Rules & Regulations
& 1 . Event Information
Shanghai Division
Competition Group：
U7:born after Sep 2018 丨 5-a-side football
U8:born after Sep 2017 丨 5-a-side football U9:born after Sep 2016 丨 8-a-side football U10:born after Sep 2015 丨 8-a-side football
U11:born after Sep 2014 丨 8-a-side football U12:born after Sep 2013丨 8-a-side football
U13:born after Sep 2012丨 11-a-side football *The girl can be born one year early.

& 2 . Competition Format
& 3 . Competition Regulations
3.1 Match ball
Age groups U7 to U11 shall use size 4 match balls, while age groups U12 to U13 shall use size 5 match balls.

3.2 Enforcement Rules
The matches shall be conducted in accordance with the latest version of Football Competition Rules approved by the Chinese Football Association. Futsal (5-a-side football) shall be governed with reference to the Indoor Futsal Competition Rules. For the special competition rules applicable to 5-a-side and 8-a-side football, please refer to the Special Competition System Rules. The Organizing Committee shall reserve the final right of interpretation of all the rules.

3.3 Countdown Procedure
All teams shall follow the countdown procedure and must arrive at the match venue 30 minutes prior to kick-off to submit the match roster, which includes the list of team officials, starting players and substitutes. The submission must be completed 10 minutes prior to kick-off. Any player or team official not included in the roster shall be prohibited from entering the match venue and the substitutes’ bench.
If a team fails to arrive at the venue by the scheduled kick-off time due to force majeure and after consultation with the Organizing Committee, the Organizing Committee and the referees shall have the right to postpone or reschedule the match.

3.4 Document verification
All participants must present valid photo identification to take part in the match. Any individual without valid credentials shall not be allowed to compete and will be required to leave the venue immediately.

3.5 Competition equipment
1.All players of the same team must wear uniforms (including jerseys, shorts and socks) of the same color, which must be clearly distinguishable from those of the opposing team. (1) If a short-sleeved jersey is worn with a long-sleeved undershirt underneath, the color of the undershirt sleeves shall match the main color of the short-sleeved jersey. (2) If compression shorts or compression pants are worn, their color shall match the main color of the outer shorts. (3) The color of the goalkeeper’s uniform must be clearly distinguishable from those of the players of both teams and the referees. 2.Each jersey must display clear and distinct numbers on both the front and back. Players shall use the same number throughout the entire tournament. Any player without a number or wearing a duplicate number shall not be allowed to play. 3.The team captain must wear a captain’s armband. No player may wear any jewelry, framed glasses, or any other objects deemed by the referee to be potentially dangerous to others. 4.During matches, players must wear football boots other than metal-studded boots (SG) and must use shin guards. Players are prohibited from wearing any equipment or accessories that may endanger themselves or others. Any violation of this rule will result in the player being barred from participating in the match. 5.Goalkeepers are permitted to wear caps, provided that the caps have soft brims and contain no metallic parts. 6.During matches, all off-field players of both teams (excluding the starting line-up) must wear substitute bibs as required.

3.6 Substitution rules
In 5-a-side football matches:
Each team shall start with 5 players on the pitch, while the remaining members serve as substitutes. Substitutions shall be conducted within the designated area. There is no limit on the number of substitutions, and players who have been substituted off may re-enter the game.
In 8-a-side football matches:
Each team shall start with 8 players on the pitch, and the rest shall be substitutes. A total of 5 substitution opportunities are allowed per team throughout the match, with no restrictions on the number of players swapped each time. Substitutions made during half-time do not count against the total substitution limit. Players who have been substituted off may re-enter the game. Substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play, and must be carried out on the condition that the referee gives approval, with the rule of substitute off first, then substitute on.
In 11-a-side football matches:
Each team shall start with 11 players on the pitch, and the rest shall be substitutes. A total of 5 substitution opportunities are allowed per team throughout the match, with no restrictions on the number of players swapped each time. Substitutions made during half-time do not count against the total substitution limit. Players who have been substituted off may re-enter the game. Substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play, and must be carried out on the condition that the referee gives approval, with the rule of substitute off first, then substitute on.

3.7 Number of players
In 5-a-side football matches:
If a team has fewer than 3 players remaining on the pitch during the match, the game shall be terminated, the team shall be deemed to have forfeited the match, and the opposing team shall be awarded a 3-0 victory. If the actual score at the time of termination is higher than 3-0, the actual score shall stand.
In 8-a-side football matches:
If a team has fewer than 5 players remaining on the pitch during the match, the game shall be terminated, the team shall be deemed to have forfeited the match, and the opposing team shall be awarded a 3-0 victory. If the actual score at the time of termination is higher than 3-0, the actual score shall stand.
In 11-a-side football matches:
If a team has fewer than 8 players remaining on the pitch during the match, the game shall be terminated, the team shall be deemed to have forfeited the match, and the opposing team shall be awarded a 3-0 victory. If the actual score at the time of termination is higher than 3-0, the actual score shall stand.

3.8 Scoring method
1.Each team shall be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. Teams with higher points shall be ranked higher.
2.If two or more teams are tied on points, their rankings shall be determined in the following order:
(1) Higher points obtained in the matches played between the tied teams shall rank higher;
(2) Higher goal difference obtained in the matches played between the tied teams shall rank higher;
(3) Higher total number of goals scored in the matches played between the tied teams shall rank higher;
(4) Higher goal difference in the group or single round-robin matches shall rank higher;
(5) Higher total number of goals scored in the group or single round-robin matches shall rank higher;
(6) If the rankings are still tied, the lottery draw shall be used to determine the final rankings.

3.9 Waiver and Strike

1.Any team arriving at the venue more than 10 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time shall be deemed to have forfeited the match.

2.Forfeiture Handling Rules: (1)If one club forfeits the match, the opposing club shall be awarded a 3-0 victory (goals scored do not count towards the final score). If the actual score at the time of forfeiture exceeds 3-0, the actual result shall stand. (2)If both clubs forfeit the match, neither club shall be credited with a result for the match, and both shall be awarded 0 points.

3.A club shall be deemed to have abandoned the match if any of the following circumstances apply: (1) Failing to participate in the match as scheduled without a force majeure reason approved by the Organizing Committee or without prior approval. (2) Refusing to play a rescheduled or rearranged match as arranged by the Organizing Committee. (3) Refusing to resume an interrupted match within 5 minutes as required by the referee, or leaving the venue without authorization before the match concludes. (4) Forfeiting more than 2 matches in the tournament. (5) Withdrawing from the tournament mid-competition.

4.For any club found to have abandoned a match, all of its matches in the tournament shall be awarded as 3-0 victories to the opposing teams (regardless of whether the matches were played or not, and goals scored do not count towards the final score).

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to adjust the match schedule according to actual circumstances to safeguard the maximum interests of participating teams and the tournament.

3.10 Suspension/Termination of the Competition

If, due to any force majeure event or any other reasons whatsoever, including but not limited to: unsuitable match venue conditions, adverse weather, lighting system malfunctions and other incidents, and such circumstances arise before the end of the normal match time, the following measures shall be implemented subsequently:

1.In case of adverse weather conditions (thunder, lightning, hail) The match shall be suspended for 30 minutes to await effective improvement of the conditions before resumption, unless the referee deems that the match can restart earlier. After the initial 30-minute suspension, if the referee considers that extending the suspension for another period could allow the match to resume, an additional 30-minute suspension may be implemented. If the match still cannot resume after the second 30-minute suspension, the referee must declare the match abandoned.

2.In the event of a match suspension, the Organizing Committee shall, within 3 hours of the referee’s decision to abandon the match, determine whether the result at the time of suspension shall stand; or, taking into account factors such as sportsmanship and organizational feasibility, decide whether to arrange a replay of the remaining time or a full re-match.

3.No appeal shall be lodged against the provisions of this clause in the tournament regulations.

4.If a match is declared suspended due to force majeure, priority shall be given to completing the remaining match time on a rescheduled date, rather than organizing a full re-match. The score and all other match situations at the time of suspension shall remain valid. When the Organizing Committee decides to resume and complete the match, the following principles shall be strictly observed: (1) The match shall resume at the exact point where it was suspended. All on-field players and substitutes must remain the same as they were at the time of suspension. (2) No additions or replacements shall be made to the list of substitutes. (3) No additional substitution opportunities shall be granted. (4) All red and yellow cards issued prior to suspension shall remain valid; any player sent off before suspension shall not be allowed to re-enter the pitch for the resumed match. (5) All other penalties related to the match shall remain in effect. (6) The Organizing Committee shall determine the resumed match time (within a foreseeable subsequent period) and venue. All subsequent matters arising therefrom shall be decided solely by the Organizing Committee.

5.Termination of the Tournament

If force majeure results in the inability to hold the remaining match days of the entire tournament cycle, the Organizer reserves the right to terminate the tournament. Final rankings shall be determined based on the existing results, and trophies, medals and other awards shall be presented accordingly.


& 4 . Disciplinary Penalties and Procedures

4.1 Suspension of Red and Yellow Cards
A player who receives a red card shall be automatically suspended for one match. A player accumulating three yellow cards shall also be suspended for one match.If a player receives a yellow card followed by a direct red card in the same match, the yellow card shall be counted in the accumulation. However, a red card issued as a result of two yellow cards in a single match shall not count the yellow cards towards the accumulation.

4.2 Disciplinary punishment
1. If a coach is sent off by the referee, they shall be prohibited from entering the venue to direct matches for one game.
2. Any unsportsmanlike conduct such as fraud is strictly prohibited. If such conduct occurs and is verified, the team shall be deemed to have lost all their matches by a score of 3-0. For serious cases, the Tournament Organizing Committee reserves the right to disqualify the team from the competition.
3. For various violations and disciplinary incidents occurring during matches, the Tournament Organizing Committee shall determine the penalty based on the severity and impact of the violation.

4.3 Appeal
If a challenge is raised regarding the authenticity of a team player’s age or certification documents, the challenged team must provide the original ID card, a video of the original ID card, or other photo-bearing identification documents as evidence within 4 hours. If the player’s identity and age are verified as valid, the match result shall be recorded as the actual score of the game. Failure to provide the original documents or the corresponding video within the specified time limit will result in the team being ruled to lose the match 3-0 (if the actual score was higher than 3-0, the actual score shall stand). If the challenged player is confirmed to have committed age fraud or document fraud, the team shall be ruled to lose all matches in the tournament 3-0, including those that have already been completed.
For any appeals related to the matches, participating teams must submit a written application to the Organizing Committee.

& 5 . Event Rankings and Awards
Admission Rankings and Awards
1.Trophy and medals shall be awarded to the champion, runner-up and third-place teams in each age group.
2.Awards for the Best Player, Top Scorer, Best Goalkeeper and Best Coach shall be selected for each age group, with individual trophies presented for each category respectively.

& 6 . Special Competition System Rules

Special Rules for 8-a-side Football
A goal scored directly from the kick-off without touching any player is invalid.

Special Rules for Futsal
Article 1: Kick-off A goal scored directly from the half-time kick-off without touching any player is invalid.

Article 2: Throw-in A goal scored directly from a throw-in (without being touched by any opposing player) is invalid. The player taking the throw-in must release the ball within 4 seconds.
Article 3: Goal Kick 1.The goal kick must be taken by the goalkeeper with their hands inside the penalty area. A goal scored directly from a goal kick (without being touched by any player) is invalid. 2.Once the goalkeeper has control of the ball, they must release it within 4 seconds. 3.The goalkeeper may not retain possession of the ball in their own half for more than 4 seconds. 4.If the goalkeeper fails to release the ball within 4 seconds, the opposing team shall be awarded an indirect free kick.
Article 4: Pass-back Rule The goalkeeper is not permitted to handle the ball if it is passed back to them by a teammate's foot. There is no limit on the number of times the goalkeeper can touch a pass-back with other parts of the body. If the goalkeeper handles a pass-back inside the penalty area, the opposing team shall be awarded an indirect free kick on the penalty area line. If the handling occurs outside the penalty area, the opposing team shall be awarded a direct free kick at the spot of the infringement.
Article 5: Tackling Tackling is permitted in futsal matches.
Article 6: Defensive Wall Distance for Restarts For throw-ins, free kicks, goal kicks and corner kicks, all defending players must maintain a distance of 5 meters from the point where the ball is to be restarted.
Article 7: Fouls The rule of accumulating 6 fouls per half shall not be applied in this tournament.
Article 8: Time-outs Each team is entitled to one 1-minute time-out per half. Time-outs may only be called when the ball is out of play and the team calling the time-out is in possession of the ball. No time-outs are allowed during the group stage matches.

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