I FIFA Laws of the Game

The international youth football tournament Malaga Cup shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the Malaga Cup rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.

Age group	Players	Duration	Substitutions	Stadium
2010	11×11	2×30	Back and forth	Federación Malagueña de Fútbol
2012	11×11	2×20	Back and forth	Federación Malagueña de Fútbol

Malaga Cup is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and playoffs.

In the subgroup tournament, the teams are divided into subgroups of 3-10 teams, where all teams will play against each other once. In the matches held during the subgroup tournament, a victory gives each team 3 points, a draw game 1 point and loss 0 points.

If some teams get equal scores in subgroups, the final ranking will be decided according to match between each other

In case of dead circle:

Points collected in dead circle

Goal difference in dead circle

Overall goal difference

Number of goals scored

II Substitutions

Changes are free without the need to stop the game, always under previous authorization of the director, assistant field manager or referee. 

The game will only be stopped if the substituted player is the goalkeeper, or if the referee or field director things its necessary. 

Any substituted player may re-enter. 

All substitutions must be made through the center of the field. The player who enters the field must do so once the field director or assistant field director has given his approval. 

III Use of older players in the tournament

In the 11-a-side categories it is allowed to use in one team up to three older players, who have been born later than 5th of December the prior year.
For example: In the age group 2012, it is allowed to have in one team three older players, who have been born later than 5.12.2011.

IV Uniform kit

Each club is required to bring at least two numbered playing uniforms or one numbered kit and one set of numbered bibs. All jerseys must be properly numbered and the numbers must match the team list. It is recommended that the player wear the same number throughout the competition. 

Teams shall wear the first official kit of the designated club prior to the start of the competition. If the kits of both teams match in color or the referee determines that confusion may occur, the away team (listed second on the competition schedule) shall change kits. 

All players playing in the match are required to wear shin guards. 

Players warming up during the course of the match must stand in the appropriate area wearing a bib/vest that does not coincide in color with any of the teams in play. 

V Players participating in several teams

During the youth football tournament Malaga Cup, it is not allowed for the players to play in more than one age group. If this rule is ignored, the player will be disqualified from the tournament and the game of the violating team will be cancelled. The result -/+ will be noted in the tournament chart and this means that the other team has won.

VI Stadiums:

Tournament will be played on Federación Malagueña de Fútbol stadiums.

All fields are of natural or artificial turf of the highest quality.

NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes in the time schedules during the tournament!

VII Penalties

During the playoff and final match, if the match ends with a draw after the end of match time, the teams have to start shooting penalties immediately. There will be no extra time during the tournament matches. The number of penalties in each age group:

• In 11-a-side categories – 5 penalties

VIII Protest

A protest is directed against the validity of the result of the match. A protest has to be based on that whether the player has right to participate or not, on serious violation of the rules by the referee or on some other incident that affected the result of the match.
The protest must be submitted in writing by a team representative (a person who has been designated on the registration form as team leader) no later than 30 minutes after the end of the protested match.

A general protest against the whole opposing team is not acceptable.
Protest against the yellow or red card or against the removal of player from the field after the referee has showed two cards, is only allowed if referee made a mistake against the corresponding player.

Protest processing fee is 200 EUR. This amount will be refunded if the protest is successful.

IX Jury

The possible disagreements and protests will be solved by a three-member jury. The jury includes the head referee and two head organizers of the tournament.
NB! Jury’s final decision cannot be appealed!

X Sanctions

If a team lines-up a sanctioned player or a player who does not comply with the requirements of the rules, the team will loose the match in question by 3-0. 

If a player commits an infraction punishable by a caution or expulsion (either on or off the field), he will be penalized according to the nature of the act according to the referee’s report and under the sanction parameters detailed in the regulations and rules of the game. 

The yellow card will be used to communicate a caution. A player who receives two yellow cards in the same match will be expelled from the match and will not be allowed to participate in the same match. 

The red card will be used to communicate an expulsion. 

During the course of the competition the use of the blue card will NOT be valid. 

Expulsions, previously verified and reviewed by the Competition Committee, will not be penalized in the following cases: 

• Being sent off after preventing a goal with a hand or wasting an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (except in the case of the goalkeeper inside his own penalty area). 
• Being sent off after a minor offence for being the last player in an obvious goalscoring move. 
• Receiving a second caution in the same match, this being of a minor nature and with no further repercussions. 

Expulsions of a serious nature will be sanctioned by the Competition Committee and may lead to the suspension of one or more match days, in the following cases: 

• Serious foul play. 
• Spitting at an opponent or any other person. 
• Violent conduct. 
• Using offensive, insulting or humiliating language and/or gestures. 
• Aggressive and/or unsportsmanlike conduct. 
• All actions that the Competition Committee considers of a serious nature.  

All cases of serious expulsion will be reported to the national federation of the country of the player involved. 

Unsportsmanlike conduct, regardless of whether it occurs on or off the field of play, may result in the exclusion of a player or team from the competition. 

XI Referees

All the referees belong to National and International Referee Committees and will be appointed by the Territorial Committee of Malaga. Their decisions are unappealable and in no case will be grounds for complaint. 

XII Defaulters

If on the football field there is not at least 7 players (11-a-side categories) or 5 players (9-a-side, 7-a-side) then in 5 minutes after the start of official match time, a +/- loss will be entered into the tournament table.

XIII Awards

The teams having won the first, second and third place will be awarded with trophies, medals and diplomas. The best player of each age group and goalkeeper will be awarded with the special prizes.

The winners will be awarded an exclusive trophy with personal engraving.

XIV Responsibilities and insurance

All clubs/teams must have their players insured on and off the field. All participants must have a health card or private insurance. Malaga cup is not responsible for possible damages to participants such as loss of personal belongings (due to theft or other circumstances) or injuries. Neither will be responsible for measures taken by public authorities or transportation companies such as strikes, cancellations, etc. The club, at the time of registration, declares that its players are physically fit for the event. The organization declines all responsibility for any damage that participants may cause during and after the competition both to themselves and to third parties. 
If possible, the football tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.

XV Warnings and removals

A player removed from the field will be disqualified for the next match held Malaga Cup.
NB! The referee, who serves the match, has the right to demand harsher punishment for the disqualified player. The referee must submit a written application to the tournament head referee, who makes the final decision. The decision of the head referee is final and cannot be appealed.

The decision will be notified to the team representative specified on the registration form.

XVI Recognition of fair play

For the recognition of fair play it is recommended that players shake hands with the opposing players and referee right after the line-up (before the match starts) and after the final whistle.

XVII Rules of order

Delegates are responsible for their players in case of damage in the locker rooms, hotels, buses or other facilities.  

Silence must be respected in the hotels between 23:00 and 8:00 hours. Meal times established by the hotel managers must be respected. It is forbidden to travel in the organization’s transport without a T-shirt. It is forbidden to bring alcohol or other substances not allowed for children under 18 years old in the rooms.  

Failure to comply with any of these rules by any player, coach or companion may be grounds for expulsion from the tournament. 

XVIII Warranty

By participation in Malaga Cup football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.

XIX Balls used in matches

All the balls used during the football tournament have a marking “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED”.

XX Registration of the team

When arriving to the tournament, all the teams have to submit the completed registration form to the tournament organizers before their first competitive match.

Teams are not allowed to add more players to the registration form during the tournament.

NB! A team, who has not met the aforementioned demands, will not be allowed to play in the tournament.

XXI Start of the match and its accompanying rules

The team has to be on the match field 10 minutes before the match starts.
If the uniforms of both teams are in the same color, the team who has been listed as the second team has to change shirts or wear vests.
Vests are guaranteed by the tournament organizer.

• Team size in 11-a-side categories – 20 players.

XXII State of emergency, tournament management

The jury of the tournament has right to make changes in match times and locations, if it is necessary and an inevitable event requires it!
NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for the event of theft during the tournament!