ARSENAL GUNNER'S CUP 2007
Class I Tournament
Tournament Rules

Competition

1. Rules
All games will be played by FIFA rules except as modified by US Club Soccer. Referees will consist of USSF Registered Referees only.

2. Protests & Disputes
All games will be considered final. No protests will be allowed. Major problems and rule interpretations must be referred to the Field Marshal or Tournament Director.

3. Check-in /Credentials
All teams will be guaranteed 3 scheduled games. Cancellations, forfeits, and other circumstances may reduce the number of actual games played. All teams shall provide valid and properly laminated player cards and white registration/medical release forms at check-in for the2006-2007 or the 2007-2008 season. Both US Club Players Passes and USYS Player Passes will be accepted. All player passes must be given to the Field Marshal or check-in referee prior to each game. Players without a valid player pass will not be allowed to participate. Each team must have at least one coach with valid coach's credentials for their specific club on the sideline during each entire game. Teams must arrive at the field at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their game.

The maximum roster size for U9/U10 is 14 players per team. The maximum roster size for U11 and older is 18 players per team. A maximum of five loaned players is allowed per team. A loan player is defined as a player who is not listed on the team roster for the 2006-2007 season or the 2007-2008 season.

A player may not play for more than one (1) team in the same bracket during the tournament.

4. Home Team Responsibilities
The home team is listed first on the game schedule. The home team may choose which side of the field they will stand and will provide a game ball, unless provided by the Tournament. In the event of a color conflict (determined by a referee), the home team must change to an alternate color jersey.

5. Spectator Seating
Opposing teams may not stand on the same side of the field except where dictated by local field rules. Where there are adjacent fields with sidelines less than five yards apart, spectators for opposing teams must sit on opposite sides of the centerline. In all cases spectator and team eating will allow the referee's assistants clear runs and view of all touch lines.

6. Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions shall be in accordance to FIFA Rules.

7. Red Cards
Any player or coach given a red card will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the game they are playing when given the card, and will not be allowed to participate in the next game, (2 yellow cards in one game = 1 red card). Red card or ejection penalties affect only participation with the particular team when the offense occurred.

Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their fans. Teams that are short a player(s) due to red card ejection will also play any overtime short a player(s). Player/coach cards for those ejected will be available from the Field Marshal after the ejection time has been served.

Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be ejected from the tournament. Any serious misconduct, verbal abuse, or offensive language by a player, coach, or spectator can result in expulsion from the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director or Field Marshal. If the Tournament Director or Field Marshal believe that serious misconduct, verbal abuse, or offensive language will continue without adequate attempts by the team officials to terminate the misconduct, the entire team may be ejected from the tournament.

Any player or coach ejected by the referee will be considered receiving a red card even if the referee displays no red card and even if the referee does not note a red card on the game card.

8. Forfeits
Teams failing to report, ready to play within five minutes of the scheduled kickoff time, or home team failing to change to an alternate jersey when required, will result in the forfeiture of the game by a 1-0 score. If both teams fail to appear within five minutes of the scheduled kickoff, each team will receive 0 points. Teams forfeiting any game will automatically forfeit all of their games before and after the forfeit. The Tournament Director may waive the requirement to forfeit all games efore and after the forfeit, at his discretion, on an individual basis, if the Tournament Director determines that the forfeit is beyond the control of the forfeiting team and/or would result in point manipulation that would unfairly penalize another team.

9. Game Suspensions/Delays
If game play (including game start) is delayed or suspended for an inordinate amount of time through no fault or responsibility of either am, the Tournament Director or Field Marshal, at their discretion, may vary from tournament rules to establish the outcome of the game. Variance can include, but is not limited to, a change of game time, shortening the length of the game, or determining a winner by FIFA penalty kicks.

10. Line up Cards
The Field Marshal will be responsible for delivering and collecting allneup cards to/from the referee.

Format of Play

1. Pool Play
Pool play is followed by single-elimination leading to a championship round.

2. Standings Teams shall be awarded points for game results as follows:

n addition, bonus points shall be awarded for goals scored in a game, not to exceed a maximum of three goals per game. An additional bonus point shall be awarded to the winning team for achieving a shutout, excluding 0-0 ties. No shutout bonus points will be awarded for 0-0 ties. Teams shall be awarded the bonus points for goals scored without regard to the outcome of the game. That is, the losing team will receive points for goals scored and 0 points for the loss. One point will be deducted for each red card received.

3. Game Lengths
Game Lengths in minutes follow the chart below:

4. Ties

Preliminary

In the event that two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the preliminary round, the following tie breakers shall be applied in order given until a winner is determined:

•  Winner of head to head competition
•  Goal differential (goals for minus goals against)
•  Most wins
•  Goals against
•  Goals for
•  FIFA penalty kicks

Quarterfinals & Semifinals

All ties in quarterfinal and semifinal games will go directly to FIFA Penalty Kicks.

Championship Games

If a championship game is tied at the end of regulation time, then two (2) 5-minute periods will be played. If still tied, FIFA penalty kicks will be conducted to determine a winner.

5. Duration of the Game
There will be a running clock for all games.

Weather

In the event of adverse weather, matches may be shortened or canceled at the Tournament Committee's discretion. Any, refund amount will be determined by the Tournament Committee.

During hot weather, the Tournament Director, Head Field Marshal, or referees may authorize five (5) minute breaks midway through one or both game halves. The game clock will be stopped during these breaks.