Team Manager's Guide to PSL Match Day Rules Senior 2026/27

Yes, up to kick-off, under NSL Handbook Rule 16.3, provided:

• the opposing captain, the referee and the match commissioner are told, and
• no player is added who was not on the team sheet you submitted

If a named substitute starts in place of a named starter without this being done, the referee lets the substitute play on, your number of substitutions is not reduced, but the club is charged with misconduct (Rule 16.4).

A player whose name is on the team sheet is treated as having taken part in the match, unless the club removes the name before the match (Rule 16.5). This matters for eligibility, because an ineligible player who is merely on the team sheet can cost you the match (Rule 58.2).

The check (NSL Handbook Rule 15.6): 60 minutes before kick-off, the referee and a representative of the other team inspect the registration cards of each team's players and club officials in the dressing room, unless the match commissioner and both teams agree another time.

No card or an invalid card (Rule 15.7): a club that cannot produce a player's registration card, or fields a player without a valid one, is charged with misconduct.

Ineligible player (Rule 58.2): if an ineligible player takes part in a match, meaning they are on the team sheet, on the pitch or on the bench at any time, the club forfeits the match and is fined at least R100,000. The player may also be sanctioned.

A player cannot play for a club until the League has registered them and issued a registration card (Rules 31.1 and 31.10). A professional player also needs a current medical certificate submitted at the start of each season, or they are ineligible until it is provided (Rule 33.2).

Under NSL Handbook Rule 12:

• 5 club officials on the team bench
• 2 more on the two extra seats beside the bench

Each must hold a registration card, be listed on the team sheet, and show the card if a match official asks. No other club official may be inside the perimeter demarcation during the match. If you have too many people, the match commissioner will ask you to reduce the number; if you don't, the extra people may be removed by security and the club and officials are charged with misconduct.

The home club's team doctor and physiotherapist must be registered with the League and sit on the home bench (Rule 14.11.1). Each technical area seats 14 people per club, for officials and substitutes (Rule 14.9).

Under NSL Handbook Rule 17:

• Each club registers its official and alternative outfits with the League, and both teams must bring both outfits to every match.
• The visiting team must find out the home team's colours.
• If the referee thinks the colours could cause confusion, the visiting team changes into its alternative outfit or a mix of the two. Only in exceptional circumstances can the referee order the home team to change.
• The two goalkeepers' outfits must be clearly different from both sets of outfield players.
• Shirts and shorts must be clearly numbered, matching the numbers on the team sheet.
• Jerseys carry the club sponsor on the front, the player's name on the back, the club crest and technical sponsor on the chest, the League sponsor's logo on the right sleeve and any club sponsor on the left sleeve. Other advertising needs the League's written approval.

Under NSL Handbook Rule 15, if a match is not played because a team arrives late or not at all:

• the club is charged with misconduct
• a vehicle breakdown, logistical problem or not finding the venue is no defence
• if found guilty, the opponent normally gets a walk-over (a 3-0 win), unless the Disciplinary Committee decides another sanction is more appropriate
• if both teams are guilty, both get 0 points and 3 goals against, unless the Committee decides otherwise
• in a case of force majeure, the Committee may order a replay

Under NSL Handbook Rule 51, a protest cannot be about a referee's or assistant referee's decision during the match: those decisions are final.

At the match:

• Ineligible player: give a written objection, with reasons, to the referee and the opposing captain, in the presence of an assistant referee, at least 30 minutes before kick-off.
• Any other breach of the Handbook: make the protest to the referee and the opposing captain, in the presence of an assistant referee, before the final whistle, stating the reasons.

After the match:

• Lodge a detailed written protest with the League within 24 hours (not counting match day, weekends or public holidays), with a fee of R20,000 plus VAT.
• It must give the facts and the Article or Rule allegedly broken.
• If you protest at the match but don't follow up in writing, the club is automatically fined R20,000.
• If you withdraw after the hearing starts, the fee is forfeited.

The protesting club must prove its case before the Disciplinary Committee. Either party, or the League, may appeal to the SAFA Appeal Board.

Yes. Under NSL Handbook Rule 52, a club, club official or player can lodge a complaint about alleged misconduct with the League's Chief Executive Officer:

• in writing, with a complaint fee of R30,000 plus VAT
• setting out the full facts and the Article or Rule allegedly broken
• not against a referee's or assistant referee's decision, which is final

Time limits:

• about a player's registration: within 40 days of the close of the registration period in which the player was registered (or of the registration date, if outside a period)
• anything else: within 40 days of the alleged misconduct
• in all cases, no later than 5 days after the division's last league fixture

The complainant must prove its case at the hearing. If guilt is found, sanctions are limited to a fine of up to R500,000, censure, closing a ground, costs, or a suspension. Either side or the League may appeal to the SAFA Appeal Board.

Under NSL Handbook Rule 53, a dismissal (a straight red card or two yellow cards in the same match) brings an automatic suspension from the team's next matches in any League competition:

• First dismissal of the season: next 2 matches
• Each further dismissal that season: 1 match more than the previous suspension (3, then 4, and so on)

Other points:

• Any part of a suspension left at the end of the season is served at the start of the next season.
• A dismissal in a match stopped or abandoned before the end of normal time still stands.
• The rule also applies to club officials sent off; while suspended they may not enter the perimeter demarcation or the tunnel.
• A suspension moves with the player or official to a new club.
• A club may ask for a review only on the ground of mistaken identity, in writing, to the SAFA Referees' Review Committee.

The Disciplinary Committee can add further sanctions for serious misconduct.

Under NSL Handbook Rule 54, cautions count across all League competitions in a season:

• Yellow cards in a match where the player is shown a red card do not count towards the total.
• Cautions in an abandoned match are not kept unless the Handbook says otherwise.
• Cautions do not carry over to the next season, but any suspension still outstanding must be served at the start of the next season.
• A player who moves club takes their cautions with them.
• The League's records are binding, and it tells clubs when a suspension falls due. A review is possible only for mistaken identity, to the SAFA Referees' Review Committee.

Registration periods (NSL Handbook Rule 31.5):

• 1 July to 31 August (starting the day after the season ends if the season runs past 30 June)
• the whole of January
• if the last day falls on a weekend or public holiday, the window runs to midnight on the next day

Outside these windows you may register only a player who was out of contract when the last window closed, an amateur with a clearance certificate, or a player declared a free agent (Rule 31.6). Clubs in CAF inter-club competitions may also register players from 1 to 12 December, but those players can only play from 1 January (Rule 31.7).

Documents are lodged with the League in office hours (08h30 to 17h00 on weekdays), except on the last day of a window, when they can be submitted until midnight (Rules 31.8 and 31.9).

Loans (Rule 39.5): no more than 3 loan players in one registration period, and no more than 5 in a season. A loan must start and end within a registration period and last at least from one window to the next.

Foreign players (Rule 34): no more than 5 contracted at any time.

Only with permission. Under NSL Handbook Rules 25 and 26:

Friendlies may not be played from 1 August until 5 days after the last official match of the season, except during an official break in the League's fixtures. The League may condone a late application on good cause, and may refuse permission if the friendly could interfere with its programme or marketing.