Tournament Rules - 2007

1. Tournament Jury
The tournament jury is comprised of:
Ole Vang Bruun (DBU instructor in football rules)
Søren Bak  (Responsible for appointment of referees)
Finn Larsen (Vendsyssel Referee Club)
The jury office is in the Vendiahallen.

The jury has control and is responsible, that the tournament is played in a sportsmanlike manner (Fairplay). They deal with the protests, the interpretation of the rules and all matter of doubts.
The decisions of the jury cannot be appealed.

2. Age Limits - 2007
Class B19 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1988
Class B17 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1990
Class B16 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1991
Class B15 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1992
Class B14 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1993
Class B13 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1994
Class B12 Boys (7)  born on or after 01.01.1995
Class B11 Boys (7) born on or after 01.01.1996
Class G19 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1988
Class G17 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1990
Class G16 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1991
Class G15 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1992
Class G14 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1993
Class G13 Girls (7) born on or after 01.01.1994

In all classes you can use 3 players in a game born 01.08-31.12 from the previous year.
There are no other dispensations for age groups after the start of the tournament.

3. Name of participants - Team lists
All teams must immediately, on arrival at the Dana Cup, submit a participant card listing all the participants in the tournament. The participant card can be handed in to the Dana Cup´s Check-in. The list of participants must contain the names of all players who may be used during the championships.

Any player can participate in two classes, as long as the age limit is kept. This requires however, that he/she is listed on the survey card of both teams. He/she may not play for more than one team in the same class.

A player will be eligible to play when listed on the participant roster, and the Dana Cup participant fee is paid.

The jury may request proof of identification at any time from any player. Missing identification can mean a lost match.
The jury decides what will be satisfactory identification.

4. Length of play
Class     Qual. gam. Finals
B19, B17, B16, B15, G19, G17, G16, G15    2x25 min.   2x30 min.
B14, B13, B12, B11, G14, G13  2x20 min.   2x25 min.

5. Division into groups
The teams are divided into groups of four or five teams, with all teams playing against each other.

Teams are then placed according to points won.
Three points for a win.
One point for a tie.
No points for a defeat.

If two or more teams achieve the same point score, their placing order is decided as follows:
1. The goal difference in all games.
2. The highest number of goals scored.
3. Points in their games between each other.
4. Drawing lots.

The two best teams of each group will advance to the A-Final round, which is played to cup rules, i.e. the losing teams drop out.
The other teams advance to the B-Final round which is also played to cup rules.

6. Tied matches  -  the final rounds
Tied matches in the opening final rounds are decided by penalty shoot-outs and are normally held within a specially closed off area.

Tied quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals are decided by extra time of 2 x 5 minutes.

If the game is still a tie at the end of extra time, it will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

7. Rules
The Dana Cup is played according to the rules set down by FIFA and DBU - with the following amendments:

Number of players.
A team can use a maximum of 16 players in any given one game. This means in any one game you can use a maximum of 5 substitutes.
In Classes B12, B11 and G13, the teams are allowed to use as many players as they want.

Girls - Class B14, B13, B12, B11.
These classes are open to girls that qualify with the correct age limits for each class.

Substitution.
You are freely allowed to substitute players in and out of the field.

The substitution has to happen during a break in the match and from the middle of the pitch. The referee must be notified before each substitution.

Ball size.
Class B14, B13, B12, B11, G14 and G13 play with a ball size 4.
All other classes play with a ball size 5.

Shin guards (leg pads).
Shin guards are obligatory.
Failure to wear pads will entail the player being sent off from the field until pads are worn.

Soccer jerseys.
Jerseys must be numbered.
Players must use the same jersey number in all games.

If both teams have the same colours, the team mentioned last in the tournament plan will change jerseys.

Penalty shoot-outs.
Penalty shoot-outs will be executed in accordance with FIFA´S rules.

Only players, who are on the field at the end of the game or after extra time, can participate in the penalty shoot-out. Both teams must become the same number of players.

Seven-man team - Classes B12, B11, G13.
Field etc
These matches are played on a football field (about 65 x 51 m).
Mini-football goals are used (5 x 2 m).
The goal area and penalty area are identical (8 x 25 m).
Penalties are taken 8 m from the goal line and opposite the goal centre.
The distance from the initial kick, freekicks, penalties, goal kicks and corners is 7 meters.
Offside.
The offside rule is not used.
6 second rule.
The 6 second rule does not apply for getting rid of the ball.
Kicking the ball to goalkeeper.
It is ok to purposely kick the ball to the goalkeeper.
Throw in to your own goalkeeper.
It is valid, from a throw in, to throw directly to your own goalkeeper.
Free kicks.
All free kicks – direct and indirect – are taken as direct free kicks.
Goal kicks etc.
It is valid, that goal kicks and free kicks to the defending team within their own penalty area are legally taken, even if the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area.
The ball is in play as soon as it has been moved, e.g. if the ball is kicked into the hands of the goalkeeper then the opposition may move into the penalty area.
Short corner.
The corner is taken on the goal line, between the sideline and goal box.

8. Time for matches - playing time
In order for a team to be ready for a ga¬me, the team will have a minimum of 7 players ready at the field and at the time mentioned in the official program.
In Classes B12, B11 and G13 however, at least 5 players should be ready to play.

If a team is not ready at the time mentio¬ned in the official program, the game will still be played, if there is no more than 10 minutes delay.

In the event of a team not being ready in time and in the event of a protest, the match may be declared a forfeit by the infringing team, unless special circumstances apply.
Special circumstances can include sudden illness, traffic accidents or similar unforeseeable circumstances.
In such cases the tournament jury may determine that the result of a delayed match shall apply notwithstanding or that an unplayed match shall be played.

9. Sent off players
Sent off players are automatically suspended for the teams next game.

The tournament jury can, in special cases, decide on stricter penalties, e.g. if they use a disqualified player.

Only where a player is suspended for more than one game will notice of the suspension be given in writing.

10. Absence
If a team defaults, or loses on protest, the score is set at 0-3.

11. Protests
Protests concerning matches must be submitted in writing by the respective managers, to the tournament jury, no later than one hour after the end of the match.

Any decisions made by a referee during a game are final and cannot be appealed.
Failure to wear shin pads, lack of jersey numbers or participant armbands are not grounds for a protest.

A protest fee of 300 kroner must be paid with the submission of a protest. The fee is refunded if the protest is upheld.

The decisions of the jury can not be appealed.

12. Modification of the tournament program
The tournament jury reserves the right to change the venue and kick-off time of any match at any time during the tournament.

Opening rounds.
Alterations will be notified to the involved teams in conjunction with check-in.

Final rounds.
Alterations appear in the alterations program that is handed out to all teams in conjunction with check-in.

13. Referees - Linesmen
Dana Cup will, in cooperation with Vendsyssel Football Referees Club, select the referees for all matches and the linesmen for the following matches:

A-Final round game:
From and including the 1/16´s finals in classes B19, B17, B16 and B15.
From and including the 1/4 finals in classes B14, G19, G17, G16 and G15.
From and including the 1/2 finals in classes B13 and G14.
Finals in classes B12, B11 and G13.

B-Final round game:
From and including the 1/2 finals in classes B19, B17, B16, B15, B14, G19, G17, G16 and G15.
Finals in classes B13, B12, B11, G14 and G13.

Linesmen.
In matches, where no neutral linesmen are used, the two teams are obliged to present their own linesman.