Rules

I FIFA Laws of the Game

The international youth football tournament Culture Cup shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the Culture Cup rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.

II Size of the team and duration of the match

NB! In the 11-a-side categories, the duration of the match will depend on the number of teams registered.
If there are 10 teams registered for the tournament, each team is guaranteed to play 5 games and the duration of each match will be 2x20 minutes.
If there are 12 or 16 teams registered for the tournament, each team is guaranteed to play 6 games and the duration of each match will be 2x20 minutes.

III Use of older players in the tournament

In the 11-a-side categories it is allowed to use in one team up to three older players, who have been born later than 1st of August the prior year.
For example: In the boys' age group 2008, it is allowed to have in one team three older players, who have been born later than 1.08.2007.

In the 9-a-side, 7-a-side and 6-a-side categories it is allowed to use in one team up to two older players, who have been born later than 1st of August the prior year.
For example: In the boys' age group 2012, it is allowed to have in one team two older players, who have been born later than 1.08.2011.

IV Players participating in several teams

During the youth football tournament Culture Cup, it is not allowed for the players to play in more than one age group. If this rule is ignored, the player will be disqualified from the tournament and the game of the violating team will be cancelled. The result -/+ will be noted in the tournament chart and this means that the other team has won.

V Stadiums:

Culture Cup matches will be held on various stadiums in Tartu. The matches of the tournament will be played on both natural grass and artificial turf.

• Holm Jalgpallipark (artificial turf)
• Tartu Tamme stadium (artificial turf) & (main stadium natural grass)
• Annelinna stadium (artificial turf)
• Põllu stadium (natural grass)
• Reiniku stadium (artificial turf)
• Aleksander Puškin's stadium (natural grass)

NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes in the time schedules during the tournament!

VI Tournament system

Culture Cup is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and playoffs.
In the subgroup tournaments, the teams are divided into subgroups of 4-6 teams, where all teams will play against each other once. In the matches held during the subgroup tournament, a victory gives each team 3 points, a draw game 1 point and loss 0 points.

If some teams get equal scores in subgroups, the final ranking will be decided according to:

1. Match between each other
   • In case of dead circle:
     • Points collected in dead circle
     • Goal difference in dead circle
2. Overall goal difference
3. Number of goals scored
4. Disciplinary actions
5. Abandoned matches, cancellation of results
6. Red cards
7. Drawing lots

All places in the Culture Cup tournament will be determined in the playoff system. The playoff system for each age group will be announced by the organizers one week before the tournament begins.

VII Penalties

During the playoff and final match, if the match ends with a draw after the end of match time, the teams have to start shooting penalties immediately. There will be no extra time during the tournament matches. The number of penalties in each age group:

• Boys in 11-a-side categories - 5 penalties
• Boys in 9-a-side, 7-a-side and 6-a-side categories - 3 penalties

VIII Protest

A protest is directed against the validity of the result of the match. A protest has to be based on that whether the player has right to participate or not, on serious violation of the rules by the referee or on some other incident that affected the result of the match.
The protest must be submitted in writing by a team representative (a person who has been designated on the registration form as team leader) no later than 30 minutes after the end of the protested match.

A general protest against the whole opposing team is not acceptable.
Protest against the yellow or red card or against the removal of player from the field after the referee has showed two cards, is only allowed if referee made a mistake against the corresponding player.

Protest processing fee is 200 EUR. This amount will be refunded if the protest is successful.

IX Jury

The possible disagreements and protests will be solved by a three-member jury. The jury includes the head referee and two head organizers of the tournament.
NB! Jury's final decision cannot be appealed!

X Referees

All the referees are accepted by the Estonian Football Association. The head referee of the tournament is Egerd Pajustik.

XI Defaulters

If on the football field there is not at least 7 players (11-a-side categories) or 5 players (9-a-side, 7-a-side and 6-a-side categories) then in 5 minutes after the start of official match time, a +/- loss will be entered into the tournament table.

XII Awards

The teams having won the first, second and third place will be awarded with trophies, medals and diplomas.

The winners will be awarded an exclusive trophy with personal engraving.

XIII Medicine/medical aid

The organizers of Culture Cup football tournament will not take any responsibility for injuries, which happen during the football tournament. Teams have an obligation to ensure that all trauma situations will be resolved.
If possible, the football tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.

XIV Warnings and removals

Player who has received two yellows or straight red card turning a match and is removed from ongoing match, will not be disqualified from subsequent match.

NB! A player who is removed from the field during the Tartu Culture Cup tournament due to unsportsmanlike conduct; causing deliberate serious injury; violent behavior; use of threatening, insulting or abusive expressions and/or using gestures; will face disqualification from the subsequent match. The match referee is required to promptly report any removal from the game to the tournament organizer attributed to unsportsmanlike conduct; deliberate serious injury; violent behavior; or the use of threatening, insulting, or abusive expressions and/or gestures. The referee's decision, based on the aforementioned reasons, is deemed final and is not subject to dispute!

NB! The referee, who serves the match, has the right to demand harsher punishment for the disqualified player. The referee must submit a written application to the tournament head referee, who makes the final decision. The decision of the head referee is final and cannot be appealed.

The decision will be notified to the team representative specified on the registration form.

XV Recognition of fair play

For the recognition of fair play it is recommended that players shake hands with the opposing players and referee right after the line-up (before the match starts) and after the final whistle.

XVI Warranty

By participation in Culture Cup football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.

XVII Balls used in matches

All the balls used during the Culture Cup have a marking "FIFA APPROVED" or "FIFA INSPECTED".

XVIII Registration of the team

When arriving to the tournament, all the teams have to submit the completed registration form to the tournament organizers before their first competitive match. If possible, the signed registration form can be e-mailed to remi@culturecup.ee.

The players not listed on the registration form cannot participate. Teams are not allowed to add more players to the registration form during the tournament.
By participating in the Tartu Culture Cup tournament, the team representative confirms adherence to the rules and acknowledges awareness of any possible changes.

NB! A team, who has not met the aforementioned demands, will not be allowed to play in the tournament.

XIX Start of the match

The team has to be on the match field 10 minutes before the match starts.
If the uniforms of both teams are in the same colour, the team who has been listed as the second team has to change shirts or wear vests.
Vests are guaranteed by the tournament organizer.

XX State of emergency, tournament management

The jury of the tournament has right to make changes in match times and locations, if it is necessary and an inevitable event requires it!
NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for the event of theft during the tournam