Tournament Rules & Regulations

The JSSL Singapore Professional Academy 7s is Asia’s Premier Youth Football competition which showcases the young talent of over 450 teams across 17 countries. Teams from all around the world come together over the Easter weekend to compete in our 7-a-side tournament right here in sunny Singapore.

Rules

The JSSL 7s will be played in accordance with applicable sections of the FIFA rules.

Team Eligibility

Each team is allowed to register up to a maximum of fourteen (14) players. At any one time, there will be only seven (7) players on the pitch with the other seven (7) as substitutes on the bench.
Each team is allowed to register 2 coaches/managers. At any one time, only 2 coaches/managers, per team/club is allowed in the pitch side.
Team coaches must wear their Coach/Manager accreditation at all times.
Minimum number of players to start a match shall be five. Teams are given 4 minutes from the central timing whistle to have their players on the pitch, failing which a walkover shall be awarded to the opponent with a score of 3-0.

Player Eligibility

All players must meet the age category in order to be eligible to play:

Boys Age Groups

B6’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2018
B7’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2017
B8’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2016
B9’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2015
B10’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2014
B11’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2013
B12’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2012
B13’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2011
B14’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2010
B15’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2009
B16’s: Players must be born on/after Jan 1st 2008

Girls Age Groups

Boys and Girls are now eligible to play for a maximum of 2 teams in different age groups as long as they are;

Age appropriate
Registered on the backend or they will not be allowed to play
Registered for both teams at admin with their Original ID at the *Venue* they are playing for.
Wearing the right 2 wristbands on the field
Playing for the same 2 teams throughout the competition
Girls can play one (1) year older in the boys age group.

Boys and Girls are now eligible to play for a maximum of 2 teams in different age groups as long as they are;

Submission of ineligible and overage players by any club/team will render that team to be disqualified from the tournament immediately.
The overage player involved will be banned from playing in the tournament.
Any club caught submitting inaccurate and false documents may have all its teams withdrawn from the tournament.
Any games played by the team that is disqualified will be voided.
Any team / player may, during the tournament be required to provide an original passport for verification.
Final decisions will be made by the tournament officials.

Player Registration

All players’ team lists must be submitted into the new online registration system with players D.O.B and unique jersey number prior to in-person registration outlined below. Team Managers will receive their team code by email after team online registration.
All players must bring along an ORIGINAL COPY of their picture identification card or passport on the 1st day of the tournament when they register for verification purposes.
All teams will be required to register as a team with ALL players, one (1) hour before their first game of play with their digital copy of their picture identification card or passport on DAY 1, at the venue where they are playing their first games.
If a player does not have his/her digital copy of their picture identification card or passport then he/she will not be registered and will not be allowed to participate until they produce it.
Teams will concede a walkover if they fail to turn up four (4) minutes after their scheduled time of play, unless they have valid reasons, wherein the decision of the presiding Tournament Official will be final.

Player Wristbands

All players will receive a colour wristband for their age group upon registration with their identification
The wristband MUST be worn throughout the three (3) days of the competition.
Any player without their wristband will not be allowed to participate.
Players must re-register with their digital copy of their picture identification card or passport if they lose their wristband and pay $10 for the new wristband.

Team Registration

Players are required to wear appropriate attire including boots and shin guards. Any player inappropriately dressed can be disqualified from playing.
Teams are required to have unique numbers on their jersey that relates to their team/player registration.
Teams are to bring two (2) sets of unique numbered jerseys of different colour. In the event of a colour clash, the team named second shall be required to make a change.
The Team Managers will be responsible to monitor and ensure that any player/s under suspension are not fielded for subsequent matches, failing which the team may be disqualified.

Tournament Format - Match Duration

League Matches will be played for the duration of 25 minutes with NO interval.
Knock Out Games will be played for the duration of 25 minutes with NO interval.
The Technical Committee reserves the right to change the time of the match without prior notice.
It is the responsibility of the respective teams to keep track of their actual match time. During the duration of the tournament, matches may start earlier or later than the provided printed schedules. Teams are responsible for taking to the field when required.

Tournament Format - Group Stages

Age Groups – teams will be split into groups of 7 (A, B, C, D, E)
Teams will play in a League System on Day 1, Day 2 & Day 3.
League games will be played for the duration of 25 minutes with no interval.
Teams will earn: win 3 points; draw 1 point; loss 0 points

Tournament Format - Deadlock on Points

In the event that 2 or more teams are tied with the same number of points, the teams seeding for the CUP Knock Out Competition and Plate Knock out Competition will be decided in the following order:

Goal Difference – Team with the better goal difference will qualify
Goals For – Team with the most goals scored will qualify
Goals Against – Team with the least goals against will qualify
Head to Head result – The winner of the head to head meeting will qualify
3 Penalty Kicks per team

Tournament Format - Cup Knockout

Teams will be placed into the Cup or Plate category based on their league position from Day 1, Day 2, & Day 3.
The top 4 placed teams will proceed to the Cup Knock Out Competition.
All CUP Competition games will be 25mins with no interval.
Teams play until they are knocked out or reach the FINALS.
For B16 & G16 only, Cup Winners gain entry into the PRO U-16 Quarter Finals stage.

Tournament Format - Plate Knockout

Teams that finish outside the top 4 placings in the group stages will proceed to the Plate Knock Out Competition.
All PLATE Knock Out Competition games will be 25mins with no interval.
Teams play until they are knocked out or reach the FINALS.

Prizes

Each player will receive a medal at the venue where they play their final game.
Medals can be collected from the administration tent by their Head Coach.
For teams reaching the finals, each player will receive a medal at ARENA STADIUM the main venue.
The winners will receive a specially designed JSSL Singapore Professional Academy 7’s Cup trophy.
For B16 & G16 only, Cup Winners gain entry into the PRO U-16 Quarter Finals stage.

JSSL Paul Parker Trophy

The JSSL 7s Paul Parker Trophy will be awarded to the football club/academy that accumulates the most team points from its top 4 team’s positions.
The top 4 team placing for each club will be awarded points based on their final positions.
The JSSL Paul Parker Trophy will at all times be the property of the JSSL Singapore International 7’s and shall remain in the premises of the said Club. A replica trophy will be presented to the winning club.
Teams will be awarded the following points for the JSSL Singapore International 7’s.
Cup Competition – Winner 12 points/Runner Up 10 points / Joint 3rd 8 points
Plate Competition – Winner 4 points/Runner Up 3 points / Joint 3rd 2 points

In the event that 2 or more terms are tied with the same number of points, the JSSL 7s Paul Parker Trophy will be decided in the following order:

Goal Difference – Team with the better goal difference will qualify
Goals For – Team with the most goals scored will qualify
Goals Against – Team with the least goals against will qualify
Head to Head result – The winner of the head to head meeting will qualify
3 Penalty Kicks per team

If the above still cannot decide the winner, then the teams concerned will be declared as Joint Champions.

Tournament Rules

Standard FIFA rules shall apply, failing which the decision of the technical committee shall be final.
Coaches and teams supporters will not question the decision of the referee. Sideline coaching / instructions by team supporters is NOT allowed.
If supporters continue with bad language/sideline coaching and attempt to distract the Referee from the game, the Referee will ask the Team Manager to restrain their supporters.
If this appeal is not heeded, the Referee will warn the Team Manager that this is a breach of the Tournament rules and that disciplinary action will be taken against the team.
In this case, the Referee reserves the right to default the infringing team, abandon the game and submit a report to the Organizing Committee for a decision.
If, for any reasons a match could not be played, the match may be rescheduled at the discretion of the organizer.
No protest shall be entertained as the decision of the referees and the technical committee is final.

In-Game Substitutions

Substitute players shall be allowed to re-enter in the same match (Rolling Substitution). Coaches are required to inform the referee when they want to bring on a substitute.
The substitute can only enter the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee.
Substitutes can only be brought on when the ball has gone out of play or in a dead ball situation.
All team members MUST have age-appropriate wristbands to enter the field of play.

Central Timing Whistle

The timing of matches will be controlled by a central timing whistle.
Teams must be in the team holding tents on the side of each pitch 5minutes before the start of their scheduled game.
When the central timing whistle goes the matches will only come to an end once the ball goes out of play or if the ball is in a dead ball position.
Should a penalty be awarded after the central timing whistle has gone, but while the ball is still in play then the penalty will be awarded and taken. This only applies to a penalty and NOT to free kicks.
As soon as a game is over the next team on that field can enter the pitch and warm up before the central timing whistle goes off for the next game.

‍Kick-off & Offsides

Teams cannot score a goal direct from the kick off.
At least 1 additional player must touch the ball from the kick off before a goal can be awarded.
There are no offsides.

‍Extra-Time – 3v3 Golden Goal

In the event of a draw in the CUP & PLATE Knock Out Competition both teams will play Extra Time & Golden Goal.
The coaches will nominate 3 players to start the Golden Goal Knock Out Competition.
The 3 players can only be nominated from the 7 players on the pitch at the end of the regular time.
1 player out of the 3 players must be designated as the GK and must wear a bib.
The 3 players start on the pitch and the first team to score wins.
The kick-off for the 3 on 3 will be a drop ball situation.
If after the 1st minute no team scores, then a player from each team will be withdrawn once the ball is out of play or the game is in a dead ball position called by the referee.
The teams then play 2 on 2. The first team to score wins.
If after the 2nd minute no team has scored, then another player from each team will be withdrawn, once the ball is out of play or the game is in a dead ball position called by the referee.
The teams then play 1 on 1 until one of the teams scores.
During the 1-on-1, In the event of a free kick or throw or goal kick, the team in possession can restart the game by passing the ball to themselves from the dead ball position. For a throw in they can pass the ball on the ground to themselves.
No substitution is allowed during the period of extra time, unless a player is seriously injured, which is to be decided by the referee.
If a player makes a professional foul during the 3-on-3 which is deemed to prevent an opportunity for the other team from scoring then the player will receive an automatic red card and be sent off.

Fouls

Each match will have ONE (1) referee. All decisions by the referee are FINAL.

Yellow Cards

A player receiving a total of 2 Yellow cards shall be banned from the next match.
The yellow card count will be zeroed at the end of the group stages.
However, players who receive a 2nd accumulative yellow card in their final group game will be banned from their next knock-out game.

Red Cards

A player receiving a direct Red Card shall be barred for the subsequent 1 match.

Indiscipline

A player/team official involved in fights, abusing of match/tournament officials and damaging of Club property shall be banned from the tournament and the Club premises.
Spectators are asked to stand in the allocated spectator areas and are not allowed to stand by/behind the goal posts or in the officials and player areas.
Parents with aggressive behaviour will be asked to leave.

Inclement Weather & Canceled Games

If the field becomes unsuitable for play due to lightning, heavy rain or for any other reason, the Technical Committee / Venue Director reserves the right to make any changes necessary to the duration of games and format of the tournament.
If a game cannot be played for the above reasons and cannot be re-scheduled then the teams will conduct a penalty shoot-out, if possible, with 3 players from each team being selected. Should the scores be level after the 3 penalties are taken by each team we will then proceed to sudden death penalty shoot-out with the remaining team players taking a penalty. All players must take a penalty including the goal keeper before the 1st penalty taker can take their 2nd penalty.
If 10 minutes has been played from the Central Timing Whistle in a game and the teams have to come off for the above reasons and the game cannot continue, then the scores will be taken as the result at the time the teams come off the pitch.
If teams come off before 10minutes from the Central Timing Whistle, then the scores will not count and teams will proceed to the above penalty shoot-out scenario, if this is possible.
If it is not possible to re-schedule the game nor take penalties then in the group stages of the tournament a 0-0 draw will be awarded to both teams.
If it is not possible to play a game nor conduct a penalty shoot-out in the knock out stages then the game will be determined by a coin toss.

First Aid & Medical Coverage

A medical team will be on site at each venue to provide treatment to injuries sustained during the course of play.
Any players with open wounds are required to seek medical attention and are only allowed to play when the bleeding has been stopped.
The Organizing Committee will not be held liable for any death, disability, personal injury, loss of property or any other loss howsoever arising from any cause whatsoever at any time during the course of this tournament.
The Organizing Committee will take all reasonable precaution, but each player is responsible for his or her personal health and safety upon agreement to participate in this tournament.

Supplementary Rules

The Rules and Regulations as depicted are current at the time of printing. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to add, delete and/or vary the said Rules and Regulations.