2009 Festitalia Tournament - Tournament Rules & Code of Conduct

Tournament Code of Conduct :: Tournament Rules

Tournament Code of Conduct

Our goal is to ensure our children enjoy the game of soccer and that they continue to relish the experience of competitiveness, teamwork and sportsmanship. We need your support as coaches, officials and parents to make sure we all work together to provide all participants with a safe and enjoyable environment.

Players:

• Always maintain a consistent positive attitude toward your teammates, coaches and officials.
• Avoid comments or gestures that express disagreement with referee calls
• Do not make remarks to opposing players, coaches, spectators or referees
• Do not retaliate when fouled.
• Displays of temper will not be tolerated on the field or in the playing area.
• Do not be concerned over referee calls where you disagree. This will only distract you from playing your best .

  Parents:

• Always be a good role model for your children
• Never criticize or yell at the tournament officials or referees
• Support the team and encourage the players and coaches
• Do not coach or provide instructions. That is the role of the coaches
• Follow instructions from the tournament coordinators an the tournament officials
• Encourage your children

  Coaches:

• Be a good role model to your team
• Be positive, constructive and consistent
• Ensure you control your supporters, do not criticize
• Know the laws of the game
• Communicate with the players and parents
• Encourage your players

Tournament Rules

01. Laws of the game
02. Eligibility
03. Duration of Games
04. Tie-breaking and Overtime Rules
05. Playoffs: Qualifying
06. Failure to Show and Forfeited Games
07. Players Uniforms and Equipment
08. Scheduling and Refereeing
09. Substitutions and Conduct
10. Protests
11. General
12. Mini Soccer Rules


1. Laws of the game

All games shall be played in accordance with F.I.F.A. rules.

2. Eligibility

1. All teams must be currently registered with their Provincial, State or National Association.
2. All teams from outside Ontario must have the appropriate travel forms authorized by their governing Association
3. All teams may register eighteen (18) players & dress 18 players for full field; sixteen (16) players & dress fourteen (14) players for mini-field. A team roster must be submitted at registration and only those players listed may participate in the tournament. A player can register and play on only one team in the tournament.
4. All players must have a current players registration card with photograph and be registered with their team through their Provincial, State or Nation Association. All players must be born on or after January 1st of the year age group I which their team is entered in the tournament. Call ups are accepted for individual players providing all documentation (trial permits, temporary permits) are provided at time of registration.
5. Teams (with the team staff’s approval) are able to play up to a maximum of one (1) age group. This does not apply for the ages ten (10) moving to eleven (11) since the differentiation will move the team from mini to full field play.
6. Registration cards may be inspected at anytime during the tournament, by a tournament official.
7. Teams and players unable to provide acceptable registration documents shall not be allowed to play in any tournament games.
8. Three trial permits will be permitted so long as they are from the same club as the team. Permits must be signed by a club executive board member.
9. Participating teams must have insurance coverage for all players. Proof of such must be presented at the time of registration. Teams without insurance will not be allowed to play. NOTE: Clubs affiliated with Ontario Soccer Association are already covered

3. Duration of Games

1. Length of games will be as indicated on each schedule. No overtime will be played in the preliminary rounds. Half time intervals in all games will be five minutes.
2. The length of Semi-finals and Final games will be as indicated on each schedule. If the game is tied after regulation time, two five (5) minute overtime periods will be played, GOLDEN GOAL RULE SHALL APPLY. If the game is still tied a decision will be reached by penalty kicks as defined in the F.I.F.A. rules. One goal only will be added to regulation scores therefore; last goal scored will count as winning goal.
3. Games will be scored: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie.
4. In the event of inclement weather teams must show up at the field. The tournament committee shall have authority to change the above format follows:
   1. Relocate and/or reschedule any game.
   2. Reduce, by up to 50% the schedule duration of any game, excluding semi-finals and finals.
   3. To cancel any game in the preliminary rounds which has no bearing in deciding group winners or playoff qualifiers.
   4. Game called by the referee providing that 10 minutes of the second half have elapsed shall be considered a complete game, and the score at the time will stand.

4. Tie-breaking and Overtime Rules

1. In the event of teams being tied after the preliminary round standings, the following procedure will be used.
   1. Winner of the game between tied teams
   2. Goals difference (goals scored minus goal against)
   3. Least goals allowed
   4. Most goals allowed
   5. Goal average (goals scored divided by goals against)
   6. Most wins during preliminary rounds
   7. Best five penalty kicks by five players each team
   8. Alternate penalty kicks by balance of team until a decision has been made
2. In the event of tied games in the semi-finals and finals the following procedure will be used to determine game winners.
   1. 2 five (5) minute periods of overtime will be played; GOLDEN GOAL RULE SHALL APPLY.
   2. If still tied best of five (5) penalty kicks as per F.I.F.A rules.

5. Playoffs: Qualifying

1. Each age group will have one (1) two (2) divisions, provided there are enough teams entered. These divisions will be known as group A and group B. the two teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs. The winner of each group will play the runner-up of the other group in the semi-finals. The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the final.
2. In the event of only four or five teams within an age group. The semi-finals will be eliminated and the top two teams will move onto the finals.
3. Each team participating in the tournament is guaranteed three (3) games whether they qualify for the playoffs or not.
4. Paragraph three (3) comes into effect.

6. Failure to Show and Forfeited Games

1. A team shall be allowed a ten (10) minute grace period from the scheduled kick-off time before the game is awarded to their opponent. A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a team for full field and five (5) for mini field.
2. Only if there are less than minimum players can a delay in the kick-off time be allowed. In the event a team forfeits a game, their opponents will be awarded a win and be given three (3) points. The record score will be 3-0.
3. If a team forfeits a game, all games played by that team in the tournament shall be eliminated and all their tournament opponents will be awarded a win and given three (3) points regardless of the actual game score. A 3-0 score will be entered. This same rule will apply if a team resigns from the tournament and does not attend.
4. Forfeit of a game will result in forfeiture of the performance bond.

7. Players Uniforms and Equipment

Teams must wear a number on the back of their shirts. Each player shall have a different number and this number must coincide with the players name and number on the game sheet. In the event that team colors clash, the home team will change uniforms. (Home team is the first listed team in the schedule). The home team is required to provide a suitable game ball. All players’ equipment is subject to the referee’s approval. The F.I.F.A. dress code will be enforced.

8. Scheduling and Refereeing

1. Scheduling and refereeing will be the responsibility of the tournament committee.
2. The referee is the sole timekeeper of each game.

9. Substitutions and Conduct

1. There is no limit to the number of substitutions that can be made during games. Substitutions can only be made at the following times and upon proper notification of the referee:
   1. After a goal has been scored
   2. At a goal kick
   3. At the beginning of the second half or the first and second half of overtime
   4. At the referee’s discretion in the event of an injury
2. No substitutions will be allowed for a player ordered from the field by the referee. Any player or team official ordered from the field by the referee will be ejected from the tournament.
3. Any player or team officials ejected for fighting with another team, team officials or referee will suspended for the remainder of the tournament and not allowed on the tournament fields.
4. In the event a player receives a yellow or red card, F.I.F.A. rules will apply.
5. Game infractions (yellow or red) will be reported to the Hamilton and District Soccer Association and forwarded on to the OSA.

10. Protests

1. All protests must be in writing and be delivered to the tournament headquarters together with a fee of $50.00 (fifty dollars) within one hour of the completion of the game to which the protest relates. The fifty dollars will not be refunded.
2. No protests on a referee’s decision will be entered.

11. General

1. All Game Sheets must be handed to the referee prior to the start of each game.
2. At the end of each game, all game sheets will be signed by the referee. The game sheet must be returned to the Volunteer Field Convenor immediately following the game, by an official (Coach or manager) from each participating team. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of the game.
3. Game sheets must be signed by the referee and one official from each team.
4. Player books may be checked prior to any game. If the request is made by either team staff, the referee will be responsible to line all players from both teams up with their players book in hand.
5. When a player or team official is ordered from the field or cautioned by the referee during the course of the game, a copy of the referee’s report must be forwarded to the Tournament Committee.
6. The Tournament Committee will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team if the tournament is cancelled in whole or part.
7. Harassment and intimidation of the referees, tournament committee, or volunteers will be not tolerated. Failure to comply with this will result in team officials and/or the team being suspended from further tournament play.
8. The Tournament Committee will not be liable for any injuries sustained by any participant in the tournament on or off the field.
9. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament.
10. All Tournament Committee interpretations and decisions of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.

12. Mini Soccer Rules:

1. The U8 and U9 divisions will follow the “Kick In” rule when a ball crosses the touch (on the ground or in the air) line and is off the field of play. The ball must be kicked from on or behind the touch line. A goal may not be scored from a “Kick In”. A goal kick will be awarded if this occurs.
2. The U10 divisions will use the “Throw-In” rule when the ball crosses the touch line (on the ground or in the air) and is off the field of play. The ball must be delivered from on or behind the touch line and only one attempt is permitted. The opposing team will take possession and be awarded the throw in if the throw in is delivered incorrectly. A goal may not be scored from a throw-in. A goal kick will be awarded if this occurs.
3. The offside rule will NOT apply to mini-field soccer divisions.
4. The referee may award a free-kick to the non-offending team. The free-kick shall be taken from the place where the infringement occurred, unless the free-kick is awarded to the attacking team within its opponents’ penalty-area. In this case, the penalty-kick shall be taken from the penalty area line nearest the where the offence was committed.
5. At the taking of a free-kick, the ball shall be stationary and all opponents shall be not less than 6 yards (5.5M) from the ball until it has been kicked. The ball shall be in play when it is kicked and moved.
6. A player taking a free-kick within his own penalty-area shall kick the ball into play beyond the penalty-area. The ball shall be in play when it has been kicked and moved and has passed outside the penalty-area. All opponents shall be outside the penalty area and not less than 6 yards (5.5M) from the ball until it has been kicked. For any infringement of this rule, the free-kick shall be retaken.
7. A player taking a free-kick shall not play or touch the ball a second time until it has been played or touched by another player. For any infringement of this rule, a free-kick shall be awarded to the opposing team.
8. A goal may be scored directly from a free-kick