Rules

FIFA Laws of the Game apply except as noted below. SUBSTITUTIONS Unlimited substitution is allowed at all goal kicks (either team's possession), kick-off, your own possession throw-ins, when the opposing team is making a permissible substitution, and for player injury at the referee's discretion. EQUIPMENT The home team (listed first) provides the game ball and changes jersey color if there is a conflict with the visiting team. ROSTERS Teams must present the referee a completed official game roster before the match. A home team that fails to submit a roster with player names and jersey numbers is deducted 1 point regardless of the result. A player may not play for more than one WPL team in the same division during the same season. Teams using such a player are subject to forfeiture, recorded as 3-0. REFEREES All games have pre-assigned referees. Each team pays half the referee fee in cash before the match: $110 per team, per game. If referees fail to appear, each team provides a referee for one half and the game must be played. LEAGUE TABLE Win = 3 points. Draw = 1 point. Loss = 0 points. Only matches with a final or forfeit result count toward the standings. TIEBREAKERS Ties on total points are broken in this order: head-to-head results among the tied teams, then fewest goals against over the full season. Where three or more teams are tied, head-to-head means total points earned within that tied group only. FORFEITS A forfeit is scored 3-0. A team forfeiting at the field is responsible for the entire referee fee for both squads, and may be charged additional costs including field fees. Results stand once the game enters the second half. A team using an illegal player, or causing termination of play, is subject to forfeit and a period of probation. For any forfeit, suspended, abandoned or incomplete match, the WPL determines the official outcome after an administrative review. PLAYER DISCIPLINE A red card carries a minimum one-game suspension, carrying over into the next league game and the next season. Three yellow cards in a season, or two in one game, are equivalent to a red card and carry a one-game suspension. Sanctions are reported to the player's team management. Sanctions and appeals are determined by a Disciplinary Committee of current or former team managers, designated team or league representatives, and a referee representative. Player or referee assault carries a minimum five-game suspension and may incur further action by the State Association and other authorities. SCHEDULING The point of the WPL is to play soccer at the highest level possible, and forfeits are to be avoided wherever objectively and administratively possible. The WPL schedules all matches to promote fairness, full squad participation, the strongest competition, the best available fields, and the most experienced available officials. Scheduling and rescheduling require prior WPL approval, then mutual team agreement and field availability, and may incur additional field and match-official costs. Games must begin no later than 15 minutes after the posted kick-off time, with at least 7 players dressed and ready; a short team is subject to forfeit. A home team that fails to field 7 players, or delays the start beyond 15 minutes, is deducted 1 point regardless of the result. Games not made up by the end of the season are recorded as a 0-0 draw.