Rules
It is very important that the team leaders know the rules of the tournament
1. Tournament’s rules
The tournament will be played in accordance with FIFA and SPANISH FOOTBALL FEDERATION rules (F.E.F.).
2. Nature of the teams
The "Donosti Cup" is an open tournament in which federated Football Clubs, Football Schools, Technification Academies, Territorial or National Teams, and Educational Centres participating in school leagues can participate. Each entity may enter a maximum of 2 teams per category in 11-a-side soccer, and a maximum of 3 teams per category in 8-a-side soccer.
3. Competition system
The participating teams will be divided into groups of 4 or 5 teams that will play each other in a single round-robin league.
The 1st phase will take place over 3 or 4 rounds, depending on whether the group is made up of 4 or 5 teams. At the end of the 1st phase, the first and second team of each group will qualify for the Champions League, and the third and fourth for the Europa League. The 5th placed team will be eliminated.
Scoring of the matches
11-a-side football
Match won: 3 points.
Match drawn: 1 point.
Match lost: 0 points.
8-a-side football
Time won: 2 points
Tied time: 1 point
Time lost: 0 points
Duration of matches
Football 11
2 x 25 min.
Football 8-a-side
1st round (League)
2 x 15 mins + 1 x 20 mins
2nd Phase (Knockout)
2 x 25 mins
Duration of breaks
Football 11
4 min on the pitch, not in the changing rooms.
Football 8-a-side
1 min on the pitch, not in the changing rooms.
4. Categories
Boys
B25 Boys born after 1-1-1999
B19 Boys born after 1-1-05
B16 Boys born after 1-1-08
B15 Boys born after 1-1-09
B14 Boys born after 1-1-10
B13 Boys born after 1-1-11
B12 Boys born after 1-1-12
B11 Boys born after 1-1-13
B10 Boys born after 1-1-14
B9 Boys born betwen 1-1-15 and 12-31-15
Girls
G25 Girls born after 1-1-1999
G19 Girls born after 1-1-05
G17 Girls born after 1-1-07
G14 Girls born after 1-1-10
G12 Girls born after 1-1-12
G10 Girls born betwen 1-1-14 and 12-31-15
Age control
All the players of the tournament will be identified with a bracelet that will certify their birth year depending the colour after showing their passport or identity card.
It will be compulsory to have this bracelet to play a game. All the bracelets of the players will be checked before the beginning of a game.
If any player had his bracelet lost or torn, he/she will have to show proof of identity and age again at any of the fields and paying 5€. If the bracelet was torn playing a game, it would be replaced for free.
5.- Special permits
a) Ages
The teams of the categories B25 and G25, may call, in each match, a maximum of 3 players under 30 years old.
The teams of categories B19, B16, B15, G19 and G17, may call, in each match, a maximum of 2 players born 1 year before the age established by the category.
In categories B14, B13, B12, G14, G12, B11, B10, G10 and, NO players older than the age established for their category may be called.
b) Mixed categories
In the categories B12, B11, B10 and B9, female players can be registered as long as they comply with the age established by the category. There is no limit to the number of players in the calls. In the female categories no players can be registered.
c) Participants in different categories
It is permitted for a participant to play in two or more teams of the same club, as long as they are of different categories and the registration procedure indicated in article nº 12 is followed. It is not permitted for a participant to play in two teams of the same category.
6.- Qualifying standards
Football 11
1st round (League)
In the event of a tie on points in the final classification between two or more teams, the classification criteria to be followed to resolve the tie will be as follows:
1º- Particular Golaverage: Results of the matches played between the tied teams.
2º- Overall points average. Difference of goals for and against, taking into account all the league matches (*).
3rd- Fair play. Lower coefficient in disciplinary sanctions. (Point 11).
4º- Higher number of goals scored in favour, taking into account all league matches.
5º- Computer draw
(*) In case of a triple tie, the goals scored and received by the teams not involved will not be taken into account.
2nd round (Knockout)
The matches of the Final Phase that end in a draw will be decided directly by penalty kicks according to FIFA rules. There will be no extra time.
Football 8-a-side
1st round (League)
In the event of a tie on points in the final classification between two or more teams, the classification criteria to be followed to resolve the tie shall be as follows:
1º- Particular Golaverage: Points obtained in the matches played between the tied teams (*).
2º- Fair play. Lower coefficient in disciplinary sanctions. (Point 11).
3rd- Computer draw
(*) In case of triple tie, the goals scored and received by the teams not involved will not be taken into account.
2nd Phase (Knockout)
The matches of the Final Phase that end in a draw will be decided directly by penalty kicks according to FIFA rules. There will be no extra time.
7.- Number of Players and Substitutes
11 a-side Football
A team can register a maximum of 20 players on every match. Substitutions can be rotatives, which means that a player can get back in the field after being substituted. The substitutions must be made in three times maximum per team apart from in the halftime, and the moment when the opposing team asks for its substitutions can also be used. In no case, a team can have an extra moment for an additional substitution, for the fact of for example, of having an injured player if the three substitution times have been already used. All the substitutions must be made from the centre of the field, requesting authorization to the referee and when the game is stopped.
8 a-side Football
16 players can be registered in every match. The substitutions must be made in four times maximum per team apart from in the halftime, and the moment when the opposing team asks for its substitutions can also be used. In no case, a team can have an extra moment for an additional substitution, for the fact of for example, of having an injured player if the four substitution times have been already used. All the substitutions must be made from the centre of the field, requesting authorization to the referee and when the game is stopped.
8.- Number of technicians
Soccer 11
Each team will be allowed to register a maximum of 4 members of the coaching staff: head coach, assistant coach, delegate and physiotherapist. All of them must be over 18 years old and have been previously accredited during the Age Control. In order to be on the bench, they must wear at all times the identification bracelet and the Coach accreditation.
The referee may require that only the first coach of the team is standing giving instructions. The rest of the coaches must remain seated.
Soccer 8-a-side
Each team may register, in the minutes of the match, a maximum of 3 members of the coaching staff: head coach, assistant coach, delegate and physiotherapist. All of them must be over 18 years old and have been previously accredited during the Age Control. In order to be on the bench, they must wear at all times the identification bracelet and the Coach accreditation.
The referee may require that only the first coach of the team is standing giving instructions. The rest of the coaches must remain seated.
9.- Score-sheet
The match reports will be made by the "Field Delegates" of the Donosti Cup. For this purpose, a coach of each team must hand in to the "Field delegates", at least 30 minutes before the start of the match, the "list of players" with the corresponding numbers, indicating the starters and substitutes.
It is recommended that at the end of the match, a coach from each team checks the score sheet, together with the "Field delegate", the result of the match and the cards shown by the referee.
10.- Clothing
It is compulsory that all shirts have a number on the back, and that these numbers correspond to those shown on the match report.
In the event that the uniforms of two teams coincide, the "visiting team", the 2nd team in the match report, must wear its second kit. If there is still a colour clash, the organisers will provide bibs of a different colour, to be worn by the visiting team. The colour of the kits of all the teams can be consulted on the website.
11.- Football fields
There are artificial turf and natural grass pitches at the various tournament venues. On artificial turf pitches it is forbidden to play with aluminium studs; the studs must be made of rubber.
12.- Punctuality
Match schedules will be strictly enforced. Teams must be ready to take the field at least 15 minutes in advance.
If, when a match is about to start, one of the two teams has not shown up and the organization understands that there is no cause to justify such non-appearance, the match may be forfeited to the offending team by a score of 3 - 0. The decision will always be made by the Competition Committee.
13.- March in the field
Five minutes before the start of each match, the two teams must be ready to march out with the referee. At the referee's signal, they shall go out in two rows behind the referee and before drawing lots, the visiting team shall first greet the referee and then the players of the other team.
14.- Penalties-disciplinary rules
The player who is sent off the field by direct red card, will be suspended with one or more matches, and may even be expelled from the tournament if the Competition Committee so decides. The player who accumulates three yellow cards during the tournament will be suspended for the next match. These cards are accumulative throughout the tournament and will not be annulled in the next phase. Only when reaching the Final, the penalty match for accumulation of yellow cards will be forgiven. The direct red card will always be punished, even in any of the finals.
The player who has a sanction of one or more matches may not play any match in any category until the sanction is served in the category in which he is registered. All this, even if the disciplinary offence for which the player is sanctioned occurs in a match in a different category to the one in which the player is registered.
In case of a tie and as a fourth qualifying criterion, the accumulation of cards will have a negative value when classifying (Fair Play), having a value of 1 point for each yellow card, 2 points for a double yellow card and 3 points for each direct red card. The sum of these points will only and exclusively be made through the sanction reports of the organization. This classification will be available on the tournament website.
If a team demonstrates a violent attitude during the competition (incorrect protests to refereeing decisions, confrontation with team leaders and especially with members of the organization, etc.) may be automatically expelled from the competition. All cases of serious expulsion will be reported to the National Federation of the country of the player concerned.
In the case of a violent attitude by players attached to the territorial federation of Guipuzcoa, these cases will be reported to it by providing names and surnames of those involved, being this federation and its sanctioning body which could impose disciplinary sanctions.
The delegates of the teams will be responsible for the attitude and behavior of their players towards the referees, teammates, opponents, public, organization and materials of the sports facilities (locker rooms, benches, playing fields...).
The organization will inspect the locker rooms before and after each game with each team delegate to certify that these locker rooms are used in a correct manner. In turn, he/she will sign that in case of any damage to the benches, locker rooms or playing field, the delegate, the team and the person who causes such damage or destruction will be responsible for them.
Teams that demonstrate a passive attitude in the matches and let themselves win and lose the match(es) in order to qualify for the Europa League will be expelled from the tournament.
Minimum number of players
11-a-side soccer:
If a team is left with 6 players, the match will be suspended and the resolution of this match would be pending before the Competition Committee.
8-a-side soccer:
Should a team be down to 5 players, the match will be suspended and the resolution of this pending before the Competition Committee.
15.- Referees
All matches will be directed by the referees. The referee and the "Staff of the field", will be the highest authority on the field of play. Both will have the power to stop or suspend a match in case of unsportsmanlike attitudes in one or both teams, or inappropriate behavior in the public that may interfere with the proper conduct of the match and the tournament. Both the final result of the match and the disciplinary resolution of the facts will be the work of the Competition Committee.
16.- Protests
Complaints must be submitted in writing to the "Staff of the field", within 60 minutes after the end of the match in question. No complaint will be collected after this time. The complaint fee (50 euros) will be paid at the same time as the complaint is handed in to the "Staff of the field". The claim fee will be refunded if the claim is accepted. All claims will be resolved by the Competition Committee, and the resolution of the same will be communicated to the heads of the teams involved by the Sports Management of the tournament.
The Organization will not accept as a claim protests derived from the referee's performance.
17.- Competition committee
The "Competition Committee" is independent from the "Sports Management". This Committee will analyze all the incidents of each day, adopting the disciplinary decisions it deems appropriate. All sanctions will be published on the website and on the Donosti Cup App. The most serious or most urgent sanctions may be communicated to the heads of the affected teams by the Tournament Sports Management before being published in the official channels.
All decisions of the "Competition Committee" are final, and all participating teams must accept these decisions without exception.
18.- Playing program
The "Organizing Committee" reserves the right to make changes in the match program, both in terms of the division of groups, schedules and playing fields. The information about the changes will be notified to the team manager and will be published on the website and on the App of the tournament.
19.- Balls
All 11-a-side soccer matches will be played with size 5 balls. In the categories of Football 8 will be played with size 4 balls.
The organization will not provide balls for the warm-up before the game. Each team must bring balls for warm-up exercises.
20.- Insurances
The Donosti Cup has an accident insurance contracted with the company Mapfre. In case of serious injury, the participant will be transferred by ambulance to the two clinics (Policlínica Gipuzkoa and Hospital Quiron) or to any of the Mapfre centers.
