Tournament rules

1. Tournament Jury
The tournament jury is comprised of:
Hans Jørn Christensen
Finn Larsen 
Søren Bak 
The jury office is located in the Vendiahallen.

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

2. Classes and age limits - 2012
B19 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1993
B17 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1995
B16 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1996
B15 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1997
B14 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1998
B13 Boys  born on or after 01.01.1999
B12 Boys (7)  born on or after 01.01.2000
B11 Boys (7) born on or after 01.01.2001

G19 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1993
G17 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1995
G16 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1996
G15 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1997
G14 Girls  born on or after 01.01.1998
G13 Girls born on or after 01.01.1999
G12 Girls (7) born on or after 01.01.2000

3. Age Requirements etc
An automatic dispensation is given to have 3 players on your team list who are 1 year above the stipulated age limit, (in 7 a side classes 1 player). 

Any player can participate on two teams from the same club, as long as the age limit is kept. This requires however, that the player is listed on the team list for both teams. The two teams must not be in the same class.

Any girls can participate in classes for boys as long as they are the correct age.

4. Name of participants - Identification
All teams must complete and send in or hand in a team list. The latest time to hand in a team list is at the Dana Cup Check-in on arrival. After check-in you cannot add extra players to your participant list.

A player will be eligible to play when listed on the team list and the Dana Cup participant fee has been paid.

Player identification (with photo) must be taken to each game and shown to a jury member or a representative for the jury at any time it may be requested.

There will be random checks of player identification and player eligibility during the tournament.

It can result in a lost game if no team list has been submitted, if a team uses an ineligible player or if there is not sufficient identification for a player.
The jury decides what a satisfactory identification is.

5. Length of play

Class (B=boys and G=girls)	First rounds	Second rounds and finals
B19, B17, B16, B15, G19, G17, G16 and G15	2 x 25 min.	2 x 30 min.
B14, B13, B12, B11, G14, G13 and G12	2 x 20 min.	2 x 25 min.

6. 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.
3 points for a win.
1 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 draw is made by the jury or it´s representative. If the teams involved are not present, they will be notified of the draw results.

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.

7. 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 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.

The penalty shoot-out is held according to FIFA´s rules.

8. 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 game, this means in any one game you can use a maximum of 5 substitutes.
In Classes B 12, B 11 (boys) and G 12 (girls) the teams are allowed to use as many players as they want.   

Substitution.
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 (boys), G14, G13 and G12 (girls) play with a ball size 4.
All other classes play with a ball size 5.

Soccer jerseys.
Jerseys must be numbered and the numbers must be different.
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.

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.

7 a side teams - Classes B12, B11 (boys), G12 (girls).

Distances etc.
Opposition players must be at least 7 m from the ball with the start kick off, free kicks, penalties, goal kicks and corners.
Penalties are taken 8 m from the goal line and from the middle of the goal area.

Offside.
The offside rule is not used.

Free kicks.
All free kicks, direct and indirect are taken as direct free kicks.

Play the ball to own goalkeeper.
Goalkeepers may touch the ball with their hands if one of their team players plays the ball to them.

Goal kicks etc.
Goal kicks and free kicks within your own penalty area must be taken by the goalkeeper as a kick or throw and are correctly taken, even if the ball is not kicked or thrown directly outside of the penalty area and the goalkeeper may pick up the ball again before it is touched by another player.

The ball is in play as soon as has been moved and then any opposition player can move into the penalty area.

Short corner.
The corner is taken on the goal line between the touchline and penalty area.

9. Time for matches - playing time
Each team must have a minimum of 7 players ready at the field and at the time mentioned in the official program.
In Classes B12, B11 (boys) and G12 (girls) at least 5 players should be ready to play.

If a team is not ready at the time mentioned in the official program the game will still be played if there is no more than a 10 minute delay.

In the event of a team not being ready in time and in the event of a protest, the match may be declared  forfeited 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 or that an unplayed match shall be played.

10. Players sent off
Players sent off 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 when a player is suspended for more than one game will notice of the suspension be given in writing.

11. Absence
If a team does not turn up for a game, loses on protest, or is omitted from the tournament, the score is set at 0-3. If the team is omitted in the opening rounds, all the teams results are changed to 0-3.

12. 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.

The size of the soccer balls, shins pads, shirt numbers, participation armbands are not grounds for a protest.

A protest fee of Dkr. 500 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.

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

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

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

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

14. Referees - Linesmen
Dana Cup will, in cooperation with Vendsyssel Football Referee 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 (boys).
From and including the 1/4 finals in classes B14 (boys), G19, G17, G16 and G15 (girls).
From and including the 1/2 finals in classes B13 (boys), G14 and G13 (girls).
Finals in classes B12, B11 (boys) and G12 (girls).

B-Final round game.
From and including the 1/2 finals in classes B19, B17, B16, B15, B14 (boys), G19, G17, G16 and G15 (girls).
Finals in classes B13, B12, B11 (boys), G14, G13 and G12 (girls).

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

15. Match results
Straight after each match, a leader or coach from each team must go to the referee to confirm the result of the match (sign the results card).