Draft Rules

1st EU Agencies Football Cup
Lisbon 2011

7 A-Side Rules
Number of Players: A team will consist of a maximum of (7) Players one of which being a goalkeeper.
Substitutions: Unlimited substitutions can only be made during the stoppage of play: Throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks, fouls, injuries, scoring of a goal, and halftime. The goalkeeper can only be changed once.
Duration of the Game: Games will consist of TWO halves (we are still considering how long) . A (2) minute half-time will be implemented.
Stoppage of Play and Game Time: The referee will stop the clock when: - The ball travels out of bounds to a distance where it will take time to retrieve the ball or get a new ball ready for play; - At the official’s discretion with any team attempting to waste time.
Off-Sides: There are NO off-sides.
Pass-back to goalkeeper: The rule is not applied in seven-a-side games (the goalkeeper can hold the ball with his hands even if the pass was done from his/her teammate. .
Throw-Ins: Throw-ins by hands, not kick-ins.
Free Kicks: ALL free-kicks are DIRECT if the team taking the free-kick wishes to do so; - Opposing players must give at least 7 meters from the ball during the free-kick.
Re-start On scoring a goal, the team that scores will retreat to the halfway line. The team conceding the goal will restart the game with a short pass backward. A goal directly from the re-start will not be allowed if no other payers have touched the ball.
Penalty Kicks: The ball will be placed a minimum of 6 meters from the goal line; - The penalty shoot is a ONE STEP allowed shot.
Referee. The referee will be a team member of another team not playing at that moment. In principle the refereeing should be as moderate as possible. Teams are invited collaborate in the refereeing. (We are considering to use professional refree, depends on the costs)
CARDS - YELLOW CARD INFRACTIONS: - Intentional handling of the ball by a field player not in the penalty area; - Foul or Abusive Language towards the opposing team. A RED card can be issued, at the referee’s discretion, for: a) any foul or abusive language directed at the referee or opposing team; b) Ungentlemanly behavior of dissent; c) Flagrant Fouls; d) Persistent misconduct following prior warnings; e) In the event that (2) yellow cards are shown to the same player the result is the same as that of a RED CARD. RED CARD INFRACTIONS: a) ANY Red Card shown will result in an automatic ejection of the player, and the lost of a player on the field for that team. b) Any intentional handing (in case of clear goal scoring opportunity is denied - otherwise, it’s a yellow card) of the ball inside the penalty area by the defending team.. c) A clear foul by the last defender to stop an attacking player from an opportunity at goal.
Playoff Game Procedure for TIES: If at the end of regular time the teams are tied then the game will immediately proceed into a penalty shoot-out (not applicable in the first pool phase);
a) Each team will be allowed to elect (4) players to take the proceeding penalty kicks;
b) Any player that is a member of the team may take the ensuing penalty (whether on the field at the conclusion of the game or not);
c) Any ejected player may NOT be elected to take a penalty kick;
d) If teams remain tied at the conclusion of each team’s (4) kickers the shoot-out will continue into sudden death;
e) A new player must be selected, not of the original (4), to take the penalty shot;
f) The shoot-out will continue until a winner is decided;
g) If, after all 7 players shoot-out teams are still equals, a list of 4 players should be reestablished.