Tournament Rules
- FORMAT: 6-A SIDE (1 goalkeeper, 5 field players). Substitutions unlimited (no game stoppage necessary) at centre line.
- GAME BALL: FIFA #5 balls will be used for the tournament.
- FIELD TYPE: Tournament to be played on natural grass, 55m length by 35m width.
- TEAMS AND EQUIPMENT: 4 groups of 6 teams, 24 teams in total, minimum of 5 games per team.
Minimum number of players: A team must have at least 4 players (one of them clearly recognisable as goalkeeper) to be able to start the game.
No equipment to be used that could be dangerous to the player or to another player will be worn as determined by the referee (for example jewellery). Special model for practice of sports eyeglasses will be permitted. Shin guards covered by socks are mandatory. The only permitted cleats are those with NON-METAL studs. Good sportsmanship will prevail at all times. Captains are responsible for the conduct of their players. A coach may not enter the field of play except upon the referee's signal.
- PLAYERS: All players are eligible to play if they are fully employed by the company of their team. A list of player has to be submitted prior to the tournament (forms available on the internet homepage of the Lufthansa Cologne Aviation Cup). A player can appear in only one team. If a player appears in 2 teams he will be banned for the entire tournament and the teams will undergo a 3-0 defeat for games involved.
- LENGTH OF GAMES: Games will be 15 minutes, continuous play. Games tied at the end of regular time will stand as ties, except during team elimination matches when shoot-outs (penalties) will be implemented. Field Referees may alter the length of any game.
- PROTESTS: All games will be considered final. Referee’s decisions are considered as matter of fact. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
- SCORING - TIEBREAKERS: Teams earn points based upon the results of the preliminary round (group stage). Points will be awarded as follows:
· 3 Points Win;
· 1 Point Tie;
· 0 Points Loss.
When teams finish with equal number of points, decision will be done by:
· Direct encounter score
· Goal difference
· Goals in favour
· Drawing.
The teams ranked as first and second in each group after the preliminary round will qualify for the quarter finals. All games after the preliminary round will be elimination finals.
- GAME START: All games will start at scheduled time. Teams must report to the field (referee) a minimum of 5 minutes prior to scheduled kick-off time. The team that doesn’t show up after 5 minutes of the scheduled time will loose their points. The other team in this case will be considered the winner by a 3-0 score. Two walk-over will lead to a disqualification of the respective team.
- JERSEY COLOR CONFLICTS: In the event of a conflict in jersey colours, the organizers will provide a colour vest. Goalkeepers must wear colours clearly distinguished from all other players.
- EJECTIONS: Players ejected from a game with yellow/red card will automatically be suspended from the rest of the respective game. Players ejected from a game with red card will automatically be suspended from the team's next game as well. Ejection's will be reviewed by the Tournament Committee and may result in a more severe penalty. Fighting between players, violent conduct and harassment of referees by coaches will be considered serious misconduct. Fighting between players will result in ejection from the tournament. Player sent-off can not be substituted after a certain time or if a goal will be scored.
- OFFSIDE No offside will be called during tournament play in accordance with FIFA rules for six-a-side games.
- GOAL KEEPER: The ball cannot land into the other half of the pitch (otherwise indirect free-kick at centre line).
GK can leave its penalty box without using hands and anyway he cannot hold the ball for more than 6 seconds. GK cannot use hands in back-passes of any kind.
- OUTS: Player must throw-in, not roll-in.
- PENALTIES: Penalties awarded will be executed from a distance of 9 metres.