Match Formats

A unified set of guidelines, certified by FAM

All competitions under Liga Suparimau presented by Boost Juice will follow the same formats and guidelines. Please see our standardised formats and regulations in the table below.

Where reasonably achievable, all matches at all venues will follow these guidelines. For more information on Liga Suparimau rules and regulations, click here.

Competition rules and guidelines

Select an age group below to see the full Liga Suparimau match formats

Last updated: 9/1/2023 to add new age groups for the Klang Valley

U6–U12 Age Groups

U6 U7 & U8 U9 & U10 U11 & U12
Playing format
U6 4 vs 4
U7 & U8 5 vs 5
U9 & U10 7 vs 7
U11 & U12 9 vs 9
Maximum squad size
U6 10 players
U7 & U8 13 players
U9 & U10 18 players
U11 & U12 20 players
Min. players on field
U6 3
U7 & U8 4
U9 & U10 4
U11 & U12 6
Pitch size
U6 20-25m (L) x 12-15m (W)
U7 & U8 35m (L) x 22m (W)
U9 & U10 48m (L) x 28m (W)
U11 & U12 60-80m (L) x 50-60m (W)
Duration of play
U6 4 x 8 mins
U7 & U8 4 x 10 mins
U9 & U10 3 x 15 mins
U11 & U12 2 x 25 mins
Goal size
U6 1m x 1m
U7 & U8 5-a-side
U9 & U10 7-a-side
U11 & U12 7-a-side
Ball size
U6 3
U7 & U8 4
U9 & U10 4
U11 & U12 4
Substitutions
U6 Rolling subs
U7 & U8 Rolling subs
U9 & U10 Rolling subs
U11 & U12 Rolling subs
Offsides
U6 Not applicable
U7 & U8 Not applicable
U9 & U10 Not applicable
U11 & U12 Applicable
Back pass rule
U6 Not applicable
U7 & U8 Applicable
U9 & U10 Applicable
U11 & U12 Applicable
Penalties
U6 Not applicable. A direct freekick will be given at the closest edge of the penalty box to where the foul was committed
U7 & U8 Applicable
U9 & U10 Applicable
U11 & U12 Applicable
Throw ins
U6 Kick/dribble in
U7 & U8 Kick in (ball must be touched by another player from same team before a goal is scored)
U9 & U10 Throw in
U11 & U12 Throw in
Kick offs
U6 No direct shots (ball must be touched by another player from same team before a goal is scored)
U7 & U8 No direct shots (ball must be touched by another player from same team before a goal is scored)
U9 & U10 No direct shots (ball must be touched by another player from same team before a goal is scored)
U11 & U12 Standard FIFA rules apply
Goal kicks
U6 Opposition retreat to halfway
U7 & U8 8 metre protected zone
U9 & U10 Standard FIFA rules apply
U11 & U12 Standard FIFA rules apply
Free kicks
U6 Direct/Indirect
U7 & U8 Direct/Indirect
U9 & U10 Direct/Indirect
U11 & U12 Direct/Indirect
Corner kicks
U6 Kick in/dribble in
U7 & U8 Applicable
U9 & U10 Applicable
U11 & U12 Applicable
Yellow and red cards
U6 Not applicable but an enforced substitution or 'timeout' may be given for repeated dangerous fouls or behaviour concerns
U7 & U8 Not applicable but an enforced substitution or 'timeout' may be given for repeated dangerous fouls or behaviour concerns
U9 & U10 Not applicable but an enforced substitution or 'timeout' may be given for repeated dangerous fouls or behaviour concerns
U11 & U12 Applicable
Equipment
U6 Football boots/sports shoes required
U7 & U8 Football boots and shinpads required
U9 & U10 Football boots and shinpads required
U11 & U12 Football boots and shinpads required

U14–U16 Age Groups

U13 & U14 U16
Playing format
U13 & U14 11 vs 11
U16 11 vs 11
Maximum squad size
U13 & U14 25 players
U16 25 players
Min. players on field
U13 & U14 7
U16 7
Pitch size
U13 & U14 90-110m (L) x 50-60m (W)​
U16 90-110m (L) x 50-60m (W)​
Duration of play
U13 & U14 2 x 25 mins
U16 2 x 25 mins
Goal size
U13 & U14 11-a-side
U16 11-a-side
Ball size
U13 & U14 5
U16 5
Substitutions
U13 & U14 Rolling subs
U16 Rolling subs
Offsides
U13 & U14 Applicable
U16 Applicable
Back pass rule
U13 & U14 Applicable
U16 Applicable
Penalties
U13 & U14 Applicable
U16 Applicable
Throw ins
U13 & U14 Throw in
U16 Throw in
Kick offs
U13 & U14 Standard FIFA rules apply
U16 Standard FIFA rules apply
Goal kicks
U13 & U14 Standard FIFA rules apply
U16 Standard FIFA rules apply
Free kicks
U13 & U14 Direct/Indirect
U16 Direct/Indirect
Corner kicks
U13 & U14 Standard FIFA rules apply
U16 Standard FIFA rules apply
Yellow and red cards
U13 & U14 Applicable
U16 Applicable
Equipment
U13 & U14 Football boots and shinpads required
U16 Football boots and shinpads required

Girls Age Groups

Girls U10 Girls U12 Girls U14 Girls U18
Playing format
Girls U10 5 vs 5
Girls U12 5 vs 5
Girls U14 7 vs 7
Girls U18 11 vs 11
Maximum squad size
Girls U10 13 players
Girls U12 13 players
Girls U14 18 players
Girls U18 25 players
Min. players on field
Girls U10 4
Girls U12 4
Girls U14 4
Girls U18 6
Pitch size
Girls U10 35m (L) x 22m (W)
Girls U12 35m (L) x 22m (W)
Girls U14 48m (L) x 28m (W)
Girls U18 90-110m (L) x 50-60m (W)​​
Duration of play
Girls U10 4 x 10 mins
Girls U12 4 x 10 mins
Girls U14 2 x 20 mins
Girls U18 2 x 25 mins
Goal size
Girls U10 5-a-side
Girls U12 5-a-side
Girls U14 7-a-side
Girls U18 11-a-side
Ball size
Girls U10 4
Girls U12 4
Girls U14 5
Girls U18 5
Substitutions
Girls U10 Rolling subs
Girls U12 Rolling subs
Girls U14 Rolling subs
Girls U18 Rolling subs
Offsides
Girls U10 Not applicable
Girls U12 Not applicable
Girls U14 Not applicable
Girls U18 Applicable
Back pass rule
Girls U10 Applicable
Girls U12 Applicable
Girls U14 Applicable
Girls U18 Applicable
Penalties
Girls U10 Applicable
Girls U12 Applicable
Girls U14 Applicable
Girls U18 Applicable
Throw ins
Girls U10 Kick in
Girls U12 Throw in
Girls U14 Throw in
Girls U18 Throw in
Kick offs
Girls U10 No direct shots (ball must be touched by another player from same team before a goal is scored)
Girls U12 No direct shots (ball must be touched by another player from same team before a goal is scored)
Girls U14 Standard FIFA rules apply
Girls U18 Standard FIFA rules apply
Goal kicks
Girls U10 8 metre protected zone
Girls U12 Standard FIFA rules apply
Girls U14 Standard FIFA rules apply
Girls U18 Standard FIFA rules apply
Free kicks
Girls U10 Direct/Indirect
Girls U12 Direct/Indirect
Girls U14 Direct/Indirect
Girls U18 Direct/Indirect
Corner kicks
Girls U10 Applicable
Girls U12 Applicable
Girls U14 Applicable
Girls U18 Applicable
Yellow and red cards
Girls U10 Not applicable but an enforced substitution or 'timeout' may be given for repeated dangerous fouls or behaviour concerns
Girls U12 Applicable
Girls U14 Applicable
Girls U18 Applicable
Equipment
Girls U10 Football boots/sports shoes required
Girls U12 Football boots and shinpads required
Girls U14 Football boots and shinpads required
Girls U18 Football boots and shinpads required

In 2023 Season B, Liga Suparimau leagues will kick off in 12 districts across Malaysia. More districts will launch throughout 2023. The current districts are:

  • Kedah
  • Penang (Mainland)
  • Penang (Island)
  • Perak
  • Pahang
  • Selangor
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Klang Valley
  • Putrajaya
  • Negeri Sembilan
  • Johor
  • Sabah
  • Terranganu
  • Kelantan

View our Districts page for more information on venues for each region

All teams will need to register for the FAM Grassroots Charter before they can participate in Liga Suparimau. Teams can register for the charter at charter.fam.org.my

Once teams have registered for the Charter they may register for Liga Suparimau. All registrations must be made via the website and the registration fee must be paid before the start of the season. If a team’s registration fee is not paid they will not be allowed to join the league.

Registration Fees
Registration fees are due at the beginning of each season and do not include match day fees.

Under 6: RM200 per team, per season
All other age groups: RM400 per team, per season

Teams must pay the matchday fee before each game. The matchday fee is to be paid per game.

Teams can pay matchday fees via 2 methods:

  • Via bank transfer before the game. They must then show their payment receipt at the match. Teams can then request for a matchday receipt to show that they have paid
  • Via cash at the venue. Once a team has paid in cash they will receive a receipt for proof of payment

If the matchday fee has not been paid before the game the team will not be allowed to play. If a team refuses to pay the fee before the game they will not be allowed to play the match and will be removed from the league.

 

Klang Valley Districts

Penang, Johor, Kelantan & Terengganu

Perak, Sabah, Pahang, N9, Kedah

U6

RM70

RM60

RM50

U7 & U8

RM120

RM100

RM80

U9 & U10

RM150

RM130

RM100

U11 & U12

RM170

RM150

RM120

U13, U14 & U16

RM240

RM220

RM180

Girls U10 & U12

RM120

Girls U14

RM150

Girls U18

RM170

Liga Suparimau leagues will operate for age groups from Under 6 to Under 16, with the following date of birth cut-offs for all players:
Under 6: Born January 1st 2017 and later
Under 7*: Born January 1st 2016 and later
Under 8: Born January 1st 2015 and later
Under 9*: Born January 1st 2014 and later
Under 10: Born January 1st 2013 and later
Under 11*: Born January 1st 2012 and later
Under 12: Born January 1st 2011 and later
Under 13*: Born January 1st 2010 and later
Under 14: Born January 1st 2009 and later
Under 16: Born January 1st 2007 and later
Under 18 (Girls only): Born January 1st 2005 and later
* Age groups currently operating in Putrajaya, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur districts only
Note: Girls may play in the boys competition with a 1 age group advantage. For example, a girl born January 1st 2011 or later (U12) may play in the Boys Under 10 age group.  This applies to all age groups except for Under 6 where no over-age players are allowed.

Liga Suparimau will run for 3 seasons in 2023. The start and end dates for each season can be found below.

Season A will operate in the Klang Valley, Penang, Perak, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, Kedah and Pahang. Liga Suparimau Terengganu and Kelantan are planned for launch in Season B, and Liga Suparimau Sarawak is planned to launch in Season C.

2023 Season A: 27th January – 12th March
2023 Season B: 20th May – 30th July
2023 Season C: 8th September – 19th November

Registering new players
All players must be registered in the Liga Suparimau Admin App before they play

Teams will need to provide the following information about their players:

  • Full name
  • Date of Birth
  • IC/Passport number
  • Player photo
  • Player jersey number

Once players have been registered in the Liga Suparimau Admin App they will be able to play in Liga Suparimau. Any players who are not registered on the admin app will not be able to play in Liga Suparimau.

Teams will have to abide by the squad size limitations as set out in the competition formats. Teams may add to their squad throughout the season with new players until they reach their squad capacity. 

Once a player has been verified they will not be able to be removed from the team’s squad for the season.

 

Matchday check-in
On the first match day of the season, every player will be required to show their original IC/Passport to verify their registration. If players are unable to verify their registration they will not be allowed to play. 

If players are not registered in the Liga Suparimau Admin app they will not be allowed to play until they have registered and been verified.

Teams are advised to arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before their match to register their players before the match takes place. 

If a team does not verify their players before the game they will not be allowed to play. 

Player registrations are the responsibility of the coach and team manager, any player who has not been registered prior to the match day will not be permitted to play.

Player eligibility
Under 6, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12
All players aged 12 or younger are eligible to be registered for a team and play in Liga Suparimau. This includes players under the AT programmes

Under 14 and Under 16
In the Under 14 and Under 16 age groups, teams are not permitted to register any player who is registered and actively playing with SSN, SSM or AMD programmes. Any team found to be fielding an ineligible player will be punished and the players will be removed from Liga Suparimau. Players registered in PLD programmes are permitted to play in Liga Suparimau.

Girls Age Groups 
All girls are permitted to be registered and join Liga Suparimau’s girls age categories.

 Player rules

Players may not transfer to another team during the season. Once they are registered and have played for that team they may not play for another team in the same season. 

Male players are not permitted to play for 2 different clubs in the same age group or for 2 different clubs in 2 different age groups. If a team has registered more than 1 team in the same age group they are not permitted to switch the players between the 2 teams.

For example, a Liverpool U10 A player can not play for Liverpool U10 B. If academies are found breaching these rules, one or both of their teams will be removed from the league.

Female players are not permitted to play for 2 different clubs in the girls age groups. However, they may play for a different club in the boys age group.

Players are permitted to play for 2 different age groups within the same club as long as they meet the age group cut off. For example, a Liverpool U14 player may also play for Liverpool U16.

All districts
When a league has too many teams to form one division, the competition will be split into multiple divisions. Divisions are set in order to ensure matches remain balanced. We are aiming to create fair competition to aid player development.

Divisions are set based on the following criteria:

  • Previous results from Liga Suparimau season 
  • Number of AT/PLD players which are registered in that team 

 

Klang Valley districts
Due to the large number of teams in the Klang Valley, specific rules regarding divisions will apply to teams playing in Liga Suparimau’s Klang Valley-based districts.

Season A
All teams play in their respective states. Any teams which have 50% or more AT or PLD players must play in the Lions category

Season B

Season B will see a continuation of Season A with all teams playing in their respective states. Any teams which have 50% or more AT or PLD players must play in the Lions category. Top teams from Tigers and Panthers will be promoted to higher divisions . 

Teams within Lions, Tigers, Panthers and Leopards groups may also be changed depending on their standing. New teams coming into the season will be placed accordingly. If teams enter more than 1 team per age group we will try to split their teams into different divisions.

Season C 
Season C will see a continuation of Season B’s format with teams changing groupings depending on their standings in the previous season. New teams coming into the league will be placed accordingly

The League Committee reserves the right to place teams in the division they feel is correct.

League fixtures will be posted 1 week before the start of the season. 

Teams will typically play 1 game per day, however there may be situations where a team is required to play 2 games in a day. Matches can take place on Friday (Kedah and Johor), Saturday or Sunday. 

Teams are given 1 blackout weekend where they can request not to have any matches. The form for requesting your blackout weekend can be requested from the league admin team.

Teams must submit this blackout date request before the following dates for each season:

  • Season A: Sunday 22 January
  • Season B: Sunday 12 May
  • Season C: Sunday 3 September

Once the fixtures have been set, teams are required to adhere to the schedule provided by the League Committee. No requests to change fixture dates and times will be entertained during the season.

In the event that a team fails to show up for a match, a walkover result will be granted to the opposing team. If a team forfeits, they will be responsible for paying both their own and the opposing team’s matchday fee (for instance, the U10 Kuala Lumpur team must pay RM150 + 150). Failure to make payment on the same match weekend will result in immediate removal from the league. Any team that forfeits two matches in a season will be banned from joining the subsequent season.

A walkover will be declared if a team arrives with less than the minimum required number of players (see Match Formats). In this case, an attempt to play a friendly match will be made by mixing the 2 teams together. This must be organised between the 2 coaches on the field.

U6–U10 competitions
No results or league tables will be published.

This is following the guidelines set out by the Asian Football Confederation and the Football Association of Malaysia for grassroots football.

 

U11–U18 competitions
Results and league tables will be shown on the website and the Liga Suparimau mobile app. 

Teams will receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. The league champions will be the team with the most points at the end of the season.

Should there be a tie on points at the end of the league, goal difference shall be used to determine the winner. If the teams are still level, the following will used to determine the league champions, in order:

  1. Greatest number of goals scored
  2. Fewest goals conceded
  3. Result between the teams when they played each other
  4. Failing a distinction, the teams will play a match with golden goal rules. The first team to score will be determined the champions

Team withdrawal (results null and void)
In the case that a team withdraws from the league after playing 50% or more of the matches in that season, all existing results involving that will stand and the remainder of the matches will be declared 3–0 walkovers. The withdrawing team will be barred from joining the league for 1 season.

In the case that a team withdraws from the league having played fewer than 50% of their matches in that season, all results against the team (including matches which have already been played) will be considered a 3–0 walkover result.

U6–U10 age groups
All players will receive an e-certificate and participation medal at the end of every season. This will be awarded at the final match of the season. All players will receive a player badge on the Liga Suparimau admin app for every season they complete.

U11–U18 age groups
All players will receive an e-certificate at the end of every season and the certificate can be downloaded in the Liga Suparimau App.

Teams finishing in 1st place in each U11, U12, U13, U14, U16 and U18 league will receive a trophy and medals. Teams finishing in 2nd and 3rd place in each U11, U12, U13, U14, U16 and U18 league will receive medals only. These will be handed to the players at the end of each season by the field after all matches are complete. 


Player Suspension 


Time allowance
Teams must not be more than 10 minutes late to their kick off. If a team is more than 10 minutes late they run the risk of a walkover (3-0) being awarded to their opponent.

Unsuitable playing conditions
In the event that lightning, bad weather or unsafe playing conditions causes a stop in play, a match result will stand if the first half has been completed or more than 50% of the match has been played.

If less than 50% of the match has been played at the time of the stoppage, the remainder of the match will be played once conditions are deemed safe by the organiser.

Playing kit and squad numbers
Each team is required to have their own playing kit. All teams kits must clearly display a number for each player. 

If a team does not have the same kit or a number on the players jersey they may not be allowed to play. 

General match rules
Pitches
Playing areas will be natural grass or artificial turf pitches

Boots
Players are not allowed to wear metal studded boots. All players from the U8 age group upwards must wear shin guards when playing.

Glasses
No glasses may be worn during matches. Any players who require glasses must wear sports goggles. This is for player safety.

Feedback and protests
Any team wishing to dispute a result or make a protest regarding a match will have 3 days from the date of the match to raise the issue by email to the organising committee. Any decision made by the organising committee is final.

To share your feedback on any issue, please contact us by email at [email protected]

Insurance and injuries
It is highly recommended that teams obtain their own insurance cover before play. Neither Maxim Events Sdn Bhd nor the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are responsible for any accident, injury or death that may occur during this league, and all teams enter at their own risk.

In the event of a serious injury the Liga Suparimau admin team can help to arrange for an ambulance to come to the venue to take the player to the hospital. If there is a cost involved in the ambulance this is to be paid for by the player/club. 

Updates to rules and/or formats
At any time and at its own discretion, the League Committee reserves the right to change or update the rules or formats. An updated list of rules can be found at www.ligasuparimau.my/rules

All players, parents, guardians, coaches and spectators must abide by the Liga Suparimau Code of Conduct at all times. Failure to comply could lead to an individual and/or team being removed from the league. Please see the full code of conduct here

Players Code of Conduct

  • Play by the rules of the game 
  • Give your best effort and work for the good of your team
  • Respect my team mates, coaches, offcial’s and all personal which are at the venue when my matches are being played

Coaches Code of Conduct

  • Coaches that raise their voice to an unacceptable level and/or who use foul language, in any dialect/language, and/or are not behaving with a responsible conduct can be asked to leave the pitch and can be banned from coaching league games
  • Coaches are not permitted to coach from directly behind the goal posts 
  • Coaches are responsible for controlling their parents and spectators. If any parents have any issue which they want to raise, it must be raised by the coach on their behalf
  • Any coach who does not fall in line with the code of conduct can be removed from the venues and banned from Liga Suparimau matches

Parents Code of Conduct

  • Parents are to watch the matches from the spectating zones which have been set out in the venue layout plans
  • Parents should not stand directly behind the goal posts 
  • Parents must not coach from the touchline during matches and should leave this to the coach or you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence
  • Parents should not enter the field of play 
  • Parents should never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They will make mistakes occasionally. We all do. If you abuse or shout at the referee you are breaking the rules of the game
  • If a parent has any issue they must raise it with their teams coach or manager and should not approach the league management team directly 
  • Any parent who does not comply with the rules above will be asked to leave the venue. If they refuse, their team’s match will be forfeited and the team can be removed from the league

The 2023 Liga Suparimau season will end with 2 flagship tournaments co-organised by Maxim Events and FA Malaysia. The National Finals and the Grassroots Football Festival will both run on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December 2023.

Liga Suparimau National Finals

  • The National Finals will take place over 2 weekends. Winning teams from Season A, B & C will play a qualifying round in their state on November 25th or 26th to determine the winning team who will travel to Kuala Lumpur representing their state for the National Finals on December 2nd and 3rd. 
  • The qualification round will take place on Saturday the 25th or Sunday the 26th November and work as follows; 

 

Match

Team 1

Team 2

Match 1 (Qualification Semi Final)

Winner Season B

Winner Season C

Match 2 (Qualification Final)

Winner Season A

Winner Qualification Semi Final

 

  • The tournament is open to teams which win a Lions category competition in the U12, U14 and U16 age groups
  • Teams will need to pay the matchday cost for their qualification matches in their State. The National Finals tournament in Kuala Lumpur will have no entry fee.  
  • To play in this tournament teams must have participated in at least 2 of the 3 Liga Suparimau seasons in 2023

 

Grassroots Football Festival

  • The Grassroots Football Festival will take place on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December 
  • The event will take place at a Liga Suparimau venue in the Klang Valley
  • The event is open to all Liga Suparimau teams in the age groups of U6, U8, U10 & U12. 
  • The cost of entry for this tournament will be as follows;



Age Group

Entry Cost (RM)

U6

500

U8

600

U10 & U12

800