COMPETITION REGULATIONSAFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25

COMPETITION REGULATIONSAFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25

CONTENTS
DEFINITIONS...............................................................................................................................................

7

SECTION 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS........................................................................................................
1.
AFC Champions League EliteTM 2024/25
2.
The Asian Football Confederation
3.
Participating Clubs and Member Associations
4.
Entry
5.
Withdrawal from the Competition

10
10
10
11
15
16

SECTION 2: COMPETITION SYSTEM AND MATCH SCHEDULE..............................................................
6.
Competition System
7.
Preliminary Stage
8.
Group Stage
9.
Knockout Stage
10. Extra Time and Penalties
11. Match Schedule
12. Cancellation of Matches
13. Abandonment of Matches

19
19
19
20
21
22
22
23
23

SECTION 3: STADIUMS AND OFFICIAL TRAINING SITES......................................................................
14. Stadiums
15. Field of Play
16. Official Training Sites

24
24
25
26

SECTION 4: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS.................................................................................................
17. Laws of the Game
18. Refereeing
19. Team Bench and Technical Area
20. Footballs
21. Equipment

28
28
28
28
29
29

SECTION 5: OFFICIAL TEAM DELEGATION.............................................................................................
22. Official Team Delegation
23. Registration Windows
24. Registration of Players
25. Documents for Registration of Players
26. Eligibility of Players
27. Player Status
28. Registration Window 1
29. Registration Window 2
30. Registration Window 3
31. Player Selection List
32. Registration of Officials
33. Documents for Registration of Officials

30
30
30
31
32
32
32
33
35
36
37
37
38

SECTION 6: MEDIA...................................................................................................................................
34. Media Access
35. Press Conferences
36. Interviews
37. Flash Interviews
38. Mixed Zone
39. Access to Match Footage

39
39
39
40
40
41
41

4

SECTION 7: TICKETING............................................................................................................................
40. General Requirements
41. Terms and Conditions
42. Complimentary Tickets
43. Purchasable Tickets

42
42
42
42
43

SECTION 8: COMMERCIAL.......................................................................................................................
44. Commercial Rights
45. Clean Stadium
46. Advertising and Branding

45
45
45
45

SECTION 9: SAFETY AND SECURITY........................................................................................................
47. General Principles

47
47

SECTION 10: MEDICAL AND ANTI-DOPING.............................................................................................
48. Pre-Competition Medical Assessment
49. Facilities and Personnel
50. Anti-Doping

48
48
48
49

SECTION 11: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS.....................................................................................................
51. General Responsibilities
52. Logistical Arrangements for Participating Clubs
53. Logistical Arrangements for AFC Delegation
54. Financial Contribution
55. Prize Money
56. Disciplinary Action

50
50
50
51
52
53
53

SECTION 12: AWARDS................................................................................................................................
57. Trophy, Awards and Medals
58. Award Ceremony

54
54
55

SECTION 13: DISCIPLINARY......................................................................................................................
59. Disciplinary Measures
60. Good Conduct
61. Administrative Procedure
62. Cautions and Expulsions
63. Protest
64. Arbitration

56
56
56
56
57
57
58

SECTION 14: CLOSING PROVISIONS........................................................................................................
65. Finals
66. Special Instructions
67. Decisions
68. Amendments
69. Force Majeure
70. Matters Not Provided For
71. Implementing Provisions
72. Enforcement

59
59
59
59
59
59
60
60
60

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSDEFINITIONSIn these Competition Regulations, capitalised terms shall have the following meanings, unless thecontext specifically indicates otherwise:
Accreditation Device

A card, bib, wristband or other items, including any Supplementary Access
Devices (SAD) which (i) is issued by, or at the instruction of, the AFC General
Secretariat and/or the Host Association to persons conducting an Official
Function in connection with the Competition and/or an Official Function at asite; and (ii) permits its holder to access such Site as well as any areas and zones
needed to be accessed to perform the function.

ACL Elite

The AFC Champions League EliteTM.

AFC ClubCompetitions
Ranking

Has the meaning given to it in the Entry Regulations.

AFC Competitions
Committee

The Standing Committee of the AFC described in Article 44 of the AFC Statutes.

Association-TrainedPlayer

A player who, between the start of the Domestic Sporting Season during which
he turns fifteen (15) years of age and the end of the Domestic Sporting Season
during which he turns twenty-one (21) years of age, irrespective of his nationality,
has been registered with a Club or with one (1) or more Clubs affiliated to thesame Member Association as that of his current Club for a period, continuous
or not, of at least thirty-six (36) months.

Away ClubA Participating Club playing a Match in the Competition away from their home
Stadium.

Champion

The Participating Club that wins the final Match of the Competition.

Club-Trained Player

A player who, between the start of the Domestic Sporting Season during which
he turns fifteen (15) years of age and the end of the Domestic Sporting Season
during which he turns twenty-one (21) years of age, irrespective of his nationality,
has been registered with his current Club for a period, continuous or not, of atleast thirty-six (36) months.

Competition

The AFC Champions League EliteTM 2024/25, which includes without limitation,
all Matches, all activities on the Field of Play (other than Matches), opening
ceremonies, presentation or closing ceremonies, press conferences or Official
Functions connected therewith.

Domestic Sporting
SeasonA consecutive twelve (12)-month period fixed by a Member Association in linewith the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players during which
its official competitions, such as the domestic top division league and domesticcup, occur.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSEast Region

The region comprising Member Associations and Participating Clubs from theASEAN geographic zone and East geographic zone as identified in Article 7 of
the AFC Statutes.

Entry Regulations

The AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations.

Extra TimeTwo (2) equal periods of additional time which shall be played in accordancewith these Regulations should there be no winner at the conclusion of normal
playing time.

Field of PlayThe area described in Law 1 of the Laws of the Game issued by the International
Football Association Board (IFAB) and administered by FIFA.

Finals

The centralised final stage of the ACL Elite comprising a total of seven (7) Matches(i.e. four [4] quarter-finals, two (2) semi-finals and one [1] final Match of theCompetition.

Financial
Contribution

The payment(s) to be made to a Participating Club in accordance with Article 54of these Regulations

Homegrown Player

A player who is either an Association-Trained Player and/or a Club-Trained Player.

Host Association

A Member Association approved by the AFC to organise, host and stage Matches
in the Competition. In the context of the Finals, this means the “Organising
Association” as described in the OAA.

Host ClubA Participating Club which is approved by the AFC to organise, host and stage
Matches in the Competition in collaboration with the respective Host Association.

International
Competition

An international football competition organised by the AFC in conjunction withother continental football confederations and/or by FIFA in conjunction withother continental football confederations.

Knockout Stage

The third stage of the Competition comprising the round of 16 and Finals heldin accordance with these Regulations.

LeagueA professional league and/or amateur league which consists of a combinationof Clubs within the territory of a Football Association and which is subordinate
to and under the authority of that Football Association.

League Stage

The second stage of the Competition held in accordance with these Regulations.

ManualThe AFC Competition Operations Manual which sets out the operational
responsibilities of the relevant stakeholders in relation to the organising, hostingand staging of Matches and Competitions.

Neutral Venue

Any Stadium utilised for a Match which is not the regular home Stadium or Venue
utilised by the Participating Club designated as the Host Club, unless expressly
authorised by the AFC. The designation of a Stadium as a Neutral Venue must be
expressly authorised by the AFC in accordance with these Regulations.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSOAAOrganising Association Agreement concluded between the AFC and the
Host Association for the organisation, hosting, and staging the Finals of thisCompetition.

Official Team
Delegation

The delegation of a Participating Club which is registered on AFCAS for each
Match of the relevant stage of the Competition as provided for in theseRegulations.

Participating ClubA Club which is approved by the AFC to participate in the Competition.

Preliminary Stage

The first stage of the Competition held in accordance with these Regulations.

Regulations

These Competition Regulations.

West Region

The region comprising Member Associations and Participating Clubs from theWest geographic zone, South geographic zone and Central geographic zone as
identified in Article 7 of the AFC Statutes.

For the purposes of these Regulations, and provided the context so permits:(a)the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa;(b) the feminine gender shall include the masculine and vice-versa;(c)reference to natural persons shall include any legal person or corporation;(d) references to the AFC shall include its successors and permitted assigns, and where the context
requires, the AFC Committees;(e)reference to the AFC Commercial Rights Partner or Commercial Affiliates shall include where advisedby the AFC, their successors and permitted assigns; and(f)all defined terms, unless otherwise stated herein shall bear the same meaning as ascribed in the
AFC Statutes and the Manual, unless the context indicates otherwise.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 1 : GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITETM 2024/25
1.1.

The AFC stages the ACL Elite annually for Participating Clubs.

1.2.

These Regulations govern the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the AFC, the Participating
Clubs (as well as their Member Associations and Leagues), Host Associations, Participating
Players and Participating Officials taking part in the Competition.

1.3.

These Regulations and all related directives, decisions, guidelines, and circulars issued
by the AFC shall be binding upon all parties participating and involved in the preparation,organisation, and hosting of Matches in the Competition.

1.4.

The Manual forms an integral part of and shall be read in conjunction with these Regulations.
The Manual shall be binding upon all parties participating and involved in the preparation,organisation, and hosting of Matches in the Competition. Failure to adhere to any matter set
out in the Manual may lead to the imposition of sanctions as set out in the AFC Disciplinary
and Ethics Code. In the event of any discrepancy between these Regulations and the Manual,
these Regulations shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

1.5.

Any rights and Proprietary Interests associated with the Competition that are not grantedby these Regulations and/or specific agreements to any Member Association and/or any
Participating Club shall vest in the AFC.

1.6.

Any reference to the AFC Statutes and the AFC and FIFA regulations refer to those valid at thetime of application.

2. THE ASIAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION

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2.1.

The AFC Competitions Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the organisation of theCompetition in accordance with the AFC Statutes. The AFC General Secretariat shall carry out
the necessary administrative work in support of the AFC Competitions Committee.

2.2.

The responsibilities of the AFC General Secretariat shall include, but are not limited to:
2.2.1.

supervising general preparations and deciding on the Competition format, the draws,
and the entries to the Competition;

2.2.2.

determining the Match Schedule (cf. Article 11 of these Regulations);

2.2.3.

selecting Stadiums for the Competition after consultation with the Host Clubs andHost Associations (cf. Article 14 of these Regulations);

2.2.4.

appointing Match Officials and any other AFC Delegation for each Match;

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
2.2.5.

choosing and/or approving the official football and stipulated technical material;

2.2.6.

approving the choice of WADA-accredited laboratories that will carry out doping
analyses (cf. Article 50 of these Regulations);

2.2.7.

reporting cases where appropriate to the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee (cf.
Article 59 of these Regulations);

2.2.8.

providing insurance coverage for the AFC Delegation appointed to any Match fromthe time of their departure from their home Member Association to their departurefrom the Venue (cf. Article 51 of these Regulations); and2.2.9.

dealing with any other aspect of the Competition that is not the responsibility of any
other body pursuant to these Regulations or the AFC Statutes (cf. Article 70 of theseRegulations).

2.3.

All decisions made by the AFC Competitions Committee and/or AFC General Secretariat inrelation to the Competition are final and binding and not appealable.

2.4.

All decisions made by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee in relation to the Competition
are subject to the operation of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

2.5.

All decisions made by the AFC Entry Control Body in relation to the Competition are subject
to the operation of the Procedural Rules Governing the AFC Entry Control Body.

3. PARTICIPATING CLUBS AND MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
3.1.

3.2.

The principal obligations and responsibilities of each Participating Club and its Member
Association are stipulated in the Participating Team Agreement (PTA), these Regulations, theManual, the AFC Statutes, and all other AFC regulations, directives, guidelines and circulars.
3.1.1.

Each Participating Club that has qualified for the Competition must submit a PTA.

3.1.2.

The PTA and other such documents as requested by the AFC in relation to the PTA shallbe completed and submitted to the AFC via AFCAS in accordance with the deadline
provided by the AFC.

3.1.3.

Failure to submit a validly completed PTA to the AFC by the deadline shall result in
the non-participation of the relevant Participating Club.

Each Participating Club shall ensure as a condition of its participation in the Competition thatevery member of its Official Team Delegation for each Match is aware of and agrees to comply
with the PTA.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
3.3.

Each Participating Club shall undertake to:3.3.1.

observe all obligations set out in the PTA, these Regulations, the Manual, the AFC
Statutes, and all other AFC regulations, directives, guidelines and circulars, andapplicable national and supra-national laws;

3.3.2.

comply with the Laws of the Game;

3.3.3.

accept that all the administrative, disciplinary and refereeing matters connected with
the Competition shall be settled by the AFC in compliance with these Regulations;3.3.4.

field its strongest team throughout the Competition;

3.3.5.

observe the principles of fair play;

3.3.6.

ensure the good conduct of its Official Team Delegation and of any person carryingout duties on its behalf throughout the Competition, which includes but is not limited
to their arrival on the territory of any Host Association until their departure;

3.3.7.

as Host Club, make the appropriate arrangements for the staging of Matchesin conjunction with its Member Association and the AFC General Secretariat inaccordance with these Regulations and any instructions from the AFC;

3.3.8.

accept all arrangements made by any Host Club and/or Host Association (asappropriate) in agreement with the AFC;

3.3.9.

ensure that its Participating Players and Participating Officials attend and participate
in all official activities and events, including without limitation any team arrival
meeting, match coordination meeting, press conference, and other media andmarketing activities in accordance with the instructions issued by the AFC;
3.3.9.1.

failure to attend and/or fully participate in any official activity or event shallresult in the Participating Club being fined at least USD10,000; and3.3.9.2.

the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may issue further sanctions at
its discretion.

3.3.10. provide to the AFC, free of charge, prior to the Competition, any photographs, audio/
visual materials and/or information regarding the Participating Club, Participating
Players and/or Participating Officials including without limitation statistics andhistorical information and any further information as requested by the AFC;
3.3.11. link the official URL for the Competition on its official website; and3.3.12. not establish any digital, media or social media platform in connection with theCompetition without the involvement and express approval of the AFC.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
3.4.

Each Participating Club and its Member Association shall, at their own expense, be solely
responsible throughout the Competition for:3.4.1.

3.5.

the insurance coverage for:3.4.1.1.

its Official Team Delegation which shall include without limitation hospitaland surgical insurance, travel insurance, and sports equipment insurance
for all Matches; and3.4.1.2.

all risks in connection with staging and organising Matches, including but
not limited to public liability insurance. The AFC shall be expressly identified
as a named insured party in all such insurance policies;

3.4.2.

all other necessary insurance policies, which must provide an appropriate guaranteedsum for injury and damage to persons, objects, and property, and correspond withthe specific circumstances of the Participating Club. Such policies must cover all risks
connected with the organising, hosting, and staging of Matches in the Competition,
exempt the AFC from all claims and liabilities, and name the AFC as a co-insured. The
AFC must be notified of all insurance policies and may request copies of any and all
policies at its discretion;

3.4.3.

payment of incidental expenses and for any costs incurred by its Official Team
Delegation (cf. Article 51 of these Regulations);

3.4.4.

payment of any costs of extending the stay of any member of its Official Team
Delegation in any Host Association (cf. Article 51 of these Regulations);

3.4.5.

obtaining visas to enter the territory of any Host Association. This includes all costs
related to the visa application process;3.4.6.

payment of all taxes, fees, duties and any other costs related to the importation
and/or exportation of equipment, merchandise and/or goods to be used for theCompetition; and3.4.7.

guaranteeing safety and security at its Stadium (cf. Articles 14 and 47 of theseRegulations).

Each Participating Club and/or its Member Association shall indemnify, defend, and hold the
AFC and all of its officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, subsidiaries, localorganising committees and all other auxiliary persons free and harmless against any andall liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, fines, and expenses(including reasonable legal expenses) of whatsoever kind or nature resulting from, arisingout of, or attributable to, any non-compliance with these Regulations by the Participating Club
and/or its Member Association, its Official Team Delegation, its affiliates and any third-parties
contracted to the Participating Club and/or its Member Association.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
3.6.

The Member Association of the Host Club is responsible for nominating a Local General
Coordinator, a Local Media Officer and a Local Safety and Security Officer for each Match thatis played within its territory and shall submit the nomination to the AFC for approval (together
with the Venue information) in accordance with the deadline(s) notified by the AFC. Should aMatch be played at a Neutral Venue in another Member Association, the Member Associationof the Host Club shall still be held accountable for the relevant nomination, and this must be
done in collaboration with the Host Association.

3.7.

Each Participating Club shall arrive at the Venue for an away Match at least two (2) days before
the Match and depart from the Venue no later than one (1) day after the Match.
Should an Away Club wish to arrive at the Venue only one (1) day before the relevant
Match, it shall submit a request via an official letter to the AFC with valid reasons andarrival flight itinerary details at least seven (7) days prior to the Match for the AFC’s
approval (to be accepted at its sole discretion).

3.7.2.

Should the AFC accept such a request, the late arrival of the relevant Club shall notinterrupt the timing of Official Functions and/or the participation of the relevant
Participating Club in Official Functions.

3.7.3.

The requirements and timings set out in Article 3.7 of these Regulations shall also
apply to any Host Club which is hosting a home Match at a Neutral Venue.

3.7.4.

Participating Clubs shall not play in any non-official matches when travelling to andfrom the Venue of an away Match.

3.8.

It is acknowledged that one or more Participating Clubs may qualify directly for one or moreInternational Competitions as a result of their performance in the Competition. Where
applicable, each such Participating Club undertakes to participate in the relevant International
Competition(s).

3.9.

Participating Clubs are not authorised to represent the AFC or the Competition without theprior written approval of the AFC.

3.10.

All Participating Players and Participating Officials are encouraged to attend the AFC Annual
Awards if they are nominated for an award.

3.11.

Each Participating Club and its Member Association shall ensure that any decision made by
the AFC relating to its duties and responsibilities is enforced immediately.

3.12.

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3.7.1.

FinalsThe principal obligations and responsibilities of the Host Association will be stipulated in therelevant Organising Association Agreement, as well as in these Regulations, the Manual, theAFC Statutes and all other applicable AFC regulations, directives, guidelines, and circulars.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
4. ENTRY
4.1.

Entry to the Competition is governed by the Entry Regulations. To be eligible to participate in
the Competition, Clubs must meet the requirements set out in the Entry Regulations.
4.1.1.

For the inaugural edition of the Competition, the AFC Champions League 2023/24
champions shall be allocated an ACL Elite direct slot and be subject to the provisions
applicable for the ACL Elite titleholder set out in the Entry Regulations; and4.1.2.

For the inaugural edition of the Competition, the AFC Cup 2023/24 champions shallbe allocated an ACL Elite indirect slot and be subject to the provisions applicable for
the AFC Champions League Two titleholder set out in the Entry Regulations.

4.2.

All decisions regarding entry to the Competition are subject to the provisions set out inthe Entry Regulations and the jurisdiction of the AFC Entry Control Body as set out in theProcedural Rules Governing the AFC Entry Control Body.

4.3.

Eligible Clubs must complete a PTA and submit it to the AFC in accordance with Article 3 toconfirm their entry into the Competition.
4.3.1.

The name and logo of a Participating Club shall be the same as the popular nameand logo submitted to the AFC General Secretariat for the purposes of complying
with the club licensing criteria set out in the Entry Regulations.

4.3.2.

Subject to Article 4.3.3, the name and logo of a Participating Club shall not refer tothe name and/or logo of any third-party entity, regardless of whether that third-party
entity is a commercial partner or sponsor of the Participating Club.

4.3.3.

The AFC General Secretariat may grant an exception to the restriction(s) in Article
4.3.2 in the following circumstances:
4.3.3.1.

the name/logo of any Participating Club that refers to any third-party entity
is a pre-existing name/logo which has been utilised on a long-term basis by
the Participating Club and either the third-party entity was directly involvedin the creation of the Participating Club (by financial or other means) or
the third-party entity holds a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights
in the Participating Club; and/or

4.3.3.2.

the Participating Club has previously competed in an AFC competition
utilising the name/logo.

The burden of proof shall rest on the relevant Participating Club to prove its
compliance with the provision(s) of Article 4.3.3 and the AFC shall be entitled, at its
discretion, to request information from the relevant Participating Club in this regard.
The AFC shall decide on any exceptions at its sole discretion, and any such decisions
shall be final and binding and not appealable.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
4.4.

Participating Clubs are not permitted to change their name for the Competition after the first
Match in the Competition has been played.

5. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COMPETITION
5.1.

All Participating Clubs undertake that they shall play all their Matches in the Competition until
elimination.

5.2.

Without limitation, any Participating Club that (for any reason):
5.2.1.

informs the AFC in writing that it does not intend to or is unable to report to a Venue
and/or for a Match;

5.2.2.

fails to report to a Venue and/or for a Match;

5.2.3.

refuses or fails to continue a Match;

5.2.4.

leaves the Stadium prior to the completion of a Match;

5.2.5.

is excluded, suspended or banned by any competent body from participating in
the Competition (or any stage of the Competition) at any time after the draw of theCompetition (or stage, as appropriate); or

5.2.6.

is excluded, suspended or banned by any competent body from participating in any
Match in the Competition at any time after the relevant Match has been scheduled,shall be considered to have withdrawn from the Competition.

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5.3.

Subject to Articles 5.5 to 5.7, the AFC Competitions Committee shall be responsible for making
the necessary decisions where a Participating Club withdraws from the Competition, whether
before or after commencement of the Competition (as applicable), and shall be entitled totake any action it considers appropriate in such circumstances, including without limitation
regarding whether or not to change the technical regulations (cf. Section 4) and/or thecompetition system (cf. Article 6) and, where applicable, the means of effecting such change(s).

5.4.

The AFC Competitions Committee shall be responsible for determining events of Force
Majeure in connection with any withdrawal and shall, subject to Articles 5.5 to 5.7, be entitled
to take any action it considers appropriate in such circumstances. Any Participating Club thatwishes to put forward a case of Force Majeure for the consideration of the AFC Competitions
Committee must do so in writing (with supporting evidence) no later than thirty (30) days
after the date of its withdrawal. The AFC General Secretariat may put forward cases of Force
Majeure for the consideration of the AFC Competitions Committee at its discretion at any time
(provided that the case has not been referred to the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee).

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
5.5.

In the event that a Participating Club withdraws from the Competition, whether before orafter commencement of the Competition (as applicable), the Competition shall continue withthe remaining Participating Clubs and Matches without any replacement.
For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 5.5 shall apply in all instances and is applicable evenin cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC Competitions Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the AFC General Secretariat may, at its discretion, put forwarda request to replace the relevant Participating Club and, where applicable, the means ofeffecting such replacement, for the consideration of the AFC Competitions Committee, inwhich case the AFC Competitions Committee shall be entitled to take a decision on the matter.

5.6.

Any Participating Club that withdraws from the Competition after it has commenced shall haveall its Matches cancelled and considered null and void. No points and goals in those Matches
shall be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in a league pursuant
to Article 8.3.
For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 5.6 shall apply in all instances and is applicable evenin cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC Competitions Committee.

5.7.

Where any Participating Club fails to comply with Article 5.1 and withdraws from theCompetition at any stage, the case shall be referred to the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics
Committee.
In this regard, any Participating Club that withdraws from the Competition:
5.7.1.

5.7.2.

before it has commenced, shall be fined:
5.7.1.1.

at least USD10,000 if its withdrawal occurred thirty (30) days or more before
its first Match in the Competition; or5.7.1.2.

at least USD20,000 if its withdrawal occurred less than thirty (30) days
before its first Match in the Competition.

after it has commenced, shall be fined:
5.7.2.1.

at least USD30,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencement of
the Preliminary Stage; or

5.7.2.2.

at least USD50,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencement of
the League Stage; or

5.7.2.3.

at least USD100,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencementof the Knockout Stage.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
5.7.3

may be disqualified from participating in one (1) or more future seasons of the AFC
club competitions; and5.7.4

where relevant, may be disqualified from participating in any tournament organised
under Article 3.8, if qualification has been attained.

In addition, in all instances, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee shall order the relevant
Participating Club to return to the AFC any subsidy that has been paid in support of its
participation in the Competition (or, if not yet paid, to forfeit its right to that subsidy) and topay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by, where applicable, the otherParticipating Clubs, the AFC, the AFC Commercial Rights Partner, Commercial Affiliates and the
Host Associations. The amount of compensation shall be determined by the AFC Disciplinary
and Ethics Committee.
This Article 5.7 is not applicable in cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC Competitions
Committee, but shall apply in all other instances.
5.8.

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All decisions of the AFC Competitions Committee under Articles 5.3 to 5.5 shall be final andbinding and not appealable.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 2 : COMPETITION SYSTEM AND MATCH SCHEDULE
6. COMPETITION SYSTEM
6.1.

6.2.

The Competition shall consist of three (3) stages:
6.1.1.

the Preliminary Stage;

6.1.2.

the League Stage; and6.1.3.

the Knockout Stage.

Participating Clubs shall be divided into two (2) regions in accordance with the geographic
zones identified in the AFC Statutes as follows:
6.2.1.

Participating Clubs from the West, South and Central zones shall form the West
Region;6.2.2.

Participating Clubs from the East and ASEAN zones shall form the East Region;

6.2.3.

Participating Clubs shall play against other Participating Clubs within the same region
except for the Finals; and6.2.4.

the AFC General Secretariat may decide to exceptionally depart from this system,taking into account sporting, geographic, security and economic factors. The Entry
Regulations may provide further information.

6.3.

The Entry Regulations set out the principles to determine the number of slots allocated to
the Clubs of eligible Member Associations in the Preliminary Stage and League Stage inaccordance with the AFC Club Competitions Ranking. The AFC Competitions Committee shalldecide upon the format of the competition system.

6.4.

Depending on the number of entries, or in the case of withdrawal or suspension of any
Participating Clubs, the AFC Competitions Committee may change the competition system
and/or technical rules. Such decisions are final and binding and not appealable.

7. PRELIMINARY STAGE
7.1.

The Preliminary Stage shall consist of a maximum of three (3) rounds, with each roundconsisting of Participating Clubs tied in pairings to be played in a single-leg knockout format.
The pairings will be determined by the AFC General Secretariat depending on the number ofParticipating Clubs and in accordance with the following principles:
7.1.1.

All Participating Clubs shall be seeded in accordance with the AFC Club Competitions
Ranking applied to determine the slot allocation for the Competition and inaccordance with the principles set out in the Entry Regulations;19

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
7.1.2.

Participating Clubs with a higher seed shall play at a later round of the Preliminary
Stage and be given priority in the event that any bye(s) is available due to the number
of Participating Clubs;

7.1.3.

For each round, Participating Clubs with a higher seed shall be given priority to bepaired against Participating Clubs with the lowest possible seed in the relevant round.
Notwithstanding the above, Participating Clubs from the same Member Association
shall not be paired against each other, except in cases where it is unavoidable (e.g.
cases where all Participating Clubs in one [1] round come from the same Member
Association); and7.1.4.

The Participating Club with the higher seed shall host each Match.

7.2.

For each round of the Preliminary Stage, Participating Clubs shall play one (1) Match each inaccordance with the Match Schedule.

7.3.

At the conclusion of each round of the Preliminary Stage:
7.3.1.

the winner of each pairing shall qualify for the next round of the Preliminary Stage. If
it is the final round of the Preliminary Stage, the winner of each pairing shall qualify
for the League Stage; and7.3.2.

the losing Participating Club of each pairing shall be eliminated from the Competition.
Eliminated Participating Clubs shall enter the AFC Champions League Two at theGroup Stage in accordance with the Entry Regulations.

8. LEAGUE STAGE
8.1

The League Stage shall consist of twenty-four (24) Participating Clubs, drawn into two (2)leagues of twelve (12) Participating Clubs each, with each league played in a league format
as described in Article 8.2.
8.1.1.

One (1) league shall contain Participating Clubs from the West Region.

8.1.2.

One (1) league shall contain Participating Clubs from the East Region.

8.2.

Participating Clubs shall play four (4) home and four (4) away Matches against eight (8)different Participating Clubs within their respective league in accordance with the Match
Schedule. Participating Clubs from the same Member Association shall not play against eachother.

8.3.

The ranking in each league shall be determined in accordance with Article 1 of the Manualand in descending order as follows:
8.3.1.

20

higher number of points obtained in all league Matches;

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS

8.4.

8.3.2.

superior goal difference from all league Matches;

8.3.3.

higher number of goals scored in all league Matches;

8.3.4.

higher number of wins in all league Matches;

8.3.5.

Penalties if only two (2) Participating Clubs still have an equal ranking and have played
their last league Match against each other;

8.3.6.

the lower score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received
in the league Matches (Appendix 1 of the Manual); or

8.3.7.

the drawing of lots.

At the conclusion of the League Stage:
8.4.1.

the top eight (8) Participating Clubs in each league shall qualify for the Knockout
Stage; and8.4.2.

all other Participating Clubs shall be eliminated from the Competition.

9. KNOCKOUT STAGE
9.1.

The Knockout Stage shall consist of the round of 16 (played in a home and away knockout
format) and the Finals (played in a centralised knockout format).

9.2.

The sixteen (16) Participating Clubs that qualify from the League Stage shall play in the roundof 16 against other Participating Clubs within the same region and the pairings of these
Matches shall be determined based on the League Stage rankings as follows:
R16-1: West Region 1st vs West Region 8th
R16-2: West Region 2nd vs West Region 7th
R16-3: West Region 3rd vs West Region 6th
R16-4: West Region 4th vs West Region 5th
R16-5: East Region 1st vs East Region 8th
R16-6: East Region 2nd vs East Region 7th
R16-7: East Region 3rd vs East Region 6th
R16-8: East Region 4th vs East Region 5th
Subject to Article 11, the first leg of each pairing shall be hosted by the lower-ranked
Participating Club while the second leg shall be hosted by the higher-ranked Participating
Club, in principle.
For the avoidance of doubt, the above list does not necessarily represent the chronologicalorder in which the matches will be played.

21

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS

9.3.

9.4.

Finals
The eight (8) winners of the round of 16 shall play in the quarter finals against otherParticipating Clubs from a different region (cross-regional pairings) and the pairings of these
Matches shall be determined by a draw.
The four (4) winners of the quarter-finals shall play in the semi-finals as follows:
SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4
For the avoidance of doubt, the above list does not necessarily represent the chronologicalorder in which the matches will be played.

9.5.

The two (2) winners of the semi-finals shall play in the final Match of the Competition as follows:
Final Match: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

10. EXTRA TIME AND PENALTIES
10.1.

If no winner is determined at the end of normal playing time in any Match in the Preliminary
Stage, the second Match of any pairing of the round 16 or any Match in the Finals, Extra Timecomprising two (2) periods of fifteen (15) minutes each shall be played.

10.2.

Extra Time shall be played after an interval of five (5) minutes at the end of normal playing
time. A short drink break (which should not exceed one [1] minute) is permitted at the intervalof half-time in Extra Time.

10.3.

One (1) additional substitute and one (1) additional substitution opportunity may be used
when a Match goes into Extra Time (regardless of whether the Participating Club has alreadyutilised the full number of permitted substitutes and opportunities).

10.4.

If no winner is determined at the end of Extra Time, Penalties shall be taken in accordancewith the Laws of the Game and the Manual.

11. MATCH SCHEDULE

22

11.1.

All Matches shall be played in accordance with the AFC Competitions Calendar. The dates are
final and binding and not appealable.

11.2.

The Match Schedule for the Preliminary Stage shall be determined following the confirmationof the Participating Clubs. The Participating Clubs shall propose the kick-off times in writing
to the AFC General Secretariat for approval by the deadline set by the AFC General Secretariat.
The AFC General Secretariat reserves the right to change the proposed kick-off times in
consultation with the Participating Clubs.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
11.3.

The Match Schedule for the League Stage and Knockout Stage shall be determined following
the official draws for the relevant stages of the Competition. The date, format and draw
mechanism of the official draws shall be determined by the AFC General Secretariat.
11.3.1. Following the relevant draws, the AFC General Secretariat shall determine the Match
Schedule taking into consideration sporting, organisational (including safety andsecurity), marketing and broadcasting matters, in accordance with the principles
set by the AFC Competitions Committee.

11.4.

The AFC General Secretariat shall have the sole discretion to amend the Match Schedule atany time and for any reason in accordance with the principles set by the AFC Competitions
Committee.

12. CANCELLATION OF MATCHES
12.1.

For any Match which is cancelled as a result of Force Majeure, the AFC Competitions Committee
shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action deemed necessary.
12.1.1. Decisions made pursuant to Article 12.1 are final and binding and not appealable.

12.2.

Any Match which is cancelled, except in cases of Force Majeure recognised by the AFC
Competitions Committee, may lead to the imposition of sanctions by the AFC Disciplinary
and Ethics Committee against the relevant party that caused the cancellation in accordancewith the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

12.3.

If a Match cannot commence for any reason, the procedure described in Article 6 of the Manual
shall be followed.

13. ABANDONMENT OF MATCHES
13.1.

For any Match which is abandoned as a result of Force Majeure, the AFC Competitions
Committee shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemednecessary.
13.1.1. Decisions made pursuant to Article 13.1 are final and binding and not appealable.

13.2.

Any Match which is abandoned, except in cases of Force Majeure recognised by the AFC
Competitions Committee, may lead to the imposition of sanctions by the AFC Disciplinary
and Ethics Committee against the relevant party that caused the abandonment in accordancewith the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

13.3.

If a Match is stopped by the Referee for any reason, the procedure described in Article 7 of
the Manual shall be followed.

23

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 3 : STADIUMS AND OFFICIAL TRAINING SITES
14. STADIUMS
14.1.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
The Participating Clubs shall ensure that their home Matches are played in Stadiums whichmeet the requirements defined in the AFC Stadium Regulations and all other applicable AFC
regulations. The AFC General Secretariat may carry out inspections at any time before andduring the Competition to check whether the requirements are met. All costs related to any
such inspection shall be borne by the relevant Participating Club.
14.1.1. Each Participating Club shall, by no later than the deadline set by the AFC General
Secretariat, nominate the Stadium to be utilised for all its home Matches whenentering the Competition. The Stadium nominated shall be the normal home stadiumof the Participating Club for matches in its League. In case the normal home stadiumof the Participating Club does not meet the requirements set out in Article 14.1, theParticipating Club may exceptionally nominate a Neutral Venue located within the
territory of its Member Association or another Member Association.

14.2.

Unless an exception is granted by the AFC General Secretariat at its sole discretion, eachParticipating Club must play all its home Matches in the one and only Stadium approved by
the AFC General Secretariat throughout the Competition. Any request for an exception shallbe submitted to the AFC General Secretariat in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to therelevant Match.

14.3.

The AFC General Secretariat may reject the nomination of any Stadium and take any decision
under this Article 14.3 at its sole discretion. If the AFC General Secretariat deems, for whateverreason, that a Stadium is unfit to stage any Match(es), the relevant Participating Club shallpropose an alternative Stadium. Should the Participating Club not propose an acceptable
alternative Stadium by the deadline set by the AFC General Secretariat, the AFC General
Secretariat may select a Neutral Venue to stage the Match(es).
14.3.1. In all cases, the Participating Club concerned shall remain responsible as the HostClub for all arrangements for the staging of its home Match(es), including but notlimited to all costs as set out in these Regulations.
14.3.2. Should the Participating Club refuse to participate in the Match(es) at the Neutral
Venue selected by the AFC General Secretariat, it shall be considered to havewithdrawn from the Competition and be subject to Article 5 of these Regulations.

14.4.

24

For any Match played at a Neutral Venue, the Host Club must organise and stage the Matchin accordance with these Regulations, the Manual and any instructions from the AFC, incooperation with the Host Association and the local authorities.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
14.5.

Host Clubs shall ensure that no football matches and/or any other events or activities areheld at any Stadium during the period starting at least two (2) days prior to each Match until
one (1) day after the Match, unless prior written permission has been obtained from the AFC
General Secretariat. The Stadium shall be delivered to the AFC for its exclusive use during thisperiod.
14.5.1. A Host Club that fails to comply with Article 14.5 of these Regulations shall be finedat least USD10,000.
14.5.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

14.6.

FinalsThe Host Association shall ensure that all Matches of the Finals are played in Stadiums whichmeet the requirements defined in the AFC Stadium Regulations and any other applicable AFC
regulations. The AFC General Secretariat may carry out stadium inspections at any time before
and during the Competition to check whether the requirements are met. All costs related toany such inspection shall be borne by the Host Association.

14.7.

The relevant Host Association shall ensure that no football matches and/or any other eventsor activities are held in any Stadium during the period starting at least fourteen (14) days prior
to the first Match of the Finals until two (2) days after the completion of the last Match in the
Stadium unless prior written permission has been obtained from the AFC.

14.8.

Unless otherwise specified or directed by the AFC, each Stadium shall be made available to
the AFC for its exclusive use during the period starting at least ten (10) days prior to the dateon which the Stadium will first be used in connection with the Finals (such as the first Matchor training session to be held in the Stadium, or other Competition-related event to be heldin the Stadium prior to such Match or training session) until two (2) days after the last use of
the Stadium in connection with the Finals.

14.9.

A Host Association that fails to comply with Articles 14.7 or 14.8 of these Regulations shall be:
14.9.1. fined at least USD10,000; and14.9.2. the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

15. FIELD OF PLAY
15.1.

If a Host Club considers the Field of Play unfit for a Match, it shall immediately inform the AFC,
the Away Club and the Match Officials before their departure to the Venue.
15.1.1. A Participating Club that fails to comply with Article 15.1 shall be liable for all costs
incurred for the travel, board and lodging expenses of the parties involved.

25

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
15.2.

The AFC Match Commissioner and Match Officials will inspect each Stadium prior to the
Match and ensure that all arrangements are in accordance with the Laws of the Game. If thearrangements and the conditions of the Field of Play including the dimension of the goal andfield are not in accordance with the Laws of the Game, the AFC Match Commissioner shallissue instructions to the Host Club to ensure rectification.
15.2.1. If, in the opinion of the Referee, the instructions issued pursuant to Article 15.2 are
not complied with by the start of the Match, the Host Club shall forfeit the Match inaccordance with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

16. OFFICIAL TRAINING SITES
16.1.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
Each Participating Club shall nominate the Official Training Sites to be utilised for its home
Matches when entering the Competition. The AFC General Secretariat makes the final decision
to approve any Official Training Site and may carry out inspections at any time before andduring the Competition to check whether the requirements are met. All costs related to theinspection shall be borne by the relevant Participating Club.
16.1.1. The AFC reserves the right to refuse the nomination of an Official Training Site andrequire a Participating Club to nominate an alternative Official Training Site.
16.1.2. Official Training Sites shall be situated no more than thirty (30) minutes or thirty(30) kilometres away from the Accommodation of the Away Club, unless otherwise
approved by the AFC.

16.2.

Official Training Sites shall contain a fully-equipped training field prepared to match condition.
16.2.1. A Host Club that fails to comply with Article 16.2 of these Regulations shall be finedat least USD10,000.
16.2.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

16.3.

Official Training Sites shall be made available at least two (2) days prior to each Match until
the commencement of the Match. They shall not be used for any other purpose during thisperiod, unless prior written permission has been obtained from the AFC.
16.3.1. A Host Club that fails to comply with Article 16.3 shall be fined at least USD10,000.
16.3.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

16.4.

26

Participating Clubs must strictly follow the official training schedule decided in the matchcoordination meeting one (1) day prior to the Match. Should both Participating Clubs wish totrain at the same time, the Away Club shall be given priority.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS

16.5.

FinalsThe Host Association shall ensure that Official Training Sites are available at least ten (10)days prior to the first Match of the Finals in the Venue until one (1) day after the last Matchin the Venue. They shall not be used for any other purpose during this period, unless written
permission has been obtained from the AFC.
16.5.1. A Host Association that fails to comply with Article 16.5 of these Regulations shall be
fined at least USD10,000.
16.5.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions in addition
to Article 16.5.1 of these Regulations.

16.6.

Participating Clubs must solely utilise Official Training Sites for training (excluding any official
training that may be held at a Stadium) from four (4) days prior to their first Match or fromtheir arrival, whichever is latest.

27

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 4 : TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
17. LAWS OF THE GAME
17.1.

All Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game. In the case of any
discrepancy in the interpretation of the Laws of the Game, the English version shall prevail.

17.2.

Each Match shall last ninety (90) minutes, comprising two (2) periods of forty-five (45) minutes,
with a half-time interval of fifteen (15) minutes and wherever required in accordance with
Article 10 of these Regulations, Extra Time shall be played.

17.3.

Five (5) of the substitutes listed on the Match Start List may take part in the Match. Any
Participating Player who has been substituted may take no further part in that Match.

17.4.

The AFC General Secretariat may, at its discretion, decide to use football technologies in any
Match or Matches in the Competition or in the Competition as a whole (including Goal-Line
Technology [GLT], a Video Assistant Referee [VAR] system or Electronic Performance andTracking Systems [EPTS]) in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

18. REFEREEING
18.1.

If the Referee is prevented from carrying out his/her duties, such Referee shall be replaced by
the Fourth Official. The same applies for either of the Assistant Referees if a Reserve Assistant
Referee is not appointed.

18.2.

A Video Assistant Referee (VAR) may assist the Referee to make a decision using replay footagein accordance with the relevant provisions of the Laws of the Game in force at the time of theCompetition.

19. TEAM BENCH AND TECHNICAL AREA

28

19.1.

A maximum of twelve (12) Participating Players and a maximum of eleven (11) Participating
Officials are permitted to sit on the team bench during a Match, provided they are in possessionof the appropriate Accreditation Devices.

19.2.

The Host Club or Host Association (as appropriate) shall reserve a minimum of thirty-one(31) Team Technical Seats for each Participating Club’s additional Participating Players andParticipating Officials who will not be seated on the team bench. For the avoidance of doubt,
only up to twelve (12) Participating Players and nineteen (19) Participating Officials from eachParticipating Club who are duly registered for the Competition are permitted to sit on the TeamTechnical Seats, and they must be in possession of the appropriate Accreditation Devices.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
20. FOOTBALLS
20.1.

Preliminary Stage
The footballs used in the Preliminary Stage shall be selected and supplied by each Host Club.
The Host Club shall supply the Away Club with the same footballs for its training throughout
the period of its stay.

20.2.

Participating Clubs shall solely utilise the training footballs provided by the Host Club for
official training and warming-up purposes.

20.3.

Only footballs that bear one (1) of the FIFA quality marks shall be utilised for the Preliminary
Stage.

20.4.

League Stage and Knockout Stage
The footballs used in the League Stage and Knockout Stage shall be selected and supplied by
the AFC General Secretariat.

20.5.

Each Participating Club entering the League Stage shall receive twenty (20) footballs fortraining prior to the League Stage. Participating Clubs shall solely utilise the twenty (20)training footballs provided by the AFC for training and warming-up purposes both duringhome and away Matches.

20.6.

The Host Club and/or Host Association (as appropriate) shall receive footballs for each Matchit hosts, and these Match balls must only be used for the Match(es).

20.7.

Each Member Association and/or its Participating Club(s) are responsible for any taxes and/or fees pertaining to the customs clearance of footballs delivered to the Member Association
and when travelling for their away Matches.

21. EQUIPMENT
21.1.

The AFC General Secretariat has the sole authority to approve the equipment (including kit)in accordance with the AFC Equipment Regulations.

21.2.

Each Participating Club shall indemnify the AFC and hold the AFC harmless from any andall damages in the event that a conflict arises as a result of any endorsement deal existing
between itself and its sponsor(s) which contravenes the AFC Equipment Regulations.

29

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 5 : TEAM OFFICIAL DELEGATION
22. OFFICIAL TEAM DELEGATION
22.1.

All Participating Players and Participating Officials of an Official Team Delegation will be issued
with Accreditation Devices authorised by the AFC General Secretariat. Each Participating Club
shall produce the Accreditation Cards for its Participating Players and Participating Officials
using the materials provided by the AFC General Secretariat.

22.2.

Each Participating Club shall ensure that no person in its Official Team Delegation or otherwise
affiliated to it, enters or is present on its team bus, in its team dressing room, on the Fieldof Play, or in any other Controlled Access Area without being in physical possession of thenecessary Accreditation Devices which has been validly issued to such person.

22.3.

Subject to the conditions set out below, for each Match in the Competition, Participating
Clubs shall register an Official Team Delegation comprising a minimum of eighteen (18)and a maximum of twenty-three (23) Participating Players and a minimum of three (3) and amaximum of eleven (11) Participating Officials.
22.3.1. Each Participating Club may nominate an additional nineteen (19) Participating
Officials as part of its Official Team Delegation, who shall receive the same
Accreditation Card as the eleven (11) Participating Officials referred to above.
22.3.2. All costs related to the additional nineteen (19) Participating Officials shall be borneby the relevant Participating Club.

23. REGISTRATION WINDOWS
23.1.

There are three (3) registration windows for the Competition. The registration windows shallopen on the dates communicated by the AFC General Secretariat. In principle, the applicabilityof each registration window and the relevant closing dates are as follows:
23.1.1. Registration Window 1: This registration window applies to all Participating Clubs in
the Preliminary Stage. It shall close fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant Participating
Club’s first Match in the Competition.
23.1.2. Registration Window 2: This registration window applies to all Participating Clubsin the League Stage for Match days one to six (MD1 to MD6). It shall close thirty (30)days prior to the first Match of the relevant region (i.e. West Region or East Region,
as appropriate) in the League Stage.
23.1.3. Registration Window 3: This registration window applies to all Participating Clubsin the League Stage for Match day seven (MD7) onwards. It shall close fifteen (15)days prior to the first Match of the relevant region (i.e. West Region or East Region,
as appropriate) in MD7 of the League Stage.

30

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
23.2.

Participating Players and Participating Officials registered pursuant to the additional
registration provisions contained in Articles 28.4, 29.4, 30.4 and/or 32.7 of these Regulations
are considered to have been registered during the same registration window covered by those
relevant provisions.

24. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
24.1.

During each registration window, each Participating Club must submit two (2) lists of players
as follows:
24.1.1. List A: each Participating Club must register a minimum of eighteen (18) and amaximum of twenty-five (25) players. As a minimum, two (2) places are reserved
exclusively for Homegrown Players and no club may have more than one (1)Association-Trained Player listed in these two (2) places on List A. If a Participating
Club has fewer than two (2) Homegrown Players in List A, then the maximum numberof players on List A is reduced as follows:
Club-Trained

Association-Trained(excl. Club-Trained)

Max. for List A

2

0

25

1

1

25

1

0

24

0

1

24

0

0

23

24.1.2. List B: each Participating Club may register up to ten (10) players. Only players whoare born on or after 1 January 2003 may be registered on List B.
24.1.3. Each Participating Club is responsible for submitting to the AFC General Secretariat
its List A and List B, duly signed by the Participating Club and verified, validated andadditionally signed by its Member Association. List A must specify each and every
player who qualifies as a Homegrown Player, as well as stating whether they are an
Association-Trained Player or a Club-Trained Player.
24.2.

Should the AFC General Secretariat not receive all required documents by the stipulated
deadline for a Registration Window, the relevant Participating Club concerned shall beconsidered to have withdrawn from the Competition and be subject to Article 5 of theseRegulations.

31

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
25. DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
25.1.

Participating Players must be registered via AFCAS with the supporting documents set out inthe Manual, together with any additional information and/or documents requested by the
AFC General Secretariat.

26. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
26.1.

Each Participating Club shall ensure that all players:
26.1.1. are duly registered with the AFC pursuant to these Regulations; and26.1.2. are duly registered for the Participating Club in accordance with its Member
Association’s transfer rules and registration periods, as well as the FIFA Regulations
on the Status and Transfer of Players.

26.2.

Individuals who meet the criteria set out in Article 26.1 are eligible to participate in theCompetition, subject to the provisions of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

26.3.

Each Participating Club shall ensure to submit authentic documents for registration of its
Participating Players.

26.4.

The approval of the registration of a Participating Player by the AFC General Secretariat does
not mean that the Participating Player is eligible to participate in the Competition. Each
Participating Club is responsible for fielding only eligible Participating Players in a Match.
Failure to do so shall lead to the consequences stipulated in the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics
Code.

26.5.

A Participating Player shall be deemed ineligible, without limitation, if:26.5.1. there is a violation of Article 26.1; or
26.5.2. he participates in a Match contrary to a decision of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics
Committee, these Regulations, or the operation of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics
Code; or26.5.3. the AFC determines that any document submitted during registration is falsified,forged or otherwise invalid.

27. PLAYER STATUS
27.1.

32

A Participating Player shall only be registered with one (1) Participating Club per registration
window. A Participating Player can only change his homegrown registration status (i.e. either
to an Association-Trained Player or a Club-Trained Player) during the registration windows,
including the additional registration period as per Articles 28.4, 29.4 and 30.4 stipulated inthese Regulations.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
27.2.

A Participating Player shall not be eligible to play a Match for more than one (1) Participating
Club per stage of the Competition (cf. Article 6.1 of these Regulations). A Participating Playerthat has been fielded by a Participating Club in a stage of the Competition cannot be registered
for another Participating Club in that same stage. For the avoidance of doubt, a player who
has not been fielded by a Participating Club shall be entitled to play for another Participating
Club in the same stage of a Competition, provided that he is registered in accordance withthese Regulations.

27.3.

If a violation of Article 27.1 or Article 27.2 occurs:
27.3.1. the Participating Player may be sanctioned with a ban on participating in a minimumof one (1) future season of AFC club competitions, unless he can demonstrate that
extenuating circumstances existed;
27.3.2. the Participating Club shall forfeit any Match in which the Participating Player has
been fielded in accordance with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code; and27.3.3. the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

27.4.

For the purposes of the employment contract of a Participating Player, his date of registration
with a Participating Club shall be:
27.4.1. for Participating Players who transferred internationally to the Participating Club:the date of confirmation of receipt of the International Transfer Certificate (“ITC”) or
the date of provisional registration with the Participating Club’s Member Association
pursuant to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, submitted inaccordance with Article 25; and27.4.2. for Participating Players who transferred domestically to the Participating Club orare ‘homegrown’ players: the official date of the contract submitted in accordancewith Article 25.

28. REGISTRATION WINDOW 1
28.1.

Each Participating Club shall submit its registration of Participating Players and supporting
documents in accordance with Article 25 via AFCAS by the deadline set by the AFC General
Secretariat.

28.2.

Each Participating Club shall submit a list of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a maximum of
thirty-five (35) Participating Players in accordance with Article 24 of these Regulations.
28.2.1. Each Participating Club must register a minimum of three (3) goalkeepers in its
registration. A minimum of two (2) goalkeepers must be registered on List A.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
28.2.2. Participating Players must be assigned a number between 1 and 99. Number 1 shallbe reserved for a goalkeeper if the number is used. Each Participating Player shallwear the same number allocated in his first registration during all Matches in theCompetition. Participating Players additionally registered in accordance with Article
28.4 may only be allocated a new number.
28.3.

If a Participating Club fails to submit its list of Participating Players in accordance with theseRegulations by the stipulated deadline, it shall be considered to have withdrawn from theCompetition and be subject to Article 5 of these Regulations. Proof of submission by facsimile,courier and/or email will not be accepted.

28.4.

Once the registration of Participating Players has been received by the AFC General Secretariat
and after the stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may:
28.4.1. no later than five (5) days prior to their first Match in the Preliminary Stage, replaceor add up to five (5) Participating Players for any reason, provided that the maximum
number of registered players is not exceeded; and28.4.2. no later than five (5) days prior to their last Match in the Preliminary Stage, replace or
add up to three (3) Participating Players for any reason provided that the maximum
number of registered players is not exceeded and the newly registered Participating
Player(s) have only been transferred into the Participating Club after the deadline
stipulated in Article 28.4.1.

28.5.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions for additional registration (cf. Articles 28.4.1 and28.4.2), if at any stage during the Preliminary Stage, two (2) or more Participating Players who
are registered as goalkeepers suffer long-term injuries or illness, the relevant Participating
Club may request to replace one (1) or more of these goalkeeper(s) by registering one (1) or
more new Participating Players as goalkeepers (as appropriate).
28.5.1. An injury or illness shall be considered long-term for the purposes of this Article if itwill or can reasonably be expected to last for thirty (30) days or longer (as from thedate of the request).
28.5.2. A medical report, in English, must be submitted to the AFC General Secretariat
detailing the extent of the injury or illness to the relevant Participating Player(s)before any replacement(s) can be approved by the AFC General Secretariat.
28.5.3. Any replacement must be requested no later than twenty-four (24) hours before the
kick-off time of the Participating Club’s next Match.
28.5.4. The AFC General Secretariat shall decide on any replacement(s) at its sole discretion,
and any such decisions shall be final and binding and not appealable.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
28.5.5. Incidents involving the provision of false or misleading evidence or information to the
AFC in connection with any replacement under this Article (as regards the provisionof medical reports or otherwise) may be referred to the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics
Committee.
28.5.6. For the avoidance of doubt, once a Participating Player has been replaced, such player
cannot be re-registered in the Competition (including as a replacement) during thesame registration window.
28.6.

Participating Players registered pursuant to the provisions for additional registration set out
in Article 28 of these Regulations shall only be eligible to participate in the Competition after
receiving their Accreditation Cards.

29. REGISTRATION WINDOW 2
29.1.

Each Participating Club shall submit its registration of Participating Players and supporting
documents in accordance with Article 25 via AFCAS by the deadline set by the AFC General
Secretariat.

29.2.

Each Participating Club shall submit a list of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a maximum of
thirty-five (35) Participating Players in accordance with Article 24 of these Regulations .
29.2.1. Each Participating Club must register a minimum of three (3) goalkeepers in its
registration. A minimum of two (2) goalkeepers must be registered on List A.
29.2.2. Participating Players must be assigned a number between 1 and 99. Number 1 shallbe reserved for a goalkeeper if the number is used. Each Participating Player shallwear the same number allocated in his first registration during all Matches in theCompetition. Participating Players additionally registered in accordance with Article
29.4 may only be allocated a new number.

29.3.

If a Participating Club fails to submit its list of Participating Players in accordance with theseRegulations by the stipulated deadline, it shall be considered to have withdrawn from theCompetition and be subject to Article 5 of these Regulations. Proof of submission by facsimile,courier and/or email will not be accepted.

29.4.

Once the registration of Participating Players has been received by the AFC General Secretariat
and after the stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may:
29.4.1. no later than five (5) days prior to their first Match in the League Stage, replace or
add up to five (5) Participating Players for any reason provided that the maximum
number of registered players is not exceeded; and29.4.2. no later than 31 October 2024, replace or add up to three (3) Participating Players forany reason provided that the maximum number of registered players is not exceeded
and the newly registered Participating Player(s) have only been transferred in to theParticipating Club after the deadline stipulated in Article 29.4.1.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
29.5.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions for additional registration (cf. Articles 29.4.1 and29.4.2), if at any stage during the League Stage, two (2) or more Participating Players who are
registered as goalkeepers suffer long-term injuries or illness, the relevant Participating Clubmay request to replace one (1) or more of these goalkeeper(s) by registering one (1) or more
new Participating Players as goalkeepers (as appropriate). The provisions of Articles 28.5.1
to 28.5.6 shall apply equally to registration window 2.

29.6.

Participating Players registered pursuant to the provisions for additional registration set out
in Article 29 of these Regulations shall only be eligible to participate in the Competition after
receiving their Accreditation Cards.

30. REGISTRATION WINDOW 3
30.1.

Each Participating Club shall submit its registration of Participating Players and supporting
documents in accordance with Article 25 of these Regulations via AFCAS by the deadline set
by the AFC General Secretariat.

30.2.

Each Participating Club shall submit a list of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a maximum of
thirty-five (35) Participating Players in accordance with Article 24 of these Regulations.
30.2.1. Each Participating Club must register a minimum of three (3) goalkeepers in its
registration. A minimum of two (2) goalkeepers must be registered on List A.
30.2.2. Participating Players must be assigned a number between 1 and 99. Number 1 shallbe reserved for a goalkeeper if the number is used. Each Participating Player shallwear the same number allocated in his first registration during all Matches in theCompetition. Participating Players additionally registered in accordance with Article
30.4 may only be allocated a new number.

30.3.

If a Participating Club fails to submit its list of Participating Players in accordance with theseRegulations by the stipulated deadline, it shall be considered to have withdrawn from theCompetition and be subject to Article 5 of these Regulations. Proof of submission by facsimile,courier and/or email will not be accepted.

30.4.

Once the registration of Participating Players has been received by the AFC General Secretariat,
and after the stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may:
30.4.1. no later than five (5) days prior to their Match day seven (MD7) of the League Stage,
replace or add up to five (5) Participating Players for any reason provided that the
maximum number of registered players is not exceeded; and30.4.2. no later than 31 March 2025, replace or add up to three (3) Participating Players forany reason provided that the maximum number of registered players is not exceeded
and the newly registered Participating Player(s) have only been transferred in to theParticipating Club after the deadline stipulated in Article 30.4.1.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
30.5.

For the avoidance of doubt, no further replacement or addition of Participating Players shallbe permitted after the deadline stipulated in Article 30.4.2.

30.6.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions for additional registration (cf. Articles 30.4.1
and 30.4.2), if at any stage during the League Stage or Knockout Stage, two (2) or more
Participating Players who are registered as goalkeepers suffer long-term injuries or illness,the relevant Participating Club may request to replace one (1) or more of these goalkeeper(s)by registering one (1) or more new Participating Players as goalkeepers (as appropriate). The
provisions of Articles 28.5.1 to 28.5.6 shall apply equally to registration window 3.

30.7.

Participating Players registered pursuant to the provisions for additional registration set out
in Article 30 of these Regulations shall only be eligible to participate in the Competition after
receiving their Accreditation Cards.

31. PLAYER SELECTION LIST
31.1.

Each Participating Club must submit a Player Selection List prior to each Match which
identifies the starting eleven (11), including the team captain and up to twelve (12) substitutes
comprising individuals registered in the relevant registration window. For the avoidance of
doubt, Participating Players can be selected from both List A and List B.
31.1.1. Each Participating Player who is selected on the Player Selection List must be available
at the player and equipment check undertaken by the AFC Match Commissioner on
Match day.

31.2.

Each Participating Club shall submit its Player Selection List signed by the Head Coach or theTeam Manager, together with the Officials on the Substitution Bench form with the namesof the eleven (11) Participating Officials who shall be entitled to sit on the team bench, to the
AFC Match Commissioner at least ninety (90) minutes prior to the commencement of each
Match.

32. REGISTRATION OF OFFICIALS
32.1.

Each Participating Club shall submit its list of Participating Officials and the supporting
documents in accordance with Article 33 of these Regulations by the deadline set by the AFC
General Secretariat for the relevant registration window.

32.2.

Each Participating Club shall submit a list of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of thirty(30) Participating Officials.

32.3.

Each Participating Club must include the following three (3) Participating Officials in theregistration list:
32.3.1. Head Coach;32.3.2. Team Manager (who shall also act as the Team Media Officer in accordance with the
Manual in case there is no dedicated Team Media Officer); and37

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
32.3.3. an appropriately qualified person responsible for medical matters (e.g. team doctor
or physiotherapist).
32.4.

Up to eleven (11) Participating Officials may sit on the team bench for each Match. The
following three (3) Participating Officials must be registered on the Officials on the Substitution
Bench list:
32.4.1. Head Coach;
32.4.2. Team Manager; and32.4.3. an appropriately qualified person responsible for medical matters (e.g. team doctor
or physiotherapist).

32.5.

Each Participating Club is entitled to register up to two (2) video analysts who shall be theonly members of an Official Team Delegation entitled to record Matches in the relevant stageof the Competition using only one (1) lightweight amateur camera. This recording shall bestrictly for technical purposes and should not interfere with Match operations or be utilisedby any Broadcast Partner or otherwise distributed.

32.6.

If a Participating Club fails to submit its list of Participating Officials in accordance with theseRegulations by the stipulated deadline, it shall be considered to have withdrawn from theCompetition and be subject to Article 5. Proof of submission by facsimile, courier and/or email
will not be accepted.

32.7.

Once the registration of Participating Officials has been received by the AFC General
Secretariat and after the stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may replaceor add Participating Officials for any reason at any stage with twenty-four (24) hours’ noticeto the AFC General Secretariat by submitting the documents set out in Article 33 via AFCAS,
provided that the maximum number of registered officials is not exceeded. Such Participating
Officials registered as replacements shall only be eligible to participate in the Competition
after receiving their Accreditation Card.

33. DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF OFFICIALS
33.1.

38

Participating Officials must be registered via AFCAS with the supporting documents set out
in the Manual, together with any additional information and/or documents requested by the
AFC General Secretariat.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 6 : MEDIA
34. MEDIA ACCESS
34.1.

34.2.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
The Host Club and its Member Association shall ensure that the AFC, AFC Commercial Rights
Partners, Commercial Affiliates, the Host Broadcaster, and all Broadcast Partners have freeaccess to the Stadium from two (2) days prior to each Match in the Stadium until one (1) dayafter the Match in the Stadium to allow for the resolution of any technical issues and for theassembly and/or disassembly of the relevant infrastructure required to execute the Media
Rights.
FinalsThe Host Association shall ensure that the AFC, AFC Commercial Rights Partners, Commercial
Affiliates, the Host Broadcaster, and all Broadcast Partners have free access to the Stadiumfrom ten (10) days prior to each Match in the Stadium until two (2) days after the Match in
the Stadium to allow for the resolution of any technical issues and for the assembly and/or
disassembly of the relevant infrastructure required to execute the Media Rights.

35. PRESS CONFERENCES
35.1.

The Host Club is responsible for the organisation of a pre-Match press conference to be
conducted under the supervision of the Local Media Officer at least one (1) day prior to each
Match it hosts in the Competition, except for Finals, where the Host Association shall be
responsible.

35.2.

The Head Coach and a minimum of one (1) of the key Participating Players of each Participating
Club must attend a pre-Match press conference for each Match in which they participate. The
AFC General Secretariat shall decide the final timing of the pre-Match press conference in theabsence of an agreement on timing by the Participating Clubs.

35.3.

The Head Coach of each Participating Club and Player of the Match must attend a post-Matchpress conference for each Match in which they participate, commencing no later than fifteen(15) minutes after the Match. Where additional awards are granted, the winner of such awards
must also attend the post-Match press conference if requested by the AFC General Secretariat.

35.4.

Each Participating Club is responsible for the interpretation and translation of any
communication made by its Participating Players and Participating Officials into English.
Interpretation into the local language (if applicable) shall be the responsibility of the Host
Club, except for Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible.

35.5.

Any individual who fails to attend an obligatory press conference shall be fined at least
USD10,000. The relevant Participating Club shall also be held liable for any failure to attend apress conference in accordance with Article 3.3.9 of these Regulations. The AFC Disciplinary
and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
36. INTERVIEWS
36.1.

If requested by the AFC , Participating Clubs shall make their Head Coach and selected
Participating Players available for an interview of up to ten (10) minutes, to be recorded by the
Host Broadcaster or any other Broadcast Partner, any Commercial Affiliate and/or the AFC. Allinterview locations shall be designated by the Local Media Officer or AFC Match Commissioner.
36.1.1. For the  League Stage, any such interview shall be conducted one (1) day prior to the
Match.
36.1.2. For the Knockout Stage, any such interview shall be conducted one (1) or two (2) days
prior to the Match.

36.2.

If requested by the AFC, Participating Clubs shall make one (1) of their key Participating Players
determined by the AFC available on Match day for an interview of not more than ninety (90)seconds at their point of arrival at the Stadium for the Match.

36.3.

If requested by the AFC, Participating Clubs shall make their Head Coach available on Match
day for an interview of not more than ninety (90) seconds before the start of their respective
team’s warm-up for the Match.

36.4.

Any individual who fails to conduct an interview when requested shall be fined at least
USD10,000. The relevant Participating Club may also be held liable for any failure to conduct
an interview when requested in accordance with Article 3.3.9 of these Regulations. The AFC
Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

37. FLASH INTERVIEWS

40

37.1.

Participating Players and Participating Officials are not permitted to give interviews at theStadium without the express permission of the AFC.

37.2.

The Local Media Officer may designate an area for multilateral and unilateral flash interviews
to be conducted by the Host Broadcaster and the Broadcast Partners (as applicable) following
the conclusion of each Match.

37.3.

If requested by the AFC, the Head Coach and up to five (5) Participating Players from eachParticipating Club shall participate in flash interviews carried out by the Host Broadcaster andother Broadcast Partners following each Match.

37.4.

Any individual who fails to conduct a flash interview when requested shall be fined at least
USD10,000. The relevant Participating Club may also be held liable for any failure to conduct
a flash interview when requested in accordance with Article 3.3.9 of these Regulations. The
AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
38. MIXED ZONE
38.1.

All Participating Players of each Participating Club shall pass through the mixed zone on their
way from their team dressing room to their bus after each Match. The Head Coach shall be
required to pass through the mixed zone on the way from the team dressing room to the bus
after each Match only if there is no post-Match press conference held after the Match.

38.2.

Any individual who fails to pass through the mixed zone shall be fined at least USD10,000. The
relevant Participating Club may also be held liable for any failure to pass through the mixedzone in accordance with Article 3.3.9. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose
further sanctions at its discretion.

39. ACCESS TO MATCH FOOTAGE
39.1.

Preliminary Stage
The relevant Host Club shall provide the AFC with the match footage in an acceptable broadcast
quality and format within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the relevant Match.

39.2.

League Stage & Knockout StageThe AFC General Secretariat shall provide each Participating Club with access to download
the relevant Match footage in accordance with the applicable AFC guidelines.

41

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 7 : TICKETING
40. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
40.1.

Tickets, electronic or hard copy, shall include seat numbering and serial numbering, and only
include AFC Marks, Competition Marks, and/or marks of Commercial Affiliates approved by
the AFC.

40.2.

The AFC General Secretariat reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute the seatingarea or the gate entrance identified on a Ticket with another, if deemed appropriate forsecurity or technical reasons.

40.3.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, the Host Club mustensure that access to the Stadium is granted to the AFC Delegation, Away Club Official Team
Delegation, AFC Commercial Rights Partner, Commercial Affiliates, Media and travelling
supporters without any discrimination.

40.4.

The AFC General Secretariat shall determine the Ticketing policy for the Finals.

41. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
41.1.

Unless otherwise advised by the AFC General Secretariat in writing, except for the Finals,
where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club shall be responsible at its
own cost for the production, distribution, and sales of all Tickets. Such matters are subject tothe approval of the AFC. The AFC General Secretariat shall provide a Ticket template design
to the Host Clubs or Host Association (as appropriate).

41.2.

The AFC General Secretariat may, in collaboration with each Host Club or Host Association (asappropriate), issue special Ticketing terms and conditions which are applicable to all Ticket
holders.

41.3.

The AFC General Secretariat may change the terms and conditions and shall advise the HostClub or Host Association (as appropriate) on any requirements relating to Ticket production,
distribution and/or sales.

42. COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
42.1.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club shallprovide Complimentary Tickets to the AFC and/or AFC Commercial Rights Partner for each
Match in the quantities and categories as instructed by the AFC General Secretariat, in
accordance with the following deadlines:
42.1.1. Preliminary Stage: latest by seven (7) days before the Match;
42.1.2. League Stage: latest by fourteen (14) days before the Match;

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
42.1.3. Round of 16: latest by seven (7) days before the Match;
42.1.1. Finals: latest by fourteen (14) days before the first Match of the Finals.
42.2.

In the event that a Participating Club qualifies for any stage of the Competition and the time
period between the confirmation of such qualification and the scheduled home Match in therelevant stage is less than the deadlines set out in Article 42.1, such Participating Club must
provide the AFC, AFC Commercial Rights Partner and/or Commercial Affiliates with the relevantComplimentary Tickets for the home Match no later than two (2) days after the confirmationof its qualification.

42.3.

All Complimentary Tickets shall be provided in a continuous block.

42.4.

In certain circumstances (including, without limitation, where the relevant Away Club has notbeen determined by the deadline set out in Article 42.1), the Host Club or Host Association (asappropriate) shall provide Complimentary Tickets to the AFC, AFC Commercial Rights Partner
and/or Commercial Affiliates which contain generic information (e.g. referring to the Away
Club as “Winner of Preliminary Stage 2”).

42.5.

Each Host Club or Host Association (as appropriate) shall provide the following Complimentary
Tickets to the Away Club no later than at the match coordination meeting (which shall takeplace no later than one [1] day prior to the Match):
42.5.1. two (2) VVIP Tickets;
42.5.2. five (5) VIP Tickets; and42.5.3. twenty (20) Tickets of the next-best category (as determined by the AFC General
Secretariat).

42.6.
42.7.

FinalsThe AFC reserves all rights in relation to Ticketing.
Notwithstanding Article 42.6, the AFC General Secretariat is entitled to request any additional
complimentary Tickets for a Match, the number of which shall be communicated to the HostClub or Host Association (as appropriate) at the appropriate time.

43. PURCHASABLE TICKETS
43.1.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
Each Host Club must make available at least five percent (5%) of the net saleable capacity of
the Stadium available exclusively to the supporters of the Away Club in a segregated and safearea to be determined by the Host Club and the AFC General Secretariat.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
43.2.

The number of Tickets to be purchased must be declared to the Host Club by the deadline
set in Article 42.1 of these Regulations with full payment by the Away Club to the Host Club.
The Away Club is responsible for all Tickets purchased, even if the Tickets are not utilised.
The price of the Tickets shall not exceed the price of comparable Tickets that are sold to the
supporters of the Host Club.

43.3.

Each Host Club shall provide the AFC Commercial Rights Partner with the opportunity to buy
Tickets at face value for each Match as instructed by the AFC General Secretariat. The numberof Tickets to be purchased must be declared at a time to be mutually agreed between the AFC
Commercial Rights Partner and the Host Club.

43.4.

The AFC shall be able to purchase Tickets at face value and on an individual Match basis fromeach Host Club for itself and its Commercial Affiliates.

43.5.

44

FinalsThe Host Association must make available for each Match at least five percent (5%) of the net
saleable capacity of each Stadium available exclusively to the supporters of each Participating
Club playing in a Match, in a segregated and safe area to be determined by the AFC General
Secretariat and the Host Association.

43.6.

The number of Tickets to be purchased must be declared by each Participating Club inaccordance with the Ticketing timeline and guidelines issued by the AFC General Secretariat.
Each Participating Club is responsible for all Tickets purchased, even if the Tickets are notutilised. The price of the Tickets shall not exceed the price of comparable Tickets that are soldto the general public in the relevant Host Association.

43.7.

The Host Association shall provide the AFC Commercial Rights Partner with the opportunity
to buy Tickets at face value for each Match. The number of Tickets to be purchased must be
declared at a time to be mutually agreed between the AFC Commercial Rights Partner andthe Host Association.

43.8.

The AFC is entitled to request any additional purchasable Tickets for a Match, the numberof which shall be communicated to the Host Club or Host Association (as appropriate) at theappropriate time.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 8 : COMMERCIAL
44. COMMERCIAL RIGHTS
44.1.

The AFC is the owner of all the Commercial Rights emanating from the Competition as
well as from any other related events under its jurisdiction, without any restrictions as tocontent, time, place and law. The AFC may grant the Host Clubs the Commercial Rights to
the Preliminary Stage, in whole or in part, in accordance with the Manual which governs therights, duties, and responsibilities of all parties regarding the Commercial Rights. All other
Commercial Rights not granted under these Regulations and/or the Manual shall be retainedby the AFC for use and exploitation.

44.2.

Each Host Club and its Member Association and the Host Association (as appropriate) shalluse its best endeavours in seeking political and administrative support from all local, regionaland national governmental authorities to ensure the effective exploitation and protection of
the Commercial Rights (including through the implementation of government guarantees
and tabling of supplementary legislation).

44.3.

Each Host Club and its Member Association and the Host Association (as appropriate) shallappoint a reasonable number of personnel to assist the AFC in the implementation andenforcement of its rights protection programme.

45. CLEAN STADIUM
45.1.

45.2.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
Except where otherwise instructed or notified by the AFC General Secretariat, the Host Cluband its Member Association shall deliver the Stadium and Official Training Site as a Clean
Stadium two (2) days before each Match or official training at the Official Training Site until
the completion of the Match.
FinalsExcept where otherwise instructed or notified by the AFC General Secretariat, the Host
Association shall deliver each Stadium and Official Training Site as a Clean Stadium ten (10)days before the first Match at each Stadium or training at each Official Training Site, until 24hours after the last Match at each Stadium or the last training at each Official Training Site.

46. ADVERTISING AND BRANDING
46.1.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
Except where otherwise stipulated or notified by the AFC General Secretariat, each HostClub and its Member Association shall ensure that all relevant approvals are secured andunrestricted access for the placement and publishing of advertising or branding of theCompetition shall be available to the AFC General Secretariat two (2) days before each Matchat the Stadium or training at the Official Training Site.

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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS

46.2.

46

FinalsExcept where otherwise stipulated or notified by the AFC General Secretariat, the Host
Association and its Member Association shall ensure that all relevant approvals are secured
and unrestricted access for the placement and publishing of advertising and/or brandingof the Competition shall be available to the AFC ten (10) days before the first Match at each
Stadium or training at each Official Training Site.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 9 : SAFETY AND SECURITY
47. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
47.1.

All matters relating to safety and security shall be undertaken in compliance with the AFC
Stadium Regulations and AFC Safety and Security Regulations.

47.2.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club andits Member Association shall, in cooperation with the relevant government authorities and/or Stadium owners, devise, plan, and implement adequate security and safety measures for
the Competition at all Controlled Access Areas within the Venue and other relevant locations
to protect all relevant persons, including without limitation the AFC Delegation, Official Team
Delegations, AFC Commercial Rights Partner, Commercial Affiliates, Media, spectators, allgoods brought in by the AFC, Official Team Delegations, AFC Commercial Rights Partner andCommercial Affiliates.

47.3.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club and its
Member Association shall issue a detailed security plan in the form of a binding agreement
with, without limitation, the management of the Stadium, Official Training Site(s) and the
Accommodation of the AFC Delegation and Official Team Delegations. This security plan
shall be based upon the principles set out in the AFC Stadium Regulations and AFC Safety andSecurity Regulations.

47.4.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club andits Member Association shall discharge the AFC and hold it harmless from all responsibility
and relinquish any claim against the AFC and the members of its delegation for any damages
resulting from any act or omission relating to the organisation of the Competition to the
exclusion of damages caused by the AFC or the members of its delegation acting with intent
or gross negligence.

47

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 10 : MEDICAL AND ANTI-DOPING
48. PRE-COMPETITION MEDICAL ASSESSMENT
48.1.

Each Participating Club and its Member Association shall ensure that each Participating Player
undergoes a Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) at least thirty (30) days prior to its
first Match of the Competition.
48.1.1. Participating Players who have undertaken a PCMA for a FIFA or other AFC competition
may provide the AFC General Secretariat with the physician and player’s declaration
form originally provided to FIFA or the AFC, provided that the PCMA was conductedwithin one (1) year of the start of the Competition.  
48.1.2. The AFC shall provide all Participating Clubs and their Member Association with the
PCMA form setting out the necessary matters to be tested, which shall include testing
to prevent players from experiencing sudden cardiac death during any Match.
48.1.3. Each Participating Club and its Member Association must submit to the AFC bylatest ten (10) days prior to the first Match of the Competition the following signed
documents:
48.1.3.1. Member Association Declaration of Agreement to the PCMA; and48.1.3.2. for each Participating Player, the Player and Examining Physician
Declaration for PCMA.
48.1.4. Any player for whom the required documents are not provided is not eligible to beregistered for the Competition.

48.2.

The AFC Medical Committee may, at its sole discretion, order any further medical evaluationof a Participating Player that it deems necessary. The cost of such further testing shall beborne by the AFC.

49. FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL
49.1.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club shallprovide a medical room and doping control room fully equipped with all items stipulated in
the Manual.

49.2.

A Host Club and/or Host Association of the Finals shall be fined:
49.2.1. at least USD20,000 for failing to fully equip the medical room; or
49.2.2. at least USD10,000 for failing to fully equip the doping control room; or48

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
49.2.3. at least USD40,000 for failing to fully equip both rooms.
49.2.4. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.
49.3.

Except for the Finals, where the Host Association shall be responsible, each Host Club shallprovide all medical personnel and doping control personnel stipulated in the Manual.

49.4.

A Host Club and/or Host Association of the Finals shall be fined:
49.4.1. at least USD10,000 for failing to provide all required doping control personnel; or
49.4.2. at least USD20,000 for failing to provide all required medical personnel.
49.4.3. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

50. ANTI-DOPING
50.1.

Doping is strictly prohibited. The AFC Anti-Doping Regulations, the AFC Disciplinary andEthics Code, and all relevant AFC directives in relation to anti-doping are applicable to theCompetition.

50.2.

The AFC General Secretariat shall inform each Participating Club and its Member Association
by means of a circular of the doping control procedure for the Competition.

50.3.

The AFC Anti-Doping Unit (mandated by the AFC Medical Committee to handle the organisation
and administration of anti-doping activities) shall be responsible for the approval of the
WADA–accredited laboratory which shall carry out the analysis of all doping samples.

49

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 11 : FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
51. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
51.1.

Any financial payments to be made by the AFC in accordance with these Regulations shall be
subject to all applicable laws, regulations, orders, by-laws and international sanctions.

52. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING CLUBS
52.1.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
Participating Clubs shall settle all logistical costs among themselves. The following conditions
shall apply during the official period of two (2) days prior to each Match until one (1) day after
the Match:
52.1.1. the Away Club shall cover its international and domestic travel costs to the Venue or
the nearest airport, as well as board, lodging costs and incidental expenses;
52.1.2. the Host Club shall cover the following domestic transport costs at the Venue for theentire Official Team Delegation of the Away Club, subject to flight connections:52.1.2.1. one (1) bus with a minimum of forty-five (45) seats;
52.1.2.2. one (1) multipurpose vehicle with a  minimum of seven (7) seats; and52.1.2.3. one (1) luggage truck for airport transfers, hotel transfers (if applicable)
and Match day;
52.1.3. the Host Club shall provide the Away Club with a liaison officer for the Away Club’s
entire stay at the Venue;
52.1.4. subject to the relevant national law and policies, where requested by the AFC General
Secretariat or the AFC Match Commissioner, a police escort shall be provided by the
Host Club to the Official Team Delegation of the Away Club for its travel to and fromtraining, Matches, Official Functions, and airport transfers;
52.1.5. the Participating Clubs are not permitted to stay at the same hotel as each other orat the hotel chosen for the AFC Delegation;
52.1.6. details of the logistical arrangements relating to a Match (including the mattersset out above) shall be notified to the AFC General Secretariat by the relevant
Participating Clubs in advance of the Match; and52.1.7. any disputes arising regarding the financial provisions under this Article 52 shall be
resolved amongst the relevant Participating Clubs and/or their Member Associations
but may be submitted to the AFC Competitions Committee for a final decision.

50

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS

52.2.
52.3.

FinalsThe Participating Clubs shall cover their international and domestic travel costs to the Venue
or the nearest airport, as well as all incidental expenses.
The AFC General Secretariat and Host Association shall cover the cost of all other logisticalarrangements for the Official Team Delegation in accordance with the OAA. Such arrangements
shall be communicated to the relevant Participating Clubs by circular prior to the Finals.

53. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR AFC DELEGATION
53.1.

Preliminary Stage, League Stage and Round of 16
From their arrival at the Venue until their departure, each Host Club must provide at its own
cost, for the AFC Delegation:
53.1.1. Accommodation in an international five-star hotel different from the Official Team
Delegations unless otherwise approved by the AFC General Secretariat (or aninternational four-star hotel if there are no international five-star hotels at the Venue);
53.1.2. three (3) meals per day (international buffet style) and one (1) additional light mealon Match day;
53.1.3. minimum six (6) litres of water per person per day, as well as ice and refreshments,
at the Accommodation, Referee training, and the Stadium;53.1.4. daily laundry services (but no dry cleaning or pressing) of eight (8) pieces per person
per day for the Match Officials (except for the Referee Assessor who shall be subject
to Article 53.1.5);
53.1.5. daily laundry services of six (6) pieces per person per day and dry cleaning of two (2)pieces per person on alternate days for the other members of the AFC Delegation;
53.1.6. activated mobile telecommunication cards (e.g. SIM Cards) with sufficient credit anddata;
53.1.7. a Club official or representative of the Host Club should be assigned to coordinate
airport reception, immigration and customs, airport transfers, domestictransportation and Accommodation for all Match Officials and the members of the
AFC Delegation;
53.1.8. liaison officers proficient in English;
53.1.9. one (1) sedan for the AFC Match Commissioner;
53.1.10. one (1) multipurpose vehicle with a minimum of seven (7) seats for the Match Officials;
and51AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
53.1.11. additional vehicles upon request of the AFC General Secretariat for other officials
appointed by the AFC.
53.2.

FinalsThe AFC General Secretariat and Host Association shall cover the cost of logistical arrangements
for the AFC Delegation in accordance with the OAA.

54. FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
54.1.

The Financial Contribution for Participating Clubs shall be made up of one (1) or more of thefollowing payments:
54.1.1. travel subsidy;
54.1.2. performance bonus; and/or
54.1.3. participation fee.

54.2.

Financial Contributions shall be sent directly to the Member Association of the Participating
Club(s), unless otherwise directed by the Member Association or decided by the AFC General
Secretariat at its sole discretion.

54.3.

All Financial Contributions shall be withheld should a Participating Club have any outstanding
payment to be made to the AFC or another Participating Club (and/or its Member Association)
and/or any unfulfilled financial obligations under the relevant Articles of these Regulations
until such time as the payment is made in full.

54.4.
54.5.

54.6.

54.7.

52

Travel Subsidy
For each Match in the Preliminary Stage of the Competition, the Away Club(s) shall receive a
travel subsidy of USD50,000.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in these Regulations, no travel subsidy shall be provided
to any Host Club which is required to play in a Neutral Venue in accordance with theseRegulations.
Performance Bonus
For each Match in the League Stage, a performance bonus of USD100,000 shall be paid to thewinner based on the result of the Match at the end of normal playing time.
Participation Fee
Each Participating Club in the League Stage shall receive a participation fee of USD800,000 for
taking part in the Competition. In addition, each Participating Club shall subsequently receive
the following participation fees for their qualification to the later stages of the Competition,
as below:

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
54.7.1. Round of 16 :USD200,000;

54.7.2. Quarter-finals :USD400,000; and54.7.3. Semi-finals :USD600,000.

55. PRIZE MONEY
55.1.

The AFC will pay the following prize monies to the Participating Clubs in the final Match of theCompetition:
55.1.1. Champion :USD10,000,000; and55.1.2. Runner-up :USD4,000,000.

For the avoidance of doubt, the above-mentioned prize monies shall be paid in addition to
the Financial Contributions.
55.2.

All prize money shall be withheld should a Participating Club have any outstanding payment
to be made to the AFC or another Participating Club (and/or its Member Association) and/or any unfulfilled financial obligations under the relevant Articles of these Regulations until
such time as the payment is made in full.

55.3.

Five percent (5%) of the prize monies from the Champion and runner-up (as stated in Article
55.1 of these Regulations) shall be retained and allocated to the AFC Dream Asia Foundation tofund social responsibility activities proposed by the Champion and runner-up respectively. The
Champion and runner-up will be required to submit their social responsibility activity proposal
to the AFC within twelve (12) months from the date of the final Match of the Competition,
failing which the allocated percentage shall be retained by the AFC for use at its discretion in
support of the AFC’s social responsibility activities.

56. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
56.1.

Where a Host Club fails to comply with any of its obligations under Articles 51 to 53 of theseRegulations with regard to a Match, the case shall be referred to the AFC Disciplinary andEthics Committee. In all such instances, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee shall order
the relevant Participating Club to return to the AFC any Financial Contribution that has been
paid to it in respect of the relevant Match (or, if not yet paid, to forfeit its right to any Financial
Contribution due to it in respect of the relevant Match) and to pay compensation for any andall damages or losses suffered by, where applicable, the other Participating Club, the AFC, the
AFC Commercial Rights Partner, Commercial Affiliates and the Host Association. The amountof compensation shall be determined by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, which
may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

53

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 12 : AWARDS
57. TROPHY, AWARDS AND MEDALS
57.1.

The original trophy of the Competition shall be presented as a formality to the Champion
during the award ceremony after the final Match of the Competition. Following the conclusionof the ceremony, the original trophy shall immediately be returned to the AFC and remain in
the possession of the AFC at all times. The Champion shall subsequently be awarded a replicaby the AFC for its permanent possession.

57.2.

The replica trophy awarded to the Champion must remain within its control at all times andmust not leave its region or territory of its Member Association without the prior writtenconsent of the AFC General Secretariat. The Champion must not permit the replica trophy to
be used in any context where a third-party (including without limitation, their sponsors andother commercial partners) is granted visibility or in any other way which could lead to an
association between any third-party and the trophy and/or the Competition. The AFC General
Secretariat may issue additional trophy guidelines which the Champion must comply with.

57.3.

The following awards of the Competition shall be presented in accordance with the Manual:
57.3.1. Most Valuable Player;
57.3.2. Top Goal Scorer;
57.3.3. Best Goalkeeper; and57.3.4. AFC Fair Play Award.

57.4.

Goals scored in the Preliminary Stage are not taken into account for determining the Top Goal
Scorer.

57.5.

The AFC shall award the following medals:
57.5.1. Sixty-five (65) medals to the Champion; and57.5.2. Sixty-five (65) medals to the runner-up.

54

57.6.

Additional medals may be produced upon request and at the cost of the requesting
Participating Club.

57.7.

The AFC Competitions Committee may decide to introduce additional awards.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
58. AWARD CEREMONY
58.1.

An award ceremony, managed and controlled by the AFC General Secretariat and coordinatedwith the Host Association and the AFC Commercial Rights Partner, shall be held immediately
after the final Match of the Competition to present the trophy, awards and medals listed in
Article 57.

58.2.

The Participating Players and Participating Clubs that qualify to receive the trophy, awards andmedals are required to attend the relevant award ceremony. Relevant Participating Clubs shallbe represented by the twenty-three (23) Participating Players and eleven (11) Participating
Officials registered in the Official Team Delegation for the final Match of the Competition.
No other officials, players, or staff of the Participating Clubs may participate in the award
ceremony.

55

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 13 : DISCIPLINARY
59. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
59.1.

All disciplinary measures in relation to the Competition shall be undertaken in accordance withthe current AFC Statutes, AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, and all relevant AFC regulations
and circulars.

59.2.

The AFC may introduce new disciplinary rules and sanctions for the duration of theCompetition. Such rules shall be communicated to the Participating Clubs and their Member
Associations thirty (30) days before the first Match of the Competition at the latest.

59.3.

Only Participating Players and Participating Officials may serve Match suspensions in theCompetition. For the avoidance of doubt, this requires the registration of the relevant individual
within a registration window in accordance with the deadlines set out in these Regulations.

59.4.

All Participating Players and Participating Officials agree to:59.4.1.

comply with the provisions of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, in particular byrespecting the spirit and principles of fair play, not engaging in violent behaviour,
respecting the authority of the Match Officials, not making bets in connection with any
Match and not engaging in any activities linked to the manipulation of Matches; and59.4.2. refrain from doping and doping-related activities, and to comply with the provisionsof the AFC Anti-Doping Regulations.

60. GOOD CONDUCT
60.1.

Each Participating Club is liable for the improper conduct of:
60.1.1. any member of its Team Official Delegation; and/or
60.1.2. any person affiliated to it and/or carrying out duties on its behalf throughout theCompetition.

60.2.

For any violation of Article 60.1, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may issue any
sanction listed in the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

61. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
61.1.

Subject to the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, for any offence set out in these Regulations
with a listed minimum fine, where it is the first such offence committed by a party:
61.1.1.

56

the AFC, after completing its investigation but prior to opening disciplinary proceedings,
may write to the party and make an offer to compound the offence and reduce thelisted fine by twenty percent (20%) should the party admit to the offence;

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
61.1.2. if the offence is admitted, the AFC shall submit the compounded offence to the
Chairperson of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for approval;
61.1.2.1. should the party deny the offence, the AFC shall open disciplinary
proceedings;
61.1.3. upon approval of the Chairperson of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, thesanction shall be notified and applied administratively by the AFC;
61.1.3.1. should the Chairperson of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee
not approve the compounded offence, the AFC shall open disciplinary
proceedings;
61.1.4. by agreeing to compound the offence, the party waives its right to request a
motivated decision or appeal the sanction issued; and61.1.5. any sanction issued administratively comes into force immediately upon notificationin accordance with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

62. CAUTIONS AND EXPULSIONS
62.1.

All matters relating to cautions and/or expulsions, including the carrying forward ofcautions between stages of the Competition, shall be undertaken in accordance with the
AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code except where expressly set out below.
62.1.1. Subject to Articles 62.1.2 to 62.1.4, if a Participating Player or a Participating Official
receives a caution in three (3) separate Matches in the Competition, the relevant
individual is automatically suspended from the next Match in the Competition.
62.1.2. Any Participating Player or Participating Official who completes the Preliminary Stage
having received one (1) or two (2) caution(s) in separate matches shall not carry overthe caution(s) to the League Stage.
62.1.3. Any Participating Player or Participating Official who completes the League Stage
having received one (1) or two (2) caution(s) in separate matches shall not carry overthe caution(s) to the Knockout Stage.
62.1.4. Any Participating Player or Participating Official who completes the quarter-finals
having received one (1) or two (2) caution(s) in separate matches shall not carry overthe caution(s) to the semi-finals.

63. PROTEST
63.1.

For the purpose of these Regulations, a protest is an objection of any kind related to any event
and/or matter that has a direct effect on a Match.

57

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
63.2.

Unless otherwise stipulated in these Regulations, to be considered valid, a protest must be:
63.2.1. submitted in writing (using the appropriate Protest Form issued by the AFC General
Secretariat) to the AFC Match Commissioner for the relevant Match within two (2)hours of the final whistle, or, if the relevant Match was cancelled or abandoned, within
two (2) hours of the decision to cancel or abandon the Match (the “Protest Deadline”);
63.2.2. followed up with a full written report (including a copy of the original Protest Form)
which must be sent to the AFC General Secretariat within twenty-four (24) hours of
the Protest Deadline; and63.2.3. accompanied by a non-refundable fee of USD1,000 (non-inclusive of any bankcharges) which must be transmitted to the bank account nominated by the AFC
General Secretariat within twenty-four (24) hours of the Protest Deadline.

63.3.

No protest shall be lodged relating to the Referee’s decisions regarding facts connectedwith play. Such decisions are final and binding and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise
stipulated in the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code. The same applies to any potential issue
concerning the use and/or operation of any goal-line technology (GLT) and/or video assistantreferee (VAR) system.

63.4.

If any of the formal requirements set out in Article 63.2 are not met, the relevant protest shallbe disregarded. The AFC General Secretariat decides whether such formal requirements havebeen met. Such decisions are final and binding and not appealable.

63.5.

Subject to Article 63.4 and any other exceptions set out in these Regulations, the AFC
Disciplinary and Ethics Code, the AFC Statutes and/or any other applicable AFC regulation,
the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee shall make decisions on protests. Should the AFC
Disciplinary and Ethics Committee determine that a protest is unfounded or irresponsible, it
may impose a fine. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may transfer a protest to the
AFC Competitions Committee for its decision if it is deemed to be purely operational in nature.

64. ARBITRATION

58

64.1.

Any dispute in connection with the Competition shall be promptly settled by negotiation.

64.2.

In compliance with the AFC Statutes, Participating Clubs, Member Associations, Participating
Players and Participating Officials are prohibited from initiating disputes in an ordinary courtof law and must submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the AFC.

64.3.

Participating Clubs, Member Associations, Participating Players and Participating Officials
acknowledge and accept that, once all internal channels have been exhausted at the AFC,their sole recourse shall be the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Code of Sports-related
Arbitration shall be applicable. The language of arbitration shall be English. Any hearing, if
required, shall take place at the CAS Alternate Hearing Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONSSECTION 14 : CLOSING PROVISIONS
65. FINALS
65.1.

The Finals shall be organised and managed by the AFC in collaboration with the AFC
Commercial Rights Partner, the Host Association, including without limitation:
65.1.1. Tickets and Ticketing in accordance with Articles 40.4 and 42.6;
65.1.2. protocol;
65.1.3. Match organisation;
65.1.4. commercial operations; and65.1.5. media operations.

65.2.

Any additional events planned before, during and after the Finals by a Participating Club shallbe communicated at least seven (7) days prior to the relevant Match and be approved by theAFC.

66. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
66.1.

The AFC General Secretariat and/or AFC Competitions Committee (as appropriate) shall,in conjunction with the Host Association, issue any instructions necessitated by special
circumstances which might arise in the organisation of Matches.

66.2.

These instructions shall form an integral part of these Regulations.

67. DECISIONS
67.1.

All decisions made in accordance with these Regulations, except where expressly identified
otherwise, are final and binding and not appealable in accordance with the AFC Statutes.

68. AMENDMENTS
68.1.

The AFC reserves the right to make amendments to any part of these Regulations for any
reason whatsoever. Such amendments shall be duly communicated in due course.

69. FORCE MAJEURE
69.1.

The AFC Competitions Committee is the only body capable of declaring a Force Majeure eventfor the purposes of these Regulations.

59

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE TM 2024/25 - COMPETITION REGULATIONS
70. MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR
70.1.

Matters not provided for in these Regulations shall be decided by the AFC Competitions
Committee. Such decisions are final and binding and not appealable.

71. IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS
71.1.

The AFC General Secretariat is entrusted with the operational management of the Competition
and is therefore entitled to make decisions and adopt the detailed provisions necessary for
implementing these Regulations.

72. ENFORCEMENT
72.1.

These Regulations were ratified by the AFC Executive Committee on 25 June 2024 and cameinto force immediately.

For the AFC Executive Committee

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
President

60

Datuk Seri Windsor John
General Secretary

61

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