MWF and EFDN Rules

MWF (Madeira Walking Football) and EFDN (European Football for Development Network) Walking Football Rules & Regulations

1. 6 players per team on the pitch (6 v 6).
2. The size of the pitch is 21 meters by 42 meters.
3. The size of the goal is 3 meters wide and 1 meter high.
4. There are no goalkeepers.
5. All players need to keep a distance of 3 meters from the goal during the game.
6. Players are permitted to change throughout the game. The number of substitutions is unlimited, a player who has been substituted may return as a substitute for another player.
7. There is no offside rule.
8. Tackling and physical contact is forbidden.
9. Players must always be walking, as defined as “always having one foot on the ground”. If a player runs the referee will award possession of the ball to the opposing team.
10. There are no penalties, only indirect free kicks. All players must keep a distance of 3 meters.
11. It is not permitted to play the ball above the crossbar (1 meter).
12. If the ball is goes outside the pitch side-lines, the ball will be placed at the spot where it went out and kicked back into play, all opposing players must keep a distance of 3 meters.
13. If the ball goes outside the pitch goal-line and a corner is given the ball must be placed at the nearest corner and the opposing team must keep a distance of 3 meters from the ball.
14. After a goal is scored the game will be restarted from the centre of the field.
15. Teams cannot score from their side of the pitch.
16. If a goal is prevented in an illegal manner (such as hand ball or running to prevent a goal) the goal will be counted as valid.
17. The referee can exclude (send off) a player for verbal abuse or continuous foul play, in which case a substitute can be used.
18. If a player receives a “Yellow Card” they will need to leave the pitch for 5 minutes, a substitute can be used.
19. If a player receives a “Red Card” the player is excluded from the rest of the game but they can be replaced by another player.
20. The referee’s decisions regarding the facts or any situation during the match are final. The decisions by the referee must always be respected.