Terms and Conditions

SKY SPORTS FANTASY FOOTBALL TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms and Conditions apply if you enter Sky Sports Fantasy Football ("the Game") located at http://fantasyfootball.skysports.com (the “Website"), which is operated by GFM Holdings Limited of 42 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY ("GFM"). You are bound to play within the terms and conditions of play as specified. British Sky Broadcasting Limited (“Sky” or “Sky Sports”) and GFM shall be deemed to be the Game judges (the “judge’s”) and the judge’s decision in all matters relating to the Game shall be final. Entrants to the Game shall be referred to as “Managers” and Managers creating a Private League shall be referred to as “Chairmen”.

ELIGIBILITY:  How to play and all instructions on the Game Website form part of the terms and conditions of the Game and a Managers entry into the Game is their acceptance of such terms and conditions. The Game is only open to persons residing in United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. You must be 18 or over to enter. You must register in your own name and provide your own details. Any Manager found to be in breach of this provision may be disqualified. Employees of Sky, GFM or associated companies, their relatives, agents or agents' relatives may play but are not eligible to win prizes.

THE GAME:  The Game is free to play. An individual Manager may enter a maximum of 2 teams, irrespective of whether they have more than one valid email address. Any Manager being found to have entered more than two teams will have all their teams removed from the Game.  Managers may create their own Fantasy Football Team of 11 players from the Game’s player list and within a budget of £75 million. Fantasy Teams will score points in accordance with the Game’s point scoring parameters based on the real life performance of a Managers selected players in all eligible matches. Eligible matches are all Premier League matches in the 2011/12 season commencing with the 3pm BST kick off on Saturday 13th August 2011 and ending with the final round of fixtures scheduled to be played on Sunday 13th May 2012 (or when so ever played).

HOW TO ENTER: Entries into the Game may be made online at the official game Website located at http://fantasyfootball.skysports.comor via the official mobile game app.  Entries must adhere to these terms and conditions and follow the instructions on the Website and mobile game app. successfully completed entries will receive an email confirmation. Players will be asked to select their Fantasy Football Team in accordance with the Game rules and then complete their registration details. Players that have previously played Sky Sports Fantasy Football or have a Sky Bet account may use their existing registration and log in and do not need to complete their registration details on the Game Website or mobile game app.

ENTRY DEADLINES: In order to score points for the full duration of the Game, entry must have been recorded no later than 3pm BST on Saturday 13th August 2011. Any team entered after the above deadline on Saturday 13th August will score points from the kick off of the first eligible match on the next match day.  Thereafter, entries received prior to the kick off of the first eligible match each match day will score points from that match and entries received after the kick off of the day’s first eligible match will score points from the kick off of the first eligible match on the next match day. Player points will not be added retrospectively in any circumstance.

PLAYER LIST: The players in the Game are those included on the Website or mobile game app player list. The judges have determined their classifications and valuations for the purpose of the game and these may not necessarily reflect real-life valuations. Valuations will not change during the Game. The judges will not enter into any correspondence relating to player inclusion, details and valuations of the player list, nor will they accept the inclusion into a team of any player not on the published list. Players may be added and removed from the player list during the game at the discretion of the judges.

TEAM SELECTION: Managers must select a Fantasy Football Team consisting of 11 players from the player list and within a total budget of £75 million. Managers may choose their preferred formation: 4-4-2 (one goalkeeper, four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers) 4-3-3 (one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, three strikers)  5-3-2 (one goalkeeper, five defenders, three midfielders and two strikers) 3-5-2 (one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders, two strikers) or 4-5-1 (one goalkeeper, four defenders, five midfielders, one striker). Managers may switch formations by using transfers.  A maximum of 2 players only may be included from the same real life team. In the event that a transfer of one or more players at a real life club results in a Manager having more than 2 players from the same real life club in their Fantasy team, this will be permitted for the purposes of scoring in the Game until such time as a Managers transfers reduces the number from the same club to 2. Managers not wishing to make their own team selection can use the auto select facility. By simply clicking the Auto Select button on the team select page, the computer will generate an eligible team that will appear on the screen. Managers can amend the auto select team before accepting. Managers must nominate a team captain from their selected team who will score double points, both positive and negative. Incorrect, incomplete or corrupted entries will not be accepted. The computer record of the entry will be considered to be the entry. The decision of the judges is final.

TEAM AND PRIVATE LEAGUE NAMES: The judges reserve the right to refuse team names that are felt in their sole opinion to be inappropriate or offensive. Unsuitable names will be deleted and at the judges’ discretion the Manager’s team (and other teams controlled by the Manager) may (i) be deleted from the game; or (ii) the team will appear under the player’s name. The judges reserve the right to refuse Private League names that are felt, in their sole opinion, to be inappropriate or offensive. Unsuitable Private League names will be deleted and either (i) the Private League will be deleted; or (ii) the name of the Private League will be replaced by the Chairman’s name.

TEAM CHANGES & TRANSFERS: Unlimited team and formation changes are permitted prior to 3pm BST on Saturday 13th August 2011. After 3pm BST on Saturday 13th August, Managers will be permitted a maximum of 30 transfers during the season. Transfers made prior to the kick off of any day’s first eligible match will be effective from the kick off of that match. Transfers made after the scheduled start of any day’s first eligible match will take effect from the kick off of the first eligible match on the next match day. No more than five transfers may be used in any calendar month. Managers will be required to use transfers when making a change to their team formation. Eligible Fantasy Teams must at all times comply with the terms of the Game and must remain within the team budget of £75 million. Sky Sports and GFM will not be responsible for incomplete transfers, transfers lost in transmission or transfers received late due to high online traffic levels. Transfers may be made on the Game Website at http://fantasyfootball.skysports.comor via the mobile game app.

CAPTAIN CHANGES: Managers may make one captain change each game week throughout the Game. The game week runs from Tuesday to Monday and to be effective during a game week, captain changes must be completed before kick-off of the first scheduled game in a game week to be eligible for that game week. Captain changes made after the kick-off of the first scheduled game in a game week will be effective from the first scheduled kick-off of  the next game week. The nominated captain will score double points both positive and negative. Sky Sports and GFM will not be responsible for incomplete captain changes, captain changes lost in transmission or captain changes received late due to high online and app traffic levels. Captain changes may only be made on the Game Website at http://fantasyfootball.skysports.com  or via the mobile game app.

SCORING POINTS: Players in your team will score points based on their real-life performance in Barclays Premier League matches during the 2011/12 season only. Points will be scored from the first eligible match scheduled for 3pm BST on Saturday 13th August 2011 and up to an including the last eligible matches scheduled to be played on 20th May 2012 (or when so ever played). Points will be awarded as follows:

All Players:
Starting XI +2 (awarded for starting the match in the starting XI)
Substitute appearance +1 (awarded for making a substitute appearance having started the match on the substitute’s bench)
Goal scored +5
Goal assist +3 (assists may be awarded to more than one player)
Man of the match +5 (awarded to the Skysports.com man of the match which may differ from the televised man of the match)
Missed Penalty (penalty taker) -3 (penalty taker fails to score direct from the penalty kick)
Yellow card -1
Red card -3 (includes -1 for a yellow card)

Goalkeepers and Defenders only:
Team clean sheet +5 (awarded to players who have played for 75 minutes or more in the game and includes the substitute appearance point if applicable)
Goal against -1
Missed Penalty (goalkeeper) +3 (awarded if no goal is scored direct from the penalty kick – save or missed)

Your nominated captain will score double points for your team, both positive and negative.

Points for goal assists will be awarded in the opinion of and at the sole discretion of the judges. Assists are generally awarded to the player who provided the last clean pass, parried or rebounded shot. Points scored in abandoned matches will be void and will not count in the Game. Classified points will be updated on the Game Website and mobile game app daily.

The judge’s decision in respect of the awarding of points will be final and they will not enter into any correspondence regarding points deducted or allocated to players.

LIVE SCORING: During all eligible matches, Managers can view the progress of their Fantasy Football Team and view live update commentary on the Game Website and mobile game app. Team scores will automatically update in accordance with the Game’s scoring parameters as an event occurs in real-life games. For the purpose of live scoring, a Managers team will display the XI that was effective at the kick off of the first eligible live scoring match. Transfers made after the kick off of the first eligible live scoring match, will not appear in a Managers XI until the start of the match from which the transfer or transfers are effective and Managers should be aware that a transfer made during a live scoring match will not immediately appear in their XI. Live score updates should be regarded as indicative only and classified score updates will be applied to all teams following the completion of the days last eligible game. Classified scores will appear on the Game Website and mobile game app by 10am the day following completion of a day’s eligible matches and these may vary from scores indicated in the live score updates.  Live scores are powered by the live data feed and assessment from the Press Association and OPTA. Classified scores are verified by GFM following assessment from a range of data sources. In all instances, the classified scores will be the scores that will apply to the Game and leader boards. Where the live scores vary from the classified scores, the decision of the judges will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

PRIZES: Prizes will be awarded for the winner of the overall season, monthly winners, weekly winners, Starting X1 League, Knockout Cup, 2nd Half League, Early Bird League and Chairman’s League. A prize will also be awarded for the best performing Private League. The specific prizes for all leagues and competitions can be viewed on the prizes page from the home page of the Game Website or by clicking this link http://fantasyfootball.skysports.com/prizes  The winner of the overall season competition will be the Manager whose team has accumulated the highest number of points throughout the Game from the first eligible games on Saturday 13th August 2011 to the last eligible games on Sunday 13th May 2012 (or when so ever played). The manager who accumulates the second highest number of points throughout the Game will be awarded the runners-up prize and the manager who accumulates the third highest number of points throughout the Game will be awarded the 3rd prize. The monthly prize will be awarded to the Manager whose team has accumulated the highest number of points in a Game month. 9 monthly prizes will be awarded in all and Game months will be: (1) August 13th to September 30th, (2) October 1st to October 31st, (3) November 1st to November 30th, (4) December 1st to December 31st 2011, (5) January 1st to January 31st 2012, (6) February 1st to February 29th, (7) March 1st to March 31st, (8) April 1st to April 30th and (9) May 1st to May 13th.  The weekly prize will be awarded to the Manager whose team has accumulated the highest number of points in a Game week (Tuesday to Monday). The first prize Game week will be Saturday 13th August to Monday 22nd August inclusive and thereafter each week until Sunday 13th May 2012.  No weekly prizes will be awarded during weeks where there is no point scoring such as weeks including International fixtures and weeks including the FA Cup 3rd round. The Starting X1 prize will be awarded to the Manager whose team accumulates the highest number of points with their original Starting X1 from August 13th 2011 to May 13th 2012. The 2nd Half League prize will be awarded to the Manager whose team accumulates the highest number of points in the 2nd Half League which will include all eligible matches played from February 1st 2012 to May 13th 2012. The Knockout Cup prize will be awarded to the Manager whose team wins the Knockout Cup Final. The first round of the Knockout Cup will take place during the Game week commencing on Tuesday 29th November 2011 with the Final Game taking place on Sunday May 13th 2012. The Early Bird League prize will be awarded to the Manager whose team accumulates the highest number of points from Saturday August 13th 2011 to Sunday May 13th 2012 and whose team was registered in the Game by midnight on Friday 29th July 2011. The Chairman’s League prize will be awarded to the Chairman of a Private League or Private League+ (with five or more individual Manager participants by midnight on Friday 30th September) whose team accumulates the highest number of points in the Chairman’s League from Saturday August 13th 2011 to Sunday May 13th 2012. A Manager will only be able to claim one prize within each category of prizes (e.g. season including Early Bird, 2nd Half League and Starting x1, monthly, weekly). In the event that a previous winner in a category has the highest number of points in a subsequent week, month or competition, the prize will be awarded to the next highest scoring eligible team in that game period or competition.  The Private League prize will be awarded to the Private League that has the highest average points total based on its five highest scoring teams at the end of the Game. There are no prize alternatives and winners will be notified by email. If Sky Sports have been unable to contact the winner of any prize within 14 days of that game period or competition ending we can award the prize to another player. In cases where the Manager in first place haven’t responded within 14 days, the prize will be awarded to the Manager of the next highest scoring eligible team in that game period or competition.Once a prize winner has responded to Sky Sports and verified their details they will receive their prize within 28 days. Some prizes may involve foreign travel and prize winners will be responsible for their own relevant documentation to permit foreign travel. Winner’s names will also appear on the Game Website the day after each prize period is completed. The decision of the Game judges will be final in all matters relating to the awarding of Game prizes and no correspondence will be entered into.

TIE BREAK: In the event of two Managers or Private Leagues finishing level on points scored for any prize in the Game, the winner will be the Manager whose team has scored the most goals during the relevant period, followed by the most assists. In the case of Private Leagues, only the top five scoring teams will be considered. If there is still no separating the tied Managers, teams will be placed in order of the date and time that they were entered, with the team entered earliest being deemed the winner. In the case of Private Leagues, the prize will be awarded to the league that was created on the earliest date or time.

PRIVATE LEAGUES: Managers may set up a Private League and compete in a league with friends, family and colleagues and also for the Private League prize. A Private League will be valid when a minimum of five individual, valid teams are entered by five individual Managers. There is no maximum to the number of teams that may participate in a Private League so long as each is valid and is entered by individual Managers. A team may participate in a maximum of three Private Leagues and after it has been entered into any Private League, it cannot be removed and entered into another Private League unless your team is removed from the Private League by the Chairman. A team may, in addition to being entered into a maximum of three Private Leagues, also be entered into unlimited Public Leagues. To start your own Private League, you must first complete a team entry and registration and then click on the Create Private League button.  You will be asked to give your Private League a name and this must be done in accordance with the conditions set out in Team Names.  Once set up, you will be the nominated Chairman of your Private League and your Private League will be given a unique PIN. This PIN and the league name can be circulated to friends, family and colleagues using the Challenge a Friend facility on the Game Website or mobile game app. To join a Private League you will need the league name and PIN and then click on the Join Private League button. Private League Chairman may reject members from their Private League using the Remove Player button and this facility will be available until midnight on Friday 30th September. Chairmen creating a Private League or Private League+ with a minimum of five or more individual Manager participants  by midnight on Friday 30th September, will automatically have their own team entered into the exclusive Chairman’s League and will be eligible to win the Chairman’s League prize. To score points from the first eligible matches of the season, Private Leagues must be created by 3pm BST on Saturday 13th August 2011. To compete for the Private League prize, a Private League must have a minimum of five eligible teams by midnight on Friday 30th September 2011. Private Leagues with less than five teams by midnight on Friday 30th September will not be eligible for the Private League prize even if populated with the minimum number of teams at a later date. Private Leagues can be set up at any time but those created after midnight on Friday 30th September will not be eligible to compete for the Private League prize. You do not have to set up or join a Private League to play the Game and all entries into the Game are automatically entered into the overall competition.

PRIVATE LEAGUES +: In addition to entering a maximum of three Private Leagues, a team may also enter a maximum of two Private Leagues +. Subject to the remainder of this paragraph, Chairmen of a Private League will have the opportunity to create a cash, prize pool for their league. Having created a Private League, Chairmen will be given the option to create a Private League + and play for cash by clicking the Play for Cash button. This will give Chairmen the option of choosing a stake for their Private League + which can be £2 per team, £5 per team, £10 per team or £20 per team. Chairmen will also have the option of nominating the prize structure from a pre-defined list of 4 options (1) 100% to the winner, (2) 75% to the winner and 25% to 2nd, (3) 60% to the winner, 30% to 2nd and 10% to 3rd and (4) 50% to the winner, 25% to 2nd, 15% to 3rd and 10% to 4th.  Having nominated a stake and prize structure, entrants to the Private League + will be required to pay the stake by debit or credit card in order to enter the Private League +. A Private League + can only be set up when each of the participants is or becomes a fully registered user of Sky Betting & Gaming by visiting Skybet.com and completing their registration. Please note that by completing the registration you will be agreeing to Sky Betting & Gaming’s terms and conditions. Sky Betting & Gaming is operated under a remote gaming licence issued to Bonne Terre Limited (a subsidiary of Sky) by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. The total stakes will be securely held and the total cash pool, without any deductions, will be paid by Sky Betting & Gaming to the winning Private League + Manager(s) in accordance with the nominated prize structure at the end of the Game. There is no charge for this service. Please note that once a team is entered into a Private League+ a participant may not then exit that Private League+ or remove any stake without first obtaining our prior written consent (for which email will suffice), with such consent to be given or withheld in our absolute discretion. Please note that if you have self excluded from any Sky Betting & Gaming  product you will be unable to participate in a Private League +. If during the course of the Game you self exclude from any Sky Betting & Gaming product and you are a member of a Private League +, your stake will still stand and be settled in accordance with the Private League+ prize structure, but you will no longer be permitted to participate in the Game, including, but not limited to, team selection, making transfers, Captain changes and formation changes. In the event that your Private League+ is terminated due to a decision by the judges pursuant to these terms & conditions, each participant to the relevant Private League+ will be removed from the league, their stake will be refunded and they will not be eligible to win any Private League + prize.  Private Leagues + will remain eligible for the overall Private League prize of £2,500 in accordance with the terms of eligibility, unless terminated in accordance with these terms & conditions.

PUBLIC LEAGUES: In addition to participating in a maximum of three Private Leagues and two Private Leagues +, Managers may enter teams into an unlimited number of Public Leagues. These are just for fun. To enter a Public League, click on the Public League you wish to join after you have completed you team selection and registration. There are no prizes for Public Leagues.

EARLY BIRD LEAGUE: Managers who register their team in the Game before midnight on Friday July 29th 2011 will, in addition to the Main Game be entered into the exclusive Early Birds League and be eligible to win the leagues prize. Changes to a Managers team can be made up to kick off of the first eligible game on Saturday 13th August and this will not affect eligibility for the Early Bird League.

STARTING XI LEAGUE: Managers original XI at the time of first eligible scoring will, in addition to the main Game be entered into the Starting XI League and be eligible to win the leagues prize. No changes are permitted to the Starting XI and the team is effectively ‘locked’ for the season as soon as the team scores its first points, positive or negative.

THE KNOCKOUT CUP: All teams in the Game by midnight on 28th November will be entered into the Knockout Cup and be eligible to win the prize. The Knockout Cup will randomly pair a Managers team with another Managers team in a head to head and the team that scores the most points in the Game week (Tuesday to Monday) will progress to the next round. The Knockout Cup will take place over a minimum of 16 Game weeks (not necessarily consecutive) starting with a preliminary round being played between 29th November and 5th December. During this preliminary round a number of 'byes’ will be awarded. The two remaining teams on Sunday May 13th will compete for the Knockout Cup prize with scoring based on the final day’s eligible fixtures. In the event that any Knockout Cup pairing results in a tie, the Manager whose team was entered into the Game at the earliest date and time will progress.

2nd HALF LEAGUE:  On January 3rd Managers will receive an additional game credit allowing them to select an all new team. Team selection for the 2nd Half League will open on Tuesday January 3rd 2012 and the 2nd Half League will commence scoring with eligible matches from January 31st 2012 to Sunday 13th May.  Any new teams entered into the game between January 3rd and before the first kick-off on January 31st  will be entered into the 2nd Half League and will also score in the main game.

CHAIRMAN’S LEAGUE: Managers setting up a Private League or Private League+ with a minimum of five participating teams by midnight on Friday 30th September, will automatically have their own team entered into the Chairman’s League and be eligible to win the league’s prize.

GENERAL: Entry into the Game constitutes permission for Sky and/or their associated, affiliated and subsidiary companies to use the names, team selections and photographs of participants for publishing purposes at its discretion. All winners may be required to participate in such publicity as Sky reasonably requires.

The Game Website may not be available at all times and Sky and GFM cannot be held liable if the website is unavailable at any time. Sky, GFM or their associated, affiliated and subsidiary companies do not accept liability for technical, hardware or software failures of any kind or lost or unavailable network conditions which may limit or prohibit the opportunity to participate in the Game.

By entering this promotion you agree that Sky and Sky Betting & Gaming may use your information to contact you about products and services you may like. You can change your direct marketing preferences by contacting us on 08000 725 181or by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link in direct marketing emails from us. Sky and GFM reserve the right to substitute the any prize for a prize of equivalent or greater monetary value if this is necessary for reasons beyond its control.

Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence or in respect of fraud and so far as is permitted by law, the Sky, GFM and their associated companies and agents exclude responsibility and all liabilities arising from any postponement, cancellation, delay or changes to the prize details beyond their Promoter’s control and for any act or default of any third party supplier.

The terms and conditions of any other third party supplier will also apply to the prize where applicable. If there is a conflict between third party terms and conditions and these terms and conditions, these shall take precedence.

Neither Sky nor GFM shall be liable for any prize(s) that do not reach the winners for reasons beyond Sky and/or GFM’s reasonable control. No information may be reproduced in any format from the Game without prior written consent from Sky. “Sky” and “Sky Sports” are registered trade-marks and cannot be used without the express permission of their respective owners.

Informative and explanatory copy, including the scoring system and rules, forms a part of the terms and conditions of the Game.  The judge’s reserve the right to refuse to accept any entry that in their sole opinion does not comply with the terms and conditions of the Game or which contravenes the spirit of the Game. Further, the judges have an absolute discretion to disqualify any entry, or vary, amend or waive the terms and conditions of the competition at any time and participants agree that no liability shall attach to Sky or GFM as a result thereof and that the exercise of such discretion shall not result in any compensation being payable or paid to any participant.

It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the entrant agrees to abide by these rules.

Any site users or entrants found to be attempting or suspected of attempting to hack into any servers or systems run by Sky and/or GFM will be immediately removed from the system and have any entry, subscriptions or payments cancelled. Such users will have no right to any refunds and Sky and GFM reserve the right to report the matter to the relevant authorities.

Sky and GFM will make all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the Game information on the Website and to update such information on a regular basis, but Sky or GFM cannot guarantee that such information will be accurate or up-to-date at all times.

Sky reserves the right to investigate any complaints that it receives but shall be under no obligation to do so. Should Sky choose to exercise this right, its decision shall be final and binding on all complainants and it shall not enter into any correspondence regarding its decision or any other matter.

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions proves to be illegal or unenforceable, this shall not prevent the remaining provisions continuing in full force and effect.

These Terms and Conditions will be interpreted in accordance with English law and the entrants agree that all claims arising from their participation in the Game that they may bring against Sky and GFM will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

Sky may rely upon and enforce these Terms and Conditions.

If you have any problems in accessing details about your chosen team or any other details regarding your entry or any general queries, please contact us or email us.