GENERAL RULES

The Nation Cup 2023 III refers to general rules of matches held by Persatuan
BolaSepak Malaysia (FAM) and FIFA as the master of football world.

1. THE GAME

The FIFA 2012/2013 Laws of the Game apply with some exceptions made for Play 7-
a-side junior events. Any future amendments made to the FIFA 2012/2013
publication and not covered by the following rules will need to be considered before
applying.

1.1. The dimension of the field markings shall be according to FIFA regulations.

2. THE BALL

To comply with FIFA law for the specified age groups.

U10 & 12 – Size 4

U14 – Size 5

3. NUMBERS OF PLAYERS.

3.1 Each team consists of up to seven (7) players, one of whom is the
goalkeeper.

A match may not start if either of the teams has fewer than four (4) players.

3.2. A team squad may consist of up to 12 players, each of whom should be

registered before the tournament date. Additional players may not be registered
once the tournament has begun. Registraion of at least 10 players is encouraged. If
the teams registering 7 players, the risk is beared by the team.

3.3 Unlimited rolling substitutes are permitted by each team in each game.

4. PROOF OF AGE

All players must be able to provide their original identification showing their date of
birth along with a photograph. Acceptable forms of ID include a Passport or a
National ID Card.

Players unable to supply this will be eliminated from the competition and their teams
will have all results reversed.

5. PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

To comply with FIFA law.

For identification purposes each player must play with a number on the back of his
shirt. The player must use this number throughout the competition. A goalkeeper
wearing No 1 can use this number if playing in another position on the field of play.

6. THE REFEREE

All officials to be FAM and Persatuan Bolasepak Negeri Johor (PBNJ) qualified.
Comply with FIFA Law on duties etc.

7. THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

7.1. For all age groups each match lasts for one period of 20 minutes with no half
time interval.

7.2 Allowance for time lost is permitted at the referee’s discretion to a maximum
of 2 minutes.

8. THE START AND END OF PLAY

8.1 The start of play will be signaled at the scheduled time by referee. All games
should be ready to kick off at the scheduled time.

8.2 Teams must have at least four (4) players on the pitch and ready to start on
time. If a team is not ready to play at the scheduled kick off time, a 2-0 penalty is
imposed and the remainder of time played as normal. If a team is 5 minutes late to
the pitch the points are awarded to the other side.

8.3 Players must leave the field of play immediately following their game as turn
around time is tight at three (3) minutes. This is the responsibility of the team coach
or representative. The next teams should be ready to take the field as soon as it is
vacated.

9. THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

To comply with FIFA Law. Ball should re-enter play via a goal-kick, corner or throw-
in. Opposing players should be a minimum of 6 metres from the ball for a corner.

10. THE METHOD OF SCORING

To comply with FIFA Law. 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss

11. OFFSIDE

The Offside Law will NOT apply.

12. FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

To comply with FIFA Law.

13. FREE KICKS

Comply with FIFA Law except that all opponents must be at least 6 metres from the
ball.

14. THE PENALTY KICK

Kicks taken with the period of normal play to comply with FIFA Law.

15. THE THROW-IN

To comply with FIFA Law.

Foul throws to be penalized by the referee for all age groups except u8 where the
referee should exercise his own discretion.

16. THE GOAL KICK

To comply with FIFA Law.

17. THE CORNER KICK

To comply with FIFA Law except that opponent must be at least 6 metres away from
the player taking the kick.

18. TEAM REGISTRATION

Prior to the start of the competition a team list shall be submitted to the organisers.
Only players on the team list and approved at the start of the competition can take
part. The team list shall comprise of a maximum of twelve (12) names.

In order to register all players must be able to provide their original identification
showing their date of birth along with a photograph. Acceptable forms of ID include
a Passport or a National ID Card.

Registration will take place at the Registration Centre on Saturday morning. In order
to register, players must be listed on the team registration form use online
registration and must be able to produce their real passport or ID card.

Upon registering, players will be use wristband for the tournament. Wristbands are
waterproof and hardwearing, so should last the weekend, however if they do come
off or get lost, players can re-register at the Control Centre by producing their
passport or ID Card with fine payment RM 10.00. Players entering the field without a
wristband won’t be allowed to play until they reregister.

The completed team registration list should be presented to the organizers at least
24 hours before the start of the tournament.
19. COMPETITION FORMAT AND SCORING

The organizers will determine the format of the competition considering factors such
as the number of teams competing and the grouping system to be used. The
competition format can be by the drawing of lots or use of a ranking system. Play
reserves the right to adopt the best format according to its judgment.
The final decision will be the responsibility of the Play representative.

The initial stage of the competition will be held under a group or league system with

U10 : One (1) Division of 24 teams, being divided into four (4) groups of five (6)
teams
For u12 : One (1) Division of 24 teams, being divided into four (4) groups of five (6)
teams
For u14 : One (1) Division of 24 teams, being divided into four (4) groups of five (6)
teams

Group Stages

19.1 The system of play shall be a league system, each team playing one match
against each other in the same group, with points to be awarded as follows:

• Win 3pts
• Draw 1pt
• Loss 0 pts

19.2. The rankings of the teams in each group shall be determined as follows:

• Greatest number of points obtained in all group matches

• Greatest goal difference in all group matches
• Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches

19.3 If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above criteria, their
ranking shall be determined as follows:

• The number of absences received

• Match Head to head

If there is still a draw a penalty kick competition shall decide the winner. This will
follow FIFA rules.

19.4 The organizers representative will determine when the penalty competition
will take place. This will follow FIFA rules. Seven (7) players who are eligible to take
part, will be nominated from the team list.

Knockout Stages

19.5 From the Group stage of the competition, in all Divisions, the top two (2)
teams placed 1st & 2nd in each group will compete in the Cup competition, the next
two (2) teams, placed 3rd & 4th will play in the Plate competition and 5th placed
team will compete in the Bowl completion.
In each competition, highest placed teams will play against lowest placed from the
other group. e.g. 1st Group A vs 2nd Group C, 3rd Group A vs 4th Group B, etc

19.6 The losing teams from each of the semi-finals will play for placing

19.7 The organisers may change the progression format depending on

team numbers in each division

20. DEADLOCK

Penalty kicks will be carried out if the match in the knockout stage is tied until the
end of the match.

Starting with 3 kicks, if still tied then a tosscoin will be held to determine who will be
the kicker or goalkeeper first.

21. Yellow Card & Red Card Sanction

21.1 Any player who receives a (1) caution (yellow cards) during the tournament
can continue to play.

21.2 Any player who receives a (1) red card in any game will be dismissed. Same
situation when player recieves a (2) yellow card in the same game also will be
dismissed.

21.3 Yellow cards and red card are not carried forwards.

Coach & Spectator Conduct

21.4 Coaches and Spectators are asked to refrain from making any comments to
the referees or to the players or coaches of other teams. Any complaints should be
directed to the organizers who will deal with the situation.

21.5 Any person verbally abusing the referees, players or opposing team coaches
will be asked to leave and their team will not be invited back.

21.6 Above all else we would ask team organizer’s to remember this is a youth
tournament and there is no place for verbal abuse of any kind. We expect you to
exercise control over your party if necessary.

22. Disqualification & Withdraw

a. If there are violations and sanctions that cause a team to be disqualified then all
results of matches involving that team are considered cancelled.

b. If any team withdraws while the tournament is still in progress then all results of
matches involving that team are considered Canceled and not counted.
23. Serious Injury

a. What is meant by serious injuries are dislocation injuries, fractures, broken

organs, which cause player concerned to receive emergency treatment. For cases
like this, the committee is responsible for providing an ambulance and a referral
hospital (only) at the first opportunity of an incident.

b. The cost of treating serious injuries is the responsibility of each team's

management.

24. Notice

a. If there are provisions that have not been regulated in this regulation, additional
rules will be applied which will be notified to participants in the form of an
announcement (immediate announcement).

b. The committee have the right to change the regulations with or without notice to
all teams.