Laws of the Game:
All tournament matches will be played in accordance with FIFA laws of the game accept as modified herein. The tournament will adhere to the rules, laws, and guidelines of AYSA, USYS, and USSF. All decisions by the Tournament Director are final. No protests allowed.
Team Acceptance:
The tournament director reserves the right to accept or reject any team application.
Any incomplete application will be returned to sender and not processed for registration. The application is not considered complete until entry fee is received.
No team shall be deemed accepted unless written notification has been sent from the Tournament Director. This can be either E-mail or U.S. postal service mail.
Once accepted, the application is non-refundable.
A check for entry fee that is returned from the bank will not be re-deposited. The amount of the check plus $25.00 (cashiers check or money order) must be received by the tournament director seven days after the team representative is notified of the returned check. If new funds are not received the team will be disqualified from the tournament.
Official Documentation:
You must participate with your 2006/2007 roster. Guest players are allowed up to five, with the maximum roster size being 18. A current official medical release form and valid player passes are required (laminated only if your association requires such). Exceptions to these requirements must have written approval of the Tournament Director.
Accepted teams are required to have laminated player passes (if required by association) and current medical release form.
ALL US Club Soccer teams are required to have proof of insurance at registration (player cards and roster) and must be in good standing with their association.
Tournament Check-in:
Credentials will be checked (player cards, official roster, medical releases, permission to travel if required, etc.). Credentials will not be checked at the fields during the tournament, but must be available if requested by tournament staff.
Guest players:
Guest players are to be written on a copy of the official roster (not original) to be provided at registration. Guest players must have valid player passes, medical release, and permission to travel. Note: A guest player from another state association must have a permission to travel from their appropriate State association.
Player Equipment:
Teams should bring a primary and alternate jersey of different colors. Where the color of the jersey is similar or identical, the designated home team (the team listed first in the schedule) will change jerseys.
- All players must have uniforms with individual numbers on the jersey.
- No jewelry may be worn by any player (earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.)
- Players wearing casts are allowed to play with the approval of the Tournament Director and Referee.
Substitutions:
Substitutions are unlimited, but made only at the following times:
- Goal Kick
- After a goal
- Half-time
- At the beginning of the overtime period
- Throw in – by possession team
- After a yellow card – for carded player
An injured player may be substituted at the discretion of the referee. If a substitution is made for the injured player, the opposing team may also make one substitution (with the referee’s acknowledgement)
Player/Coach/Spectator Behavior:
Any player ejected from a match will NOT be replaced and will NOT be allowed to participate in his or her team's immediate next match. Ejection for fighting by players and coaches will result in the player or coach NOT being allowed to participate in ANY remaining tournament matches. Any coach ejected from a match will not be allowed to coach his/her immediate next match. Each Coach is responsible for the conduct of the players and parents on his/her team. Coaches not taking responsibility for their sideline's behavior may be cautioned and/or ejected. Any player or coach ejected or spectator asked to leave will not be within sight or sound of the playing field. Per FIFA rules, only players will be shown a card (yellow or red) when being cautioned or sent-off. Two yellow cards in the same match equal an ejection and the player will sit out his/her next immediate match.
Home/Team Field Positions:
The Home team is listed first in the schedule. Each team's players will take a position on one side of the field opposite the spectators.
Any game shortened due to injury will be continued at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
Determination of Division Winners:
Three (3) points will be earned for a win, one (1) point will be earned for a tie and no points are earned for a loss. Tie games after a semi-final match will immediately proceed to FIFA penalty kicks to determine a winner (no overtime). Final matches resulting in a tie will proceed to two, full five minute overtimes. If at the end of both overtimes the game is still tied, FIFA penalty kicks will be taken to determine a winner.
Where required to break a tie for standings within a division, or for purposes of determining a “wild-card” team, the following order will be used to determine the winner: (Note: If a wild card team MUST be selected for the playoff rounds, that team will not be assigned to play against the winner of its own group in the first playoff round)
1-Head to head competition – Except where three teams are tied, in which case head-to-head competition will not be used (at any point in determining the winner). In the case where three teams are tied, begin with a tiebreaker number (2) and continue eliminating teams until there is one winner out of the 3 teams.
- 2-Most wins
- 3-Most goals scored up to four per game
- 4-Least number of goals allowed.
- 5-FIFA penalty kicks. If necessary, these penalty kicks will take place immediately prior to the semi-final or championship match.
In the event of a forfeit, tie breaking rules (2) and (3) will be placed on a “per game” average for games actually played.
Forfeits:
A forfeit shall be awarded if a team is not present and prepared to play within ten minutes of the scheduled commencement time. Ten-minute allowance shall be made for semi-final and championship matches. Any team forfeiting a match will not be allowed to play in a semi-final or championship match. It is requested that teams be present 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled commencement of a match to aid in the timely start of play. Seven players constitute a team for full 18 player rosters. A forfeit will be scored one for the winner, and zero for the forfeiting team.
Inclement Weather:
Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear at there respective field site, ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the match. Only the Tournament Director may cancel or postpone a match. Referees may suspend a match only. In case of severe weather, in his/her discretion, Tournament Director(s) may cancel any and all games. In case of severe weather that occurs after the beginning of play, the Tournament Director may reduce the length of the match and may discontinue or cancel the game. Should a match be terminated due to weather conditions after 20 minutes of play, the match will be considered official and the score at the time will stand. If a match is terminated prior to 20 minutes of play, every attempt will be made to complete the match. However, if necessary other means, determined by the tournament director, may be used to determine a winner. Referees and field marshals will not consider beginning or continuing matches when a lightning storm exists. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION.
Disclaimer:
Neither the Premier Soccer Events, Tournament Director, City of Decatur, Hotel Service, or the Tournament Sponsors are responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event the tournament is cancelled in whole or part, or in the event games are discontinued or cancelled due to inclement weather or adverse field conditions, nor will any refunds be made. The Tournament Director reserves the right to decide all matters pertaining to the tournament. The judgment of the Tournament Director is final. The Tournament Director has authority to make all decisions and these decisions will be final. All referee decisions are final and binding.
Team Contact Information:
Each team, upon checking in at registration, must sign a ledger sheet giving the hotel where the team is staying, the room number of a team contact, the team's coach or the team's assistant coach so that these individuals maybe contacted in the event that circumstances require such. Be sure your team contact is someone who can be reached at any hour and has a cell phone. All inquires/questions with the Tournament Director should be from the Team Contact/Coach and not numerous parents from the team as this only delays response.
Important Notes:
Have all player passes, official roster, and medical release forms with you at the fields during the tournament. Although only checked at registration, the tournament director reserves the right to check credentials during the event. US Club Soccer teams must have player cards and official roster and be in good standing.
The tournament is dedicated to the development of all the players participating, good sportsmanship, and the “good of the game”. The Tournament Director may suspend, without recourse or appeal, any players, coaches, or spectators who demonstrate anything less.