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ACES TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The tournament shall be governed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the F.A. Matches shall be played in accordance within the laws of the game as determined by the International F.A board
2. ACES is an 11 aside tournament for boys age U13 to U16 and girls U16 & U17. Boys U11, U12 and Girls U14 & U15 will play 9v9 format.
3. ACES is an under 11’s (9v9), 12’s (9v9), 13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 16’s boys and U14 (9v9),U15′s (9v9) U16,U17 Girls tournament for the forthcoming season 2013/14. All players must be under the age of their relevant age group on the 31st August 2013 (ie under 11′s age group must be under the age of 11 by 31st august 2013).
4. Strictly no academy or school of excellence players are allowed to participate in the event. Any team breaking this rule, shall be disqualified from the tournament. Please note this rule DOES NOT apply to the Girls Tournament.
5. All club managers to have photo I.D for their players at hand. The I.D will need only be produced if an opposing team requests proof of a players age or status. Failure to adhere to rule 5 shall result in the player no longer being allowed to take any further part in the tournament.
6. There will be an official referee for every game. All participating clubs must provide one assistant referee for their own matches and the home side will provide the match ball
7. Each club shall have limit of no more than 18 players in their squad, except for the 9v9 U11 &U12 boys and U14 7 U15 girls where the limit will be 15 players. Substitutes will be used on a roll on roll of basis, once the ball is out of play.
8. There will be a draw held at the opening ceremony to determine the leagues. There will be 4 groups of 5 teams. Each team shall play 2 home games and 2 away games. First named team will be classed as the home team. Home teams will have preference to wear their home kits, choice of goal they wish to defend and kick off.
9. Each team shall play 4 games with a duration of 20 mins for U11 – U14 or 25mins for U15, U16 & U17 straight games (no half times). The top 2 teams will then progress to the knockout stages. 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw.
10. All players must wear shin pads at all times and all jewellery must either be removed or adequately covered.
11. All shirts have to match players names and numbers as submitted on the team sheet presented to the control tent at the start of the tournament.
12. If a player is red carded in a match he will take no further part in the next two fixtures. Players receiving two yellow cards will automatically miss the next match. Serious foul play or violent conduct could result in the player taking no further part in the tournament (Rule 20 applies)
13. In the event of any teams being tied at the group stages, the final qualifying position shall be decided by:
a. goal difference
b. number of goals scored
c. the result between the 2 clubs
d. penalty shootout
14. In the quarter final stages, the group winners shall be deemed to be the home team and will have the same benefits as the home team would have in the group stages, therefore group runners up will be deemed to be the away team and shall allow the group winners to have preference of kits, kick off and choice of which goal the choose to defend. The QF will be the same length as group matches.
15. In the semi finals and final the referee shall decide with the team captains, the choice of kits and kick off, by the spin of a coin.
16. In the event of a draw at the end of full time in the knockout stages, the tie shall go straight to penalties. Each team will take 5 penalties, the winning team being the team that has scored the most. In the event of a draw at the end of 5 penalties each, the match will move to sudden death penalties.
17. In the semi finals and final the length of each game shall be U11 to U14 twelve minutes each way and U15 to U17 fifteen minutes each way. There will be a half time interval, of no longer than 5 minutes. In the event of a tie, the match shall go straight to penalties, and the format will be the same as the knockout stages.
18. The All Cities Shield will be presented to the winner of the tournament. Winners and runners up medals will be presented to both finalists
19. The referee’s decision is final and will not be over ruled under any circumstances.
20. The Event Manager will deal with any matters arising.