2004 Rules and Guidelines

Tournament Rules and Regulations

See the Credentials page for detailed information on credentials required at team check-in. Properly validated Country Federation Player Passes will be required for all players. In addition, each player must bring a RED de AfroHeritage Footballer Participant Membership card. International players must show proper proof of age (passport or birth certificate).

A properly validated team roster containing player names and dates of birth must be present at all games. Team representatives will present credentials at the mandatory check-in meeting held before the tournament. Unless prior arrangements are made with tournament officials, failure to attend the mandatory check-in will result in a one point deduction from team tournament points. Forty-five (45) minutes prior to each team's scheduled game time, the team must check in with the field marshals at the site of the game.

Tournament guest players must have credentials from the same seasonal year as those of the team on which they participate.

The AfroCarib Cup is in the process of obtaining sanctions from FENAFUTH (Federacion Nacional de Futbol Hondureño) for this tournament. The tournament is open to all Central American, South American, Caribbean Island, and African teams. It is also open to team with at least 6 AfroHeritage starters from Europe and North America.

The AfroCarib Cup is an all volunteer activity conducted by the members of the RED de AfroHeritage Footballers, local Honduran soccer clubs and organizations. The tournament is supported by its registration fees and by private contributions.

LAWS OF THE GAME

All Games are conducted under the rules set out in the latest version of the FIFA Laws Of The Game with the following change: Charging of the goalkeeper is not permitted.

The Laws of the Game must be read together with the following specific tournament rules and regulations:

TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

A. All Honduran players must be registered with one of the leagues affiliated with FENAFUTH. All international players must be registered with their national association. Other teams will be admitted upon special application.

B. Age Divisions (determined as of August 1, 2003):

Division 1:

Under 19 years of age

(August 1, 1984-July 31, 1987)

Division 2:

Under 16 years of age

(August 1, 1987-July 31, 1989)

Division 3:

Under 14 years of age

(August 1, 1989-July 31, 1991)

Division 4:

Under 12 years of age

(August 1, 1991-July 31, 1993)

Division 5:

Under 10 years of age

(August 1, 1993-July 31, 1995)

C. All players will be required to present player passes and appropriate travel forms at the tournament check-in on July 20, 2004 and prior to every game. All players must also be prepared to present adequate proof of birth at the time of registration if requested. Players must use the player passes issued by their respective national organizations. All players on the team must have player passes from the same national organization. In addition, all players must have Participant Membership cards from the RED de AfroHeritage Footballers.

D. All injuries are treated at local facilities at the sole cost of the injured player or coach or their health plan insurer.

2. FIELD OF PLAY

The tournament will be responsible for all field arrangements, including preparation of the field, supply of goal nets and corner flags, and cleanup of the fields.

3. TEAMS

A. The maximum number of players on a team roster shall be 18. A player can only be listed on one (1) team roster.

B. A minimum of 7 players must be on the field at all times during a game.

C. The first listed on the schedule shall change jerseys when there is a color conflict in uniforms. Teams are encouraged to bring a spare set of uniforms, i.e. tank tops, with a contrasting jersey color. All uniforms must have an appropriate jersey number.

D. Teams shall remain on same side of the field of play. Parents and spectators shall remain on the opposite side of the field from the players.

E. Only three (3) coachers are allowed on the touchlines. They shall remain on their own side of the field and are restricted to an area ten (10) yards from either side of the halfway line and two (2) yards away from the touchline.

F. Only players and coaches are allowed on the field. All others must sit in the bleachers, where available, and away from the field of play. At other fields, spectator shall remain at least three (3) yards away from the touchlines and ten (10) yard away from the area behind the goal lines.

G. Properly completed line-up cards together with player passes shall be presented to the referee prior to the start of the game. The line-up cards shall include the names of all players present or not and an explanation for those players who are not in attendance at the game. Players shall be listed in alphabetical order, i.e. by jersey number. Line-up cards will be provided to all teams at the tournament check-in.

H. Each player on the team shall wear a shirt with a different number and may not exchange it with another player for the duration of the game.

I. Only boys are allowed to play on boys teams. Only girls are allowed to play on girls teams. No coed teams are allowed.

4. COACHES

A. Coaches shall at all times encourage clean competition and good sportsmanship. Coaches shall participate in positive coaching that instructs and encourages players during games. Negative comments and complaints about the referees, players, opposing coaches, or team supporters will not be permitted.

B. Coaches shall play each player a least one half of each and every game.

C. Coaches must have a small first-aid kit with them at all times. The kit should contain small bandages, cold packs and disposable gloves

D. Coach shall have an adequate supply of water or other liquid refreshments with them at all times.

5. REFEREES AND ASSISTANT REFEREES

A. Each team will be required to provide three FIFA licenses (3) referees certified by FIFA. A referee can represent only one (1) team in The AfroCarib Cup.

B. Referees will be assigned to the same number of games the team participates in, i.e. if the teams participates in four games, the referees will be assigned to four games. The referees will be assigned at least one (1) game per day. Teams that advance to the final day (championship round) of the tournament will be assigned games for that day.

C. All referees shall wear a complete FIFA approved uniform during all referee assignments.

D. A referee deposit of $325.00 will be required by each team. This entire deposit will be returned to each team if its referee team attends the pre-tournament assignment meeting and satisfies all of its assignments.

If the team provided less than three (3) FIFA licensed referees and the referees attend the pre-tournament meeting and satisfy all of their assignments, a pro-rate share of the referee deposit will be returned. The entire $325.00 will be assessed for any missed assignments or for missing the pre-tournament assignment meeting.

E. There will be an initial referee meeting the evening before the first day of the tournament. All referees are required to attend the meeting with proof of referee certification or training.

F. Referees shall at all times impose and comply with FIFA Laws of the Game and the Tournament Rules and Regulations of The AfroCarib Cup.

G. All referees shall rate reach game in accordance with the SPORTSMANSHIP RATING STANDARDS attached as Appendix 1.

H. No referee or assistant referee may be assigned to a game being played by any team with which the referee or linesmen have an affiliation or association.

I. Properly completed and signed line-up cards must be forwarded by the referee to the Chief Referee at the completion of each match.

J. Referees must file a formal written report for abusive language used by coaches, players or spectators toward them, and of any behavior which interfered with the conduct of the game.

K. See Section 10 of reporting requirements on cautions, ejections, and coaches’ misconduct.

L. Club linesmen may be used instead of referee assistants, especially in Under-10 division games. The use of a club linesman does not count toward a team’s referee assignments.

6. GAMES

A. All games will be played on fields designated by the Tournament director.

B. Size of balls:

U-19 (Div.1), U-16 (DIV.2), & U-14 (Div.3) – Size 5

C. The referee’s acceptance of the game ball is final and may not be questioned.

D. Duration of games:

U-19(Div.1) - two (2) forty- five (45) minute halves
U-16(Div.2) - two (2) forty (40) minute halves
U-14(Div.3) - two (2) thirty- five (35) minute halves
The Tournament Director may shorten the time of any game.

E. Games shall be played as scheduled (there is NO valid excuse for late or non-appearance). Only the referee in charge of the game, with the concurrence of the Tournament Director, has the authority to cancel any game. A grace period of five (5) minutes maximum form the scheduled kick-off time will be allowed by the game referee before canceling any game. When games previously in progress are running later than 5 minutes from scheduled kick-off time, no grace period will be allowed.

F. In the event games are postponed because of weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the Tournament Director shall reschedule the games at the earliest possible date and time.

G. Failure of a team to be ready at kick-off time shall constitute forfeiture and that team shall lose by a shore of 1-0.

7. SPORTSMANSHIP PROGRAM:

A. In order to promote good sportsmanship, The AfroCarib Cup has adopted a Sportsmanship Rating Standard. Individual awards will be given for the team in each age division achieving the highest sportsmanship rating and the rating will also be used as one of the criteria to determine tie breakers.

B. The sportsmanship rating will be made by the referee at the conclusion of each game. The sportsmanship Rating Standards are attached as APPENDIX 1.

All games count for the Sportsmanship Rating. In the event of forfeiture, the winning team shall receive the maximum number of sportsmanship points and the losing team shall receive no points. Teams are encouraged to provide refreshments and snacks to the referee and assistant referees at half-time and at the conclusion of the game.

C. Teams are encouraged to bring pins, patches, and other souvenirs to trade with and/or to give as gifts to other teams and the referees.

8. TOURNAMENT FORMAT:

A. The format may differ depending upon the number of teams in each age division. A “pool play” format where the winners of each of the pools advance to a single-elimination play-off to determine the tournament champion for each age division or a preliminary round with the top four teams in the division advancing to championship play are most likely to be used.

B. If in the opinion of the Tournament Director there are an insufficient number of teams registered in either Division 1 or 2, then games may be scheduled between teams in those age divisions. Standings will be kept by age division.

C. Points are awarded for all games as follows:

3 POINTS FOR A WIN
1 POINT FOR A TIE
0 POINTS FOR A LOSS

D. All games, whether pool or non-pool, including inter-divisional games will count fully towards determining the age division winners.

E. Ties will be recorded as such except in the championship round.

F. If there is a tie in points at the end of pool play or among the teams qualifying for the championship round in non-pool play, then the tie will be decided by using the following tie-breakers in the order in which they are listed:

1ST TIE-BREAKER:- HEAD-TO-HEAD-PLAY-the team that won when the two teams met will advance. If still tied or if the teams did not meet;
2ND TIE-BREAKER:- GOAL DIFFERENTIAL-total goals scored less total goals allowed with a maximum differential of three (3) per game. If still tied;
3RD TIE-BREAKER:- SPORTSMANSHIP RATING-the team that achieved the highest average sportsmanship rating. If still tied;
4TH TIE- BREAKER:- COIN FLIP

9. GAMES ENDING IN A TIE AFTER REGULATION TIME (CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS ONLY)

A. In case of a tie at the end of regulation time, two (2) SUDDEN VICTORY OVERTIME periods shall be played. The first team to score a goal shall be declared the winner. If a team is playing short because of ejections, that team will continue to play short during the overtime periods. The teams shall change ends of the field after the end of the first overtime period.

B. Sudden sudden-victory overtimes, free substitution is allowing during any normal stoppage in play by the team having possession of the ball. Players must be recognized by the referee before entering the playing field.

a. Length of overtime periods:
U-19(Div. 1) - two (2) fifteen (15) minute periods
U-16(Div. 2) - two (2) fifteen (15) minute periods
U-14(Div. 3) - two (2) ten (10) minute periods

C. In case of a tie following the two SUDDEN VICTORY OVERTIME periods, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game.

10. CAUTIONS, EJECTIONS AND MISCONDUCT

a. All cautions and ejections must be reported to the Chief Referee immediately after the termination of the game by the game referee.
b. The minimum penalty for a player or a coach who is ejected form a game shall be a one (1) game suspension for the following game. The Tournament Disciplinary Committee shall review each such ejection and may impose other penalties in its absolute discretion, including suspension form the tournament.
c. Any player or coach receiving two (2) cautions in the course of the tournament shall receive a one (1) game suspension form the game immediately following that in which the coach or player received the second caution. This includes the championship round.
d. Any team or teams that are ejected from the tournament will forfeit their Entry and Referee Fee’s.

11. PROTESTS

Protests are allowed to the Protest Committee. All protests must be made within (4) four hours of the incident/ ruling being protested or appealed. The fee for a protest shall be $150.00. The Protest Committee shall be composed of representatives selected by lottery from the teams participating in the tournament and the tournament staff. All teams shall designate a Protest Committee representative at the tournament check-in. The Tournament Director, the Chief Referee, or their designated representatives shall be permanent members of the Protest Committee.

Overtime will only apply in the championship game. All other games will end when the official game length is over. Two (2) five (5) minute overtime periods, then if still tied FIFA penalty kicks.

Weather

If a game is suspended due to weather or any other situation not in the tournament committees' control, after completion of the first half, that game shall be considered complete and official.

General
The tournament rules committee interpretation of the rules and regulations shall be final. The tournament director reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament.

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The International Sports Adventure Institute, Inc.

Supporting Soccer Based Development Through Honduras Soccer Camps, Intibuca International Youth Tournament, AfroCarib International Youth Tournament, the Copa Weshemisphere Friendlies and the LigaAmericás Soccer Mastery Academy. AfroHeritage Soccer Players - Join the RED de AfroHeritage Footballers. AfroHeritage Soccer Players - Play in the African/Caribbean Youth Soccer Tournament in October 2004.

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Division 1:	Under 19 years of age	(August 1, 1984-July 31, 1987)
Division 2:	Under 16 years of age	(August 1, 1987-July 31, 1989)
Division 3:	Under 14 years of age	(August 1, 1989-July 31, 1991)
Division 4:	Under 12 years of age	(August 1, 1991-July 31, 1993)
Division 5:	Under 10 years of age	(August 1, 1993-July 31, 1995)