the admin team are final. If you believe a decision is incorrect, you may raise the matter with the head admin team privately. Teams and players must not post about disputes on social media — all issues must be resolved through the proper channels.
• § If your opponent experiences speed-up lag from kick-off and you immediately take possession, give the ball back. Scoring a goal in this situation is considered unsportsmanlike and the goal will be removed. Repeated offences will be reviewed by the admin team, with outcomes ranging from a replay to a default (if previously warned).
• § Ban Lengths
• § Folding a team: 1 full season (2 months) ban as a player, plus a 2-season management ban.
• § Bullying / Misconduct: ban length determined internally by admins based on the severity of the situation.
• § Racism / Harassment / Discrimination: permanent ban.
• § Multiple accounts: ban.
• § Refunds
• § Deposits are refunded upon completion of a full season. A deposit will not be returned in the following cases:
• § Quitting the competition forfeits your deposit. Ensure you have a full roster of players before signing up.
• § Failing to play every game in a season makes you ineligible for a refund.
• § Breaking the rules or folding during a season forfeits your deposit.
• § Complaints
• § To file a complaint, please open a ticket.
• § All complaints are handled through the ticket system only. Updates will not be provided via social media.

Other

• § For situations not covered by these rules, the relevant Admin Team is entitled to make a judgement call. Head Admin must be involved in any such decision.
• § Matches cannot be rescheduled in the final week of the season.
• § All rules are subject to change if required to benefit the league.
• § Any changes to the rules will be agreed upon by all admins.
• § The Admin Team will include neutral parties to ensure fair and unbiased decision-making for all teams.
• § All decisions made in relation to these rules are final.
• § Arguing with an admin or attempting to circumvent a decision will not result in a different outcome, and may lead to further penalties including defaults, bans, or a stats wipe.
• § Substitutions are permitted up until half-time. This allows you to replace one AI-controlled player (bot) with a human player. The substitute must be listed in your lineup and registered to your club.