A spokesperson for the GFA said: "Up to now, the Home Grown Player (“HGP”) rule in Gibraltar required all clubs to have 1 HGP on the field of play at all times, and a minimum of 2 HGPs present on the substitutes bench. In its review, the GFA conducted a statistical analysis of the rule in each Division, over the course of the two seasons that has been in force. The results noted some very concerning figures, particularly in the First Division, such as the average percentage of HGPs starting each game throughout the season standing at 19%. Additionally, it became evident that rather than playing more than one HGP at the same time, it was common practice for Clubs to replace the on field HGP with an HGP on the substitute bench, keeping the number of HGPs on the field at the bare minimum foreach match. The percentage of HGPs therefore coming on from the substitute bench in the First Division stood at 30%. Alarmingly, the percentage of HGPs sitting on the substitute’s bench and not playing at all in the First Division stood much higher at 42%.

"The Second Division presented an average of 35% of HGPs starting each round throughout the season, 44% coming on from the substitutes bench and 55% not playing at all. As a result of these figures, the Gibraltar Football Association engaged its Member Clubs and other relevant stakeholders to bring about urgent changes to tackle this alarming trend. After much consultation, the GFA can today announce that, as from the start of next season, (August 2018), each of Gibraltar’s clubs, competing in domestic tournaments at senior level, will have ensure that a minimum of 3 Home Grown Players, (HGPs), are on the field of play at all times. In the event that during any fixture, a team as used up all its substitutions and a HGP is either injured or sent off, the affected team will be allowed to continue the particular fixture (in breach of the HGP Rule) without repercussions." 

The GFA will also carry out a review of this new HGP rule throughout the season. There will be no change to the current league structure and each Club can now only register a maximum of 25 players in its squad for the 1st & Second Divisions.

They will be introducing a Second Division Cup will be for one season in 2018/19. The tournaments format will be two groups of 4 to be determined by a draw. All teams will play each other twice within their groups (65matches per team). The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals and then a final.

As from 2018/19 there will be no extra time in the Pepe Reyes Memorial Cup. If the match should end in a draw after 90 minutes, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout. The cup shall be played between the league champions and the Gibteleocm Rock Cup Winners. If the league champions are also the Gibtelecom Rock Cup Winners, the League runners up will contest the Pepe Reyes Memorial Cup.

In addition to the HGP Rule changes, we can today also announce the creation of an Intermediate League,, replacing the Reserves
League and the U18 Youth League with immediate effect. The principles of the Intermediate League is as follows:

• Each participating team may register a maximum of 18 players, 13 HGP’s and 5 Non HGPs.
• Only 5 players over the age of 23 can be registered in the Intermediate League

• Players registered in a clubs ‘first team’ (ie 1st or second division team) can play a maximum of 3 during the course of the
  season, in the Intermediate League (subject to the HGP & Age conditions set out above)
• HGPs registered in the U16 Youth League and are already 16 years of age can be registered to play an unlimited amount
  of games in the Intermediate League subject to the GFA receiving the relevant written permission from parents/guardians.
• Disciplinary sanctions (yellow cards/red cards/suspensions) must be served in the league where the offence is committed.
  This will be confirmed prior to the season once finals numbers of participating teams are confirmed.
• No player loans are permitted in the Intermediate League
• All transfers in the Intermediate League will follow the GFA’s standard Senior Club model
• An Intermediate League trophy will be presented to the winners at the end of the season
• A separate knock out cup competition will be introduced for the Intermediate League (open draw basis once competing
  teams are confirmed).

Further dates to note ahead of the 2018/19 Domestic Football Season:

• 11th June 2018 – Summer transfer window opens
• 29th June 2018 – Deadline for Team Registrations (men, women & youth teams)
• 12th August 2018 – Pepe Reyes Memorial Cup Lincoln Red Imps FC v Europa FC
• 13th August 2018 – Start of 2nd Division & Intermediate League
• 17th August 2018 – Start of 1st Division
• 31st August 2018 – Summer transfer window closes – deadline for player registrations (men’s senior football, men’s intermediate league & women).

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