Rules

INNER WEST CUP
by Inter Lions FC 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

General:

The Tournament will be played in compliance with the Football NSW and Football Australia Regulations in force at the time, as well as the Football NSW and Football Australia Codes of Conduct relative to players, coaches and spectators as well as in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game (where applicable).

Inter Lions FC reserves the right to alter or add to the competition rules at any time and will provide written notice when amendments have been made (if required).

Registered Teams / Players:

1. Tournament is for players born after:
   1. 2012 - U12 age group (based on the age group eligible for 2024 season)
   2. 2013 - U11 age group (based on the age group eligible for 2024 season)
   3. 2014 - U10 age group (based on the age group eligible for 2024 season)
   4. 2015 – U9 age group (based on the age group eligible for 2024 season)
   5. 2016 – U8 age group (based on the age group eligible for 2024 season)

 

2. All players participating in the competition must be a registered player with a current FA identification number confirming the player’s current registration to their club.
   
   
3. Up to twenty (20) players may be entered for each team. Registered players may only participate for the team they are registered in. There is strictly NO combining of players (at any time) from players within the same club or  from separate teams and/or players from another club competing in the tournament.
   
   
4. There is strictly no player replacement permitted before OR mid-way through the tournament, unless authorized by the Tournament Director. Dispensation must be granted in advance.
   
   
5. R.A.E exempted players are eligible to participate in the competition. Production of Football NSW exemption approval is required.

 Failure to adhere to these regulations will result in immediate disqualification from the tournament.

Player Equipment:

6. Normal conditions of Law 4 (FIFA Laws of the Game) will apply.
7. Players must wear shin pads covered by their socks at all times throughout any match
8. Colours of undergarments and sock tape must comply with Law 4.
9. Jewellery cannot be worn at any time throughout any match.

Interchange:

10. An interchange can occur at any time without stoppage of play .
11. The leaving player must exit at nearest exit point or as otherwise directed by the referee.
12. An entering player must enter from the interchange zone (in front of the team bench) and must not enter the field of play until the leaving player has exited.
13. Players who have been dismissed from the field by the match referee (red card) cannot be replaced by an interchange player as per Rule 25

Gameplay:

14. The matches will be played on the football pitch of the following measurements:
    1. U10,U11,U12 age groups - 60m x 40m (half sized pitch), with goal size 5m x 2m. 
    2. U8,U9 age groups - 50m x 30m (half sized pitch), with goal size 3m x 2m.
       
       
15. Teams in U10,U11,U12 age group will have 9 players in total, 8 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper (SAP standard)
    
    
16. Teams in U8,U9 age group will have 7 players in total, 6 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper (SAP standard)
    
    
17. The time of play per Match will be 1 x 22 minutes for all age group
    
    
18. 1. Should the Match kick off after the scheduled match time, the game time will be reduced to ensure the next Match is able to kick off on time.
    2. Due to tight scheduling, there will be no stoppage/injury time added to any Match under any circumstances (including Finals Matches).
       
       
19. All Players must be in position on the field ready to commence play at their scheduled starting time, as well as leaving the field immediately after their match ends. Should a team fail to be ready for kick off after 2 (two) minutes from the scheduled kick-off time (as determined by the appointed referee), they will automatically be deemed to have forfeited their match and will be penalised in accordance with Rule 30.
    
    
20. From a goal kick, the defending team will be required to be outside the exclusion zone, which is the marked penalty area (28m x 12m), as per regular laws of the game.
21. When a goal keeper collects the ball with his hands, he is not allowed to kick it out of his hands. Drop Kick and throws are allowed.
22. There is no offside, however if a player is deliberatley offside( first offence he is warned, second time a free kick  is awarded to the opposing team)
23. There are no foul throws
24. All free kicks and corners are direct.
25. Penalties will be awarded for fouls committed inside the penalty box.
26. Penalty shootouts will only be in effect as Rule 34.
27. All referees have the authority to issue Yellow and Red cards where appropriate. Yellow cards will not accumulate over multiple games; however, a Red card with result in a one (1) match carry over suspension.
28. If a player is sent off by way of red card, they cannot be replaced for the remainder of the game.
29. Should the match referee deems a player to be in violation of the Laws of the Game in a circumstance related to violent conduct or unsportsmanlike behaviour, the referee has the power and authority to send the player off and report the behaviour to the Tournament Director for further action.

Competition Format:

29. Games will be refereed by official referees.
30. The tournament will be conducted as a round robin for group stages, followed by final round.
31. Group sizes will depend on the number of teams registered to compete.
32. Points throughout the group stages will be awarded as follows:
    3 points for a win
    • 1 point for a draw
    • 0 points for a loss.
    • A forfeit for will receive 3 points (+3 goal difference), and a Forfeit against will receive 0 points (-3 goal difference).
    
    
33. Group stage place will be determined:
    Most points
    • The team with the greater goal difference
    • The team with the most goals for
    • Head-to-head result/s between the involved Teams (where only two teams are to be separated)
    
    
34. Throughout the final’s series, if scores are level at the conclusion of regular time, the match will proceed directly to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. The penalty shootout will be in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, current as at the time of the tournament.
35. Penalties is 3 penalty kicks each, then proceeding to Sudden death untill we get a result.

Disciplinary Policy:

Inter Lions FC has a ZERO Tolerance stance on any form of anti-social behaviour or violent behaviour or conduct.

All players, spectators and officials are to abide by Football Australia Code of Conduct (The Code). The Code will be made available prior to the event and will be available on the day.

Any person(s) that are found guilty by a Inter Lions FC Official or Match Official will be subject to immediate disciplinary action appropriate to the offence. This may include referral to governing bodies within Football NSW or Football Australia, or in the event of a breach deemed to be punishable by law enforcement, a referral may be made to the NSW Police.

Inter Lions FC reserves the right to remove or disqualify any team or their spectators found to be in breach of The Code and in breach of the ZERO Tolerance stance on anti-social and violent behaviour. Inter Lions FC also reserves the right to remove any spectator from the venue who is deemed to have breached The Code or the ZERO Tolerance Policy