Rules
Tournament rules
I. FIFA Laws of the Game
The international youth football tournament Finest League shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the Finest League rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.
| Age group | Players | Duration | Substitutions | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | – | – | – | – |
| 2013 | – | – | – | – |
| 2014 | – | – | – | – |
| 2015 | – | – | – | – |
| 2016 | – | – | – | – |
| 2017 | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 | – | – | – | – |
II. Competition format
General game system:
Finest League is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and playoffs. In some age groups, all teams play in a single round-robin (no subgroups), meeting every other team once, and the final standings are decided by that table, with no separate playoff stage.
In the subgroup tournaments, the teams are divided into subgroups, where all teams will play against each other once. In the matches held during the subgroup tournament, a victory gives each team 3 points, a draw game 1 point and loss 0 points.
If two or more teams finish with equal points, ranking between them is first decided by the results of the matches played directly between those teams. If this does not resolve the tie (for example, if the teams are level on points and their head-to-head match also ended in a draw), the following criteria are applied in order, until the tie is broken:
- Points earned in matches between the tied teams
- Goal difference in matches between the tied teams
- Goal difference in all matches in the table
- Goals scored in all matches in the table
- Fewest yellow cards received in all matches in the table
- Drawing of lots
Where teams from different groups must be compared (for example, to determine the best third-placed teams), they are compared on: points → goal difference → goals scored → drawing of lots.
III. Use of older players in the tournament
Each team may field a limited number of over-age players: up to 2 in 7-a-side, up to 3 in 8-a-side, and up to 3 in 11-a-side age groups. An over-age player is a player born in the calendar year immediately before the age-group year, on or after 1 August of that year. Example: in the 2012 age group, over-age players must be born between 1 August 2011 and 31 December 2011 (inclusive).
IV. Players participating in several teams
During the Finest League tournament, no player may play for more than one team. This applies both to teams in different age groups and to two teams entered in the same age group. If this rule is violated, the player is disqualified from the tournament, and every match in which the ineligible player participated is recorded as a forfeit loss for the violating team. A forfeit is recorded as a 3–0 win to the non-offending team.
V. Stadiums:
Tournament will be played on artificial and grass football fields
in Pärnu.
NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes in the time schedules during the tournament!
VI. Penalties
If a knockout or placement match is level at the end of match time, the teams proceed immediately to a penalty shootout. No extra time is played in any tournament match. The number of penalty kicks per team: 11-a-side age groups — 5 kicks 8-a-side and 7-a-side age groups — 3 kicks If the shootout is level after these kicks, it continues with sudden death: one kick per team per round, until one team scores and the other does not. If a shootout cannot be held because a team has had to depart for travel reasons, the result is decided by drawing of lots.
VII. Protest
A protest is directed against the validity of the result of a match. A protest must be based on a player’s eligibility to participate, on a serious violation of the rules by the referee, or on another incident that affected the result of the match. The protest must be submitted in writing by the team representative (the person designated on the registration form as team leader) no later than 30 minutes after the end of the protested match. A general protest against the whole opposing team is not acceptable. A protest against a yellow or red card, or against a send-off following a second yellow card, is allowed only where the referee cautioned or sent of the wrong player (mistaken identity).
The protest processing fee is 200 EUR. The fee is refunded if the protest is successful.
VIII. Jury
The possible disagreements and protests will be solved by a three-member jury. The jury includes the head referee and two head organizers of the tournament.
NB! Jury’s final decision cannot be appealed!
IX. Referees
All the referees are accepted by the Estonian Football Association.
X. Defaulters
If a team does not have at least 7 players (11-a-side age groups) or 5 players (8-a-side and 7-a-side age groups) on the field within 5 minutes after the official start of match time, the match is recorded as a forfeit loss for that team (3–0 win to the opposing team, section IV).
XI. Awards
The teams having won the first, second and third place will be awarded with trophies and medals.
The winners will be awarded an exclusive trophy with personal engraving.
XII. Medicine/medical aid
The organizers of Finest League tournament will not take any responsibility for injuries, which happen during the football tournament. Teams have an obligation to ensure that all trauma situations are resolved.
Where possible, the football tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.
XIII. Warnings and send-offs
1. Red cards. A red card may be shown directly for a sending-off offence, or as the result of a second yellow card shown to the same player in the same match. In both cases, the provisions below apply.
2. 11-a-side age groups. A red card is applied as in ordinary football rules: the player is sent off for the remainder of the match, may not be replaced, and the team plays the rest of the match short-handed. A sent-off player is automatically suspended for the team’s next FinEst League match.
3. 7-a-side and 8-a-side age groups. A red card results in a 5-minute temporary send-off the player leaves the field for 5 minutes of playing time, during which the team plays short-handed. After the 5 minutes, the sent-off player or a substitute may enter the field. If fewer than 5 minutes remain in the match, the player is sent off for the remainder of the match and the team plays the remainder short-handed. A temporary send-off does not carry an automatic suspension for the next match.
4. Harsher punishment. Regardless of format, the match referee has the right to request a harsher punishment for a player who has been sent off (for example, in cases of violent conduct). The referee must submit a written application to the tournament head referee, who makes the final decision. The head referee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
5. Notification. Disciplinary decisions are communicated to the team representative named on the registration form.
XIV. Recognition of fair play
For the recognition of fair play it is recommended that players shake hands with the opposing players and referee right after the line-up (before the match starts) and after the final whistle.
XV. Warranty
By participation in Finest League football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.
XVI. Balls used in matches
All the balls used during the Finest League football tournament have a marking “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED”.
XVII. Registration of the team
When arriving to the tournament, all the teams have to submit the completed registration form to the tournament organizers before their first competitive match. If possible, the signed registration form can be e-mailed to info@finestleague.eu.
The players not listed on the registration form cannot participate. Teams are not allowed to add more players to the registration form during the tournament.
NB! A team, who has not met these requirements, will not be allowed to play in the tournament.
XVIII. Start of the match and its accompanying rules
The team has to be on the match field 10 minutes before the match starts.
If the uniforms of both teams are in the same color, the team who has been listed as the second team has to change shirts or wear vests.
Vests are provided by the tournament organizer.
XIX. State of emergency, tournament management
The jury of the tournament has right to make changes in match times and locations, if it is necessary and an unavoidable event requires it!
NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for the theft during the tournament!