COMPETITION REGULATIONS

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023/24

COMPETITION REGULATIONS
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023/24
CONTENTS
DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 7

SECTION 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................................................................. 16

1.............................................................................................. AFC Champions League 2023/24 16
2.............................................................................................The Asian Football Confederation 16
3........................................................................Participating Clubs and Member Associations 17
4..............................................................................................................................................Entry 21
5............................................................................................ Withdrawal from the Competition 21

SECTION 2: COMPETITION SYSTEM AND MATCH SCHEDULE................................................... 25

6................................................................................................................... Competition System 25
7........................................................................................ Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage 25
8.................................................................................................................................Group Stage 26
9........................................................................................................................... Knockout Stage 28
10.........................................................................Extra Time and Kicks from the Penalty Mark 28
11.........................................................................................................................Match Schedule 29
12...........................................................................................................Cancellation of Matches 29
13....................................................................................................... Abandonment of Matches 30

SECTION 3: STADIUMS AND OFFICIAL TRAINING SITES........................................................... 31

14.................................................................................................................................... Stadiums 31
15................................................................................................................................Field of Play 33
16................................................................................................................ Official Training Sites 33

SECTION 4: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS....................................................................................... 35

17..................................................................................................................... Laws of the Game 35
18..................................................................................................................................Refereeing 35
19..............................................................................................Team Bench and Technical Area 35
20.....................................................................................................................................Footballs 36
21..................................................................................................................................Equipment 36

SECTION 5: TEAM OFFICIAL DELEGATION.................................................................................. 37

22..........................................................................................................Team Official Delegation 37
23...............................................................................................................Registration Windows 37
24...................................................................................................................Eligibility of Players 38
25............................................................................................................. Registration of Players 38
26.................................................................................. Documents for Registration of Players 39
27.............................................................................................................................. Player Status 39
28............................................................................................................. Registration Window 1 41
29............................................................................................................. Registration Window 2 42
30............................................................................................................. Registration Window 3 43
31.................................................................................................................. Player Selection List 44
32............................................................................................................ Registration of Officials 45
33.................................................................................Documents for Registration of Officials 46

SECTION 6: MEDIA......................................................................................................................... 47
34............................................................................................................................. Media Access 47
35.................................................................................................................... Press Conferences 47
36................................................................................................................................ Mixed Zone 47
37...................................................................................................................................Interviews 48
38.........................................................................................................................Flash Interviews 48
39...............................................................................................................Recording of Matches 49
SECTION 7: TICKETING.................................................................................................................. 50
40............................................................................................................. General Requirements 50
41...............................................................................................................Terms and Conditions 50
42.............................................................................................................Complimentary Tickets 50
43.................................................................................................................. Purchasable Tickets 51

SECTION 8: COMMERCIAL............................................................................................................. 53
44....................................................................................................................Commercial Rights 53
45........................................................................................................................... Clean Stadium 53
46........................................................................................................ Advertising and Branding 53

SECTION 9: SAFETY AND SECURITY............................................................................................. 54

47..................................................................................................................... General Principles 54

SECTION 10: MEDICAL AND ANTI-DOPING................................................................................ 55

48....................................................................................Pre-Competition Medical Assessment 55
49............................................................................................................Facilities and Personnel 55
50................................................................................................................................Anti-Doping 56

SECTION 11: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS........................................................................................ 57

51..........................................................................................................................Responsibilities 57
52...........................................................................Accommodation, Meals and Refreshments 57
53......................................................................................................... Domestic Transportation 58
54............................................................................................................................... Prize Money 58
55...................................................................................................................Match Contribution 59
56.................................................................................................................... Disciplinary Action 60

SECTION 12: AWARDS.................................................................................................................... 61

57.....................................................................................................Trophy, Awards and Medals 61
58..................................................................................................Prize Presentation Ceremony 62

SECTION 13: DISCIPLINARY.......................................................................................................... 63

59.............................................................................................................. Disciplinary Measures 63
60............................................................................................................................Good Conduct 63
61........................................................................................................ Administrative Procedure 63
62.......................................................................................................... Cautions and Expulsions 64
63........................................................................................................................................ Protest 65
64..................................................................................................................................Arbitration 65

SECTION 14: CLOSING PROVISIONS............................................................................................ 67

65...........................................................................................................................................Finals 67
66...................................................................................................................Special Instructions 67
67.................................................................................................................................... Decisions 67
68............................................................................................................................. Amendments 67
69............................................................................................................................Force Majeure 67
70.........................................................................................................Matters Not Provided For 68
71......................................................................................................... Implementing Provisions 68
72.............................................................................................................................. Enforcement 68
 AFC Champions League 2023/24 - Competition Regulations

DEFINITIONS
In these Competition Regulations, capitalised terms shall have the following meanings, unless the
context specifically indicates otherwise:

Accommodation Any location approved by the AFC which provides accommodation to the AFC
Delegation, Team Official Delegations, AFC Commercial Rights Partner, and
Commercial Affiliates.

Accreditation Card Any physical item which is issued by the AFC and/or Host Club which provides
the recipient the right to access a Controlled Access Area (or part thereof)
where the Controlled Access Area is under the control of the AFC, Host Club or
the Host Association.

Advertising Rights The right to promote brands and/or corporate names and/or products and/
or services at and/or in relation to the Competition by whatever means
available, whether existing now or to be developed in the future, whether at
the Stadiums or Facility Areas or within the Controlled Access Areas, by in-
stadium/out-stadium perimeter signage and other advertising, digital signage
and screens, closed circuit television, equipment usage or other methods and
through printed matter (including digitally delivered printed matter) such as
programmes, posters, letterheads, press releases, newsletters and Tickets,
and subject to any AFC regulations, the right to display such advertising on the
clothing or footwear worn, or on any equipment used, carried or transported
by officials (including for the avoidance of doubt by Match Officials), medical
and security staff, ball crew, player escorts, flag bearers and/or photographers.
The display of the name and/or logo of the bona fide supplier of clothing on
the uniform strip of officials is also included. For the avoidance of doubt,
advertising on the strip of Participating Players is excluded, other than where
it is the trademark of the bona fide manufacturer and is in accordance with
any FIFA and/or AFC regulations. Similarly, branding on any equipment, goods
and/or services used in connection with the Competition, save where supplied
by a Commercial Affiliate, may only include customary branding of the bona
fide manufacturer.

AFC Asian Football Confederation.

AFCAS The AFC Administration System, the AFC’s online competition management
and registration system.

AFC Club A technical ranking which ranks each Member Association based on its Clubs’
Competitions sporting results in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.
Ranking

AFC Commercial The entity appointed by the AFC for the sale of Commercial Rights (or any part
Rights Partner thereof) and the provision of services in relation thereto.

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AFC Committee Any Committee of the AFC as constituted in accordance with the AFC Statutes.

AFC Competitions The Standing Committee of the AFC which is responsible for matters relating to
Committee the Competition in accordance with the AFC Statutes and the AFC Organisation
Regulations.

AFC Delegation (i) AFC staff members;

(ii) Match Officials;
(iii) other officials appointed by the AFC;
(iv) AFC Committee members; and
(v) AFC guests.

AFC Marks All design marks, slogans, designations, names, logos, insignia, emblems
or devices (in any application) owned and/or controlled by the AFC (in any
language) relating to the AFC itself but excluding the Competition Marks.

AFC Website The official website of the AFC (currently http://www.the-AFC.com), including
without limitation all other domains or official media platforms and channels
created and/or owned by the AFC (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.).

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

Broadcast Partner Any entity, including the Host Broadcaster, which has been granted the Media
Rights (or any part thereof) to the Competition.

Champion The Participating Club that wins the Finals of the Competition.

Clean Stadium A Stadium or Official Training Site whether inside, in the airspace above or the
outer perimeter, delivered to the AFC at a prescribed time, that is free from:
(i) any advertising and commercial signage of any kind, whether on any
Stadium infrastructure, staff uniforms, accreditations, fences, equipment
or elsewhere;
(ii) third-party agreements relating to the use and operation of the Stadium
(or part thereof);
(iii) encumbrances that may affect the use and exploitation of Commercial
Rights; and/or
(iv) Stadium or venue naming rights.

Club A professional club or an amateur club which participates in Leagues or

competitions under the auspices of a Football Association.

Commercial Affiliate Any entity which has been granted the right to exercise and exploit the
Commercial Rights (or any part thereof) in respect to the Competition.

Commercial Rights Advertising Rights, Concession Rights, Hospitality Rights, Image Rights, Media
Rights, Merchandise Rights, Promotional Rights, Sponsorship Rights, Travel
and Tour Rights and any other rights of a commercial nature relating to the
Competition.

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Competition The AFC Champions League 2023/24™, which includes without limitation, all
Matches as set out in the Match Schedule, including all Preliminary Stage and
Playoff Stage Matches, all activities on the Field of Play (other than Matches),
opening ceremonies, presentation or closing ceremonies, press conferences
or Official Functions connected therewith.

Competition Data Any and all information related to the Competition, including fixture lists,
Image Rights, information and/or statistics about the Participating Clubs and/
or Participating Players, information and/or statistics about their participation
and/or performance in the Competition, Match analysis, Referee decisions,
and any other information in relation to the Competition.

Competition Marks All design marks, slogans, designations, names, logos, insignia, emblems,
mascots or devices (in any application) owned and/or controlled by the AFC (in
any language) relating to the Competition.

Competition Website The official website of the Competition (if any) with a dedicated URL including
without limitation all other domains or official media platforms and channels
of the Competition created and/or owned by the AFC (e.g. Facebook, YouTube,
Twitter, etc.).

Complimentary Tickets which are supplied without charge.

Tickets

Concession Rights Sampling, vending, display and other distribution methods and payment
methods connected therewith for and of products or services, including
pourage rights at the Stadiums and Facility Areas.

Controlled Access (i) any Stadium;

Area (ii) any Official Training Site;
(iii) any official hotel (public areas being excepted), subject to and to the
extent agreed in any executed hotel agreement;
(iv) any official exclusion zone encircling a Stadium on a Match day;
(v) any official parking area, accreditation centre, international broadcast
compound, and/or hospitality area;
(vi) the venue of any Official Function;
(vii) any official AFC fan park;
(viii) Facility Areas; and/or
(ix) any other location and/or facility designated by the AFC as a Controlled
Access Area, associated with the Competition to which access is permitted
only to those in possession of an Accreditation Card, Ticket, and/or other
officially-sanctioned entry permit.

Digital Media The AFC Website and any other authorised Competition Website, in addition
to any mobile application (app), online video channel, data product, photo-
sharing account, social media account, and any further form of digital media
developed herewith.

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East Region The AFC Champions League East Region, comprising Member Associations
and Participating Clubs from the ASEAN and East zones as identified in the
AFC Statutes.

Extra Time Two (2) equal periods of additional time which shall be played in accordance
with these Regulations should there be no winner at the conclusion of a Match.

Facility Areas The location of Official Functions, ceremonies, press centres, Ticket offices,
Competition hotels, media areas (including without limitation areas used for
viewing of any public exhibition), sponsor village areas (including without
limitation ‘AFC fan park’ areas, and areas used for the activation of the
Commercial Rights), official hospitality areas (including without limitation
areas used for the exploitation of the Hospitality Rights), and information
centres controlled by or on behalf of the AFC and used in connection with the
Competition whether at the Stadium or elsewhere at the Venues.

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

FIFA Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

Finals The final two (2) Matches of the Competition which determine the Champion.

Football Association The controlling body for football within a country or territory recognised by
the AFC.

Force Majeure Any event affecting the performance of any provision of these Regulations
arising from or attributable to acts, events, omissions or accidents which are
beyond the reasonable control of a party. This shall include, without limitation,
abnormally inclement weather, flood, lightning, storm, fire, explosion,
earthquake, structural damage, power supplies shortage/failure, war, terrorist
action, military operations, riot, crowd disorder, strike, lock-outs or other
industrial action, or civil commotion, epidemic or pandemic.

Group Stage The third stage of the Competition held in accordance with these Regulations.

Hospitality Rights The opportunity to offer and sell hospitality and entertainment services at the
Venues or within the Controlled Access Areas in combination with the Tickets
whether such facilities are in boxes, marquees or otherwise, but excluding
those non-commercial functions and facilities reserved for AFC and/or Host
Club officials and its guests not forming part of the Commercial Rights.

Host Broadcaster The party appointed to ensure and provide the production of broadcast signals
of the Matches and other events of the Competition, and the provision of all
related services in accordance with the Media Rights granted to it.

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Host Association A Member Association approved by the AFC to organise, host and stage
Matches in the Competition.

Host City Any city and/or identifiable metropolitan area in which any Match is staged.

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

Image Rights The right to use still and/or moving images and/or representations of
Participating Clubs, Participating Players, Participating Officials, Match
Officials and other officials and persons forming part of the Competition.

International An international football competition organised by the AFC in conjunction with

Competition other continental football confederations and/or by FIFA in conjunction with
other continental football confederations.

Kicks from the ‘Kicks from the Penalty Mark’ as described in the Laws of the Game.
Penalty Mark

Knockout Stage The fourth stage of the Competition held in accordance with these Regulations.

Laws of the Game The laws of association football issued by the IFAB.

League A professional league and/or amateur league which consists of a combination

of Clubs within the territory of a Football Association and which is subordinate
to and under the authority of that Football Association.

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

Match A football match in its entirety (including a replayed and/or deferred football
match, Extra Time and Kicks from the Penalty Mark) which takes place as part
of the Competition in accordance with the Match Schedule. For the avoidance
of doubt, a match formally commences when the Stadium is officially opened
to spectators and formally concludes when the Stadium is officially closed to
spectators.

Match Contribution The payment made to a Participating Club for its participation in a Match,
comprising one (1) or more of the following:
(i) travel contribution;
(ii) performance bonus; and/or
(iii) participation fee.

Match Officials Any individual appointed to officiate a Match in the Competition in the role
of the Referee, Assistant Referee, Fourth Official, Video Assistant Referee
(VAR), Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) and any other Match Official
stipulated in the Laws of the Game.

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Match Schedule The official schedule which sets out, without limitation, the dates and times
on which Matches will be played, the Stadiums at which the Matches will be
played, and the names of the Participating Clubs.

Media Any individual granted a media Accreditation Card by the AFC.

Media Rights The right and licence to produce, edit and/or transmit, for intelligible reception
throughout the world in any language and in any format, and on any platform
including film, fixed media, Digital Media, games, internet, public exhibition,
radio, mobile, and television, a visual, audio-visual, and/or audio signal and/
or image or recording (including without limitation the basic feed, multi feeds,
additional feeds, audio feeds, a feed incorporating Competition Data, world
feed, and unilateral feeds) of the Competition, and all interview activities and
action during and forming part of the Competition including Official Functions
and the Image Rights by any and all means of transmission distribution,
exhibition and reception, now existing or hereinafter developed including but
not limited to analogue, digital, satellite, cable and interactive communication
systems, on a live, delayed, and unlimited repeat basis, in full or in part
(including without limitation by way of clips and/or highlights and/or support
programmes and/or magazine shows and/or news access), and all rights to
exploit any and all commercial opportunities (including for example broadcast
sponsorship and commercial airtime opportunities) arising from and/or in
connection with such rights.

Member Association A Football Association which is a member of the AFC.

Merchandise Rights The right granted to Commercial Affiliates for the use and exploitation of the
Competition Marks and/or official designation in the manufacture, packaging,
distribution, and sale of goods and services of all kinds, including items of
equipment (e.g. footballs), clothing, coins, medals, games (electronic or
otherwise), other collectibles and Premiums related to the Competition.

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.

Official Function Any event which is officially organised or sanctioned by the AFC in connection
with the Competition. For the avoidance of doubt, this expressly includes,
without limitation, all Matches and/or events held at Official Training Sites,
the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony, any AFC gala dinner, lunch, or
banquet, cultural events, official press conferences, official draws, workshops
and launch events.

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Official Training Site Any site designated by the Host Club in collaboration with the respective
Host Association and approved by the AFC for use by the Participating Clubs
throughout the Competition for training purposes.

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

Participating Official Any official who is registered to participate in the Competition.

Participating Player Any player who is registered to participate in the Competition.

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

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

Premiums Any promotional items (including packaging, labelling, and/or containers

thereof) which incorporate any mark and/or logo of the AFC and/or any
Competition Mark, and which may only be distributed free of charge or as
prizes.

Promotional Rights Any advertising and/or promotions which are carried out in connection with
the Competition, Competition Marks, or other rights/opportunities granted by
the AFC.

Proprietary Interests Without limitation, intellectual property, copyright and analogous rights,
trademark rights, moral rights, performing rights, personality rights, and all
remedies available under the applicable laws of unfair competition comprised
in the Commercial Rights.

Regulations These Competition Regulations.

Sponsorship Rights The right, in any and all media, throughout the world, and in all languages,
to promote an association between the Competition and certain products,
services, and/or brands, and shall include (by way of illustration only) the
exclusive right to exercise rights of association with the Competition, including
without limitation the rights to:
(i) use an official designation;
(ii) use the AFC Marks and/or applicable Competition Marks on branded
products and/or product packaging (including Premiums, and in relation
to the Competition Marks only on items for retail sale) and/or advertising;
(iii) receive commercial programme Tickets; and
(iv) receive broadcast sponsorship opportunities in connection with
broadcasts of a Match or Official Function.

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Stadium Any stadium at which a Match is played. For the avoidance of doubt, this
includes:
(i) the entire premises (to the extent that a valid Accreditation Card or Ticket
is required in order to gain access) of a stadium facility inside the outer
stadium perimeter fence and (on Match days and any day on which any
official training takes place within the stadium), the aerial space above
such stadium premises;
(ii) parking facilities;
(iii) VIP and hospitality areas (including any hospitality village);
(iv) concession areas;
(v) commercial display areas;
(vi) buildings;
(vii) the Field of Play;
(viii) the Media tribune;
(ix) any broadcast compound;
(x) the stadium media centre;
(xi) the press conference room;
(xii) the mixed zone;
(xiii) any stands; and
(xiv) any areas beneath the stands.

Team Official The final-registered delegation of a Participating Club for each Match of
Delegation the relevant stage of the Competition subject to the limits set out in these
Regulations.

Team Technical Seats The seats located in the stands behind the technical area with access to the
Field of Play and team dressing rooms.

Ticket A pass providing access to a Venue for the purpose of attending either a
Match, official training, or Official Function.

Ticketing All operational measures to provide Tickets to all spectators of every Match
and for Official Functions of the Competition allowing them to enter the
Stadium or a Venue. Ticketing shall include the management of the operation
necessary for the production, sale, distribution, delivery and payment of the
Tickets of the Competition.

Travel and Tour The right to organise and/or sub-license official travel and tour activities
Rights in relation to the Competition, which travel and tour activities shall, for the
avoidance of doubt, include the provision of Tickets to a Match and/or Official
Functions of the Competition.

Venue The Host City and immediate surrounding area in which a Stadium is located.

West Region The AFC Champions League West Region, comprising Member Associations
and Participating Clubs from the West, South and Central zones as identified
in the AFC Statutes.

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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
advised by 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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SECTION 1 : GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. AFC Champions League 2023/24

1.1. The AFC stages the AFC Champions League 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 granted
by 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 to the AFC and FIFA regulations refer to those valid
at the time of application.

2. The Asian Football Confederation

2.1. The AFC Competitions Committee shall be responsible for organising the Competition 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 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);

2.2.3. selecting Stadiums for the Competition after consultation with the Participating
Clubs and their Member Associations (cf. Article 14);

2.2.4. appointing Match Officials and AFC Delegation for each Match;

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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);

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

2.2.8. replacing Participating Clubs that have withdrawn from the Competition (cf. Article
5);

2.2.9. dealing with cases of cancelled Matches or abandoned Matches (cf. Articles 12 and
13);

2.2.10. dealing with cases of Force Majeure (cf. Article 69);

2.2.11. providing insurance coverage for the AFC Delegation appointed to any Match
from the time of their departure from their home Member Association to their
departure from the Venue (cf. Article 51); and

2.2.12. 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).

2.3. All decisions made by the AFC Competitions Committee and/or AFC General Secretariat in
relation 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. The principal obligations and responsibilities of each Participating Club and its Member
Association are stipulated in the Participating Team Agreement (“PTA”), these Regulations,
the Manual, 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
shall be 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.

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

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, and
applicable 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 Team Official Delegation and of any person carrying
out 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 Matches
in conjunction with its Member Association and the AFC General Secretariat in
accordance with these Regulations and any instructions from the AFC;

3.3.8. accept all arrangements made by any Host Club and/or Host Association 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
and marketing 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
shall result in the Participating Club being fined at least USD10,000; and

3.3.9.2. 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 and historical information and any further information as requested by
the AFC;

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3.3.11. link the official URL for the Competition on its official website; and

3.3.12. not establish any digital, media or social media platform in connection with the
Competition without the involvement and express approval of the AFC.

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

3.4.1. the insurance coverage for:

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

3.4.1.2. its approved Stadium. A release of liability must be signed and returned
to the AFC at least thirty (30) days before the start of the Competition. If
such an indemnification is not received in due time, the Host Club agrees
that the necessary insurance coverage may be concluded by the AFC and
expensed to the Host Club;

3.4.2. all other necessary insurance policies, which must provide an appropriate
guaranteed sum for injury and damage to persons, objects, and property, and
correspond with the 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 Team Official
Delegation (cf. Article 51);

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

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 the
Competition; and

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

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3.5. 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,
local organising committees and all other auxiliary persons free and harmless against
any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, fines, and
expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) of whatsoever kind or nature resulting
from, arising out of, or attributable to, any non-compliance with these Regulations by the
Participating Club and/or its Member Association, its Team Official Delegation, its affiliates
and any third-parties contracted to the Participating Club and/or its Member Association.

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
that is played within its territory and shall submit the nomination to the AFC for the AFC’s
approval (together with the Venue information) in accordance with the deadline(s) notified
by the AFC. Should a Match be played at a Neutral Venue, the Member Association of the
Host Club shall still be held accountable for the relevant nomination, and this must be done
in collaboration with the Member Association on whose territory the Match is played.

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.

3.7.1. 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 and arrival 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 not
interrupt 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 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
and from the Venue of an away Match.

3.8. It is acknowledged that one or more Participating Clubs may qualify directly for one or
more International 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 the
prior written approval of the AFC.

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

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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.

4. Entry

4.1. Entry to the Competition is governed by the Entry Manual for AFC Club Competitions (“Entry
Manual”). To be eligible to participate in the Competition, Clubs must meet the requirements
set out in the Entry Manual.

4.2. All decisions regarding entry to the Competition are subject to the provisions set out in the
Entry Manual and the jurisdiction of the AFC Entry Control Body as set out in the Procedural
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 to
confirm their entry into the Competition.

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

4.3.2. The name and/or logo of a Participating Club shall not directly refer to the name
and/or logo of any third-party entity, whether or not that third-party entity is a
commercial partner or sponsor of the Participating Club.

4.3.3. The AFC may grant an exception to Article 4.3.2 if one (1) of the following
requirements are met:

4.3.3.1. the name of the Participating Club is a pre-existing name with long-
term use. The third-party entity must have been directly involved in the
creation of the Participating Club itself (by financial or other means); or

4.3.3.2. the Participating Club previously competed in an AFC competition

utilising the name.

4.4. Participating Clubs are not permitted to change their name 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;

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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 for
the Competition (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.

5.3. Subject to Articles 5.5 to 5.8, 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 to take 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 the competition 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 5.8, be
entitled to take any action it considers appropriate in such circumstances. Any Participating
Club that wishes 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 any time at its discretion.

5.5. In the event that a Participating Club withdraws from the Competition, whether before or
after commencement of the Competition (as applicable), the Competition shall continue
with the 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 even
in cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC Competitions Committee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the AFC General Secretariat may, at its discretion, put
forward a request to replace the relevant Participating Club and, where applicable, the
means of effecting such replacement, for the consideration of the AFC Competitions
Committee, in which case the AFC Competitions Committee shall be entitled to take a
decision on the matter.

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5.6. Any Participating Club that withdraws from the Competition after it has commenced shall
have all its Matches cancelled and considered null and void. All points and goals in those
Matches shall not be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in a
group pursuant to Article 8.3.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 5.6 shall apply in all instances and is applicable even
in cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC Competitions Committee.

5.7. Any Participating Club that has been considered to have withdrawn from the Competition
whether before or after commencement of the Competition (as applicable), shall be:

5.7.1. disqualified from participating in the next two (2) seasons of AFC club competitions;
and

5.7.2. where relevant, disqualified from participating in any tournament organised

under Article 3.8, if qualification has been attained.

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. Where any Participating Club fails to comply with Article 5.1 and withdraws from the
Competition 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:

5.8.1. before it has commenced, shall be fined:

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

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

5.8.2. after it has commenced, shall be fined:

5.8.2.1. at least USD25,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencement

of the Preliminary Stage; or

5.8.2.2. at least USD30,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencement

of the Playoff Stage; or

5.8.2.3. at least USD50,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencement

of the Group Stage; or

5.8.2.4. at least USD100,000 if its withdrawal occurred after the commencement

of the Knockout Stage.

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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
to pay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by, where applicable, the
other Participating Clubs, the AFC, the AFC Commercial Rights Partner, Commercial Affiliates
and the Organising Associations. The amount of compensation shall be determined by the
AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.

This Article 5.8 is not applicable in cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC
Competitions Committee, but shall apply in all other instances.

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

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SECTION 2 : COMPETITION SYSTEM AND MATCH SCHEDULE

6. Competition System

6.1. The Competition shall consist of four (4) stages:

6.1.1. the Preliminary Stage;

6.1.2. the Playoff Stage;

6.1.3. the Group Stage; and

6.1.4. the Knockout Stage.

6.2. 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.

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

6.3. The Entry Manual sets out the principles to determine the number of slots allocated to
the Clubs of eligible Member Associations in the Preliminary Stage, Playoff Stage and
Group Stage in accordance with the AFC Club Competitions Ranking. The AFC Competitions
Committee shall decide 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 and Playoff Stage

7.1. Each round of the Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage shall consist of Participating Clubs
tied in pairings depending on the number of Participating Clubs, with each pairing played
in a single-leg knockout format.

7.1.1. Participating Clubs from the same Member Association shall not be paired against
each other.

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AFC Champions League 2023/24 - Competition Regulations

7.1.2. The Participating Club from the higher-ranked Member Association pursuant to
the AFC Club Competitions Ranking shall host the Match.

7.2. For each round of the Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage, Participating Clubs shall play
one (1) Match each in accordance with the Match Schedule.

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

7.3.1. the winners shall qualify for the next round of the Preliminary Stage. If it is the final
round of the Preliminary Stage, the relevant Participating Clubs shall qualify for
the Playoff Stage; and

7.3.2. the losers shall be eliminated from the Competition. Depending on the AFC
Club Competitions Ranking of its respective Member Associations, eliminated
Participating Clubs may be entitled to enter the AFC Cup at the Group Stage in
accordance with the Entry Manual.

7.4. At the conclusion of the Playoff Stage:

7.4.1. the winners shall qualify for the Group Stage; and

7.4.2. the losers shall be eliminated from the Competition. Depending on the AFC
Club Competitions Ranking of its respective Member Associations, eliminated
Participating Clubs may be entitled to enter the AFC Cup at the Group Stage in
accordance with the Entry Manual.

8. Group Stage

8.1. The Group Stage shall consist of forty (40) Participating Clubs, drawn into ten (10) groups of
four (4) teams each, with each group played in a home and away league format.

8.1.1. Five (5) groups shall contain Participating Clubs from the West Region.

8.1.2. Five (5) groups shall contain Participating Clubs from the East Region.

8.1.3. Participating Clubs from the same Member Association shall not be drawn in the
same group.

8.2. Participating Clubs shall play one (1) home and one (1) away Match against each Participating
Club within its group in accordance with the Match Schedule.

8.3. The ranking in each group shall be determined in accordance with Article 1 of the Manual
and in descending order as follows:

8.3.1. higher number of points obtained in all group Matches;

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8.3.2. if two (2) or more Participating Clubs are equal on points, the following criteria are
applied to determine the ranking (in descending order):

Head-to-Head Criteria
8.3.2.1. higher number of points obtained in the group Matches played among
the Participating Clubs in question;

8.3.2.2. superior goal difference from the group Matches played among the
Participating Clubs in question;

8.3.2.3. higher number of goals scored in the group Matches played among the
Participating Clubs in question;

Tiebreaker
8.3.2.4. if, after having applied the Head-to-Head criteria, two (2) or more
Participating Clubs still have an equal ranking, the Head-to-Head criteria
shall be reapplied exclusively to the Matches between the Participating
Clubs in question to determine their final rankings. If this procedure
does not lead to a decision, the Group Results Criteria shall apply;

Group Results Criteria

8.3.2.5. superior goal difference from all group Matches played;

8.3.2.6. higher number of goals scored from all group Matches played;

8.3.2.7. Kicks from the Penalty Mark if only two (2) Participating Clubs still have
an equal ranking and have played their last group Match against each
other;

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

8.3.2.9. the Participating Club from the Member Association with the higher AFC
Club Competitions Ranking.

8.4. Should the competition system require the best-ranked Participating Clubs from among
different groups to advance, the rankings shall be determined by the method set out in
Appendix 2 of the Manual.

8.5. At the conclusion of the Group Stage:

8.5.1. the first-placed Participating Clubs in each group, as well as the three (3) best
second-placed Participating Clubs among all groups in each region, shall qualify
for the Knockout Stage; and

8.5.2. all other Participating Clubs shall be eliminated from the Competition.

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9. Knockout Stage

9.1. The Knockout Stage shall consist of the Round of 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and
Finals, with each round played in a home and away knockout format. For each round of
the Knockout Stage, Participating Clubs shall play one (1) home and one (1) away Match in
accordance with the Match Schedule.

9.2. The Participating Clubs shall play against other Participating Clubs within the same region
in the Round of 16, Quarter Finals, and Semi Finals.

9.3. The sixteen (16) Participating Clubs that qualify from the Group Stage shall play in the
Round of 16 and the pairings and sequence of hosting these Matches shall be determined
during the official draw for the Knockout Stage.

9.4. The eight (8) winners of the Round of 16 shall play in the Quarter Finals with the first leg of
each pairing hosted by the winners of R16-1, R16-3, R16-5 and R16-7 respectively as follows:

QF1: Winner R16-1 vs Winner R16-2

QF2: Winner R16-3 vs Winner R16-4
QF3: Winner R16-5 vs Winner R16-6
QF4: Winner R16-7 vs Winner R16-8

9.5. The four (4) winners of the Quarter Finals shall play in the Semi Finals with the first leg of
each pairing hosted by the winners of QF1 and QF3 respectively as follows:

SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2

SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4

9.6. The two (2) winners of the Semi Finals shall play in the Finals.

9.6.1. The sequence of hosting the two-legged Finals is determined on a rotation basis
between the East Region and West Region (i.e., for seasons beginning in odd years
the first leg Match shall be hosted in the East Region by the finalist Participating
Club from the East Region and the second leg Match shall be hosted in the West
Region by the finalist Participating Club from the West Region, with this order
reversed for seasons beginning in even years).

10. Extra Time and Kicks from the Penalty Mark

10.1. If no winner is determined at the end of normal playing time in any Match in the Preliminary
Stage, Playoff Stage or the second Match of any tie in the Knockout Stage, Extra Time
comprising 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
interval of half-time in Extra Time.

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10.3. One (1) additional substitute and one (1) additional substitution opportunity may be used
when a Match goes into Extra Time (whether or not the Participating Club has already used
the full number of permitted substitutes and opportunities).

10.4. If no winner is determined at the end of Extra Time, Kicks from the Penalty Mark shall be
taken in accordance with the Laws of the Game and the Manual.

11. Match Schedule

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

11.1.1. The AFC shall propose the kick-off times to the Participating Clubs. Should a
Participating Club wish to change the kick-off time, it must submit a valid reason in
writing to the AFC for its approval.

11.1.2. Where necessary for sporting reasons and taking into consideration the time
zones and/or Stadium availability, Matches in the same group of the Group Stage
may be played simultaneously.

11.1.3. All kick-off times shall be determined by the AFC General Secretariat, taking into
consideration sporting, organisational (including safety and security), marketing
and broadcasting matters.

11.2. The Match Schedule shall be determined following the official draws for the relevant stages
of the Competition. The date and format of the official draws shall be determined by the
AFC General Secretariat.

11.3. The AFC General Secretariat retains final discretion to amend the Match Schedule at any
time.

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 is
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 accordance
with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

12.3. If a Match cannot commence for any reason, the procedure described in Article 7 of the
Manual shall be followed.

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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
deemed necessary.

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
accordance with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

13.3. If a Match is stopped by the Referee for any reason, the procedure described in Article 8 of
the Manual shall be followed.

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SECTION 3 : STADIUMS AND OFFICIAL TRAINING SITES

14. Stadiums

14.1. Each Participating Club shall nominate the Stadium to be utilised for its home Matches when
entering the Competition. All Stadiums must comply with the AFC Stadium Regulations and
all other applicable AFC regulations. The AFC General Secretariat makes the final decision
to approve any Stadium to host Matches in the Competition and may carry out inspections
at any time before and during the Competition to check whether the requirements are met.
All costs related to the inspection shall be borne by the relevant Participating Club.

14.1.1. The Stadium nominated shall be the normal home stadium of the Participating
Club for matches in its League, unless otherwise instructed by the AFC.

14.1.2. The AFC reserves the right to refuse the nomination of a Stadium and require
a Participating Club to play its Matches in a different Stadium within the same
Venue or territory of its Member Association, or alternatively at a Neutral Venue in
accordance with Articles 14.3 and 14.4.

14.2. Each Participating Club must play their home Matches in the one and only Stadium
approved by the AFC throughout the Competition. A Participating Club cannot change its
Stadium during the Competition unless it is forced to do so due to circumstances beyond
its control.

14.2.2. Should a Participating Club wish to change its Stadium during the Competition, it
must provide evidence to the AFC, including without limitation photographs, other
visual evidence, and letters from the relevant authorities as to why the Stadium is
unable to host Matches, at least thirty (30) days prior to its next home Match.

14.2.3. Only upon receipt of the evidence shall the AFC make a decision on whether
the Participating Club may nominate a new Stadium for its home Matches. Such
Stadium must comply with the AFC Stadium Regulations and all other applicable
AFC regulations.

14.2.4. The AFC shall decide whether to approve the newly nominated Stadium. Should
the AFC be required to conduct an inspection, all costs shall be borne by the
Participating Club and/or its Member Association.

14.2.5. Should the newly nominated Stadium not be approved by the AFC, or should a
Participating Club be unable to play home Matches in its one and only Stadium
approved by the AFC and not nominate a new Stadium, the AFC General Secretariat
shall select an alternate Stadium in accordance with Article 14.1.2.

14.3. Participating Clubs who are required to play home Matches at a Neutral Venue shall comply
with the matters set out in these Regulations.

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14.4. If the AFC deems, for whatever reason, that a Stadium is unable to stage a Match or
Matches, the relevant Participating Club shall propose an alternate Stadium. Should the
Participating Club not propose an acceptable alternate Stadium by a deadline set by the
AFC, the AFC General Secretariat may select a Neutral Venue to stage a Match or Matches.

14.4.1. The Participating Club concerned is responsible for all Match arrangements for the
staging of the Match or Matches, including all costs as set out in these Regulations.
This includes Matches played at a Neutral Venue.

14.4.2. Should the Participating Club not propose an acceptable alternate Stadium within
any deadline set by the AFC and/or refuse to partake in Matches at the proposed
Neutral Venue selected by the AFC General Secretariat, it shall be considered to
have withdrawn from the Competition and be subject to Article 5.

14.4.3. The AFC General Secretariat makes all final decisions pursuant to Article 14.4.

14.5. For any Match played at a Neutral Venue, the Host Club must organise and stage the Match:

14.5.1. in accordance with these Regulations;

14.5.2. in accordance with the Manual;

14.5.3. in accordance with any instructions of the AFC;

14.5.4. in cooperation with the Member Association on whose territory the Match shall be
played; and

14.5.5. in cooperation with the local authorities.

14.6. Host Clubs shall ensure that no football matches and/or any other events or activities are
held at any Stadium during the period starting at least two (2) days prior to each Match
(other than in relation to the Finals, where such period shall be determined by the AFC) until
one (1) day after the Match, unless prior written permission has been obtained from the
AFC. The Stadium shall be delivered to the AFC for its exclusive use during this period.

14.6.1. A Host Club that fails to comply with Article 14.6 shall be fined at least USD10,000.

14.6.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

14.7. Each Match of the Finals shall be played in a Stadium approved by the AFC with a minimum
capacity of forty thousand (40,000) spectators. The AFC may grant an exception to the
stipulated capacity in cases of particular hardship and upon reasoned request. The Venue
shall be decided by the AFC taking into consideration all logistical factors, including without
limitation, accommodation and transportation.

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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.

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 the conditions of the Field of Play including the dimension of the goal and field are
not in accordance with the Laws of the Game, the AFC Match Commissioner shall issue
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
in accordance with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

16. Official Training Sites

16.1. 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 and during the Competition to check whether the requirements are met. All costs
related to the inspection 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 and
require a Participating Club to nominate an alternate 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 shall be fined at 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 this
period, 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.

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16.3.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

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

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SECTION 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.

17.3. Five (5) of the substitutes listed on the ‘Match Start List’ may take part in the Match and each
Participating Club shall have three (3) substitution opportunities in accordance with the
Laws of the Game. Any Participating Player who has been substituted may take no further
part in that Match.

17.4. The AFC 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 and Tracking 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
footage in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Laws of the Game in force at the
time of the Competition.

19. Team Bench and Technical Area

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
possession of the appropriate Accreditation Card.

19.2. The Host Club shall ensure to secure a minimum of twenty-one (21) Team Technical Seats
for each Participating Club’s additional Participating Players and Participating Officials who
will not be seated on the team bench. For the avoidance of doubt, only up to twelve (12)
Participating Players and nine (9) Participating Officials from each Participating Club who
are duly registered for the Competition are permitted to sit on the Team Technical Seats,
and they must be in possession of the appropriate Accreditation Card.

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20. Footballs

Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage

20.1. The footballs used in the Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage shall be selected and supplied
by each Host Club. The Host Club shall supply the Away Club with the same football 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
the official training and warming-up purposes.

Group Stage and Knockout Stage

20.3. The footballs used in the Group Stage and Knockout Stage shall be selected and supplied
by the AFC.

20.4. Each Participating Club entering the Group Stage shall receive twenty (20) footballs for
training prior to the Group Stage.

20.5. Participating Clubs shall solely utilise the twenty (20) training footballs provided by the AFC
for training and warming-up purposes. Away Clubs are required to utilise the footballs as
provided in accordance with Article 20.4 during away Matches.

20.6. The Host Club/ Host Association shall receive footballs for each Match it 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 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 and
all 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.

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SECTION 5 : TEAM OFFICIAL DELEGATION

22. Team Official Delegation

22.1. All Participating Players and Participating Officials of a Team Official Delegation will be issued
with Accreditation Cards 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.

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

22.3. For each Match in the Competition, Participating Clubs shall register a Team Official
Delegation comprising a maximum of twenty-three (23) Participating Players and up to
eleven (11) Participating Officials.

22.3.1. Each Participating Club may nominate an additional nine (9) Participating Officials
as part of its Team Official 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 nine (9) Participating Officials shall be borne by
the relevant Participating Club.

23. Registration Windows

23.1. There are three (3) registration windows for the Competition. The registration windows
shall open on the dates communicated by the AFC. The applicability of each registration
window and the relevant closing dates are as follows:

23.1.1. Registration Window 1: This registration window applies only to Participating

Clubs which enter the Competition at the Preliminary Stage or Playoff 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 only to Participating

Clubs which enter the Competition at the Group Stage (having not participated in
the Preliminary Stage or Playoff Stage). It shall close thirty (30) days prior to the
relevant Participating Club’s first Match in the Competition.

23.1.3. Registration Window 3: This registration window applies to all Participating Clubs
which qualify for the Knockout Stage. It shall close fifteen (15) days prior to the
relevant Participating Club’s first Match in the Knockout Stage.

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23.2. Participating Players and Participating Officials registered pursuant to the replacement
provisions contained in Articles 28, 29, 30 and/or 32 are considered to have been registered
during the same registration window covered by those replacement provisions.

24. Eligibility of Players

24.1. Each Participating Club shall ensure that all players:

24.1.1. are duly registered with the AFC pursuant to these Regulations; and

24.1.2. are duly registered by the Participating Club with its Member Association pursuant
to its transfer rules and those set out in the FIFA Regulations on the Status and
Transfer of Players.

24.2. Individuals who meet the criteria set out in Article 24.1 are eligible to participate in the
Competition, subject to the provisions of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

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

24.4. 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.

24.5. A Participating Player shall be deemed ineligible, without limitation, if:

24.5.1. there is a violation of Article 24.1; or

24.5.2. 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; or

24.5.3. the AFC determines that any document submitted during registration is falsified or
forged.

25. Registration of Players

25.1. There are two (2) stages of registration for the players in the Competition:

25.1.1. Registration Windows 1, 2 and 3: each Participating Club must submit a squad of a
minimum of eighteen (18) and a maximum of thirty-five (35) players; and

25.1.2. Player Selection List: each Participating Club must submit a ‘Player Selection List’
prior to each Match which identifies the starting eleven (11) and up to twelve (12)
substitutes comprising individuals registered in the relevant registration window.

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25.2. Should the AFC not receive all required documents by the stipulated deadlines for
Registration Windows 1 and 2, the Participating Club concerned shall be considered to have
withdrawn from the Competition prior to its commencement and be subject to Article 5.

26. Documents for Registration of Players

26.1. Participating Players must be registered via AFCAS with the supporting documents set out
in the Manual.

27. Player Status

27.1. Subject to Articles 25.1, 28.2, 29.2 and 30.2, there shall be no limit on the number of foreign
Participating Players that each Participating Club may register during Registration Windows
1, 2, and 3, however, each Participating Club may only select up to six (6) foreign Participating
Players in the Player Selection List. In case more than five (5) foreign Participating Players
are selected in the Player Selection List, then at least one (1) of these foreign Participating
Players must hold the nationality of a Member Association.

27.2. A stateless Participating Player registered by a Participating Club shall be treated as a

foreign Participating Player not holding the nationality of a Member Association unless it
can be proven (to the AFC’s satisfaction, at its sole discretion) that:

27.2.1 such Participating Player has validly participated in a match for a representative
team of the Member Association to which the relevant Participating Club is
affiliated (the “Local MA”) in an official competition of any category or any type of
football, in which case he shall be treated as a local Participating Player; or

27.2.2 such Participating Player has validly participated in a match for a representative
team of another Member Association which is not the Local MA in an official
competition of any category or any type of football, in which case he shall be
treated as a Participating Player holding the nationality of a Member Association.

27.3. Any Participating Player who has acquired a new nationality of a Member Association
(e.g. through naturalisation) and wishes to participate in the Competition utilising that
nationality must demonstrate, at least, one of the following:

27.3.1. that the nationality was acquired more than five (5) years before the date of the
Participating Player’s registration for the Competition; or

27.3.2. that he is eligible to participate for the representative team of the relevant Member
Association in accordance with the FIFA Regulations Governing the Application of
the Statutes.

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27.4. Any Participating Player who is eligible to represent more than one (1) Football Association
on account of his nationality of one (1) country (e.g. a player with a Chinese nationality may
be eligible to represent three [3] different Member Associations) and wishes to participate
in the Competition utilising the nationality of a Member Association must demonstrate one
(1) of the following:

27.4.1. that he has participated in an official competition for a representative team of the
relevant Member Association; or

27.4.2. that he is eligible to participate for a representative team of the relevant Member
Association in accordance with the FIFA Regulations Governing the Application of
the Statutes.

27.5. Any Participating Player who does not meet the relevant requirements stipulated above
shall not be eligible to take part in the Competition utilising that nationality.

27.6. A Participating Player cannot change his nationality of registration for the duration of the
Competition.

27.7. A Participating Player shall only be registered to one (1) Participating Club per registration
window.

27.8. A Participating Player shall not be eligible to represent more than one (1) Participating Club
per stage of the Competition. A Participating Player that has been fielded by a Participating
Club in a stage of the Competition cannot be registered for another Participating Club in
that same stage.

27.9. If a violation of Article 27.7 or Article 27.8 occurs:

27.9.1. the Participating Player may be sanctioned with a ban on participating in a

minimum of one (1) future season of AFC club competitions, unless he can
demonstrate that extenuating circumstances existed;

27.9.2. the Participating Club shall forfeit any Match in which the Participating Player has
been fielded in accordance with the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code;

27.9.3. the Participating Club shall be considered to have withdrawn from the Competition
and be subject to Article 5; and

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

27.10. For the purposes of the contract of a Participating Player, his date of registration with a
Participating Club shall be:

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27.10.1. for Participating Players who transferred internationally to the Participating

Club: the date of issuance 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
in accordance with Article 26; and

27.10.2. for Participating Players who transferred domestically to the Participating Club or
are ‘homegrown’ players: the official date of the contract submitted in accordance
with Article 26.

27.11. An ITC or proof of the provisional registration shall only be accepted after the close of a
registration window where:

27.11.1. the Participating Club entered into a valid contract with the player prior to the
close of the registration window and submitted this to the AFC; and

27.11.2. Registration Window 1, 2 or 3: a copy of the ITC or evidence to demonstrate that

an ITC has been issued or proof of the provisional registration in accordance with
the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players is submitted via AFCAS
no later than seven (7) days prior to its first Match in the relevant stage of the
Competition.

28. Registration Window 1

28.1. Each Participating Club shall submit its registration of Participating Players and supporting
documents in accordance with Article 26 via AFCAS.

28.2. Each Participating Club shall submit a registration of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a
maximum of thirty-five (35) Participating Players.

28.2.1. Each Participating Club must register a minimum of three (3) goalkeepers in its
registration.

28.2.2. Participating Players must be allocated a playing number from 1 to 99. Playing
number 1 shall be reserved for a goalkeeper. Each Participating Player shall wear
the same playing number allocated in his first registration during all Matches in
the Competition. Participating Players registered as replacements (cf. Article 28.4)
may only be allocated a new playing number.

28.3. If a Participating Club fails to register a minimum of eighteen (18) Participating Players by
the stipulated deadline, it shall be considered to have withdrawn from the Competition
prior to its commencement and be subject to Article 5. 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 and after the
stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may:

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Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage

28.4.1. no later than seven (7) days prior to their first Match in the Competition, replace or
add up to eight (8) Participating Players for any reason provided that the maximum
number of registered players is not exceeded; and

Group Stage (if qualified)

28.4.2. no later than seven (7) days prior to MD1 of the Group Stage, replace or add up to
eight (8) Participating Players for any reason provided that the maximum number
of registered players is not exceeded.

28.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing replacement provisions (cf. Articles 28.4.1 and 28.4.2), if at
any stage during the Preliminary Stage, Playoff Stage and/or Group 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
it will or can reasonably be expected to last for thirty (30) days or longer (as from
the date of the request).

28.5.2. A medical report, in English, must be submitted to the AFC detailing the extent of
the injury or illness to the relevant Participating Player(s) before any replacement(s)
can be approved by the AFC.

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 shall decide on any replacement(s) at its sole discretion, and any such
decisions shall be final and binding and not appealable.

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
provision of 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)
until registration window 3 opens.

28.6. Participating Players registered pursuant to the replacement provisions set out in Article 28
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 26 via AFCAS.

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29.2. Each Participating Club shall submit a registration of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a
maximum of thirty-five (35) Participating Players.

29.2.1. Each Participating Club must register a minimum of three (3) goalkeepers in its
registration.

29.2.2. Participating Players must be allocated a playing number from 1 to 99. Playing
number 1 shall be reserved for a goalkeeper. Each Participating Player shall wear
the same playing number allocated in his first registration during all Matches in
the Competition. Participating Players registered as replacements (cf. Article 29.4)
may only be allocated a new playing number.

29.3. If a Participating Club fails to register the minimum eighteen (18) Participating Players by
the stipulated deadline, it shall be considered to have withdrawn from the Competition
prior to its commencement and be subject to Article 5. 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 and after the
stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may:

Group Stage
29.4.1. no later than seven (7) days prior to MD1 of the Group Stage, replace or add up to
eight (8) Participating Players for any reason provided that the maximum number
of registered players is not exceeded.

29.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing replacement provision (cf. Article 29.4.1), if at any stage
during the Group 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 2.

29.6. Participating Players registered pursuant to the replacement provisions set out in Article 29
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 26 via AFCAS.

30.2. Each Participating Club shall submit a registration of a minimum of eighteen (18) and a
maximum of thirty-five (35) Participating Players.

30.2.1. Each Participating Club must register a minimum of three (3) goalkeepers in its
registration.

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30.2.2. Participating Players must be allocated a playing number from 1 to 99, which shall
be the same playing number allocated during registration window 1 or registration
window 2 (as applicable). Playing number 1 shall be reserved for a goalkeeper.
Each Participating Player shall wear the same playing number allocated in his first
registration during all Matches in the Competition. Participating Players registered
as replacements (cf. Article 30.4) or newly registered Participating Players may only
be allocated a new playing number.

30.3. If a Participating Club fails to submit its registration of Participating Players by the stipulated
deadline, it shall be considered to have registered the same Participating Players registered
for registration window 1 or registration window 2 (as applicable). Proof of submission by
facsimile, courier and/or email will not be accepted.

30.3.1. In such cases, the AFC shall send an official confirmation form to the Participating
Club to confirm the registration of the Participating Players for registration window 3.

30.3.2. The Participating Club shall indicate which registered Participating Players are
no longer validly registered with the Participating Club (e.g. they have retired). In
case any supporting documentation submitted for a Participating Player’s initial
registration has expired, the Participating Club shall submit valid documentation
to that effect.

30.4. Once the registration of Participating Players has been received by the AFC, and after the
stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may:

30.4.1. no later than seven (7) days prior to their first match of the Knockout Stage,
replace or add up to eight (8) Participating Players for any reason provided that
the maximum number of registered players is not exceeded.

30.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing replacement provision (cf. Article 30.4.1), if at any stage
during the 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 28.5.5 shall apply equally to registration window 3. For the avoidance of doubt,
once a Participating Player has been replaced, such player cannot be re-registered in the
Competition at any stage.

30.6. No further replacement or addition of Participating Players shall be permitted.

30.7. Participating Players registered pursuant to the replacement provisions set out in Article 30
shall only be eligible to participate in the Competition after receiving their Accreditation Cards.

31. Player Selection List

31.1. Each Participating Club shall mark the starting eleven (11), including the team captain and
up to twelve (12) substitutes, on the ‘Player Selection List’.

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31.1.1. Each Participating Club may register up to six (6) foreign Participating Players.
In case more than five (5) foreign Participating Players are registered, then at
least one (1) of these foreign Participating Players must hold the nationality of a
Member Association.

31.1.2. Each Participating Clubs shall identify at least two (2) players as goalkeepers on its
‘Player Selection List’.

31.2. Each Participating Club must hand its ‘Player Selection List’ signed by the Head Coach or the
Team Manager, together with the ‘Officials on the Substitution Bench’ form with the names
of 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 registration of Participating Officials and the
supporting documents in accordance with Article 33 by the deadline provided by the AFC
for the relevant registration window.

32.2. Each Participating Club shall submit a registration of a minimum of two (2) and a maximum
of twenty (20) Participating Officials.

32.3. Each Participating Club must include the following two (2) Participating Officials in the
registration list:

32.3.1. Head Coach; and

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).

32.4. Up to eleven (11) Participating Officials may sit on the team bench for each Match.
The following two (2) Participating Officials must be registered on the ‘Officials on the
Substitution Bench’ form:

32.4.1. Head Coach; and

32.4.2. Team Manager.

32.5. Each Participating Club is entitled to register up to two (2) ‘Video Analysts’ who shall be the
only members of a Team Official Delegation entitled to record Matches in the relevant stage
of the Competition using only one (1) lightweight amateur camera each. This recording
shall be strictly for technical purposes and should not interfere with Match operations or
be utilised by any Broadcast Partner or otherwise distributed.

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32.6. The Team Manager and/or Team Media Officer (as applicable) of each Participating Club
shall be responsible for coordinating all Participating Club and media-related matters
with the AFC. They shall work in a full-time, exclusive capacity from two (2) days prior to
each Match until one (1) day after the Match. They shall participate in all Official Functions
related to Matches in the Competition, including without limitation the match coordination
meeting and all press conferences.

32.7. Should the Participating Club nominate less than eleven (11) Participating Officials on the
‘Officials on the Substitution Bench’ form, or the AFC does not approve the registration
of any person(s) nominated, the number of Participating Officials permitted on the team
bench shall reduce proportionately.

32.8. Should the AFC not receive all required documents by the stipulated deadline, the
Participating Club shall be considered to:

Registration Windows 1 and 2

32.8.1. have withdrawn from the Competition prior to its commencement and be subject
to Article 5. Proof of submission by facsimile, courier and/or email will not be
accepted.

Registration Window 3
32.8.2. have registered the same Participating Officials registered for registration window
1 or registration window 2 (as applicable). Proof of submission by facsimile, courier
and/or email will not be accepted.

32.8.2.1. In such cases, the AFC shall send an official confirmation form to the
Participating Club to confirm the registration of the Participating Officials
for registration window 3.

32.8.2.2. The Participating Club shall indicate which registered Participating

Officials are no longer validly registered with the Participating Club (e.g.
they have had their employment terminated or retired). In case any
supporting documentation submitted for a Participating Official’s initial
registration has expired, the Participating Club shall also submit valid
documentation to that effect.

32.9. Once the registration of Participating Officials has been received by the AFC and after
the stipulated deadline has passed, Participating Clubs may replace any of the listed
Participating Officials at any stage with twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the AFC by
submitting the documents set out in Article 33 via AFCAS. 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. Participating Officials must be registered via AFCAS with the supporting documents set out
in the Manual.

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SECTION 6 : MEDIA
34. Media Access

34.1. Each 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 free access to the Stadium from two (2) days prior to each Match in the Stadium until
one (1) day 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.

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 shall decide the final timing of the pre-Match press conference in the
absence of an agreement on timing by the Participating Clubs.

35.3. The Head Coach of each Participating Club and the Player of the Match must attend a post-
Match press 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.

35.4. Each Participating Club is responsible for the language interpretation and translation of its
Participating Players and Participating Officials into English. Interpretation and translation
into the local language (if applicable) shall be the responsibility of the Host Club.

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 a press conference in accordance with Article 3.3.9. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics
Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

36. Mixed Zone

36.1. 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 in the event that there is no post-Match press conference
held after the Match.

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36.2. 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
mixed zone in accordance with Article 3.3.9. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may
impose further sanctions at its discretion.

37. Interviews

37.1. 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. All interview locations shall be designated by the Local Media Officer or AFC Match
Commissioner.

37.1.1. For the Preliminary Stage, Playoff Stage and Group Stage, any such interview shall
be conducted one (1) day prior to the Match.

37.1.2. For the Knockout Stage, any such interview shall be conducted one (1) or two (2)
days prior to the Match.

37.2. 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 at their point of arrival at the
Stadium for the Match.

37.3. 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. The AFC Disciplinary
and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

38. Flash Interviews

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

38.2. 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 each Match.

38.3. If requested by the AFC, a maximum of three (3) Participating Players and/or one (1)
Participating Official from each Participating Club shall participate in a ‘flash interview’
following each Match.

38.4. 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. The AFC Disciplinary and
Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

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39. Recording of Matches

39.1. Immediately after each Match in the Preliminary Stage and Playoff Stage, the relevant Host
Club shall provide four (4) copies of the full Match recording to the AFC Match Commissioner.

39.2. Any Host Club that fails to comply with Article 39.1 shall be fined at least USD3,000. The AFC
Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

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SECTION 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 reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute the seating area or the gate
entrance identified on a Ticket with another, if deemed appropriate for security or technical
reasons.

40.3. The Host Club and its Member Association must ensure that access to the Stadium is
granted to the AFC Delegation, Away Club Team Official 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 in writing, each Host Club shall be responsible at its
own cost for the production, distribution, and sales of all Tickets. Such matters are subject
to the approval of the AFC. The AFC shall provide a Ticket template design to all Participating
Clubs.

41.2. The AFC shall, in collaboration with each Host Club and/or Host Association, issue special
Ticketing terms and conditions which are applicable to all Ticket holders.

41.3. The AFC may change the terms and conditions and shall advise the Host Club on any
requirements relating to Ticket production, distribution and/or sales.

42. Complimentary Tickets

42.1. Each Host Club shall provide Complimentary Tickets to the AFC and/or AFC Commercial
Rights Partner for each Match in the Competition in the quantities and categories as
instructed by the AFC, in accordance with the following deadlines:

42.1.1. Preliminary Stage: by latest seven (7) days before the Match;

42.1.2. Playoff Stage: by latest seven (7) days before the Match;

42.1.3. Group Stage: by latest thirty (30) days before the Match;

42.1.4. Round of 16: by latest thirty (30) days before the Match;

42.1.5. Quarter Finals: by latest seven (7) days before the Match;

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42.1.6. Semi Finals: by latest ten (10) days before the Match; and

42.1.7. Finals: by latest ten (10) days before the Match.

42.2. All Complimentary Tickets shall be provided in a continuous block.

42.3. For the avoidance of doubt, where necessary (e.g. in circumstances where the relevant
Away Club has not been determined by the deadline set out in Article 42.1), a Host Club
may provide Complimentary Tickets to the AFC, AFC Commercial Rights Partner and/or
Commercial Affiliates which identify the Away Club using generic terms (e.g. “Winner of
Preliminary Stage 2”).

42.4. 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 the relevant stage is less than the deadlines set out in Articles 42.1.3 to 42.1.7,
such Participating Club must provide the AFC, AFC Commercial Rights Partner and/or
Commercial Affiliates with the relevant Complimentary Tickets for the home Match no later
than seven (7) days after the confirmation of its qualification.

42.5. The AFC reserves all Ticketing rights relating to the Finals. The AFC is entitled to request any
additional Tickets, the number of which shall be communicated to the Host Club and/or its
Member Association at the appropriate time.

42.6. Each Host Club shall provide the following Complimentary Tickets to the Away Club no later
than at the match coordination meeting (which shall take place no later than one [1] day
prior to the Match):

42.6.1. two (2) VVIP Tickets;

42.6.2. five (5) VIP Tickets; and

42.6.3. twenty (20) Tickets of the next-best category (as determined by the AFC).

43. Purchasable Tickets

43.1. Each Host Club and/or its Member Association must make 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, safe area to be determined by the Host Club and the AFC General
Secretariat.

43.2. The number of Tickets to be purchased must be declared to the Host Club no later than two
(2) weeks prior to the Match 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.

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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. The number of 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
from each Host Club for itself and its Commercial Affiliates.

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SECTION 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 to
content, time, place and law. The AFC may grant the Host Clubs the Commercial Rights,
in whole or in part, in accordance with the Manual which governs the rights, duties, and
responsibilities of all parties regarding the Commercial Rights.

44.2. Each Host Club and its Member Association shall use its best efforts/endeavours in seeking
political and administrative support from all local, regional and 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 shall appoint a reasonable number of
personnel to assist the AFC in the implementation and enforcement of its rights protection
programme.

45. Clean Stadium

45.1. Except where instructed or communicated by the AFC, the Host Club and 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.

46. Advertising and Branding

46.1. Except where stipulated otherwise by the AFC, each Host Club and its Member Association
shall ensure that all relevant approvals are secured and unrestricted access for the
placement and publishing of advertising or branding of the Competition shall be available
to the AFC two (2) days before each Match at the Stadium or official training at the Official
Training Site.

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SECTION 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. Each Host Club and its 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, Team Official Delegations, AFC Commercial Rights Partner,
Commercial Affiliates, Media, spectators, all goods brought in by the AFC, Team Official
Delegations, AFC Commercial Rights Partner and Commercial Affiliates.

47.3. 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 Team Official
Delegations. This security plan shall be based upon the principles set out in the AFC Stadium
Regulations and AFC Safety and Security Regulations.

47.4. Each Host Club and its 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.

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SECTION 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 that have undertaken a PCMA for a FIFA or other AFC
competition may provide the AFC with the physician and player’s declaration form
originally provided to FIFA or the AFC, provided that the PCMA was conducted
within one (1) year of the Competition.

48.1.2. The AFC shall provide all Participating Clubs and its 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 by
latest 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’; and

48.1.3.2. 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 be
registered for the Competition.

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

49. Facilities and Personnel

49.1. Each Host Club shall provide a medical room and doping control room fully equipped with
all items stipulated in the Manual.

49.2. A Host Club 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; or

49.2.3. at least USD40,000 for failing to fully equip both rooms.

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49.2.4. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its
discretion.

49.3. Each Host Club shall provide all medical personnel and doping control personnel stipulated
in the Manual.

49.4. A Host Club 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 and
Ethics Code, and all relevant AFC directives in relation to anti-doping are applicable to the
Competition.

50.2. The AFC shall inform each Host 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.

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SECTION 11 : FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

51. 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.

51.2. 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:

51.2.1. 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;

51.2.2. the Host Club shall cover domestic transport costs at the Venue for the entire Team
Official Delegation of the Away Club, subject to flight connections;

51.2.3. the Host Club shall provide the Away Club with a liaison officer for the Away Club’s
entire stay at the Venue;

51.2.4. subject to the relevant national law and policies, where requested by the AFC or
the AFC Match Commissioner, a police escort shall be provided by the Host Club
to the Team Official Delegation of the Away Club for its travel to training, Matches,
Official Functions, and airport transfers;

51.2.5. the Participating Clubs are not permitted to stay at the same hotel or at the hotel
chosen for the AFC Delegation;

51.2.6. details of the logistical arrangements relating to a Match (including the matters
set out above) shall be notified to the AFC by the relevant Participating Clubs in
advance of the Match; and

51.2.7. any disputes arising regarding the financial provisions under this Article 51 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.

52. Accommodation, Meals and Refreshments

52.1. From their arrival at the Venue until one (1) day after the Match or until the day required by
the AFC, each Host Club must provide at its own cost, for the AFC Delegation:

52.1.1. Accommodation in an international five-star hotel different from the Team Official
Delegations unless approved by the AFC (or an international four-star hotel if there
are no international five-star hotels at the Venue);

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52.1.2. three (3) meals per day (international buffet style) and one (1) additional light meal
on Match day;

52.1.3. minimum six (6) litres of water per person per day, as well as ice and refreshments,
at the Accommodation, Referee training, and the Stadium;

52.1.4. 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 52.1.5);

52.1.5. daily laundry services (but no dry cleaning or pressing) 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;

52.1.6. a Club official or representative of the Host Club should be assigned to coordinate
airport reception, immigration and customs, airport transfers, domestic
transportation and Accommodation for all Match Officials and the members of the
AFC Delegation; and

52.1.7. liaison officers proficient in English.

53. Domestic Transportation

53.1. From their arrival at the Venue until one (1) day after the Match or until the day required by
the AFC, each Host Club must provide at its own cost, for the AFC Delegation:

53.1.1. one (1) sedan for the AFC Match Commissioner;

53.1.2. one (1) multipurpose vehicle with a minimum of seven (7) seats for the Match
Officials; and

53.1.3. additional vehicles upon request of the AFC General Secretariat for other officials
appointed by the AFC.

54. Prize Money

54.1. The AFC will pay the following prize money:

54.1.1. Champion : USD4,000,000; and

54.1.2. Runner-Up : USD2,000,000.

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54.2. Five percent (5%) of the prize monies from the Champion and runner-up shall be retained and
allocated to the AFC Dream Asia Foundation to fund 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, 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.

55. Match Contribution

55.1. The Match Contribution for Participating Clubs shall be made up of one (1) or more of the
following payments:

55.1.1. travel contribution;

55.1.2. performance bonus; and

55.1.3. participation fee.

55.2. Match 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 at its
discretion.

55.3. All Match Contributions (including any 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 the payment is made in full.

Travel Contribution
55.4. For each Match of the relevant stage of the Competition set out below, the Away Club(s)
shall receive the corresponding travel contribution:

55.4.1. Preliminary Stage : USD40,000;

55.4.2. Playoff Stage : USD40,000;

55.4.3. Group Stage : USD60,000;

55.4.4. Round of 16 : USD60,000;

55.4.5. Quarter Finals : USD60,000;

55.4.6. Semi Finals : USD60,000; and

55.4.7. Finals : USD120,000.

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Performance Bonus
55.5. For each Match in the Group Stage, Round of 16, Quarter Finals and Semi Finals, as per the
official score at the end of normal playing time, the following performance bonus shall be
paid:

55.5.1. for the winner : USD50,000; and

55.5.2. for each Participating Club in the case of a draw : USD10,000.

Participation Fee
55.6. Each Participating Club shall receive a participation fee for taking part in the following
Stages of the Competition:

55.6.1. Round of 16 : USD100,000;

55.6.2. Quarter Finals : USD150,000; and

55.6.3. Semi Finals : USD250,000.

56. Disciplinary Action

56.1. A Host Club that fails to provide for any of the matters set out in Articles 51 to 53 shall forfeit
its Match Contribution. In the event that the Host Club did not receive a Match Contribution
for the particular Match, the Host Club shall be fined accordingly.

56.2. The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee may impose further sanctions at its discretion.

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SECTION 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 prize presentation ceremony after the Finals. Following the conclusion of the
ceremony, the original trophy shall be returned to the AFC and remain in the possession of
the AFC at all times. The Champion shall subsequently be awarded a replica by the AFC for
its permanent possession.

57.2. The replica trophy awarded to the Champion must remain within its control at all times
and must not leave its region or territory of its Member Association without the prior
written consent of the AFC. The Champion must not permit the replica trophy to be used
in any context where a third-party (including without limitation, their sponsors and other
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 may
issue additional trophy guidelines which the Champion must comply with from time to
time.

57.3. The following awards of the Competition shall be presented in accordance with the Manual:

57.3.1. Player of the Match (for each Match);

57.3.2. Most Valuable Player;

57.3.3. Top Goal Scorer; and

57.3.4. AFC Fair Play Award.

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

57.5. The AFC shall award the following medals:

57.5.1. Fifty-five (55) medals to the Champion; and

57.5.2. Fifty-five (55) medals to the runner-up.

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.

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58. Prize Presentation Ceremony

58.1. A prize presentation ceremony, managed and controlled by the AFC and coordinated with
the Host Club, its Member 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
and medals are required to attend the relevant prize presentation ceremony. Relevant
Participating Clubs shall be represented by the twenty-three (23) Participating Players and
eleven (11) Participating Officials registered in the Team Official Delegation for the final
Match of the Competition. No other officials, players, or staff of the Participating Clubs may
participate in the prize presentation ceremony.

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SECTION 13 : DISCIPLINARY
59. Disciplinary Measures

59.1. All disciplinary measures in relation to the Competition shall be undertaken in accordance
with the 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 the
Competition. 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 the
Competition. 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 agree to:

59.4.1. comply with the provisions of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, in particular by
respecting 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; and

59.4.2. refrain from doping and comply with the provisions of 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 the
Competition.

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:

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61.1.1. 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 the listed fine by twenty percent (20%) should the party admit to the
offence;

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,
the sanction 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; and

61.1.5. any sanction issued administratively comes into force immediately upon
notification in 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 of
cautions 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 Article 62.1.2 to Article 62.1.5, if a Participating Player receives a caution
in three (3) separate Matches in the Competition, he 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 carry-
over the caution(s) to the Playoff Stage.

62.1.3. Any Participating Player or Participating Official who completes the Playoff Stage
having received one (1) or two (2) caution(s) in separate matches shall not carry-
over the caution(s) to the Group Stage.

62.1.4. Any Participating Player or Participating Official who completes the Group Stage
having received one (1) or two (2) caution(s) in separate matches shall not carry-
over the caution(s) to the Knockout Stage.

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62.1.5. Any Participating Player or Participating Official who completes the Semi Finals
having received one (1) or two (2) caution(s) in separate matches shall not carry-
over the caution(s) to the 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.

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 end of the relevant Match;

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 end of the relevant Match; and

63.2.3. accompanied by a non-refundable fee of USD1,000 (non-inclusive of any bank

charges) which must be transmitted to the bank account nominated by the AFC
General Secretariat within twenty-four (24) hours of the end of the relevant Match.

63.3. No protest shall be lodged relating to the Referee’s decisions regarding facts connected
with 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
assistant referee (VAR) system.

63.4. If any of the formal requirements set out in Article 63.2 are not met, the relevant protest
shall be disregarded. The AFC General Secretariat decides whether or not such formal
requirements have been 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

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

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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
court of 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.

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SECTION 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 Club and its Member Association, including without
limitation:

65.1.1. Tickets and Ticketing in accordance with Articles 40.4 and 42.5;

65.1.2. protocol;

65.1.3. Match organisation;

65.1.4. commercial operations; and

65.1.5. media operations.

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

66. Special Instructions

66.1. The AFC and/or AFC Competitions Committee (as appropriate) shall, in conjunction with
the Host Associations, 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
event.

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AFC Champions League 2023/24 - 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 30 December 2022 and
came into force immediately.

For the AFC Executive Committee

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa Datuk Seri Windsor John

President General Secretary

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