Northeast Pre-Academy League
Rules and Regulations

2012-13 Season

Updated: Aug. 1, 2012
Northeast Pre-Academy League
Rules and Regulations

The Northeast Pre-Academy League (“NEPAL”) is a player development platform for the elite boys youth soccer clubs in the Northeast. These Rules and Regulations (the “Regulations”) provide the requirements and rules for NEPAL Competition (as defined below). Clubs/teams shall consult US Club Soccer’s bylaws, policies and player rules documents, as necessary. These documents can be found at the members-only section of

  1. Definitions
  2. “NEPAL” means the Northeast Pre-Academy League.
  3. “NEPAL Advisory Committee” means a committee consisting of the Director of Coaching from each NEPAL Club, or another individual appointed by the Director of Coaching, to provide feedback and advice regarding the structure of the NEPAL.
  4. “NEPAL Administrator” is the administrator of the NEPAL hired and supervised by US Club Soccer.
  5. “NEPAL Club” means a member club of the NEPAL as provided in by theseRegulations.
  6. “NEPAL Competition” means aNEPALgame played during the NEPAL Regular-Season.
  7. “NEPAL Game Report” means the official game report that must be completed for all NEPAL Competitions as provided in Section 4 of these Regulations.
  8. “NEPAL Registered Player” means a player on aNEPAL Team’s NEPAL Roster. NEPAL Registered Players must be registered with US Club Soccer.
  9. “NEPAL Roster” means the roster of aNEPAL Team during the NEPAL Season when playing in a NEPAL Competition. ANEPAL Roster shall only be used for NEPAL Competitions. NEPAL Rosters apply to the U11, U-12, U-13, U14, U-15and U-17/U-18 age groups.
  10. “NEPAL Season” means the competitive season beginning August 1 of each year and ending July 31 of the following year.
  11. “NEPAL Team” is the team of aNEPAL Club that participates in NEPAL Competition in either the U-11, U-12, U-13, U14, U-15 or U-17/U-18age groups.
  12. “Incident Report” is a form for reporting disciplinary incidents during NEPAL Competitions.
  13. NEPALRoster Rules
  14. NEPALRoster Maximums. For the Under-13, Under-14, Under-15and Under-17/18 age groups, a maximum of twenty-six (26) players may be rostered on any NEPAL Team’s NEPAL Roster. For the Under- 11 and Under-12 age groups, a maximum of fourteen (14) players, and a minimum of ten(10), shall be rostered on the “Blue” Team and fourteen (14) players, and a minimum of ten(10), shall be rostered on the “White” Team. In the U11/12 age groups, it is recommended that the “Blue” Team should generally be players born from January – June, and the “White” Team should generally be players born from July – December.
  15. Full-Time Players. Each U13/U14/U15/U17-18NEPAL Team must have a minimum of sixteen (16) “Full-Time NEPAL Players.” Full-Time Players must train with the NEPAL Team a minimum of three (3) times per week. Full-Time Players must satisfy Rule 2.13 (Restriction on Outside Players).
  16. Part-Time Players. Each NEPAL Team may have a maximum of ten (10) “Part-Time NEPAL Players.” Part-Time Players are not required to train with the NEPAL Team, but must satisfy Rule 2.12 (Restriction on Outside Players).
  17. PlayerRegistration. All players on a NEPALRoster must be NEPAL Registered Players.
  18. NEPALGame Day Roster. A maximum of eighteen (18) NEPAL Registered Players from aNEPAL Team’s NEPAL Roster will be eligible for each game in NEPAL Competition (the “NEPAL Game Day Roster”). If more than eighteen (18) NEPAL Registered Players appear on a NEPAL Roster, the “active” players for the NEPAL Competition must be identified on the NEPAL Game Report. In the U11/U12 age groups, a maximum of 14 players may be eligible on the game-day roster.
  19. No Drops. No NEPAL Registered Players may be dropped from a NEPAL Roster during an NEPAL Season, except pursuant to the Transfer Regulations below, or unless approved by the NEPAL Administrator.
  20. Roster Freeze Date. Players may be added to the NEPAL Roster until May 1 of each year.
  21. Player /Club Tie. A player may only be rostered to one (1) NEPAL Club each NEPAL Season, except pursuant to the Transfer Regulations provided below.
  22. Initial Roster Submission Date; Roster Add Periods. An initial NEPAL Roster with a minimum of sixteen (16) NEPAL Registered Players must be provided by each NEPALTeam by August 15 of each NEPAL Season (for the U-17/U-18 age group, the intial roster is due by Nov. 10). No NEPAL Roster will be accepted prior to July 1 of each NEPAL Season. Additional players may be added to the NEPAL Roster of each NEPAL Team as provided in the attached Exhibit B.
  23. Younger Players Playing Up. ANEPAL Registered Player may play for any NEPAL Team in theNEPAL Club for which the player is age eligible. Younger players on a NEPAL Team may play on the older NEPAL teams within theirNEPAL Club, and shall not count towards the roster limit for such older NEPAL team. Age eligibility is determined by Exhibit A of these Regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, every NEPAL Registered Player may only play on one (1) NEPAL Team per day. A NEPAL Registered Player may play on different NEPAL Teams within her NEPAL Club from game-to-game during the NEPAL Regular Season.

2.10.1An NEPAL Registered Player that will “play-up” on an older NEPAL Team in hisNEPAL Club for a NEPAL Competition must be handwritten onto the NEPAL Game Report for that NEPAL Competition.

2.10.2For purposes of clarification, no player may be handwritten onto the NEPAL Game Report at the Under-11 age group. In order to participate in NEPAL Competition at Under-11, the player must be on the Under-11NEPAL Roster and must be aNEPAL Registered Player.

2.11League Champions Cup Roster Tie. A NEPAL Registered Player may play for only one NEPAL Team within hisNEPAL Club at the National Premier Leagues Champions Cup (if more than one NEPAL Team from the NEPAL Club qualifies for the National Premier Leagues Champions Cup).

2.12Restriction on Outside Players.

2.12.1Rule 2.12 applies to all NEPAL Registered Players except for the enumerated exceptions provided in Rule 2.11.3. After being registered as aNEPAL Registered Player for aNEPAL Season, a NEPAL Registered Player may not appear on any roster in any competition for any other club except for rosters of the NEPAL Club on which the player is rostered as a NEPAL Registered Player. (The NEPAL Registered Player may appear on any number of rosters, in any competition, of the NEPAL Club to which the player is registered as a NEPAL Registered Player.) If a NEPAL Registered Player appears on a roster for a different club besides the NEPAL Club to which the player is registered as a NEPAL Registered Player after the date the player became rostered as a NEPAL Registered Player (“Multiple Club Rostering”), the eligibility of the NEPAL Registered Player will be reviewed by the NEPALAdvisory Committee. If it is determined by the NEPALAdvisory Committee, at its sole discretion, that the NEPAL Club to which the NEPAL Registered Player is registered was aware of the Multiple Club Rostering, the NEPALAdvisory Committeemay recommend the following actions to US Club Soccer: (i) declaring the NEPAL Registered Player ineligible for the remainder of that NEPAL Season; (ii) declaring all games in which the NEPAL Registered Player appeared on the NEPAL Roster as forfeits by the NEPAL Team on which such player was rostered; and / or (iii) recommending immediate revocation of the NEPAL Club’s membership in the NEPAL.

2.12.2Rule 2.12.1 applies to any NEPAL Club with franchises in multiple states, affiliates in multiple states, or with agreements licensing use of the trademarks of the NEPAL Club to youth soccer clubs in multiple states (such NEPAL Club a “Franchise Club”). Each franchisee of the Franchise Club, affiliate of the Franchise Club, or licensee of the Franchise Club, shall be considered a separate and independent club for purposes of Rule 2.12.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Part-Time Players may be from an in-state affiliate of a Franchise Club.

2.12.3Rule 2.12.1 does not apply to NEPAL Registered Players that participate in a tournament as a guest player with another club, provided that: (i) the Director of Coaching of the NEPAL club approves the player for participation in the event; and (ii) the tournament takes place over no more than four (4) days.

2.13Recruiting; Try-Outs; Registration.

2.13.1Recruiting; No-Tampering. NEPALClubs may recruit players for participation on NEPALTeams from any geographic region at any time during the year (subject to these Regulations). Notwithstanding the foregoing, NEPALClubs may not train or tryout a player from a NEPAL Team of another NEPALClub during the NEPAL Seasonuntil all games of that NEPAL Club for the NEPAL Season have been completed, except pursuant to Rule 2.13.2 below. Note: NEPAL coaches and administrators may be subject to the rules of other U.S. Soccer organization members regarding recruiting.

2.13.2Try-Outs; Registration. At the conclusion of the the NEPL playoffs, the month of June shall be considered an “open” month for player movement between NEPAL Clubs. During this month, players from one NEPAL Team may train or try-out with teams of another NEPAL Club. No roster for any NEPAL Team for the upcoming NEPAL Season will be accepted by US Club Soccer prior to July 1.

2.14Minimum Starts. All Full-Time Players must start a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of NEPAL Competitions.

3.Competition Rules

3.1General. Unless otherwise provided in these Regulations, all NEPAL Competitions shall be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game in force at the time of competition as provided by the International Football Association Board.

3.2Scheduling Competitions. US Club Soccer, in consultation with the NEPAL Advisory Committee,shall identify the dates and locations of all NEPAL Competitions for each NEPAL Season.

3.3Number of Competitions. US Club Soccer, in consultation with the NEPALAdvisory Committee, shall determine the total number of NEPAL Competitions during the NEPAL Season. A NEPAL Team may only play one (1) NEPL Competition per day.

3.4Cancelled Competitions. If a NEPAL Competition is suspended by weather and at least the first half was played, the game will be considered a full game. If any NEPAL Competition is cancelled, the participating clubs shall attempt to reschedule the NEPAL Competition. If the participating clubs cannot agree on a reschedule date, the NEPALAdvisory Committee shall recommend to US Club Soccer if and how such NEPAL Competition shall be rescheduled. If the NEPALAdvisory Committee finds that it is impossible to reschedule such cancelled NEPAL Competition, the NEPAL Advisory Committee shall recommend to US Club Soccer that the NEPAL Competition shall be considered a non-played game, and neither team shall be awarded any points. In the event that any games are cancelled pursuant to this Rule 3.4, US Club Soccer shallalter the method by which NEPAL standings are determined for impacted age groups (for example to change to a point-per-games basis).

3.5Competition Scheduling. The location and time for all NEPAL Competitions must be agreed upon by the opposing NEPAL Clubs and reported to the NEPALAdministratorno later than August 10for the fall segment and March 1 for the spring segmentof each NEPAL Season. Any changes to NEPAL Competitions after August 10 for the fall and March 1 for the spring must be agreed upon by both NEPAL Clubs. No changes to NEPAL Competitions may be made within 72 hours of kick-off, except due to bad weather or as permitted by the NEPALAdministrator.

3.6Competition Referee Assigning. Fees for referee assignors for NEPAL Competition will be paid by US Club Soccer. The NEPAL administrator will work with the assignors to assign the games, but it is the responsibility of the home team to confirm games with the referee assignors the Monday or Tuesday prior to a scheduled game.

3.7Competition Referee Fees. Referee costs for each NEPAL Competition shall be split between the NEPAL Teams based on the pay scale set forth in the attached Exhibit C.

3.8Competitions in Conjunction with Other Events. In the event that NEPAL Clubs agree to play an NEPAL Competition in conjunction with a tournament or other non-NEPAL competition they may do so under the following conditions: (i) there shall be no entry fee paid for the NEPAL Competition except a fee that covers the cost of the referees per the NEPAL referee pay scale (if agreed to by the visiting teams); and (ii) all NEPAL Competition rules related to roster limits, game length, substitutions, etc., must be followed.

3.9Deadline for Regional Competitions. All NEPAL Competitions must be played by June 1 of the NEPAL Season. The NEPALAdministratormay extend this date under extreme circumstances at the NEPAL Administrator’s sole discretion.

3.10Substitutions – U11 and U-12. There shall be unlimited substitution in NEPAL Competitions at U-11 and U-12.

3.11Substitutions – U-13, U-14, U-15, U-17/U-18. Once a NEPAL Registered Player is substituted in one half of any NEPAL Competition, such NEPAL Registered Player may not re-enter the game for the duration of the half. Once an NEPAL Registered Player is substituted in one period of overtime of any NEPAL Competition, such NEPAL Registered Player may not re-enter the game for the duration of such overtime period. There shall be a maximum of seven (7) substitutions in any half or in any overtime period of any NEPAL Competition.

3.12Yellow and Red Cards (Players). Any NEPAL Registered Player receiving a red card in a NEPAL Competition will be suspended for the remainder of that NEPAL Competition and also for the next NEPAL Competition played by theNEPAL Club at all age groups. For purposes of clarification, if aNEPAL Registered Player receives a red card in a NEPAL Competition, the NEPAL Registered Player will not be eligible to participate in the nextNEPAL Competition for any team within the NEPAL Registered Player’s NEPAL Club.

3.13Yellow and Red Cards (Coaches). Any coach receiving a red card in a NEPAL Competition will be suspended for the remainder of the NEPAL Competition and for that NEPAL Team’s next NEPAL Competition.

3.14Yellow and Red Card Carryover. Red card suspensions will carry over into subsequent NEPAL Seasons if the red card is received in the final NEPAL Competition of the current NEPAL Season.

3.15Accumulation. There shall be no yellow card accumulation policy for NEPAL Competitions.

3.16Player Transfers. A NEPAL Registered Player may not play for more than one NEPAL Club during the NEPAL Season, unless the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the NEPAL Registered Player’s family moves to a new geographic area; (ii) the Director of Coaching of both the prior NEPAL Club and the proposed new NEPAL Club consent to the transfer in writing; (iii) the new NEPAL Club has an available spot on a NEPAL Roster; and (iv) the NEPALAdministrator consents to such transfer in writing (such player referred to as a “Transferred Player”). A Transferred Player shall be removed from the NEPAL Roster(s) of the “old” NEPAL Club.

3.17Points. In each NEPAL Competition during the NEPAL Regular Season, teams shall be awarded three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss. A forfeit shall be considered a 3-0 loss for the forfeiting team and a 3-0 win for the non-forfeiting team.

3.18Standings. The standings in each age group shall be determined at the end of the NEPAL Regular Season (the “Regular Season Standings”). Regular Season Standings shall be based on a points-per-game basis.

3.19Tie-Breakers. The following tie-breakers will be used for resolving ties between NEPAL Teams in determining the Regular Season Standings, in the following order:

  1. If Two Teams are tied, head to head. If more than Two Teams are tied, this tie-breaker shall not apply.
  2. Most Wins
  3. Goal Difference
  4. Goals For
  5. Goals Against
  6. Coin Toss

There shall be no cap on goal difference in any NEPAL Competition.

3.20Game Length. NEPAL Competitions shall be played with the following game lengths:

U-11 and U-12: 2 x 35 minutes

U-13 through U-17/18: 2 x 40 minutes

  1. Game Day Procedures
  2. An official NEPAL Game Report must be completed for each NEPAL Competition. The NEPAL Game Report must be provided by the home team.
  3. The names of any younger players playing up in a NEPAL Competition pursuant to Rule 2.10 must be written on the NEPAL Game Report. Regardless of the number of players listed on a NEPAL Game Report, no more than 18 players shall be eligible to appear in the NEPAL Competition (max of 14 for U11 and U12 age groups).
  4. The NEPAL Game Report must be completed in full, signed by both teams, and submitted by the referee to the NEPALAdministrator within twenty-four (24) hours of completion of the NEPAL Competition.
  5. The home team shall call the score in to Demosphere’s automated system after each game within four (4) hours of the game’s completion using the procedure below:
  • Dial the toll-free number (866) 334-6294.
  • When asked, say or enter the pin number. The NEPAL pin number is 3468.
  • You will then be asked for your game number, which is located on the left-hand column of the schedule on your league’s website.
  • You will then be told the division, teams playing, and field location - if this is the correct game, confirm by saying yes.
  • When asked, say or enter the score for each team, then confirm.
  • You can do more games in the same call, or just say goodbye when done.
  1. Miscellaneous
  2. Disciplinary Matters. Any disciplinary matters brought before the NEPALAdvisory Committee through submission of an Incident Report shall be addressed and responded to at the discretion of the NEPALAdvisory Committee or smaller Sub-Committee. Before any disciplinary action is taken by the Advisory Committee or Sub-Committeethe impacted coach, player, or administrator will be provided the opportunity for a hearing, either inperson or via teleconference. Testimony will be allowed by principal parties, eyewitnesses, and authorities on the subject at hand. Other rules regarding the hearing will be as provided in US Club Soccer and U.S. Soccer Federation policies and procedures, available at
  3. Protests and Appeals. There will be no protests or appeals of decisions made in NEPAL Competitions or by the NEPALAdvisory Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any decision by the NEPALAdvisory Committee that results in a suspension of a player or coach that is not due to a red card is appealable to US Club Soccer, and then to the US Soccer Federation. Any hearing for such appeal shall be conducted pursuant to US Club Soccer and US Soccer Federation policies and procedures, available at
  4. Matters Not Provided For. Any matter not provided for in these Regulations shall be decided by US Club Soccer. All such decisions are final.

Exhibit A:
NEPAL Age Group Eligibility