1.1 – General Behaviour
All community members are expected to behave respectfully at all times. Discriminatory language or any form of abusive behaviour beyond normal competitive conduct will not be tolerated.
ECL Rulebook
1 – Code of Conduct
1.2 – Respect and Communication
All community members must communicate respectfully across all ECL and affiliated platforms. Profanity is permitted, but slurs and excessive toxicity may result in disciplinary action from League Management.
1.3 – Discrimination and Hate Speech
The league operates a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech, discrimination, and harassment. This includes, but is not limited to, conduct or language targeting protected characteristics.
1.4 – NSFW (Not safe for work)
Sharing or distributing NSFW content is prohibited. League Management reserves the right to remove any such content and take disciplinary action where necessary.
1.5 – Online Conduct
Community members must not engage in or encourage behaviour that compromises the safety, privacy, or security of the league or its members. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Doxxing or sharing, leaking, or threatening to share personal information.
- DDoS attacks or attempts to disrupt a player's or server's connection.
- Impersonating community members, particularly League Management.
- Deliberately spreading false or malicious information intended to harm the league or its members.
- Sharing malicious content, including IP grabbers, malware, or viruses.
1.6 – Spam, Scams and Advertising
Spamming on any ECL Discord channel is prohibited. This includes excessive messaging and spam pinging. Attempting to manipulate, deceive, or scam community members for personal or financial gain is also prohibited.
Advertising external services or communities is prohibited without prior approval from League Management. Exceptions may be made for services that directly benefit the league, such as kit manufacturers or media outlets.
1.7 – Community Servers and Engagement
These rules apply across all ECL affiliated servers and experiences, including, but not limited to:
- ECL Media
- Public areas of team Discord servers
Affiliated partners are expected to uphold these rules where the league or its members are referenced within their communities.
2 – League Registration
2.1 – Eligibility
All players must complete the ECL registration form before they are eligible to sign for a club. The form collects:
- Experience – Previous experience both in and outside ECL.
- Nationality – Used for media and national team eligibility.
- Timezone – Used to assist with fixture scheduling.
2.2 – Tiers
The league operates a rating and tier system which determines each player's wage and release clause. All new players who have not previously played in ECL will begin their first season with a rating of 68.
Player ratings and tiers are reviewed at the end of each season by the Ratings Committee.
2.3 – Player Contracts and Eligibility
2.3.1 - Free Agents
Unattached players are considered free agents and may sign for any club, provided the club can meet the player's wage within its financial and divisional wage cap.
Players who falsely claim to be a free agent in an attempt to force a transfer may face disciplinary action.
2.3.2 - Club Representation
A player may only be registered for a maximum of two (2) clubs per season. Signing for a third club requires exceptional circumstances and prior approval from League Management.
Tier X players may not sign for Regional or Local Division clubs. Tier I players may not sign for Local Division clubs.
2.3.3 - Contract Expectations
By signing for a club, players agree to remain with that club for the duration of their contract. Players should consider their expected playing time, squad role, and club level before signing.
Throughout their contract, players are expected to:
- Attend official fixtures when selected.
- Communicate appropriately with club management.
- Refrain from negotiating or engaging with other clubs.
2.3.4 - Abandonment
Players who fail to remain engaged with their club or abandon it mid-season (e.g. "rage quitting" or leaving the league) may face disciplinary action from League Management.
2.3.5 - Club Engagement
Clubs must treat their players fairly. Unreasonable player exclusion or jailing may result in League intervention, including termination of the player's contract.
2.4 – Transfers
2.4.1 - Transfer Windows
Transfers, excluding free agent signings, may only take place during official transfer windows:
Window 1: From the end of the previous season until the start of Gameweek 2.
Window 2: From the end of Gameweek 5 until the start of Gameweek 6.
2.4.2 - Free Agent Signings
Eligible free agents may be signed at any point during a registration window, provided the club has sufficient wage capacity.
2.4.3 - Transfers
A transfer occurs when a player moves from one club to another with the agreement of both clubs and the player.
The interested club must first approach the player's current club. The current club is under no obligation to sell or release the player, and any transfer fee or player exchange must be mutually agreed.
Transfers will only be approved if the purchasing club can afford the player. No transfer fee may exceed the player's release clause.
2.4.4 - Release Clause Activation
Every player has a release clause equal to 100× their wage.
If a club meets a player's release clause in full and the player agrees to the move, the current club must complete the transfer.
2.4.5 - Loan Transfers
Clubs may loan players to other clubs. The player's wage may be paid in full by one club or shared between both clubs, as agreed. Loaned players are eligible to play in all League and Cup competitions for their loan club.
Players may only be recalled during a transfer window unless both clubs agree to end the loan early.
Loaned players will remain listed on both clubs' squad sheets for the duration of the loan.
2.4.6 - Release Tokens
2.4.6 - Release Tokens
Each club is allocated three (3) release tokens per season. Releasing a player during a transfer window, or releasing a player who has left or been banned from the league, does not consume a release token. Players released after leaving or being banned must return to their previous club if they later rejoin the league.
If a club releases a player without any remaining release tokens, it will incur a financial penalty equal to 10× the player's wage (e.g. £1,600 × 10 = £16,000).
2.5 – Squadsheets
Clubs may have a maximum squad size of 17 players, subject to their available finances and divisional wage cap.
Division Maximum Wage Cap (per Gameweek)
National Division: £55,000
Regional Division: £40,000
Local Division: £30,000
2.6 – League Oversight
League Management reserves the right to refuse, reverse, or review any registration, transfer, or release that breaches these regulations or compromises the integrity of the competition.
3 – Club Finances
3.1 – Financial Structure
All clubs operate within the League's financial system and are responsible for managing their budgets. Each club is issued a starting balance that carries over between seasons. Seasonal wage expenditure is deducted first, with the remaining funds forming the club's transfer budget.
Clubs must manage their finances responsibly. League Management may intervene if a club's financial activity is deemed unsustainable or breaches league regulations.
3.2 – Wage Budget
Each division operates under a wage cap to maintain competitive balance. Clubs must ensure their total weekly wage expenditure does not exceed their division's limit.
Division Maximum Wage Cap (per Gameweek)
National Division: £55,000
Regional Division: £40,000
Local Division: £30,000
Clubs exceeding the wage cap must reduce their wage expenditure immediately. Continued breaches may result in financial penalties or points deductions at the discretion of League Management.
3.3 – Transfer Expenditure
Transfer fees must be paid from a club's available budget after wages have been accounted for. Fees are deducted immediately upon completion of a transfer and cannot exceed the club's available balance.
Transfers involving clubs with insufficient funds will not be approved by League Management.
3.4 – Wage Accounting
Player wages are deducted from a club's balance following the conclusion of each league gameweek. Wages are based on a player's rating and remain fixed throughout the season.
Clubs must maintain sufficient funds to cover wage payments. Failure to do so may result in transfer restrictions or financial penalties until the club's finances are resolved.
3.5 – Income, Expenditure and Taxation
3.5.1 - Income
Clubs can generate income through a variety of sources, including:
- Prize Money
- Transfer Income
- League Distribution
All income is added directly to the club's balance.
3.5.2 - Expenditure
Club expenditure includes:
- Player Wages
- Transfer Fees
- League Penalties
All expenditure is deducted directly from the club's balance. Clubs are responsible for maintaining sufficient funds to cover all costs.
3.5.3 - Taxation
Player transfer profits are subject to a 10% tax, deducted automatically following completion of the transfer.
Any remaining profit at the end of the season, after prize money has been awarded, is subject to a 20% tax.
3.6 – Prize Money
Prize money is the primary source of club income and is awarded at the end of each season. Payments are made directly to club balances and are not subject to taxation.
Prize money is designed to:
- Reward on-field performance
- Support clubs in covering seasonal wage costs
- Help promoted clubs remain competitive
- Maintain financial stability across all divisions
3.6.1 – League Prize Money
League prize money is awarded at the end of each season based on a club's final league position.
3.6.2 – Carablox Cup Prize Money
The Carablox Cup is open to all clubs within the League. Prize money increases with each round, and is awarded for reaching each round.
3.6.3 – ECL Vase Prize Money
The ECL Vase is open exclusively to Division 2 and Division 3 clubs. Prize money increases with each round, and is awarded for reaching each round.
3.7 – Financial Mismanagement and Oversight
League Management reserves the right to investigate any suspected financial misconduct or abuse of the League's financial system. Sanctions may include fines, transfer restrictions, or points deductions, depending on the severity of the breach.
League Management has final authority over all financial matters and decisions.
3.8 – Debt and Administration
Clubs must manage their finances responsibly and remain within their available means. Clubs that enter debt or are deemed financially unstable may be subject to League intervention.
Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
- Transfer embargoes
- Points deductions
- Forced player sales
- Squad or wage restrictions
- Financial penalties
- Relegation
League Management may take action from the moment a club enters debt. The severity of any sanction will depend on the level and cause of the debt, the club's financial history, and any other relevant factors. All decisions are final.
4 – League Format
4.1 – League Structure
The league consists of three (3) divisions of six (6) clubs, forming the ECL pyramid. Promotion and relegation between divisions are determined by final league standings and playoff results.
4.2 – Season Format
All divisions operate on a double round-robin format, with each club playing every other club twice; once at home and once away.
Each club plays ten (10) league fixtures across ten (10) gameweeks.
4.3 – League Points System
League standings are determined using the following points system;
If two or more clubs are level on points, their league position is then determined by the following criteria, applied in order;
- Head-to-Head Record
- Goal Difference
- Goals Scored
4.4 – Promotion and Relegation
Promotion and relegation are determined at the end of each season. League Management reserves the right to amend these outcomes in the event of league expansion, restructuring, or club withdrawal.
4.4.1 – Automatic Promotion
The 1st-placed clubs in Division 2 and Division 3 are automatically promoted.
4.4.2 – Automatic Relegation
The 6th-placed clubs in Division 1 and Division 2 are automatically relegated.
4.4.3 – Promotion Playoffs
The 2nd and 3rd-placed clubs in Division 2 and Division 3 enter a Promotion Playoff alongside the 5th-placed club from the division above.
The playoff consists of:
- A semi-final between the 2nd and 3rd-placed clubs.
- A final between the semi-final winner and the 5th-placed club.
The winner of the final is promoted to the higher division.
4.5 – League Administration
League Management oversees all league operations, including fixture scheduling, disciplinary matters, and the enforcement of regulations. League Management reserves the right to amend scheduling, competition format, or league structure where necessary to protect the integrity of the competition.