EMSA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RULES

COACHES INFORMATION

· All elements of the team, including parents, coaches and players are expected to maintain themselves in accordance with the highest standards of good conduct. Instances of unsportsmanlike conduct will be investigated and addressed without delay.

Parents or spectators are not to contact the League or Admin regarding any issues.  All communication needs to be through the coaching staff.  Parent complaints will not be responded to.

· Coaches are responsible for reminding team supporters that good sportsmanship rewards exceptional play regardless of who makes the play. Good sportsmanship does not detract from the game but rather makes it more enjoyable for all. While it’s understood that competition is a healthy part of the game, supporters should never lose sight of respect for the game or their competitors.

· Individuals displaying unacceptable behavior will be requested to leave the facility. Facility staff can hold the coach responsible for the actions of their team and supporters and they reserve the right to deny entry to any person or entire teams at their discretion.

· The organizing committee reserves the right to adjust tiers and groups as needed to provide balanced pools or ensure teams are competitively balanced.

· No refunds will be issued after the registration process is closed (April 18, 2024).

· These rules are intended to be as inclusive as possible; however, in the event of unforeseen circumstances the tournament committee reserves the right to make binding decisions upon all participants.

SECTION 1: GENERAL RULES

1.1 All teams are required to fill out their team’s roster online no later than April 25, 2024 @ 4:00pm. Guest/Trialist forms must be attached to game sheets and submitted prior to the start of each game. No changes to the team roster can be made once that team’s first tournament game has been played. Any corrections requiring change after the April 25th deadline must be made at one of the tournament headquarters.

1.2 A maximum of four (5) coaching staff members may be on the bench during the time of play. One of the staff members must be the same gender as the players.

1.3 Players are only permitted to play on ONE team in this tournament.

1.4 All mixed-gender teams will participate in the corresponding male age group/tier/division.

1.5 Players on U9-U19 teams must be of the appropriate age group as outlined in A.S.A. rules but may include players from a lower age group.

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY OF COACHES/PLAYERS

2.1 All coaching staff and players (including guest players) must be currently registered with a youth soccer association recognized by A.S.A. or C.S.A for the Outdoor 2024 season to participate in this tournament.

2.2 Any coaches or players that are currently under any disciplinary action from any ASA or CSA recognized soccer association must advise the tournament committee; who will decide (based on the offence) if the player/coach will be permitted to participate in the Tournament. All suspensions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Player cards, where mandated for regular play, are not required for this tournament, however must be shown upon request by tournament officials.

     Player cards are not mandatory for the pre-season tournament. If there is a complaint regarding a player identity, it is incumbent on the team officials to provide proof of age and identity upon request.

Please note: Failure to produce player identification (if requested) may result in the forced forfeit of the game(s) being played by the team. Please refer to ASA rules for other forms of acceptable ID in lieu of 2.2 above.

SECTION 3: GUEST PLAYERS (TRIALISTS)

3.1 Each team is permitted 5 guest players during the tournament.

3.2 Guest players must be currently registered with a youth soccer association recognized by A.S.A. and/or C.S.A for the Outdoor 2024 season to participate in this tournament.

3.3 Trialists can only come from within the same zone (example West Zone to West Zone or North Zone to North Zone. You cannot use North Zone player as a trialist on a West Zone team). Out of district teams can only use trialists from their own district. Club teams can have trialists from the North or South Areas depending on where their Club is designated. 

3.4 A guest player will be allowed on the following basis: Tier 1–4: can only be from a lower age / lower category or lower division as the age group of the receiving team’s tournament category in order to be registered on that team’s roster with written approval as noted below; Tier 5-6: can be from the same or lower age / same or lower category or same or lower division as the age group of the receiving team’s tournament category in order to be registered on that team’s roster with written approval as noted below.

3.5 Teams must submit guest forms and one copy of the game sheet to the referee prior to the start of the game. Coaches must submit a copy of the guest form for each game a guest player participates in. A guest form can cover a range of play dates.

3.6 All guest player(s) must have written approval from their original team with signatures from their original team as well as their tentative tournament team.

3.7 Guest players must be identified on the team roster/game sheets.

3.8 Any player that is registered in the EIYSA league may be permitted to play as a guest player in the tournament provided that an ASA roster is provided for the EIYSA player confirming registration on the appropriate EIYSA team.

3.9 EMSA Players may not play as a guest player on an EIYSA team in accordance with EMSA rules.

3.10 Guest and trialist mean the same thing and the wording can be interchanged without changing the meaning.

SECTION 4: TEAM ROSTERS

4.1 All teams are required to register their completed roster and identify any guest player(s) no later than April 25, 2024.

4.2 No changes to a teams’ roster can be made after that teams’ first tournament game.

4.3 Players not on the team roster prior to the team’s first tournament game are deemed ineligible.

4.4 Players cannot be registered on more than one team roster.

4.5 The maximum number of players permitted on a team roster is as follows:

· U9 & U11: Eighteen (18) players including goal keepers(s)

· U12-U19: Twenty (20) players including goal keeper(s)

· A team may dress according to their age group.

4.6 Non-EMSA teams are required to carry a signed copy of their ASA team roster and provide it to any tournament official upon request.

Please note: Absolutely no player registrations will be approved at tournament headquarters, please ensure you have enough players prior to entering the tournament.

SECTION 5: OUT OF PROVINCE TEAMS/NON-EMSA TEAMS

5.1 Travel Documents All out of province teams must submit travel sanction forms with their roster on or before their first game.

5.2 Facility Waivers (Non-EMSA teams) - All teams who are not playing in the EMSA league for the 2024 Outdoor season must provide facility waivers for each player / coach / manager / bench attendant prior to their first game or confirmation from their home zone that they hold in their possession copies of the team’s waiver forms.

SECTION 6: GAMES

6.1 Format of Game

a) The length of games will be as follows:

U9-U11: 25 min x 2 (5 minute change over)

U12/U13: 30 Min X 2 (5 minute change over)

U13-U19: 35 min x 2 (5 minute change over)

b) Games may end in a tie during Round Robin play; however, a game that requires a winner will go to “Kicks from the Penalty Mark.” See attached for rules.
c) Each team will play a minimum of three (3) games and either a Trophy or medals will be awarded to the First and Second placed teams after the last game.
d) The “Mercy Rule” will apply to the U9 and U11 Age groups only. No team in these age groups will be given more than a 5 (five) goal win differential. Tie-breaking procedures will use statistics AFTER the mercy rule was applied. i.e. if a team wins 6-0, they will only receive credit for 5-0 regardless of the actual score.

e) U12-U19 will show the exact score. 
F) U9 & U11’s will play in accordance with EMSA’s Rules ( U8/U9 - 7vs7 and U10-U13 - 9vs9).

6.2 Pool Format

a) “Round Robin” play format and will have NO play-off games within a pool or between pools. All tied games in Round Robin play format will stand.
b) “Play-Off” pool format will have play-off games scheduled within a two-sided pool or between pools. Ties will stand in the first round of game for two-sided pools and/or the first round of pools that play off against another pool.
c) Medal games are defined as the final games in a two-sided pool or between pools that play- off against one another, whose results determine Medal stands (Gold and Silver). If a Medal Game results in a tie at the end of regulation time, penalty shots will be used to determine the winner of the match.

6.3 Game Sheets

a) Official game sheets will be used throughout the tournament and are available to print off the website.
b) Game sheets are to be completely filled out and given to the game official prior to the kickoff of each tournament game.
c) Ensure all players (including guest players, labeled as “guest”) are listed on the game sheet prior to kick off. Any player not listed on the game sheet prior to kick off will be deemed ineligible to play.

6.4 Game Balls

a) The home team is required to provide 2 suitable game balls, as determined by the game official, which is as follows:

· U9/U11 SIZE 4

· U12-U19 SIZE 5

6.5 Point system

a) A win entitles a team to three (3) points.
b) A loss entitles a team to zero (0) points.
c) A tie entitles each team to one (1) point.

6.6 Tie-Breaking Procedures

6.7 Forfeiting Games

a) Should any team forfeit a scheduled game the opposing team will be awarded a final score of 5-0.
b) Should both teams forfeit a scheduled game the final score will be recorded as N/S (no score) and no points will be awarded.

6.8 Delayed Games

a) On-field issues that delay or interrupt a game, will result in shortened playtime as the clock will be running as if a normal game were in progress. There will be little to no additional make-up time allocated.

6.9 On-Field Medical Distress

a) Injuries occurring that require on field medical attention will not result in additional "makeup game time" being allocated.
b) If there is a serious injury that occurs in the first half and results in a stoppage in play for more than 10 minutes the Tournament Committee, in consultation with the Referee in Chief, will determine how the result for that game will be determined.

c) Where game time remains greater than 10 minutes game play will resume with the final score determining the outcome.
d) Should the score be tied and game play can resume with less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock coaches may elect to go to penalty shots to determine a winning team.
e) If less than 5 minutes remains on the clock the Penalty Shoot-out is not an option and game play will resume until time runs out.
f) Should one coach wish to play out the remaining time whereas the other coach desires a penalty shootout a flip of the coin by team captains will resolve the issue.
g) Where resolution requires a coin flip the referee will request tournament officials oversee the coin flip.

SECTION 7: RULES OF PLAY / DISCIPLINE / PROTESTS

7.0 Miscellaneous

a) If not clear, the team mentioned first on the schedule is deemed the Home team.
b) In the event that both teams wear like colors, the home team will be required to change jerseys or wear pinnies as determined by the referee.
c) Scores and team stats will be posted on the official webpage. https://emsachampionsleague.re. ..

7.1 Rules of Play

a) The Tournament will follow the Rules of Soccer, except where modified as advised e.g. U8-U12 games. These can be found at the following website

U8/9 rules- https://emsamain.com/wp-conten...

     U10/U11 rules- https://emsamain.com/wp-conten...

     U12 rules- https://emsamain.com/wp-conten...

b) All players, coaching staff, assisting personnel and team supporters are expected to obey the Alberta Rules and respect all tournament officials.
c) The Rules of Soccer are in effect for the time period beginning immediately before, during and immediately after the game and said authority extends to the area immediately surrounding the field of play and includes the bleachers.

Please note: Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated. Threats and/or assaults made towards any tournament officials during this tournament will generate an immediate suspension pending the A.S.A. Discipline Committee action in accordance with A.S.A. Rules and Regulations.

7.2 Discipline for U8-U19 teams

Specific to U8-U13

a) Specific to U8/U13 – U8- U13 is considered “mini-soccer” and players are learning the game, the consequence of Red and Yellow cards is modified to consider the development of the player. Teams affected by these modified rules will not play short handed at any time.

i) No cards will be shown to U8/U9 players. However; for offenses that are considered serious the referee can instruct the coach to temporarily remove the player from the field of play to instruct the player on game conduct. The team will not play shorthanded.

ii) Red Card - U10-13 players receiving a Red Card not as a result of 2 yellow cards will sit with their team where they will remain for the duration of the game. team will not play short handed
iii) Yellow Card - U10-U13 players receiving a Yellow Card will be warned and told why it was given. Players receiving a second caution (Yellow Card) in the same game will proceed to their team bench where they will remain for the duration of the game.
iv) U10-U13 Players receiving a Red Card will not serve any additional suspension and are able to return to regular play for subsequent games. Notwithstanding, the Tournament committee reserves to right to issue game suspensions to any player, including U9 & U11, involved in violent conduct or verbal confrontations with officials.

Specific to U13 and up: 

a) Specific to U13 and up: Red Cards, are an automatic minimum one (1) game suspension. Except Denying a goal scoring opportunity and Two yellow cards in a single game.

b) If a player receives a second red card in the tournament, the player will not be permitted to participate in any further tournament play and may face further disciplinary action.
c) It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that their players serve their discipline during the tournament.
d) Players who are ejected from a game for U13 and up must immediately leave the field of play and either go to their dressing room or leave the field area. They cannot remain near the field of play. The team will play short handed.
e) Any coach/manager who is ejected from the game(two Yellow Cards or a Red Card) must leave the playing area as defined under section d. An ejected coach could be suspended from their next game. This will be determined by the Discipline Committee based on the Referee Report. Any coach suspended will be advised before their next game.
f) Any suspended player/coach/manager serving a next-game suspension cannot be in the dressing room or field 10 minutes prior to the game and cannot enter the field of play for the warm up or for the end of game handshake.
g) If the nature of the suspension warrants, The Discipline Committee will convene and advise the coaching staff of its findings. The regular process of appeals remains available if needed.

    h) If the Red Card is awarded and it is determined by the Discipline Committee that it warrants further action, we will forward the reports to EMSA and ASA for further discipline. 

    I) 3 yellow cards in the tournament will result in an automatic 1 game suspension

 7.3 Protests

a) Protests of any tournament game results will be reviewed provided that the protest is in writing and accompanied by payment of $100.00. Cheques are to be made payable to Edmonton Tournament Inc. The tournament headquarters must receive written submissions within one hour of the protested game’s completion. Protests related to application of the Rules by game officials will not be accepted. Successful protests will result in the $100.00 being refunded.
b) Playing ineligible players will result in the forfeit of any game the said player participated in. Affected teams will be awarded a 5 to 0 score as well as three points.

SECTION 8: AWARDS (MEDALS)

8.1 Medaling teams have to pick up their medals at the headquarters.   We will inform the teams if this changes.

8.2 Trophies may be given to the champions of each group as well. 

a) Gold & Silver medals will be awarded to the top two (2) teams in each pool.

SECTION 9: FIELD LOCATIONS

Bill Gilhespy Soccer Complex Artificial Turf
14920 - 142 Street 

    EMSA Charpentier West Complex 
    10058 - 231 Street

Ivor Dent Sports Park- 50 Street, Between Anthony Henday and Ellerslie Road

Clarke Field- Artificial Turf- 

Jasper place Bowl

Millwoods Turf

SECTION 10: PENALTY SHOTS

In the event of a tie where a result is needed (medals determination), “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” as per ASA Rules will be the determining method used to break the tie game. Affected teams are provided 1 minute to select 5 players and prepare the goalkeeper.

Procedure

Before the start of kicks from the penalty mark, teams shall be required to equalize the number of players on each team. e.g. if one team has 14 players and the other team has 16 players, the team with 16 players must reduce their team size by 2 players.  

The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken

The referee tosses a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss decides if they will kick first or second

The referee and the assistant referee will keep a record of the kicks being taken.

Shots from the penalty mark will follow the ASA 2023/2024 Rules.