INFORMATION AND RULES
1. FIFA Laws of the Game
The international youth football tournament ROPAZI CUP 2024 shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the ROPAZI CUP 2024 rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.
2. Age groups, rules and dates
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2012 (U12) – number of players 9x9, (07-09.06.2024)
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2013 (U11) - number of players 7x7, (07-09.06.2024)
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2014 (U10) - number of players 7x7, (07-09.06.2024)
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2015 (U9) – number of players 5x5, (28-30.06.2024)
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2016 (U8) - number of players 5x5, (28-30.06.2024)
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2017 (U7) - number of players 5x5, (28-30.06.2024)
3. Use of older players
In the 9x9 age group it is allowed to use in one team up to 2 older players, who have been born later than 1 August the prior year.
In age groups 7x7 or 5x5 it is allowed to use in one team up to 1 older player, who have been born later than 1 August the prior year.
For example: In the boys’ age group 2012, it is allowed to have in one team 2 older players, who have been born later than 01.08.2011.
4. Players participating in several teams
During the youth football tournament ROPAZI CUP 2024, it is not allowed for the players to play in more than one team in the same 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 10:0 will be noted in the tournament chart and this means that the other team has won.
5. Stadium
All matches will be played at the Upesciems stadium (Skolas iela 14, Upesciems, Ropažu district, LV-2137) on a natural grass field.
6. Tournament system
ROPAZI CUP 2024 is divided into two phases: preliminary round and main round matches. In the preliminary round, teams are divided into subgroups of 3 teams, where all teams will play each other once. After the preliminary round, the teams are divided into 3 leagues (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, SUPER LEAGUE and CHALLENGE LEAGUE). The winners of the groups go to the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, the second place winners to the SUPER LEAGUE and the third place winners to the CHALLANGE LEAGUE). Each league plays its own tournament, depending on the number of teams, guaranteeing teams at least 4 games. For matches played during both rounds, each team is awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.
If some teams get equal scores in subgroups, the final ranking will be decided according to:
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match between each other
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goal difference against each other
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overall goal difference
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number of goals
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disciplinary actions
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drawing lots
All places in the ROPAZI CUP 2024 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.
7. 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.
All age groups will decide the match with 3 penalties.
8. 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 thecorresponding player.
Protest processing fee is 150 EUR. This amount will be refunded if the protest is successful.
If the protest is directed against the age of a specific player, then in the case of an unsuccessful protest, half of the protest processing fee is received by the team against which the player was protested.
9. 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.
10. Referees
All the referees are accepted by the Latvian Football Federation or the head referee of the tournament.
11. Medicine/medical aid
The organizers of ROPAZI CUP 2024 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.
12. Warnings and removals
A player removed from the field will be disqualified for the next match held ROPAZI CUP 2024 tournament.
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.
12. 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.
13. Warranty
By participation in ROPAZI CUP 2024 football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.
14. 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 info@ropazicup.lv.
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.
The representative of each team is required to sign a statement, confirming the arrival to the tournament, acceptance of the ROPAZI CUP 2024 rules and the team’s awareness of possible changes.
NB! A team, who has not met the aforementioned demands, will not be allowed to play in the tournament.
15. Start of the match and its accompanying rules
The team has to be on the match field 5 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.
Team size for age groups 9x9 – 20 players.
Team size for age groups 7x7 – 16 players
Team size for age groups 5x5, – 12 players
16. 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 tournament!