LEAGUE REGULATIONS FOR MFL!

The Montreal Floorball League is the first of its kind in Quebec and is the beginning for the sport to really grow in the province and in Canada. It is not unlike many leagues, where members must respect one another and good sportsmanship is the norm.
All matches are to be played within Quebec Floorball Association regulations and International Floorball Federation rules, unless otherwise stated.
These regulations apply to friendly-, league- and playoff matches in conjunction with the Montreal Floorball League.

League Guidelines

Game Definition: A league game consists of two 20-minute periods. There will be a five minute warm-up before each game and a five minute intermission between periods. Game time will be stopped at penalties, goals, penalty shots and injuries. A team is awarded two points for a win and one point for a tie. No overtimes are played if a game finishes in a tie. The game is considered finished after there is a difference of ten goals between the two teams.
Winning teams will be awarded 2 points. A draw will award 1 point for each team. Losing team will get no points. No over-time or sudden death is to be played during the regular season. If teams end up with same amount of points in the team standings at the end of the season, then the teams will be separated by:
1. Goal-difference (difference between scored and allowed goals).
2. Most goals scored.
3. Total wins in head to head matches.
4. Total compiled score from head to head matches played between the teams during the season.
5. Lottery.

Walk over (W.O.) shall be awarded if teams:
a) Do not show up for a scheduled match.
b) Do not have enough players to complete a match.
c) When a team without a reasonable reason leaves the playing field before the match is completed.
d) When players or staffs behavior gives the referees reason to stop the match.
Teams that cause a Walk Over can be punished by QFA.
Protests
Any protest that teams want to file has to be handed or sent in written form to the league commissioner (TBA) no later than 24 hours after the specific game in question. A fee of 50$ shall be paid to QFA for each protest in conjunction with handing out of the written protest. The fee shall be paid in cash. The fee shall only be repaid if the protest is successful.
All decisions made by referees in conjunction with match situations are to be considered final. All protest against the referee’s decisions can’t result in a match to be replayed.

Games will start at 8:20 PM and 9:20 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays but players, referees and secretariat should be at the gym no later than 20 minutes before the first game starts in order to help put up the boards and get set for the game. After the last game of the evening the boards have to be taken down as well. If you can not make it to the game for a specific Tuesday or Thursday or you will be late then you should contact your team manager or captain as soon as possible.

Team Composition: Each team will consist of a minimum of eight players and a maximum of fifteen, including a goalie. New players can be added to the rosters as we go but all additions must be approved by the league GM's committee. Moreover, any new player must first attend one practice before entering the league. Each game will be played five-on-five plus a goalie. Goalies can only be replaced by another player from the same team unless otherwise agreed on by competing managers. Each team will have a player captain and only the captains are allowed to speak to the referees but also are obliged to assist them. Team captains should thank the referees after the match.
Teams are allowed to make trades and new players can be added to the teams but all trades and new additions will have to be approved by the league GM's at least 24 hours before the next game.
Playoffs: During the playoffs there the rosters will be frozen and no new players will be allowed to be added. If a team is short on players (less than 5+goalie) then they can borrow a (intermediate level) player from another team.

Team Name and Jerseys: Each team must have a name and each player must wear a numbered jersey. League have the right to refuse team names and jerseys. Captains should be identified by an armlet and marked with a C in the match protocol. Each team may have a sponsor, subject to league approval.

Season Duration: The league will run 20 regular season games; one game per team every Tuesday (also some Mondays from January to April) and/or Thursday from October to December and January to April. After the regular season there will be a playoff where the first round will be a quarter-final where 3rd team in standings will play the 6th team and the 4th team will play the 5th. Semi finals will follow, where 1st place team will play lowest placed team (regular season) of the two winners of the quarter finals and the 2nd place team will play the highest placed team (regular season). Finals and 3rd and 4th place games will follow as well as games for 5th and 6th place. All playoff series will be decided over best of two games. If one team win both games, or win one and tie one, then that team will advance. If each team win one game then goal difference will be used as the tie-breaker. If goal difference is the same then a 5-minute sudden death will be played and if winner can not still be decided then sudden death penalties will be the final decider.

*Note: We will have an holiday break between December 13th and January 15th.

All league games will be held at Cegep St-Laurent, Centre Sportif.

Game Penalties and Suspensions

Penalties: All IFF rules will apply. The rules can be found here. There are two (2), five (5) and 10 minute penalties, as well as a match penalty/game misconduct.

Suspensions: Fighting, major offenses (such as throwing sticks or equipment at opponents), abusive language or intimidation towards referees, players or spectators will render in suspensions, or in the worst case, you will be excluded from playing in the league. In case of expulsion, the offending player will not be reimbursed his fees.

Important Notes

Responsibilities and code of conduct: It is important that every player show proper decorum at all games. A healthy atmosphere of good camaraderie and respect towards others are important in the sport of floorball. Teams are encouraged to shake hands after the game as a sign of mutual respect and good sportsmanship.
Each team shall be responsible for their players, staff and supporters behavior in connection with the matches.
This means that NO violence (fighting, throwing equipment at a player or official or spectator), NO abusive language (insults, racist remarks etc towards players, officials or spectators), NO intimidation towards players, referees, officials or spectators will be allowed and will result in suspension or worst case in expulsion from the league. Each player, official or spectator will be held responsible for any damages on the College, gym, dressing rooms, boards, nets or other non-personal property damaged by any individual in conjunction with their presence at league matches at College St-Laurent.
Quebec Floorball association shall make sure the spectators behave in a manner that does not disturb or interrupt the match. Quebec Floorball Association’s duty is to make sure players, officials and staff can come to the arena and act in a safe environment.
No clothing, objects, flags or signs implying negatively towards a certain person, group or similar referring to race, skin color, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, religion or sexual disposition is prohibited and the person carrying this must be denied access to the match arena or asked to leave.
QFA has the right to forbid specific persons to enter the arena during matches. This person must be advised of the decision in writing and he/she has the right to be heard before any such decision.

Unauthorized players: Players that have not paid their league/membership fee (or have not signed the waiver form - if one is required) can’t be allowed to participate in any matches, unless otherwise agreed. Suspended players can’t be allowed to participate in any matches for the duration of the suspension. Suspended players that participate in matches during their suspension can be further punished by QFA.

League Fees: All teams that take part in the league will have to pay a minimum league fee of 1400$ that include fees for the gym. The fee will be divided in two halves of 700$ each, one due before the season starts and the second due before the re-start in January. Teams that are late with the league fees will have to pay a 50$ penalty.

Referees: All referees will be paid 5$/game (and 10$/game in the playoffs), paid by the participating teams before each game. Each referee need to attend a referee clinic in order to referee in the league. If you are interested to referee in the league then contact Eero Piilokivi.

Team responsibilities: All teams that take part in the league will have to provide secretariat and referees. Teams that fail to provide referees and secretariat can/will be fined 50$.

The MFL has the right to change or modify any of the rules above in the best interest of its players. Each decision will be discussed by a committee and players will be consulted if the need arises.

Disciplinary committee: Each team has representation on this committee and will be asked to decide on disciplinary issues in the league. Members: Asim Abbas, Charlie Simpkins, Maxime Turcotte, Okko Niskanen, Franco?, Red Zone?

For any questions concerning the league, rules or anything concerning floorball please email Eero Piilokivi floorballmontreal@videotron.ca or call 450-575-6186.