Festival Rules

1. General...

All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as laid down by the International Football Association Board, as issued by F.I.F.A.
The organising association, above, has received the necessary permission to host the festival from the Scottish Football Association and U.E.F.A and where necessary by F.I.F.A.
The organising association shall form an organising committee / festival committee, which shall be responsible for all arrangements in connection with the competition.

2. Referees...

Referees registered with the Scottish Football Association will control all 11-a-side competitive matches.

3. Participants...

Only teams, leagues or associations who are affiliated to a recognised national association and are eligible to take part in the festival.

4. Team Leader...

An adult over 18 years of age must accompany every team; the name, address and date of birth of this adult must be printed clearly on his team’s registration sheet. All players must be over the age of 9 years. This adult will be deemed to be the team leader and he will be responsible for the behaviour of his players, on and off the field of play. He will be held responsible for the actions of his team within the sports complex and within all other facilities available to the team.

5. Age Categories...

Boys: U17, U16, U15, U14 & U13
Girls:  U17 & U15

6. Age Control...

The team leader must submit a completed team line to to the festival committee no later than 50 minutes prior to each match. It shall include the full names, addresses, date of births and team number of a maximum of 20 players. All players must be able to provide proof of their age and identity if required. They may be asked to show this proof at any time.

7. Duration of Play...

Each game shall be of two equal periods of 30 minutes each way. The festival committee has the right to alter the duration of play and the festival format, should a situation arise which makes this necessary. The half-time interval will normally be 5 minutes in length. This period of time must not exceed 15 minutes.

8. Festival Format...

Each age group will have eight teams registered and teams will be divided into two groups of four. Teams will play three games against the respective teams in their group & the winners of each group will meet in a final to decide winners & runners-up.
Girls Sections: Girls sections will have five teams registered in each age group and teams will play four games, playing each of the respective teams in their age group. The winners & runners-up will be decided on a league based format.
The number of points attained will determine the final positions of teams in the youth sections and girls leagues.
The points system applied will be: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss. Where teams are level on points in their group the following will apply:
- Goal difference
- Most goals scored
- The result of the mutual match
- If the mutual match was a score draw then the first team that scored
- If the mutual match was a no score draw then the drawing of lots.

Finals: In the event of a draw, penalty kicks will be taken in accordance with the system laid down by the International Football Association in order to determine the winner.

The referee will notify the organisers of each result and the co-ordinator will record the respective scores. Lists of results will be available to teams at the end of each day along with the league standing and final placing etc., Copies of these results etc., will be forwarded to the appropriate associations.

8. Awards...

Trophies will be presented to the first and second placed teams in the 11-a-side section.

9. Team Sheets...

Prior to the festival all team leaders must submit a team roster / registration sheet to the festival administrator. This must give each player’s name, date of birth, address and squad number.

10. Substitutes...

Substitutes can be used at any time during the game.

11. Team Colours...

Every team is obliged to bring a second choice of strip of contrasting colour.
If, according to the referee, before the start of the match, the colours are too similar then the team first mentioned in the program must change.

12. Discipline...

When a player is sent from the field or is given a caution, the festival committee will be notified immediately after the match by the referee. Any player who has been sent off in the festival is not eligible to play in the team’s next game.
Note: All misconduct reports arising from the festival will be forwarded to the National Association of the host association who will forward these reports to the National Association concerned.

A team’s results will be rendered invalid in the following cases:
- If a team is late for a game without valid reason.
- If a team uses an ineligible player.
- If the referee has to abandon a game due to misconduct of players, officials of that team.

13. Protests...

The referee’s decision in all matters concerning key points of play shall be final and binding; therefore protests in this area are not accepted. Only the responsible leader should make all other protests to the festival’s committee no later than 15 minutes after the match. The festival committee’s decision on all protests is final and binding.

14. Rules / Decisions...

The rules of the festival and decisions of the organising and appeals committee shall be final and binding on all teams in the festival.

15. Schedule...

The festival committee has the right to alter the competition schedule should unforeseen circumstances occur.

16. Circumstances beyond Control...

The festival committee will abide by any decisions from the owners of the University of Stirling in respect of inclement weather. Should the playing fields be deemed unplayable the festival would have to be cancelled. The organisers as you can appreciate will have fulfilled their obligation in organising this event but are prepared to provide a 50% reduction for entry to the 2009 festivals. This reduction is non-transferable except in the case where that age group is too old to participate.

17. Responsibility...

It is the responsibility of each team to make sure that adequate insurance cover is provided for their players. The festival organisers, the University of Stirling and tour organisers are not responsible for damage to, and loss or theft of possessions or equipment of participants or clubs. They are also not responsible for harm or injury to any participants.

18. Photography...

Loch Lomond Youth Soccer Festival, Team Officials & supporters may take photographs and video during the festival. Acceptance for the use of cameras & video is agreed unless otherwise stated at the time of booking. Images may be used in future promotional publications. No names will be used.

19. Footwear...

Y1992 – Y1996 & G1992 & G1994 teams may be required to play one match on a synthetic (Super Turf or Astro Turf) surface and footwear for that surface will be restricted. On the Suoer Turf (3G) surface players can wear trainers, astro boots or moulded studs (No removable studs allowed) and on the Astro Turf players can wear trainers or astro boots only.