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Havaianas Cup

Havaianas Cup – Football Rules & Regulations

All matches in the Havaianas Cup shall be played in accordance with applicable sections of the FIFA Laws of the Game, except where modified below.

The Organizing Committee would like to emphasize that this tournament is designed to be highly organized, strictly time-managed, and efficiently run. All participating teams are expected to follow the published schedule without delay or deviation. This is to ensure:

  • >Player safety
  • >Smooth tournament flow
  • >Respect for families’ and supporters’ time
  • >Fair and consistent match operations across all categories

Where ambiguity arises, the decision of the Tournament Technical Committee shall be final.

1. Team Eligibility

A. Squad Size

  • >Each team may register a maximum of 14 players.
  • >Matchday format: 7 players on the pitch, 7 substitutes on the bench.
  • >Rolling substitutions are allowed (see Section 4).

B. Team Officials

  • >Each team may register a maximum of 2 coaches/managers.
  • >Only 2 team officials are allowed in the technical/pitch-side area at any time.

C. Minimum Players to Start

  • >A minimum of 5 players is required to start a match.
  • >If a team fails to field at least 5 players, the referee will allow a 4-minute grace period from the official match start (central timing whistle).
  • >Failure to meet the minimum requirement after 4 minutes will result in a walkover, awarded as 3–0 to the opponent.

2. Player Eligibility (Age Groups)

All players must strictly meet the age criteria below:

Mixed Age Groups

  • >M5s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2021
  • >M7s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2019
  • >M9s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2017

Boys Age Groups

  • >B11s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2015
  • >B15s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2011
  • >B17s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2009

Girls Age Groups

  • >G11s: Born on/after 1 Jan 2015

Girls Age Rule Adjustment

  • >Girls may play one (1) year older in M5, M7, M9, and B11 categories.

Compliance & Penalties

Fielding ineligible or overage players results in:

  • >Immediate team disqualification
  • >Ban of the player involved
  • >Possible withdrawal of all teams under the club if falsification is proven
  • >All matches involving the team will be voided
  • >Final ruling rests with the Tournament Committee

3. Player Equipment & Registration

Players must wear proper football attire including:

  • >Football boots
  • >Shin guards (mandatory)

Improperly equipped players will not be allowed to participate.

Each player must wear a unique jersey number matching registration records.

4. Match Duration & Format

  • >All matches (League, Cup, Plate) are 18 minutes, continuous play, no half-time interval.
  • >The Technical Committee may adjust match timing without prior notice.
  • >Teams are responsible for tracking match schedules and arriving on time.

5. Tournament Format

A. Group Stage

  • >Teams are divided into groups of 4 teams each (2 groups per category).

Points system:

  • Win = 3 points
  • Draw = 1 point
  • Loss = 0 points

B. Qualification

  • >Top 2 teams per group → Cup Knockout
  • >Bottom 2 teams per group → Plate Knockout

C. Tie-Breakers (in order)

  • >Goal Difference
  • >Goals Scored
  • >Goals Conceded
  • >Head-to-head result
  • >3 Penalty Kicks per team

6. Knockout Stage Format

A. Cup Competition

  • Top 2 teams per group qualify
  • Matches: 18 minutes, no interval
  • Format: Semi-finals → Final / 3rd place match

B. Plate Competition

  • Bottom 2 teams per group qualify
  • Matches: 18 minutes, no interval
  • Format: Semi-finals → Final / 3rd place match

7. In-Game Substitutions

  • Rolling substitutions are allowed.
  • Substitutions may only occur when:
    • >Ball is out of play OR
    • >Dead ball situation
    • >The player must fully exit before a substitute enters.
    • >The referee must be notified before substitution.

8. Central Timing System

  • All matches are controlled by a central timing whistle.
  • Teams must be at their designated pitch area and ready before the whistle.
  • Matches end only when:
    • >Ball goes out of play, OR
    • >Dead ball situation occurs after timing ends
  • Post-Whistle Exception
    • If a penalty is awarded before play stops, it must be taken.
    • This applies only to penalties, not free kicks.

9. Kick-Off & Offside Rules

  • >Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-off.
  • >At least one additional touch by another player is required before a goal counts.
  • >No offside rule applies.

10. Draw Resolution (Knockouts Only – 3v3 Golden Goal System)

If a knockout match ends in a draw:

Phase 1: 3v3 Golden Goal

  • >Each team nominates 3 players from those on the field at full time.
  • >One must be designated goalkeeper (must wear a bib).
  • >Kick-off via drop ball after ground contact.
  • >The first goal wins.

Reduction Phases

  • >After 1 minute: reduce to 2v2
  • >After 2 minutes: reduce to 1v1

Special 1v1 Rules

  • >Kick-ins: must take a touch before shooting
  • >Direct free kicks: shot allowed directly
  • >Indirect free kicks: requires an additional touch
  • >Goal kicks: direct scoring allowed in all reduced formats

Discipline in Extra Time

  • >Professional foul denying goal opportunity = automatic red card
  • >Resulting advantage continues (team may play with fewer players)

11. Fouls, Cards & Discipline

Refereeing

  • >One referee per match
  • >All decisions are final and non-protestable

Yellow Cards

  • >2 yellow cards = 1-match suspension
  • >Reset after group stage
  • >Second cumulative yellow in last group match carries into knockouts
  • >Coaches: 2 yellows = 1-match suspension

Red Cards

  • >Direct red = 1-match suspension
  • >Applies to next match (including knockouts if applicable)

Coach sanctions:

  • >Immediate removal from technical area
  • >Suspension for next match

12. Indiscipline & Conduct

  • >Fighting, abuse of officials, or property damage = tournament ban
  • >Spectators must remain in designated areas
  • >No access to pitchside or player zones
  • >Aggressive parents/spectators will be removed immediately
  • >Sideline coaching from spectators is strictly prohibited

If misconduct continues:

  • >Referee may stop or abandon match
  • >Incident will be escalated to Organizing Committee

13. Tournament Logistics & Operations

A. Team Waiting Area (MANDATORY)

Each team will be assigned a designated waiting area per field layout

Purpose:

  • >Maintain smooth tournament flow
  • >Easy identification and match coordination

Teams are still responsible for monitoring schedule and moving to pitch on time.

B. Arrival to Pitch (STRICT)

  • >Teams must be at their designated field 5 minutes before kickoff
  • >Failure to arrive on time may result in automatic forfeiture
  • >Teams not ready at kickoff will be penalized under the 4-minute rule (see Section 1.3)

C. Warm-Up Rules

  • >Warm-up time: 15 minutes maximum
  • >Warm-up areas are designated per field layout
  • >No warm-up allowed on match fields
  • >Late arrival reduces warm-up time (no extensions will be given)

D. Spectator Restrictions

  • >No parents or non-players allowed inside field areas
  • >Players must bring their own water/tumblers
  • >Players are not allowed to leave pitch area during matches to access parents

E. Media Access

  • >Official media/photographers must secure a Media Pass issued by G8 Organizing Committee
  • >Unauthorized media will not be allowed pitch access

F. Drones Policy

  • >Drone usage is strictly prohibited unless explicitly approved
  • >Approval must be granted by the Organizing Committee in writing prior to the event
  • >Unauthorized drone usage may result in removal from venue and cancellation of privileges

14. Medical & Safety

  • >A medical team will be present at all venues
  • >Open wounds must receive immediate treatment
  • >Players may only return once bleeding has stopped
  • >Organizers are not liable for injury, loss, or damage during the tournament
  • >Participation implies acceptance of all risks by players/guardians

15. Fixture Changes & Rescheduling

  • >Matches may be rescheduled at organizer’s discretion
  • >Match times may change without prior notice
  • >Teams are responsible for confirming match readiness

16. Final Authority & Amendments

  • >Rules may be updated, added, or modified by the Organizing Committee at any time
  • >The Tournament Technical Committee’s decision is final in all matters
  • >No protests will be entertained under any circumstance

17. Complaints & Tournament Queries

  • >In the event of any complaints, clarifications, or tournament-related concerns, only one (1) official representative per academy is allowed to approach the Committee Table.
  • >The authorized representative must be either a registered coach or team manager only.
  • >Parents and spectators are strictly not allowed to approach the Committee Table or Tournament Officials for complaints or queries.
  • >All concerns from parents must be communicated through the official team representative.

This policy is in place to ensure that:

  • >All concerns are properly received and recorded
  • >Tournament operations remain smooth and uninterrupted
  • >The ongoing schedule and match flow are not disrupted

18. Tournament Structure & Key Roles

To ensure smooth operations, safety, and strict adherence to schedule, the following organizational structure will be implemented throughout the Havaianas Cup:

A. Tournament Committee - The Tournament Committee is the highest operational authority of the competition and is responsible for overall management of the event.

Responsibilities include:

  • >Overall coordination of the tournament
  • >Field setup and venue management
  • >Implementation and enforcement of game rules and policies
  • >Scheduling and fixture management
  • >Match result validation and official scorekeeping
  • >Ensuring player and participant safety standards are met
  • >Final decision-making on all disputes and operational matters

B. Field Marshals - Each pitch will have a designated Field Marshal assigned to oversee day-to-day match operations.

Responsibilities include:

  • >Guiding teams to their correct field and match timing
  • >Ensuring teams are present and ready according to schedule
  • >Coordinating match flow between consecutive games
  • >Collecting and confirming match scores from referees
  • >Assisting in maintaining order and pace of matches on their assigned field

C. Referees - Referees are the official match authorities on the field of play.

Responsibilities include:

  • >Enforcing the FIFA Laws of the Game and Havaianas Cup modifications
  • >Managing match conduct and ensuring fair play
  • >Controlling match start, stoppage, and restart decisions
  • >Issuing disciplinary actions (yellow/red cards)
  • >Ensuring player safety during gameplay
  • >Submitting official match reports and final scores

All decisions made by referees during a match are final and non-protestable.

D. Ball Retrievers - Ball Retrievers are assigned around each field to ensure continuous match flow.

Responsibilities include:

  • >Retrieving balls that go out of play promptly
  • >Ensuring match balls are returned quickly to minimize downtime
  • >Supporting referees and field marshals in maintaining game tempo
  • >Keeping spare balls available and properly positioned around the field
  • >Ensuring balls are not misused in spectator or non-playing areas

E. Stand Marshals - Stand Marshals manage team movement between waiting areas, warm-up zones, and match fields.

Responsibilities include:

  • >Directing teams from designated stands/waiting areas to warm-up zones or fields
  • >Ensuring teams follow scheduled movement times strictly
  • >Preventing congestion around fields and entry points
  • >Supporting overall schedule discipline and flow between matches
  • >Assisting Field Marshals in maintaining order during transitions

JSSL 7'S 2026 Confirmed Venues

With the JSSL 7's growing year on year, we constantly push the envelope to provide the best tournament experience for our players, coaches, and parents. With more venues and fields to play on, waiting time is minimized, allowing for our young players to showcase their skills on the best pitches in Singapore.

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