MWF (Madeira Walking Football) and EFDN (European Football for Development Network) Walking Football Rules & Regulations
- 6 players per team on the pitch (6 v 6).
- The size of the pitch is 21 meters by 42 meters.
- The size of the goal is 3 meters wide and 1 meter high.
- There are no goalkeepers.
- All players need to keep a distance of 3 meters from the goal during the game.
- 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.
- There is no offside rule.
- Tackling and physical contact is forbidden.
- 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.
- There are no penalties, only indirect free kicks. All players must keep a distance of 3 meters.
- It is not permitted to play the ball above the crossbar (1 meter).
- 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.
- 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.
- After a goal is scored the game will be restarted from the centre of the field.
- Teams cannot score from their side of the pitch.
- 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.
- The referee can exclude (send off) a player for verbal abuse or continuous foul play, in which case a substitute can be used.
- If a player receives a “Yellow Card” they will need to leave the pitch for 5 minutes, a substitute can be used.
- 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.
- The referee’s decisions regarding the facts or any situation during the match are final. The decisions by the referee must always be respected.