Rules and regulations

Article 1. Fixtures & Time Schedule (Please see appendix 2)

ArtIcle 2. FIFA rules, regulations and standards will apply to the tournament format in conjunction with the rules and regulations listed below.

• 2.1 Pitch size max 70 m. x 50 m.
• 2.2 Size 5 football to be used.
• 2.3 Number of players: 9 aside. If a team cannot field at least six players at match time, the game will be forfeited. A team sanctioned with a forfeit is considered to have lost the match by 3-0. If the goal difference when the game is finished is greater than three, the result on the pitch is upheld.
• 2.4 Unlimited substitutions can be made throughout the duration of the game. Substitutions will be allowed at any stoppage by either team, with the referee’s permission. All substitutions must be made from the centre of the field, requesting authorization from the referee once the game is stopped. A substitute may not enter the field of play until the player he is replacing has left the field.
• 2.5 All shirts will be numbered and must correspond to the ones on the players' list. Numbers must be on the back of the shirts. Duplicate numbers are not permitted. In the event of a uniform colour conflict, visitor players should change their shirts. (The visitor team is the one appearing last in the fixtures).
• 2.6 All matches will be officiated by referees appointed by the UAE Football Association
• 2.7 Duration of matches:
• I. Group stages: 2 x 20-minute halves.
• II. Gold Cup Quarterfinals: 2 x 20-minute halves.
• III. Gold Cup Semifinals and Final: 2 x 25-minute halves.
• IV. Silver Cup Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final: 2 x 15-minute halves.
• 2.8 The kick-off will be decided by the toss of a coin.
• 2.9 The offside rule will apply as per the laws of the game.
• 2.10 In free kicks, all opponents must remain at least 9 steps away from the ball, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts.

Article 3. Eligibility of Players, Player Verification & Team Sheets

• 3.1 Under 13’s (Born on or after January 1st, 2009)
• 3.2 All players registered to play in the tournament must have a passport identification or other government official identification present on the day before the tournament (March 17th) for official player verification checks to be executed.
• 3.2 The coaching staff must provide the designated personal executing player verification with a registration list of all players and coaches participating in the tournament (see appendix 1 for registration sheet).
• 3.3 All players must wear the jersey with the jersey number registered on the registration sheet. Players are not allowed to change the jersey’s number throughout the tournament.

Article 4. Tournament Format

• 4.1 There will be 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4 teams per group. Group winners and runners-up will advance to the Round of 16 in the gold cup. The third and fourth-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16 in the Silver Cup.
• 4.2 Groups Stages:
• I) Each group will have 4 teams where each team will play each other once.
• II) Group stage matches will not go into overtime play.
• III) Point system: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and zero points for a loss.
• IV) When all matches in the groups are played, teams will be ranked from 1 to 4 according to the points obtained by each team.
• V) If two or more teams are tied in points upon the completion of group stages, the following criteria will be applied, in the order given, to determine the final rankings:
• a. The teams in question will be ranked based on the result of direct confrontation (head-to-head play) and ranked accordingly.
• b. The team with the highest goal differential.
• c. The team with the most goals scored.
• d. Fair play rule:
• I. Team with the least amount of red cards
• II. Team with the least amount of yellow cards (a double yellow card for a player, resulting in a red card, will be considered as a red card).
• e. If equalization still exists there will be a coin toss to determine the ranking
• VI) One match official will be provided to officiate each group stage game.
• 4.3 Knock-Out Stage
• I) The top two teams in every group will advance to the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup and continue competing through the knock-out stages.
• II) The third and fourth-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16 in the Silver Cup.
• III) A tie in the knock-out stage after full time will result by going straight to a penalty shootout with each team receiving 5 shots to decide the game.
• a. If the two teams are tied after 5 penalty shots each, the teams will continue shooting sudden death penalties, alternating players on the team until every player registered for the match has taken a shot. This process will continue until there is a winner.
• b. Only players who are on the field at the end of the match may participate in the penalty shootout. Each penalty kick shall be taken by a different player. Only after each team member has taken a penalty kick (including the goalkeeper) may players take a second penalty kick.
• IV) Three match officials will be provided to officiate the games in the knock-out stages. One central official and two linesmen.

Article 5. Yellow and red cards will be given out as per the match official sees fit.

• I) If a player receives two yellow cards in a single match, that player will be ejected from the match and will not be allowed to play in the following match.
• II) If a player receives a direct red card, that player will be ejected from the current match and will not be allowed to play in the following match.
• III) Any team officials behaving inappropriately or found to have unsporting spirit shall be penalized by all or some of the following penalties:
• a. Reprimand
• b. Warning
• c. Discharge from playground
• IV) Players are not allowed to make any unacceptable gestures or practices that come in contravention to the customs and traditions before, during and after the match or after scoring a goal. A player, who takes off his jersey, in a gesture of rejoicing after scoring, must be shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
• V) If the match is discontinued for any reason, any yellow or red cards shown to any player during the playtime shall continue to be valid and in effect.

Article 6. A team will suffer a 3-0 loss in the following situations:

• I) If a team fails to show up to their scheduled match,
• II) If a team attempts to play an illegal, suspended or unregistered player.
• III) If a team attempts to play a certain player under a different jersey and number to escape disciplinary penalizations.
• IV) If a team has less than 6 players able and legal to play due to injuries and or card penalizations.

Article 7. Teams must have a minimum of 6 players to continue competing in an ongoing match.

• I) If a team drops to less than 6 players during a match, the match will be stopped awarding a 3-0 score to the other team. If the goal difference when the game is finished is greater than three, the result on the pitch is upheld.