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Tournament Rules

  1. Team Eligibility Requirements. Any actively registered team of boys, whose fifteenth (15th) birthday was on or after the cut off date established by its provincial or national association (i.e. the amateur soccer governing organization in its home country, referred to herein as a “Soccer Association”) for Fall 2007 league competition—e.g. 1 August 1993 for United States and Canadian teams and 1 January 1993 for European teams—may apply to participate in the Tournament.
  2. Team Application Requirements. A team application must consist of
    1. a completed and signed team Application in the form downloadable from the Tournament web site (InternationalAmateurSports.com),
    2. a completed and signed Club/Team Release and Indemnity Agreement in the form downloadable from the Tournament web site,
    3. a completed and signed Player Release and Indemnity Agreement in the form downloadable from the Tournament web site,
    4. a copy of each player’s picture identification card issued by its Soccer Association; however, if the Soccer Association’s authorization letter states that it does not issue picture identification cards to team players, that Application requirement will be waived for the team and all its players if the team sends with its Application one passport size photograph of each player with his name and jersey number printed on the back,
    5. written proof of approval of the team’s participation from the team’s Soccer Association,
    6. for teams outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, written proof of permission to travel by the team’s Soccer Association,
    7. for teams residing outside the United States, a copy of each player’s passport,
    8. for teams residing outside the United States, a copy of passport of each Team official who will accompany the Team to the Tournament—including coaches, trainers and administrative staff--and
    9. payment of the Tournament Application fee and, if applicable, the participation deposit.

    If the team’s Soccer Association does not issue picture identification cards, the Tournament Administration will issue the team’s player picture identification cards at the Team’s first game site using the passport photographs referenced in Rule 2(d) above.

  3. Team Size & Player Eligibility Requirements. Team rosters may not exceed eighteen (18) players of whom at least fourteen (14) must be registered to play on the applicant team for the Fall 2007 Season by its Soccer Association and not more than four (4) of whom may be guest players; however, except in cases of common team affiliation discussed below, all guest players must be registered to play on a team in the same league as the applicant team by the applicant team’s Soccer Association, but a guest player may not be registered by that Soccer Association to play on another team that applies to participate in the Tournament; by way of exception, however, if the applicant team is under common ownership or has a cooperative agreement (e.g. for marketing, player recruitment or financial affiliation) as another team registered by another Soccer Association, guest players registered by the other Soccer Association are permitted on the applicant team up to the limit provided in this rule.
  4. Games Assured for Each Team. Each team will play a minimum of three (3) Tournament games.
  5. Game Scheduling. Unless agreed otherwise by participating teams, each team will play no more than one (1) game per day.
  6. Player Limitation to One Team. A player may play for only one team in the Tournament.
  7. Jersey Number Requirements. Each player on a team must have a different jersey number and may not change the number
    once team registration is final.
  8. Team Check-In Requirements. Check-in will be on arrival at the Tournament venue 15 minutes before each game with the Tournament Field Marshall.  Original player picture identification cards must be present, available and presented to the referees for player verification before each game.  The referees will also verify each player’s jersey number by reference to the daily game report before each game.  If a player’s picture identification card or jersey number is not the same as on the team’s registration, that player may not play in the game until the discrepancy is resolved by Tournament Administration by a decision to permit the player to play.
  9. Home Team, Jersey Color Conflicts & Game Ball Requirements. The first team listed on the daily game report is the home team, and the home team’s head coach will resolve any jersey color conflicts.  The home team is responsible for supplying the game ball which must be FIFA Approved.
  10. Non-Player Location Around Field. While its team is playing a Tournament game, all coaches, trainers, assistants and players who are not actively playing on the field will be located on the same side of the field, and spectators will be on the opposite side.  No one may be positioned behind the goals.
  11. Duration of Games. Unless shortened by the field referee, all games will be full length with two 40 minute halves separated by a ten (10) minute halftime break.
  12. Division of Teams into Divisions & Scoring of Game Results. (a) During the First Stage of the Tournament, unless fewer than eight teams are accepted, teams will be divided into groups of four teams each with an effort made to include the same number of United States and international teams in each division, and games will end at the end of regulation time plus any stoppage time added by the field referee.

    (b) In the First Stage of the Tournament with fewer than eight (8) accepted teams, each team will play three (3) games against teams determined by random draw by the Tournament Director.
           
    (c) Game results will be counted as:
      (1) 3 Points for a Win,
      (2) 1 Point for a Tie, and
      (3) 0 Points for a Loss.
  13. Advancement to Tournament’s Second Stage. (a) If there are four (4) divisions in the Tournament, after each team in each division has played a scheduled game against the other three (3) teams in its division or a scheduled game was forfeit, the team with the highest number of points in each division will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament; however, if two (2) teams in the same division have the same, highest number of points, the team that scored the most goals will advance and, if the two (2) teams scored the same number of goals, the team that scored the most goals in the game against each other will advance, and if the two (2) teams tied their game, the team that scores the most goals during two (2) ten (10) minute extra periods will advance, and, if the teams are tied at the end of those two (2) extra periods, the winner by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament.

      (b) If there are three (3) divisions, the team with the highest number of points in each division and the team with the highest number of points among all second place teams will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament; however, if two (2) teams in the same division have the same, highest number of points and/or if more than one (1) team has second highest number of points, the team that scored the most goals will advance and, if the teams scored the same number of goals, the team that scored the most goals in the game against each other will advance, and if the teams tied their game, the team that scores the most goals during two (2) ten (10) minute extra periods will advance, and, if the teams are tied at the end of those two (2) extra periods, the winner by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament.

      (c) If there are two (2) divisions, the two (2) teams with the highest number of points in each division will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament; however, if two (2) teams in the same division have the same, second highest number of points, the team that scored the most goals will advance and, if the two (2) teams scored the same number of goals, the team that scored the most goals in the game against each other will advance, and if the two (2) teams tied their game, the team that scores the most goals during two (2) ten (10) minute extra periods will advance, and, if the teams are tied at the end of those two (2) extra periods, the winner by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament.

         (d) If there are fewer than eight (8) accepted teams, the two (2) teams with the highest number of points will advance to the Championship Game; however, if more than one (1) team has the same, second highest number of points, the team that scored the most goals will advance and, if the teams scored the same number of goals, the team that scored the most goals in the game against each other will advance, and if the teams tied their game or did not play each other, the team that scores the most goals during two (2) ten (10) minute extra periods will advance, and, if the teams are tied at the end of those two (2) extra periods, the winner by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game will advance to the Second Stage of the Tournament.
  14. Organization of Tournament’s Second Stage.  (a) During the Second Stage of the Tournament with at least two (2) divisions, the team with the highest number of points will play against the team with the fewest points and the other two (2) teams will play against each other.  If the score is tied at the end of regulation time plus any stoppage time added by the field referee, two (2) ten (10) minute extra periods will be added, and the team that scores the most goals during the two (2) extra periods will win the game.  If the teams are tied at the end of the two (2) extra periods, the winner will be decided by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game.

      (b) The winner of each divisional Second Stage game will play the Championship Game.  If the score is tied at the end of regulation time plus any stoppage time added by the field referee, two ten (10) minute extra periods will be added, and the team that scores the most goals during the two extra periods will win the Tournament.  If the teams are tied at the end of the two (2) extra periods, the Champion will be decided by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game.

      (c) During the Second Stage of the Tournament with fewer than eight (8) accepted teams, the two (2) teams determined by Rule 13(d) will play the Championship Game.  If the score is tied at the end of regulation time plus any stoppage time added by the field referee, two (2) ten (10) minute extra periods will be added, and the team that scores the most goals during the two (2) extra periods will win the Tournament.  If the teams are tied at the end of the two (2) extra periods, the winner will be decided by penalty kicks in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game.

  15. Free Substitution. Free substitution is allowed during a natural stoppage of the game, but only with the referee's approval.  A substitution is completed when the substitute enters the field of play.  At that time, the player to be replaced is no longer a player.  After a player is substituted, he may return to play in the game.
  16. Official Game Reports.The official game report for each completed game must be verified (including score, cautions, send offs) immediately after the game by each team’s coach or manager.  If the game report is not immediately verified by a team’s coach or manager, that report will be final as submitted to Tournament Administration and may not be contested or appealed by the team that did not make the verification.
  17. Discipline.   (a) Players and coaches sent off (red card) during a game, and players and coaches receiving two cautions (yellow cards) during the Tournament, are not allowed to play/coach in the next game--whether the next game is in the First Stage or in the Second Stage.  Players and coaches sent off must serve their suspensions away from the game venue or with the spectators on the opposite side of the field—players, players may not be in uniform, and coaches must refrain from coaching in any manner or by any means during their suspensions.

       (b) In case of continued bad conduct of players, teams, officials, or supporters (including possession of alcoholic beverages at the field and verbal abuse of anyone), the Tournament Director may order the responsible team to be withdrawn from the competition.
      
       (c) Teams and their coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and supporters.

       
  18. Disciplinary Hearings, Additional Disciplinary Measures & Notification to Soccer Associations. Based on Final Game Reports and Disciplinary Committee observation of a game and upon notice to the team coach or manager, a player or coach may be required by the Tournament Director to attend a Disciplinary Committee hearing that shall also be attended by the team manager.  The Tournament Director may order that a disciplined player or coach sit out additional games or withdraw from the Tournament.  Tournament Director disciplinary decisions may not be appealed.  For United States teams, the Tournament Director shall notify the Soccer Association of the team disciplined of the disciplinary action taken or required, and for non-United States teams, the Tournament Director shall notify the United States Soccer Federation which will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to the disciplined team’s provincial or national association.
  19. No Appeal of Referees’ Judgement Calls. Judgment calls by referees may not be appealed.
  20. Protests. All protests must be submitted in writing in English to the Tournament Director within three hours after the end of the game with a $500 (US) cash non-refundable fee.  Only protests that concern the FIFA Laws of the Game and ineligible players will be considered.  All decisions will be in the best interest of soccer and may not be appealed.
  21. Application of FIFA Rules of the Game (& Shin Guards, Casts & Jewelry). Except as otherwise set forth in these Tournament Rules, FIFA Laws of the Game apply--including FIFA Rules of the Game number 4 which requires that all players wear shin guards.  No player will be allowed to play without shin guards.  In addition, soft casts are permitted with the permission of the field referee, but hard casts are not permitted.  Players may not wear any jewelry on the field or the bench.
  22. Tournament Cancellation. In the event the Tournament is cancelled, the Application fee will not be refunded unless ordered by the Tournament Administration after all expenses have been calculated.
  23. Finality of Tournament Director’s Decisions. The decision of the Tournament Director on any matter is final and may not be appealed.
  24. Use of USSF Certified Referees. All games must use referees certified by the United States Soccer Federation.
  25. Game Interruptions. Games interrupted by inclement weather or other situations after completion of the first 20 minutes of second half play will be final at that time.  Games interrupted before the first 20 minutes of second half play will be completed.  The decision of the field referee will determine when a game will be interrupted and if the game will resume within one hour after interruption.  Interrupted games that do not resume the same day will be completed the next day at the time designated by the Tournament Director.
  26. Minimum Number of Players Required to Start Game. Ten (10) registered players must be present on each team to start a game.  A team not arriving with at least 10 registered players within five (5) minutes of the scheduled start of a game will forfeit that game unless the field referee determines otherwise in the interest of the sport on the basis of the reasons presented by the late team and after consultation with the coach of the other team.  Whether a team that forfeits a game will be permitted to proceed in the Tournament will be decided by the Tournament Director.  The other team scheduled to play a game that is forfeit will receive three (3) points as winner of that game, and the forfeit team will receive zero (0) points as loser of that game.

[As of 1 August 2008, Subject to Modification]