THE RULES
OF THE GAME.

Who can play?

You need a valid EA SPORTS FC account, access to Football Ultimate Team, a PlayMalta account and a stable connection for online matches.

• Play your own official matches. Another person cannot play on your account.

The squad rule

Every competition displays a Maximum Player Rating. Every card in your Starting XI and substitutes must be at or below that limit, except one Star Player.

Your Star Player ⭐

You may have one card above the displayed Player Rating Limit across the Starting XI and bench combined. That card can start or be a substitute and may change between matches.

• No separate OVR cap unless the competition says so.
• Any position and any permanently owned card type can be your Star Player, including an Icon, Hero, Evolution, SBC or promo card.

Which cards can I use?

Almost every permanently owned Ultimate Team card is allowed if it follows the current rating limit or is your one Star Player.

• Gold, Silver, TOTW, promo, SBC, objective and Evolution cards
• Icons, Heroes, Hall of FUT, TOTY, TOTS and live or upgradeable cards
• Other official EA Ultimate Team cards

Icons & Heroes

Icons and Heroes are allowed with no separate standard count limit. They follow the same Player Rating Limit as all other cards.

Evolutions

Evolutions are fully allowed. The card’s current displayed OVR counts, not the rating it had before the Evolution.

Upgradeable cards

Live and upgradeable cards are allowed. Their current OVR at the time of your PlayMalta match is what counts. Check your squad before every fixture.

Loan players

Loan cards are not allowed in official PlayMalta matches. Every card you use must be permanently available in your Ultimate Team club.

• This includes loan versions of Icons, Heroes and promotional players.

Substitutes

The bench follows exactly the same rule as the Starting XI. You cannot keep extra over-limit players among your substitutes.

• Your one Star Player may start or sit on the bench.

Chemistry

PlayMalta does not require a minimum Chemistry. Build your team using the normal Ultimate Team Chemistry system.

Formations & tactics

Use any formation normally available in EA SPORTS FC Ultimate Team. Custom tactics, player roles and instructions, tactical changes, normal substitutions, skill moves and set-piece routines are allowed.

You can change your team

Your team is not locked for the whole competition unless a special event explicitly says otherwise.

• Between matches you may buy or sell cards, complete SBCs or Evolutions, unlock players, change your Star Player, rebuild the Starting XI or bench, and change formation or tactics.
• Your match squad must be legal when each official match begins.

Current rating limit

The current Maximum Player Rating is shown on each competition page. It may rise during the EA SPORTS FC year as stronger cards become more widely available. Any new limit is announced before it takes effect.

• The system remains Maximum Player Rating + one Star Player. The current number can differ between competitions.

Squad checks

You are responsible for a legal squad before kick-off. PlayMalta may request a screenshot showing your Starting XI, substitutes, cards and OVR ratings.

• Selected knockouts, finals or important fixtures may require both players to submit squads before playing.

Illegal squads

Correct a mistake before kick-off. If you believe your opponent used an illegal squad, keep evidence and report it to PlayMalta. Never falsify evidence.

• Depending on intent, history and impact, consequences may include a warning, replay, forfeit, points deduction, suspension or removal.
• Accidental and deliberate or repeated violations can be treated differently.

Match arrangement

Both players must genuinely try to arrange their match within its fixture deadline. Be reasonable and communicate early.

• If an opponent does not respond, report the match issue before the deadline. Administration may request screenshots of contact attempts.

Match deadlines

Every fixture has an official deadline. Finish before it unless PlayMalta approves an extension. Do not make first contact in the final minutes.

• Repeated failure to arrange or play may lead to administrative action.

League matches

League matches can end in a draw. Where the selected mode permits, a winner through extra time or penalties is not required.

Knockout matches

Cups and knockouts need a winner. Where the mode supports it, a draw after normal time goes to extra time, then penalties if still level. The winner advances.

• Read any additional instructions on the specific competition page.

Results

Submit official results through PlayMalta where required. Keep a final-result screenshot until confirmation. Never submit a fake or knowingly incorrect score.

• Conflicting submissions may require evidence from both players.

Disconnections

A disconnection is not automatically a 3–0 win or loss. Keep evidence of the score, match minute and error message where possible.

• Try to settle simple situations fairly. If you disagree, report the issue. Administration reviews the circumstances and evidence.
• Intentional disconnections to avoid defeat are prohibited.

Internet connection

Use a connection suitable for online competition; wired internet is recommended where possible. Tell your opponent about serious problems before starting.

• Repeated connection issues affecting fixtures may be reviewed.

Gameplay exploits

Normal EA SPORTS FC mechanics are allowed. PlayMalta may publicly prohibit a confirmed exploit that seriously harms competitive integrity.

• An announced restriction applies equally to everyone from the communicated time.
• Newly prohibited mechanics are not punished retrospectively, except cheating or prohibited external software.

Fair play

The competition must be fair. Serious violations may result in immediate discipline.

• No match fixing, fake results, account sharing or another person playing your match.
• No intentional disconnections, false evidence, deliberate illegal squads or collusion.
• No standings manipulation, prohibited third-party software, platform exploits or deliberately false information to Administration.

Respect

Treat opponents, administrators, staff and community members respectfully. Threats, serious harassment, discrimination and targeted abuse can result in discipline.

• Normal competitive disagreement is not automatically misconduct. Context and evidence matter.

Free & Premium players

Premium does not buy stronger competition rules. Free and Premium players use the same Player Rating Limit, Star Player rule, squad rules, gameplay rules and match rules.

• Premium may provide platform tools, statistics, profile customisation and additional events. It does not permit a stronger match squad under the same competition rules.

Special competitions

A special event can publish different squad requirements before entry. Always read that competition’s own page.

• Open Cup: unrestricted squad rating.
• Evolution Cup: Evolution-focused restrictions.
• First Owner Cup: eligible First Owner cards only.
• Silver Cup: Silver squad restrictions.
• Budget Cup: special squad-building conditions.
• End-of-Year Finals: special or unrestricted rules.

Administration & disputes

PlayMalta Administration reviews match and result disputes, illegal squads, missing fixtures, disconnections, reports, rule violations and competition issues.

• Decisions use the published rules and available evidence. Staff may request screenshots, videos or messages. Players should cooperate with legitimate investigations.

Penalties

Penalties reflect seriousness, intent and player history. They do not have to progress through every lower step first.

• Warning, replay, forfeit or points deduction.
• Temporary competition suspension, removal, temporary PlayMalta suspension or permanent ban.
• Cheating, match fixing, false evidence and repeated deliberate breaches may justify stronger action.

Rule updates

EA SPORTS FC evolves throughout the year. New cards, Evolutions, gameplay updates or features may require PlayMalta to adjust its rules.

• Important changes are communicated to players and normally take effect on the announced date, not retrospectively.