Player and Team Eligibility

1.        This is an invitational tournament conducted by the Greater Seattle Soccer League.  The GSSL reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone if it feels such participation is contrary to the spirit of the game of soccer, the International Cup, or the GSSL.

2.        Player registration.  All players must be registered with the GSSL prior to participation and will be given a tournament registration card identifying them, their country team, and date of birth. 

a.        All players will pay $5.00 for a tournament registration card.  Players may play on only one team throughout the course of the tournament.  That team will be identified on the player card.

b.        There must be a minimum of seven (7) players from the country with team name.  There can be no more players from other countries (foreign players) than there are players from the named country.  Up to 22 players can be carried on the roster of a team.  For example:

                                                                                                    i.      A country must have at least seven players, thus allowing only seven “foreign” players.

                                                                                                   ii.      On the other hand, there can be as few as 11 players from the country with 11 foreign players for a roster of 22. 

                                                                                                  iii.      A roster with 15 players can have no more than 7 foreign players (or it would have more foreign than country).

c.        Two countries, with prior permission of the GSSL, can combine to form one team in the event they do not have enough players to compete otherwise.

d.        The registration rules regarding number of country and foreign players are intended to allow small communities to participate, or allow two countries to combine.

e.        The determination of the eligibility of players and country participants will be made solely by the GSSL in advance of the start of the competition.  There will be no appeals allowed regarding player or team eligibility during the play of the tournament.

3.        Players must have a valid GSSL International cup tournament card.  The Tournament Director’s decisions with regard to player eligibility are final.

4.        Players ejected from a match by a referee may be declared ineligible to participate in the remainder of the tournament, at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Divisions

1.        Only teams which represent a country are eligible to enter (including the United States).  A ‘country’ is a recognized political entity that is entitled, by international convention, to issue passports and determine citizenry.   The country will be the team name.   With permission of the GSSL, countries who have small communities in the Seattle area can combine to form a joint team. 

2.        Open and Over-35 divisions will be played.

Rules of Play

1.        The rules of the game of soccer as promulgated by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Associations) shall apply except where specifically modified.

2.        The tournament will consist of two phases, a round robin phase and a single elimination phase leading to a champion. 

a.        For the Men’s Open Division:

                                                                                                    i.      The round robin phase to be held on the 12^th and 13^th of July, 2008 at the Starfire Sports complex.  Each team will play three games of 30 minute halves.  The top team from each open group plus the next two teams with the most points go on to the round of eight.  The eight advancing teams will be ranked by results in the round robin. 

                                                                                                   ii.      Teams will then be matched according to the tournament schedule.  Quarterfinals will be held July 19^th & 20^th.  Games will be 45-minute halves.

                                                                                                  iii.      Semi-finals will be Friday, July 25^th.  The Finals will be held on Sunday, July 27^th.  Quarterfinals and following games will be full, 45-minute half matches with tie breakers (2 ten minute overtime periods followed by penalty kicks).   

b.        For the Men’s Over-35 (Masters) Division:

                                                                                                    i.      The round robin phase to be held on the 19^th & 20^th of July, 2008 at the Starfire Sports complex.  Each team will play three games of 30 minute halves. 

                                                                                                   ii.      Finals will be on July 27^th at Starfire.  The match will be full 45-minute halves with a tie breaker.

3.        Substitutions may be made at any time, at the discretion of the referee.  Players may return to the game after substituting off.

4.        Players actually playing or available for substitution in a match must be listed on a game sheet (provided by the Tournament Director), which is to be presented to the referee before the outset of the game.  All players listed on a game sheet must be also listed on the team roster before the game sheet is given to the referee.

5.        Games will begin promptly when scheduled.  Late starts will be allowed only with the consent of the referee.  At least seven players from each side must be on the playing field to play the game. 

6.        A team that fails to appear for a scheduled match will be expelled from the tournament.  All matches in which that team participated or is scheduled to participate will be recorded as 1-0 wins for the opponents. 

Protests

1.        The interpretation of fact by the referee insofar as the conduct of a match is concerned is final and cannot be protested.

2.        The team manager must make protests for any other cause in writing to the Tournament Director within one hour of the incident causing the protest.

3.        The Judicial Committee shall rule on the protest in a timely manner so as not to interfere with the participation of the protesting team in the Tournament.

4.        No protests regarding player eligibility or team eligibility will be accepted.  Referees will verify the eligibility of all players on the field at any time, and player and team credentials will be validated by the GSSL before play begins. 

Results, Standings and Prizes

1.        For purposes of computing standings as needed, a win will count three points, a tie one point, and a loss no points.  If two teams are tied in the standings, the following will, in order, be used as the tie breaker:

a.        Head-to-head results, if any;

b.        Goal Difference;

c.        Most goals scored;

d.        Least goals scored against; and

e.        Toss of a coin or elimination game, at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

2.        The championship match will determine the first and second place winners in each division.  The championship game winners of all divisions will have their team name permanently engraved on the International Cup Trophy, and be awarded the first place prize.  The championship game loser will be awarded second place.

3.        Prizes:  Winning teams will have their country engraved on the permanent International Cup trophy to be kept at the GSSL office.  Players will be awarded individual awards.