1. Event Technical Committee Representing the Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Competition Regulations 2015

ORGANISERS

1. Event Technical Committee representing the Local Organising Committee (LOC)

Tournament Director: Simon Wright (Manchester Futsal Club)

Members: Ilya Ovechkin (EventDirector) and Marcel Mlynar (Event Manager)

2. Affiliating Association: The Football Association

Chairman: Mr Greg Dyke

Address: Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ

Telephone: 00 44 844 980 8200

Internet:

PREAMBLE

1. The Tournament consists of a final competition.

2. Manchester Futsal Club (hereinafter referred to as the “Organising Association”) are the host of The Manchester International Futsal Tournament 2015.

3. Any rights that are not ceded by these regulations to the Organising Association or any participating club shall belong to Manchester Futsal Club.

1. TITLE – THE MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL 4 NATIONS FUTSAL TOURNAMENT

Article 1

1. The winning team will be presented with a trophy

2. 17 medals will be presented to the winners and runners up of the competition.

3. One medal will be presented to each of the match officials participating in the event.

4. Trophies will be awarded for the Manchester International Futsal Tournament top goal scorer, player of the tournament and goalkeeper of the tournament.

2 ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION

Article 2

1. All competing teams must be affiliated to their National Football Association or Federation and must supply affiliation documentation upon request.

3. The Tournament consists of:

• A competition consisting of 4 teams
• Teams will play in a semi-final with the winning teams going onto the final. There will also be a 3rd place play-off game.

4. Entry into the Tournament is free of charge.

Article 3 (The Tournament)

1. Teams who register to take part in the tournament shall confirm their participation by sending the official entry form and pro forma a (long list), duly completed, to the LOC by the deadline set by the LOC.

2. Entries sent by fax shall be confirmed by sending the official entry form by post or e-mail to the LOC.

3. On entering the tournament, the participating teams shall automatically undertake:

(a) To observe these regulations and to ensure that the members of its delegation and its players also observe these regulations and the principles of fair play

(b) To accept the decisions passed by the bodies and officials of Manchester Futsal Club under the terms of these regulations

(c) To accept all the arrangements made by Manchester Futsal Club.

3. ORGANISATION OF THE TOURNAMENT

Article 4

1. Manchester Futsal Club are responsible for organising, hosting and staging the tournament. It will set up a Local Organising Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “LOC”) as an internal division.

All teams must register with the Tournament Director at the time specified by the LOC, at the venue on the first day of competition.

3. Teams are to make their own way to and from the venue and they must ensure that:

(a) The team manager attends the team managers meeting on Saturday 15 August at 9:00am (subject to change)

(b) All members of the playing squad arrive at the venue a minimum of 90 minutes prior to the start of their first game of the day.

4. It is the responsibility of the team and the team’s management to ensure that the team is at the tournament rendezvous point (RP) 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game’s start time.

5. Any team that is not at the tournament rendezvous point (RP) 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game’s start time or does not adhere to the match countdown protocols may forfeit that game and the opponents awarded the points.

6. The LOC and its technical committee will not be held responsible for any travel issues.

Article 5 (Venues, dates and kick-off times)

1. All games will take place at the National Cycling Centre, Manchester on 15-16 August.

2. Kick-off times and pitch allocation of all matches shall be agreed by the LOC.

3. The tournament pitch will comply with the Laws of the Game for Futsal, the pitch shall be of the following dimensions - length 32 metres; width 20 metres.

4. All matches will be played on a wooden surface.

5. The Futsal balls used shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Laws of the Game for Futsal and shall be approved by FIFA.

6. All matches shall kick off on the allocated pitch at the scheduled time, other than in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Event Technical Committee.

4. WITHDRAWAL, PENALTY FOR FAILING TO PLAY AND REPLACEMENT

Article 6

1. The participating teams shall undertake to play all of their matches until eliminated and or all of their scheduled matches are concluded.

2. If a team refuses to play, it may be disqualified, unless Article 27 of these regulations applies.

3. Depending on circumstances and the decision of the Event Technical Committee, any team that withdraws or if through the fault of any participating team a match cannot take place or be played in its entirety, the Event Technical Committee shall declare that the match be forfeited (awarding victory to the opposing team) and may also exclude the team concerned from the competition. The FA may take any other action deemed necessary.

4. The Event Technical Committee may take whatever action is deemed necessary in the case of force majeure.

5. EVENT TECHNCIAL COMMITTEE

Article 7

1. The Event Technical Committee appointed by the LOC is responsible for organising the Manchester International 4 Nations Futsal Tournament.

2. The Event Technical Committee may, if necessary, appoint a bureau and/or a sub-committee to deal with emergencies. Any decision taken by the bureau or sub-committee shall come into effect immediately, but shall be subject to confirmation by the plenary committee at its next meeting.

3. The Event Technical Committee shall draw up the regulations for the Tournament.

4. The responsibilities of the Event Technical Committee include:

a) Supervising general preparations, deciding on the match system, the draw and forming groups

b) Fixing the dates and venues and choosing pitch allocations

c) Determining kick-off times

d) Choosing the official football and the stipulated technical material;

e) Stipulating team colours

f) Match official’s appointments

g) Settling cases of force majeure

h) Disciplinary actions, in accordance with the regulations

i) Judging protests and taking appropriate steps to verify their admissibility

j) Dealing with every other aspect of the Championship that is not the responsibility of any other body under the terms of these regulations

5. The decisions taken by the Event Technical Committee are final and binding.

6. DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

Article 8

1. The participating teams undertake to comply with The FA Disciplinary Code in force and the relevant circular(s) issued. In addition, the teams agree notably to:

a) Respect the spirit of fair play and non-violence

b) Behave accordingly

c) Refrain from doping as defined by the FIFA Doping Control Regulations

Article 9 (Protests)

1. Unless otherwise stipulated in this article, protests shall be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director within 30 minutes of the end of the match and be followed up immediately by sending a written report, including a copy of the original protest, to the Technical Committee Chair.

2. Protests regarding the eligibility of players for any match in the grand finals competition shall be submitted in writing to the Technical Committee Chair no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the respective teams 1st game in the competition.

3. Protests regarding the state of the pitch and its surroundings, markings, goals or footballs shall be made in writing to the Tournament Director before the commencement of the competition by the manager of the team lodging the protest.

4. No protests may be made against the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play, such decisions being final.

5. If a frivolous or irresponsible protest or appeal is lodged, the Event Technical Committee may impose a fine or take any other action deemed appropriate.

6. Protests shall be sent to the Tournament Director by the specified deadline, otherwise they will be disregarded.

7. Teams may not take disputes to a civil court. If decisions are subject to appeal, the teams shall undertake to submit any such disputes to the jurisdiction of The FA, and, should the need arise, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

8. Once the Tournament has finished, any protests regarding the sporting procedure during the competition shall be disregarded.

Article 10 (Discipline sanctions)

1. A player who is sent from the field of play shall be suspended for the next match in the competition. The Technical Committee are entitled to augment this sanction in accordance with the standard match suspension tariff outlined below:

Receiving a second ‘yellow card’ in the same match –

1 Match suspension

Denying a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity –

1 Match suspension

Use of offensive, insulting or abusive gestures –

2 Match suspension

Attempting to kick or strike another player –

3 Match suspension

2. Any action deemed to be Serious Foul Play (as highlighted below) will incur a tariff equivalent to permanent exclusion from the tournament and could result in further disciplinary action from The FA:

• Kicking or striking another player
• Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures directed at match officials
• Spitting
• Head butting
• Assault
• Refusing to leave the field of play when ordered
• Causing a match to be abandoned
• Any offences where the offender has also acted in a discriminatory manner for reasons of ethnic origin, colour, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability

7. MATCHES PLAYED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME

Article 11

1. All matches shall be played in accordance with the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game laid down and published by FIFA.

2. In the case of any discrepancy in the interpretation of the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game, the English version is authoritative.

8. DURATION OF MATCHES, EXTRA TIME, DETERMINING THE WINNER BY PENALTY KICKS

Article 12

1. Each match will consist of two equal periods of 20 minutes with a 5 minute interval (extended to 10 minutes in the final). The clock shall be stopped when the ball is out of play.

2. Where a team does not score more than its opponents in the Semi Final games at the end of normal time the winner of the match shall be decided by kicks taken from the penalty mark as per FIFA rules. Five kicks from the penalty mark shall be taken to determine the winner. Should the scores still be level after the initial five penalties per team have been taken the penalties shall continue under the ‘sudden death’ principle.

3. In the final only and in accordance with the provisions of these regulations, extra time is required to decide a match that is level at the end of normal playing time, it shall always consist of two equal periods of five minutes played on a stopping clock. This shall only relate to the final match of the competition. If the match is still level after extra-time the match shall be decided by kicks taken from the penalty mark as per FIFA rules. Should the scores still be level after the initial five penalties per team have been taken the penalties shall continue under the ‘sudden death’ principle.

9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ORGANISING ASSOCIATION AND THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Article 13

1. All participants in the competition, regardless of their function, are required to conclude adequate insurance cover.

Article 14 (Organising Association)

1. The responsibilities of Manchester Futsal Club shall include but not be limited to:

a) Ensuring that order and safety is maintained, particularly in and around the match venues and their immediate surroundings. It shall take adequate measures, if necessary by working closely with the relevant authorities, to prevent and restrain outbreaks of violence. The Organising Association shall ensure efficient entry checks and guarantee the safety and security of spectators

b) Concluding insurance policies in consultation with the FA to cover all risks relating to the tournament’s organisation, in particular, adequate liability insurance in respect of the venues, local organisation, members of the Organising Association and the LOC, employees, volunteers and any other persons involved in the organisation of the tournament

c) Concluding liability insurance against possible spectator accidents or deaths

d) Ensuring the presence of a sufficient number of ground staff and security stewards to guarantee safety. The Organising Association is responsible for the behaviour of the staff while on duty

Article 15 (Participating teams)

1. Each participating team shall be responsible for:

a) The conduct of the members of its delegation (officials and players), and of any person carrying out duties on its behalf throughout the tournament

b) Providing the long list of players and staff to the LOC by the date stipulated

c) Fulfilling the accreditation requirements for players and staff as outlined by the LOC

d) Attending the team managers briefing on Saturday 15 August at 9:00am

e) Ensuring all members of the playing squad arrive on site at least 90 minutes prior to their first scheduled game of the day

f) The medical and hospital requirements for their own players

g) Concluding compulsory health, accident and travel insurance cover for all the members of its delegation

h) Ensuring teams are in their allocated changing room 15 minutes prior to the start of their matches

10. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

Article 16 (Players’ lists)

1. Each participating team shall nominate 14 players on an initial list that the teams shall submit to the Tournament Director in accordance with the relevant circular.

2. This list must be reduced to a squad of 12 players who must be indicated on the official team list, which shall be submitted upon registration at The National Cycling Centre.

3. The numbers on the back of the shirts shall correspond with the numbers indicated on the official team list; this list of 14 players shall show the full surname(s), first name(s), date of birth, and shirt number. The number 1 shall be allocated to one of the goalkeepers. Only these 14 players (except in cases recognised by the Event Technical Committee) will be permitted to take part in the competition.

5. The maximum number of substitutes permitted is seven. The number of substitutions that may be made during a match is unlimited. A player who has been replaced may return to the pitch as a substitute for another player.

6. Only twelve players can play in each fixture and these twelve players must be identified on the starting list before each game by the team manager.

7. Only players in possession of valid accreditation may play in the competition. The accreditation shall always be available for inspection by the LOC (e.g. registration officers, referees and tournament director).

8. Each participating team will receive a maximum of 17 accreditations (14 for the listed players and 3 for their officials).

9. Not more than twelve people (three officials and nine players) shall be allowed to sit on the substitutes’ bench. A suspended player will not be allowed to sit on the substitutes’ bench. According to the Futsal Laws of the Game, the maximum number of substitutes permitted is seven; therefore, the two ineligible players shall wear uniform which distinguishes them from the other officials and players.

10. All players will need proof of ID at the event. Players may be asked for proof of photo- identification through spot checks at the event. Failure to produce this documentation may result in your team being removed from the competition.

11. REGULATIONS GOVERNING EQUIPMENT & KIT AT FIFA AND / OR FA COMPETITIONS

Article 18

1. The participating teams shall undertake to comply with the FA Equipment Regulations in force. Players and officials are not allowed to display political, religious, commercial or personal messages in any language or form on their playing or team kit, equipment (including kit bags, beverage containers, medical bags, etc.) or body for the duration of their time in the stadia or any other areas where accreditation is required to enable access.

2. Each team should wear the official team colours, as stipulated in its official application form to participate.

3. As well as its official team uniform each team should prepare a reserve uniform of a different colour. The colour of this reserve uniform should also be stipulated on the application form to participate, and should be of a contrasting colour to that of the official uniform. The reserve uniform should be taken to each match.

4. Whenever, in the opinion of the Organising Committee, the colours of the uniforms of the two opposing teams or match officials are considered likely to cause confusion the away team (named second on the draw) will wear their reserve uniform, or alternatively changes will be made in accordance with the decision made by the Event Technical Committee.

5. The uniforms of the two goalkeepers should be of colours which contrast clearly with the uniforms of the two teams and the match officials. Teams are not permitted to wear black or dark coloured uniforms that clash with that of the match officials uniform.

6. Throughout the Tournament each player must wear a number which has been allocated to that player on the official team list. The numbering must be in a contrasting colour to the shirt.

7. Teams participating in the Tournament must submit to the LOC the uniforms their teams are scheduled to wear during the Tournament, on a day stipulated by the Organising Committee, and its approval obtained.

8. Team Managers and those officials sitting on the team bench should be dressed in appropriate attire.

9. Any outfield player replacing the goalkeeper and playing as a flying goalkeeper must wear the exact same goalkeeper’s shirt, but with the outfield player’s own number on his back.

12. REFEREES & MATCH OFFICIALS

Article 19

1. The referees officiating at the matches in the competition shall be appointed by the LOC Referees Coordinator. A referee, second referee, third referee and a timekeeper shall be appointed for each match.

2. The decisions of the LOC Referees Coordinator are final and not subject to appeal.