Guiding Principles

Mars Aero Football League (MAFL) rules align with the 17 Laws of the Game as defined by the sport’s originating governing body, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).  Due to Mars’ unique environmental conditions, some elements have been adapted for MAFL based on the following guiding principles:

• Adapt based on Mars’ environment – Mars gravity is 38% of Earth. The thinner atmosphere presents greater risk to radiation exposure. Mars has a significant level of sand and dust generated by regular sand storms based on the season.
• Enhance the fan experience - The game continues to evolve with continuous improvement to reduce time stoppage, enable more spectacular goals, and provide considerations for a more vertical game due to less gravity.
• Improve game play conditions - Referee-bots improve the accuracy and efficiency of game management – e.g. injured players are quickly carted out by the referee-bots improving player safety and reducing time stoppage.

 Overview of Rules & Regulations

1.    The Field of Play

Configurations accommodate the increased velocity, vector, and vertical elements of MAFL.

Pitch size:

• 120 m x 80 m
•  Regulation pitch markings

Walls:

• Walls are 4 m high
• Walls must be constructed of regulation clay.
• Players can play off walls

Top Side:

• 4 m above pitch level
• A player must expend one full boost charge to reach topside
• It is the teams prerogative whether to make throw-ins or Corner-kicks from Pitch level or Top-side 

Goal:

• 3 m x 7.5m, Posts no greater than 130 mm thick
• There are a variety of Goal-styles

Stadiums:

• All stadiums follow the MAFL template for typical Layout
• Stadiums are currently open air with no artificial atmosphere
• All Stadiums are built a minimum of 3 km from core habitations
• In place of public seating, stadiums are built to accommodate Spectator Tour Vehicles.  Some stadiums have two tiered parking levels.

 
2.    The Ball

The ball has been designed for Mars conditions and enhanced game support – Durability and Technology

• Regulation Ball: 22-23 cm in diameter
• Total weight 1500 grams
• Hardware: Onboard computer & sensor array. Aesthetic and system illumination
• Administration: Ball is connected to game infrastructure and provides referee and match officials with dynamic game-play data (i.e. out of play)
• Diagnostics are performed before and after matches

 3. Players

Player considerations have been added to promote naturally, healthy athletes and enable balanced league diversity.
 

• A minimum number of five (5) players is required to constitute a team.  Teams have the option to forfeit a match if they have less than seven (7) players.
•  Players must be a minimum of 17 years of age, the age of consent on Mars.
• All-Natural League – Players may not have/use performance enhancing drugs, implants, augmentations.
• Gravity Training – The use of centrifugal equipment and/or environments that simulate Earth 1g gravity.  This is not a restricted form of endurance training in the MAFL.
• Diversity Quotas:
  • Clubs are permitted a maximum of 60% non-domestic (Earth-born) players.
  • Earth-born players are only eligible with minimum 3 years landed status.
  • Clubs must has have a minimum 40:60 gender mix.
  •  Non-binary players must be certified and can be counted wild.

4.    EV suits

EV suits provide life support systems and protect players while providing regulation enhancements for improving playing conditions. 

• Life support - including, air supply, pressurization, thermal regulation & radiation protection
• Com systems - Hardware that connect to League infrastructure and club close circuit channel is required.  *Note: Hacking of equipment, ball or infrastructure is a serious league-level infraction.  If referee or online services detects tampering, matches are immediately suspended for investigation.  Teams proven of such violation can be suspended, fined or permanently banned.
• Propulsion systems - fixed CO2 fuel capacity enabling a maximum of 5 full bursts per half.  Thrust ports for forward, backward, upward or downward thrust for increased ground or mid-air maneuverability and  jumps to top-side.
• Uniform - players must be easily distinguishing from opposing players and match officials.  Lycra layer on top of EV suits is permitted. Direct coloration, decal or embroidery on EV suits is permitted.
• Helmets - No objects may be affixed to helmets.  Helmet glass must be transparent (i.e. tinting is prohibited). Players are not permitted additional eye-wear or other head-mounted devices. Headdress is permitted including Hijab and Turbans.
• Cognitive enhancements are prohibited (i.e. no tactical augmentation or AI via in-visor HUD, voice or other sensory feedback)
• Mechanical or powered enhancements are prohibited

 
5.     Match Officials

There is at least 1 Referee who can be supported by AI-based assistants to improve the accuracy and efficiency of game management

• Assistants can be human or AI-based officials.
• On-field drones: one form of AI-based assistant to referee
• All judgement or data from an assistant referee may be overruled by the referee.

6.    No Draws

Games may not end in a draw. After regulation time, the match is resolved on penalty shootouts, called Penalty Kick Overtime. This rule is based on oxygen & radiation exposure regulations to protect player safety.

• Coin toss to determine which team kicks first
• Each team selects their 5 kickers.
• Kicks alternate between teams
• The team with the most goals wins
• If, after both teams have taken five kicks, both have the same number of goals, kicks continue until one team has scored one more than the other.