Tournament Rules

Rules of Competition 2013 Dallas International Girls Cup

1. Team rosters are limited to twenty two (22) female players per team total for the tournament. However, match rosters must be limited to 18 players per match (can be a different 18 per match), and the 18 active players for each match, as well as the inactive players for each match, must be identified prior to the start of each match.

2. Age categories: Girls born on/after August 1, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. For international teams dispensations will automatically be given to all players who are maximum 7 months over age.
   
   
3. Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament. Players must have jersey numbers and may not change numbers once registration is complete.
   
   
4. The first team listed on the schedule is considered the home team and the second team listed the away team. Any color conflicts will be resolved by the away team changing jersey color. Both teams will be on the same side of the field, spectators will be on the opposite side.
   
   
5. All teams from the USA are required to present the following credentials at check in for the tournament:
   
   1. USYS state affiliate or US Club Soccer approved roster with all players listed.
   2. Player picture identification cards that are issued by their governing body (at all matches as well).
   3. Any guest player loan forms that are required by the respective USYS State Association for the guest players.
   4. Travel permit for teams from outside of North Texas as well as medical release forms and signed tournament waivers from each player. All international teams are required to present the following credentials at check in for the tournament:
      • Approved roster or travel permit from your respective National Football/Soccer Federation.
      • Each team member will be required to present their passport to verify identification and age as well as signed tournament waivers from each player. Identification cards/passports will be checked by the referee prior to each match. The player’s shirt number must be the same as the shirt number on the match line-up card/daily match report. If the numbers are not the same, the referee is instructed not to let the player take part in the match until tournament officials resolve the matter.
6. All teams shall be allowed to have up to five (5) Guest Players with a maximum roster of 22 players for the tournament, and eighteen (18) players for each match.  All Guest Players must meet the following criteria: 1) must be approved for participation by their respective governing body [USA teams] or by the provincial association of their national federation [International teams]; 2) must be a registered player with the appropriate governing body [USA teams]or provincial association of their national federation [International teams]; 3) may not be selected from any other team that is participating in the tournament, nor from any team designated as an "alternate pool" team. If a Guest player is selected from any team which is subsequently invited to participate in the tournament, said player must return to her original team. If a Guest/Replacement player participates in a tournament match and the player's original team is subsequently invited to participate, said player must remain with the team for which she played the tournament match.
   
   
7. Match Durations: Group games on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday full length group games 1995 2*40; 1996 2*40; 1997 2*40; 1998 2*35, 1999 2*30 and 2000 2*30 minute games. Quarter finals and semi finals on Saturday 1995 2*30; 1996 2*30; 1997 2*30; 1998 2*25, 1999 2*20 and 2000 2*20 minute games. Finals Sunday 1995 2*35; 1996 2*35; 1997 2*35; 1998 2*35, 1999 2*30 and 2000 2*30 minute games. Friendly games on Saturday and Sunday will be the same game length as the quarter final and semi final games. Match durations may be altered by the tournament committee due to unforeseen circumstances or in case of inclement weather.  
   
   
8. During the preliminary stage of the tournament, teams are bracketed in groups of four or five and matches will not have overtime periods. Matches will be counted as: Win -3 points; Tie - 1 point; Loss - 0 points. In the elimination stage, if the score is tied at the end of regulation time, extra time of two ten (10) minute periods will be played in all age groups. If a winner is not decided after this extra time, kicks from the penalty mark as per FIFA laws will decide the match.
   
   
9. Each age division will consist of 4 groups of 4 or 5 teams per group. The 1st and/or 2nd place teams in each group will advance to the knockout stages.Teams that don’t advance to the knockout stage will play friendly games after the group games. This is subject to change depending on the total number of teams registered per age division. Placing within groups after group games will be determined by points. If teams are tied in points within the groups, the following order of tie breakers will apply:
   1. goal difference
   2. most goals scored
   3. the result of the mutual match/head to head competition
      
      If teams remain tied, penalty kicks will be taken. If more than 2 teams are tied, the toss of a coin or drawing of lots will determine the tie-breaker.
10. Substitutions: Once a player is substituted in one half of any group match, such player may not re-enter the game for the duration of the half. Once a player is substituted in one period of overtime of any placement or knockout match (semi-final or final) such player may not re-enter the game for the duration of such overtime period. There shall be a maximum of seven (7) substitutions in any half or in any overtime period of any match. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed for the friendly games on Saturday and Sunday. 
    
    
11. The official match report for each completed match must be verified (i.e., score, cautions, send offs) immediately after the game by the team coach or manager. Match reports that are not verified stand as submitted and may not be contested or appealed.
    
    
12. Players or Coaches sent off during a match are not allowed to play/coach in the next match. A player receiving two cautions during the preliminary round robin of the tournament is not allowed to play in the next match. A player receiving two cautions during the elimination stage of the competition is not allowed to play in the next match. In case of continued bad conduct of players, teams, officials, or supporters, the team may be withdrawn from the competition and reported to their association. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and supporters.
    
    
13. Any player or coach sent off during the tournament or any player receiving multiple cautions during the tournament may be required to attend a Disciplinary Committee hearing. Players must be accompanied by their coach and/or manager. Official Match Reports will be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee, and they will determine if a hearing is necessary. Any hearing could result in the player or coach being required to sit out additional matches or being withdrawn from the competition. Team officials will be notified as soon as possible if a hearing has been scheduled.
    
    
14. Judgment calls by referees may not be appealed.
    
    
15. Disciplinary Committee decisions may not be appealed.
    
    
16. All protests must be submitted in English to the Tournament Committee within three hours of the end of the match. Only protests that concern the 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.
    
    
17. Subject to the foregoing, FIFA laws, as modified by USSF, USYSA and NTSSA rules, apply. Please note that per FIFA Laws of the Game number 4, the wearing of shin guards by players is mandatory. No player will be allowed to play without shin guards.
    
    
18. In the event that the tournament is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen events, a refund of the entry fee (if any) or a portion of the entry fee (if any) will be determined by the Tournament Committee after all expenses have been calculated.
    
    
19. The decision of the Tournament Director(s), in conjunction with the Tournament Committee, on any matter is final and may not be appealed.