Copa Real
Class I Tournament
Tournament Rules

Competition

 

Rules
All games will be played by FIFA rules except as modified by USYSA and CYSA-S.  Referees will consist of USSF Registered Referees only.

Protests & Disputes
All games will be considered final.  No protests will be allowed.  Major problems and rule interpretations must be referred to the Field Marshal or Tournament Director.

Check-in/Credentials
All teams will be guaranteed 3 scheduled games.  Cancellations, forfeits, and other circumstances may reduce the number of actual games played.  All teams shall provide valid and properly laminated USYSA player cards and white registration/medical release forms at check-in.  Player cards for the 2007-2008 season must be provided.  All player passes must be given to the Field Marshal or check-in referee prior to each game.  Players without a valid player pass will not be allowed to participate.  Each team must have at least one coach with a valid coach’s credential on the sideline during each entire game.  Teams must arrive at the field at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their game.

Teams from outside CYSA must submit properly processed and approved USYSA “Application for Travel” papers if required. US Club soccer passes are accepted.  

The maximum roster size for U11 and older is 18 players per team.  Unlimited loan players are allowed. A loan player is defined as a player who is not listed on the team roster for the 2007-2008 season. Individual AYSO players may not play on a club team during this tournament unless registered with CYSA-S and have the accompanying CYSA-S pass and medical release.

A player may not play for more than one team during the tournament.

Home Team Responsibilities
The home team is listed first on the game schedule.  The home team may choose which side of the field they will stand and will provide a game ball, unless provided by the Tournament.  In the event of color conflict (determined by a referee), the home team must change to an alternate color jersey.

Spectator Seating
Opposing teams may not stand on the same side of the field except where dictated by local field rules. Where there are adjacent fields with sidelines less than five yards apart, spectators must sit on opposite sides of the centerline.  In all cases spectator team seating will allow the referee’s assistants clear runs and view of all touch lines.

Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions shall be allowed as follows:

  1. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage of play.
  2. Substitutions shall be made at midfield within (10) yards of the halfway line. The substitute player shall not enter the field of play until allowed by the Referee and the player substituted has left the field.
  3. When an injured player (excepting the goalkeeper) is attended to by anyone from outside the field of play, they must leave the field until after play has restarted, at which time with the Referee's permission they may re-enter the field. On leaving the field the team may opt to substitute for the injured player instead.
  4. Excessive substitutions resulting in confusion or delay of game are to be discouraged by the referee.
  5. A player given a red card or two yellow cards in one game shall be ejected from that game and shall not be replaced.

Red Cards
Any player or coach given a red card will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the game they are playing when given the card, and will not be allowed to participate in the next game, (2 yellow cards in one game = 1 red card).  Coach red card or ejection penalties affect only participation with the particular team when the offense occurred.

Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their fans.  Teams that are short a player(s) due to red card ejection will also play any overtime short a player(s).  Player/coach cards for those ejected will be available from the Field Marshal after the ejection time has been served.

Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be ejected from the tournament.

Forfeits
Teams failing to report, ready to play within five minutes of the scheduled kickoff time, or home team failing to change to an alternate jersey when required, will result in the forfeiture of the game by a 1-0 score.  If both teams fail to appear within five minutes of the scheduled kickoff, each team will receive 0 points.  Teams forfeiting any game will automatically forfeit all of their games before and after the forfeit.  The Tournament Director may waive the requirement to forfeit all games before and after the forfeit, at his discretion, on an individual basis, if the Tournament Director determines that the forfeit is beyond the control of the forfeiting team and/or would result in point manipulation that would unfairly penalize another team.

Game Suspensions/Delays
If game play (including game start) is delayed or suspended for an inordinate amount of time through no fault or responsibility of either team, the Tournament Director or Field Marshal, at their discretion, may vary from tournament rules to establish the outcome of the game.  Variance can include, but is not limited to,  a change of game time, shortening the length of the game, or determining a winner by FIFA penalty kicks.

Game Cards
The Field Marshal will be responsible for delivering and collecting all lineup cards to/from the referee.

Format of Play

Pool Play
Pool play is followed by single-elimination leading to a championship round.

Teams shall be awarded points for game results as follows:

Win            = 6 points
Tie              = 3 points (including 0-0)
Shutout      = 1 point (except if 0-0)
Goals          = 1 point per goal (maximum 3) - both winning and losing team accumulate points for goals scored
Loss            = 0 points
Red Card     = -1 point (for each red card; 2 yellows = 1 red)

Game Lengths

AGE Pool/Semi Play Halves Final Halves Final - 2 5 min OT
U14 30 minute 35 minute 10 minute
U15 - U16 30 minute 40 minute 10 minute
U17 - U19 30 minute 45 minute 10 minute

Championship Games
In tied championship games there will be two, five minute overtime halves (no golden goal) following regulation time.  If the game is still tied at the end of this overtime period, teams will go to penalty shots.

Penalty shots shall be exercised by both teams taking five shots from the penalty spot. Teams shall take their kicks alternately and only those players remaining on the field at the end of overtime (or at the end of regulation in the case of semi-finals) shall participate.  In the event a tie still exists, a “sudden death” kick shall be taken from the penalty spot one versus one until one team wins.

Game Length

Every attempt will be made to keep games at their full length by starting and ending on time. Game length may be shortened to keep schedule on time if injury or other unforeseeable event occurs that delays the schedule.

Tie Breaking Procedures

In the event that two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the preliminary round, the following tiebreakers shall be applied in order given until a winner is determined:

  1. Winner of head to head competition
  2. Fewest goals allowed
  3. Most goals scored
  4. Most shut out wins
  5. Penalty kicks to be taken thirty minutes prior to the scheduled start of the semifinal or final game.

Semifinals
In semi-final games, tie breakers will consist of penalty kicks immediately following regulation time from the penalty spot (as described below).

All games will be considered final.  No protest will be allowed.

Weather

In the event of adverse weather, matches may be shortened or cancelled at the Tournament or Venue Director’s discretion. Unless otherwise notified, report to your scheduled field. If inclement weather delays games, matches may be postponed or played the next day. Matches may be shortened to two 15 minute periods. Matches terminated prior to completion of one half, will be rescheduled. PK’s may be used to determine winner. A coin toss may determine winner. Awards may be based on match points, at the discretion of the tournament director. A reduced/modified schedule due to weather is not considered a tournament cancellation. Out of state teams and those traveling the furthest distance will be given priority in scheduling.

Refunds

Tournament Cancellation
If the tournament is canceled due to weather or any other factor outside the control of Real So Cal, teams will be refunded a portion of their tournament fee.  The refund will be determined by the amount of tournament fees paid by all teams minus tournament expenses.

Team Withdrawals
Teams withdrawing on or prior to February 29, 2008 will be refunded their tournament fee minus $150.  Teams withdrawing after February 29, 2008 will forfeit all tournament fees and will not receive a refund.