The Springfield Tournament                                                             Tournament and Picnic Guide

The following are important points about the tournament:

• $250.00 Team Entry Fee. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit required by September 7, 2009. Full payment due prior to kick off of 1st game.
• There will be 12 teams in four groups of three teams.
• Each team will be guaranteed a minimum of 2 games or a maximum of 5.
• The winners of each group will play in the Semi-Final matches.
• Unlimited substitutions are allowed.
• Teams must be present at least 20 minutes before kick-off of each of their games or they may be forced to forfeit.
• Two complete and contrasting sets of uniforms are required.
• No more than 20 players per roster are allowed. Special cases require permission.
• Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place teams.
• A select committee will pick the tournament’s Offensive and Defensive MVP’s.

Tournament Rules & Regulations

All tournament games will be played in accordance with the Laws of the game as
issued by FIFA unless modified herein.

1. General Rules

All the decisions by the referee are final and binding.

The tournament committee and Springfield International Soccer Club will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team or club if the tournament is canceled in whole or part. TheTournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament and its judgment is final.

Any team that disregards any decision by the tournament committee will be dropped from the tournament and will forfeit all remaining games.

2. Tournament Play

Tournament structure will consist of 12 teams in four groups of three teams. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of two games or a maximum of four games. Tournament games will be played in a round-robin format.

3. Point System to Determine Group winners

Each win will be assigned 3 points. Each tie will be assigned 1 point. Each loss will be assigned zero point. All ties will stand in preliminary games. Ties for 1 and 2 place teams in group plays will be broken according to the rules below.
A. Head to head competition
B. Goals for, goals against

4. Match Length

All round-robin matches will consist of 25 minute halves, a 5-minute half time and no over time. The final will consist of two 40 minute halves and two 10 minute golden goal period if tied at the end of regulation. Should the game remain tied at the end of over time, FIFA penalty kicks will be conducted. There will be no time allowance for substitutions and injuries or other compensating time.

The match officials will start the clock at the beginning of each half and will run it continuously until the conclusion of that half. Any necessary clock stoppage will be at the match officials’ discretion.

5. Failure to show and Forfeits

All teams must be at the field 20 minutes before the game. There will be a 5-minute grace period from the scheduled start time. The late team shall forfeit the game. The team forfeiting the match shall be declared the loser by a score of 0-3.

6. Substitutions

A. Unlimited substitutions by either team may be made, with the permission of the referee, at the following times: after a goal has been scored, prior to a goal kick, the beginning of the second half, or prior to the start of an overtime period.

B. Limited substitutions may be made, with the permission of the referee, prior to a throw-in by the team in possession, following a stoppage of play for an injury (for the injured player(s) only with the opponent allowed to substitute an equal number of players), and to replace a cautioned player.

7. Conduct

A yellow card is a warning offense and a red card is a penal offense. Two yellow cards issued to the same player, team official or coach in the same match equal a red card.

A. Any player ejected (red carded by the match officials) must sit out the remainder of the match plus the team’s next tournament match. No substitution may be made for a red-carded player.

B. A red-carded coach is immediately banned from further participation as coach or player in the tournament. A red-carded coach or player should immediately leave the field vicinity for the remainder of an ensuing match.

C. Any assault on an official, a participant or a spectator is an immediate ejection from the tournament. Local authorities will be notified if necessary. Future participation in tournaments hosted by Springfield International Soccer Club will be subject to review.

D. No team official or coach may enter the field of play unless the person has been granted permission by the match officials.

8. Inclement Weather

Springfield International Soccer Club reserves the right to relocate, reschedule, or terminate a match in case of inclement weather or any other unforeseen anomalies that may threaten the safety of the players, the playing surface or the spectators.

The match officials may terminate a match in case of inclement weather or any other unforeseen anomalies that may threaten the safety of the players.

The Springfield Tournament                                                            Tournament and Picnic Guide