Rules of the game

Contents
§1. Tournament initiative
§2. General rules
§3. Categories
§4. Tournament design and playing rules
§5. Playing time
§6. Number of participants and substitutions
§7. Proof of age/participant list
§8. Match participation criteria
§9. Exemptions
§10. Tournament panel
§11. Protest and sanctions
§12. Walkover, abandoned match
§13. Tournament program
§14. Playing fields
§15. Accommodation rules

1. Tournament initiative
The Amsterdam Games wants to host teams from as many countries as possible and bring all these different cultures together in Amsterdam celebrating football and fun.

2. General rules
The Amsterdam Games will be played in accordance with applicable sections of the FIFA and the Dutch FA (KNVB) rules.

3. Categories
3.1 The categories of the Amsterdam Games are the following:

Boys Under 17 – Born in 2001
BU 16 – Born in 2002
BU 15 – Born in 2003
BU 14 – Born in 2004
BU13  – Born in 2005
BU 12 – Born in 2006
BU 11 – Born in 2007 

Girls Under 17  – Born in 2001
GU 16 – Born in 2002
GU 15  – Born in 2003
GU 14 – Born in 2004
GU 13  – Born in 2005
GU 12 – Born in 2006
GU 11 – Born in 2007

3.2 Classification of groups according to the level of play:
Each team will be classified into its group according to the level of the league where the team plays back home. This might result in several groups for each category.
The administration of the Amsterdam Games reserves the right to add, eliminate or modify categories if necessary in order to facilitate the logistics of the competition. Teams will be informed of any changes.

4. Tournament design and playing rules
4.1 Tournament design:

The group stage of the tournament will be done in a round robin format with groups containing four to five teams. Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss. This points system will determine the ranking of the teams after the group stage. If there are teams with equal amount of points, advancement to the next round will be determined by (in the following order):

1. Goal difference
2. Highest number of goals scored
3. Results of match(es) between teams with equal points
4. Penalty kicks

From the groups, the group winners and runners-up will be allowed to progress to the playoff phase. The lower ranked teams will continue playing as well in a relegation competition. In this phase of the tournament the games will proceed in a cup system format of direct elimination. In case of draws the winner will be decided by penalty kicks with no overtime.

4.2 Playing rules
Categories GU11 and BU11 (7-a-side) rules:
• All matches will be 7-a-side and will be played in half a field.
• Application of FIFA rules regarding small fields.
• The offside rule is not applicable.
• Passing the ball to the keeper is allowed.
• Goal kick can be done from the ground or from the hands of the goalkeeper. The ball can also be thrown with the hands by the goalkeeper.

All (11 v 11) category rules:
• All games will be 11-a-side and will be played in a full size field.
• FIFA rules apply

4.3 Balls:
All matches are played using balls of size 5.

5. Playing time

6. Number of participants and substitutions
Each team is permitted to register an unlimited amount of participants. Nevertheless, the following rules regarding substitutions apply:

For the 11-a-side teams:
• Each team may use 11 participants on the field (ten field participants and one goalkeeper).
• There is a maximum of 18 participants that any team is allowed to use in any given match (a maximum of 7 substitutions).
• A substituted participant may not re-enter the match.
• Substitutions must be done after stopping the match.
• All substitutions should be done at the centre line.
• The substituted participant must leave the field in order for the new player to enter.

For Boys U11 and Girls U11:
• Each team may use 7 participants on the field (6 field participants and one goalkeeper).
• There is an unlimited number of substitutions.
• A substituted participant may not re-enter the match.
• Substitutions can be done without stopping the game. An exception applies when substituting a goalkeeper; in this case the referee must stop the game and allow the substitution.
• All substitutions should be done at the centre line.
• The substituted participant must leave the field in order for the new player to enter.

7. Proof of age/Participants list
Each team will receive a participants list form containing name, date of birth and nationality of each participant. This form must be completed and submitted to the Amsterdam Games administration before the team’s first match in the tournament. Please note that each participant must have an official identification document with a photograph in order to certify his/her age upon request during the tournament.

8. Match participation criteria
8.1 Team list:
A written team list must be handed to the referee before each match. The Amsterdam Games administration will provide a special form for this. The number each participant has on the team list must correspond with the number on their respective shirts.

8.2 Uniform code:
All team shirts should ideally be numbered on the back but in case not, that is no problem. Two participants of the same team may not use the same number in any given match.
It is expected that every participating team travels with two uniform kits. If the referee decides that one team should change shirts due to similarity to the opposing teams’ shirts, the team appearing last in the match schedule must change.

8.3 Match related information:
• All teams are expected to be present and ready on the field no later than 15 minutes before kick-off.
• All participants must wear shin guards.
• Teams will be held responsible for the conduct of their supporters.
• It is required from every responsible team leader (i.e. coach) to sign the referees match card immediately after the game in order to confirm the match results and cards received and any other events during the game.
• Each team leader must be familiar with the type of insurance of his/her team and must ensure that the necessary information from the insurance is always available in case of an accident (e.g. policy numbers or insurance cards, etc.).

9. Exemptions
Exemptions to participants who are maximum one year over aged can be requested at the Amsterdam Games administration office. The Amsterdam Games administration office will decide if these exemptions can be granted or not.

Teams from countries that still use the 1st of August limit (e.g. US and England) may also use participants five months over aged.

Girls may play in all male categories. Note that regulations for age categories are still applicable.

10. Tournament Panel
The Amsterdam Games Panel is the official handler of all protests and sanctions. Their decisions cannot be appealed

11. Protest and sanctions
The decisions of the referee are final concerning facts of play. Protests concerning the decisions of the referee will not be taken into consideration. Protests may be handled in the following cases:
• A player cannot proof his/her age by showing a player card or an official identification with photograph on request of the other team’s coach
• A match has been interrupted because of a deliberate disruption of play.

Any age protest must be done before the start of the game. All non-age related protests must be made by the team leader in an English written note and handed over to the referee or to the Amsterdam Games administration no later than two hours after the end of the respective match.

12. Walkover, abandoned match
Any team not appearing at the scheduled time and place for a match can be declared looser by a 0-3 score line, after a decision by the Amsterdam Games Panel. If a team repeatedly fails to appear at the games, the team may be excluded from the tournament.

If a match is interrupted for some reason and cannot be played to the end, the panel will decide the next course of action.

13. Tournament program
The Amsterdam Games administration office reserves the right to make changes to timing, grouping and fields before the deadline. Team officials will be notified of any changes that pertain to their respective teams.

14. Playing fields
All fields that will be used may vary between artificial turf and grass.
In the case of any situation that will restrict the use of the fields the Amsterdam Games Panel will decide how to determine the delivery of match points. 

15. Accommodation rules
The designated team leader is responsible for any damage caused by his/her players.

It is expected that all participants adhere to the house rules of the respective accommodations.
Failure to comply with accommodation rules may have severe consequences that will be decided upon by the Amsterdam Games Panel.