Charlotte World Soccer Tournament

World Cup Tournament

2011 GAME RULES

Tournament Schedule

The teams taking part in the competition shall be divided into groups of four teams each.
The matches in the group phase shall be played in accordance with the official schedule determined at the draw for the tournament.
The playoffs shall be played in accordance with the knock-out system.

Rosters and Game Gear

Team rosters may consist of maximum 22 players. Each team is permitted a maximum of three (3) under 30 years-of-age players on its active game roster and only a maximum of four (4) players can be from other countries unless approved by the organizers. The three under 30 years-of-age players have to be from the country they are playing for. No player under the age of 21 is allowed. Maximum 2 of the under 30 players can be on the field at the same time.
Teams provide their own jerseys and soccer gear – shin guards are mandatory.
Teams are allowed to exchange 5 players from the roster between qualifiers and playoffs.
Players listed on a team roster in the group games, can’t play for a different team in the playoffs.

Game Rules

League will follow regular FIFA soccer rules with certain modifications.
At least one referee will be provided for all the group matches.
Two referees per game will be available for all the playoff games.
Games consist of 2 x 25 minute halves, with no clock stoppages.
Wildcard games consist of 2 x 20 minute halves, with no clock stoppages.
Playoff games consist of 2 x 25 minute halves, with no clock stoppages.
Off-side rule applies as in FIFA rules.
Special Substitution Rules:

Substitutions are unlimited, but rules apply to when they can sub in/out.
Teams can substitute during any stoppage only with the permission of the referee and after the player being replaced has left the field.

Red/Yellow Cards

Yellow Cards will be issued according to the Referee's interpretation of the rules. Any 2 Yellow Cards during the course of a match will result in a Red Card, meaning that player must leave the match and cannot be substituted for. This Red Card will be counted the same as a direct Red Card – see rules below.
A player receiving a Red Card by virtue of a single infraction or as a result of accumulating 2 Yellow Cards in the same match will be ejected from that match and their team will be forced to play down a player for the remainder of the game. This will result in a one game suspension for the player.
A player who starts a fight or shows very unsportsmanlike behavior, will be banned from the tournament.
If there are more than 2 under 30 years-of-age player on the field at the same time, one player will receive a Red Card. The player will be picked by the referee. This Red Card will be counted the same as a direct Red Card.

Points, Forfeits, Ties

A winning team receives 3 points for a direct win, 2 points if won by penalty kicks after a draw, 1 point if lost by penalty kicks after a draw and 0 for a loss. Teams will be ranked in the standings by their Win/Loss/Draw points.
Games ending in draws during the group play will automatically go to penalty kicks. The team that wins the game by penalty kicks after a draw will gain only 2 points for the win and the team that looses will get 1 point. Any forfeits will result in automatic 3 points for the winner team with a result of 1- 0.
In the case of penalty kicking in the group play there is 5 players from each team kicking penalty kick. In the event of a tie after 5 penalty kicks, there is sudden death. Players that already kicked a penalty kick is not allowed to take a penalty kick again.

Group Games

The system of play shall be the league system, each team playing one match against each of the other teams in the same group.

We will have 5 groups of 4 teams.

Ranking in each group shall be determined as follows:

Greater number of points obtained in all the group matches

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above criterion, their ranking shall be determined as follows:

Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned

Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned

Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned

Goal difference in all the group matches

Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches

Drawing lots by the tournament officials or game referees

The team coming first in each group qualifies for the Playoffs.

The best second place team from all groups will qualify for the Playoffs automatically as well.

The 2-5 best second placed teams in the groups (4 team’s total) will play one wildcard game to qualify for the 2 remaining playoff spots.

Quarterfinals, Semifinals and 1^st place games

The winners of the semifinals qualify for the final.
All the quarterfinal, semifinal and final stage games must result in a victory for one team. In case of a tie after 2 regular halves, there shall be two 5-minute full length halves, followed by penalty shootout [5 players, followed by alternating players, if necessary]. Same rule as in group play in case of tie after the initial 5 players.

Discipline and Game Conduct

FIFA rules apply. Sportsmanship and Fair Play are to be emphasized at all times. Poor sportsmanship, abusive language and violent behavior are not acceptable. Our referees have our full support to use their discretion and good judgment while interpreting rules, and will have our full support in making this tournament a great success and a lot of fun. It is expected that Captains will ensure their team's compliance to the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Foul Language

While inappropriate language may be the by-product of competitive matches and situations, its use should be minimized by everyone, and never directed towards an individual. Match referees have the authority to issue disciplinary cards for abuses of language.

Forfeit

For a team to forfeit during the qualifiers, it must discuss this with the other team captains of the group and the organizers. Failure to do this might result in exclusion from next year’s tournament.


World Cup Tournament 2011 GAME RULES *Tournament Schedule* The teams taking part in the competition shall be divided into groups of four teams each. The matches in the group phase shall be played in accordance with the official schedule determined at the draw for the tournament. The playoffs shall be played in accordance with the knock-out system. Rosters and Game Gear Team rosters may consist of maximum 22 players. Each team is permitted a maximum of three (3) under 30 years-of-age players on its active game roster and only a maximum of four (4) players can be from other countries unless approved by the organizers. The three under 30 years-of-age players have to be from the country they are playing for. No player under the age of 21 is allowed. Maximum 2 of the under 30 players can be on the field at the same time. Teams provide their own jerseys and soccer gear – shin guards are mandatory. Teams are allowed to exchange 5 players from the roster between qualifiers and playoffs. Players listed on a team roster in the group games, can’t play for a different team in the playoffs. Game Rules League will follow regular FIFA soccer rules with certain modifications. At least one referee will be provided for all the group matches. Two referees per game will be available for all the playoff games. Games consist of 2 x 25 minute halves, with no clock stoppages. Wildcard games consist of 2 x 20 minute halves, with no clock stoppages. Playoff games consist of 2 x 25 minute halves, with no clock stoppages. Off-side rule applies as in FIFA rules. Special Substitution Rules: Substitutions are unlimited, but rules apply to when they can sub in/out. Teams can substitute during any stoppage only with the permission of the referee and after the player being replaced has left the field. Red/Yellow Cards Yellow Cards will be issued according to the Referee's interpretation of the rules. Any 2 Yellow Cards during the course of a match will result in a Red Card, meaning that player must leave the match and cannot be substituted for. This Red Card will be counted the same as a direct Red Card – see rules below. A player receiving a Red Card by virtue of a single infraction or as a result of accumulating 2 Yellow Cards in the same match will be ejected from that match and their team will be forced to play down a player for the remainder of the game. This will result in a one game suspension for the player. A player who starts a fight or shows very unsportsmanlike behavior, will be banned from the tournament. If there are more than 2 under 30 years-of-age player on the field at the same time, one player will receive a Red Card. The player will be picked by the referee. This Red Card will be counted the same as a direct Red Card. Points, Forfeits, Ties A winning team receives 3 points for a direct win, 2 points if won by penalty kicks after a draw, 1 point if lost by penalty kicks after a draw and 0 for a loss. Teams will be ranked in the standings by their Win/Loss/Draw points. Games ending in draws during the group play will automatically go to penalty kicks. The team that wins the game by penalty kicks after a draw will gain only 2 points for the win and the team that looses will get 1 point. Any forfeits will result in automatic 3 points for the winner team with a result of 1- 0. In the case of penalty kicking in the group play there is 5 players from each team kicking penalty kick. In the event of a tie after 5 penalty kicks, there is sudden death. Players that already kicked a penalty kick is not allowed to take a penalty kick again. Group Games The system of play shall be the league system, each team playing one match against each of the other teams in the same group. We will have 5 groups of 4 teams. Ranking in each group shall be determined as follows: Greater number of points obtained in all the group matches If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above criterion, their ranking shall be determined as follows: Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned Goal difference in all the group matches Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches Drawing lots by the tournament officials or game referees The team coming first in each group qualifies for the Playoffs. The best second place team from all groups will qualify for the Playoffs automatically as well. The 2-5 best second placed teams in the groups (4 team’s total) will play one wildcard game to qualify for the 2 remaining playoff spots. Quarterfinals, Semifinals and 1^st place games The winners of the semifinals qualify for the final. All the quarterfinal, semifinal and final stage games must result in a victory for one team. In case of a tie after 2 regular halves, there shall be two 5-minute full length halves, followed by penalty shootout [5 players, followed by alternating players, if necessary]. Same rule as in group play in case of tie after the initial 5 players. Discipline and Game Conduct FIFA rules apply. Sportsmanship and Fair Play are to be emphasized at all times. Poor sportsmanship, abusive language and violent behavior are not acceptable. Our referees have our full support to use their discretion and good judgment while interpreting rules, and will have our full support in making this tournament a great success and a lot of fun. It is expected that Captains will ensure their team's compliance to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Foul Language While inappropriate language may be the by-product of competitive matches and situations, its use should be minimized by everyone, and never directed towards an individual. Match referees have the authority to issue disciplinary cards for abuses of language. Forfeit For a team to forfeit during the qualifiers, it must discuss this with the other team captains of the group and the organizers. Failure to do this might result in exclusion from next year’s tournament.