OPEN CUP RULES 2006-07

2. Entry Fee, Subscription and Deposit. The entry fee shall be £12.00 per team, with a reduction to £10.00 per team if the team is a member of the League – no other payments shall apply.

3. Officers. The officers of the competitions shall be the officers of the League.

4. Management, Nomination and Election. As per Rule 4 of the League. 

5. Powers of Management. As per Rule 5 of the League. 

6. Annual General Meeting. The Competitions shall be incorporated in the League, with the same Annual General Meeting. 

7. Agreement to be Signed. Not applicable. 

8. Qualification of Players. A list of Players with their dates of birth must be sent to the Open-Cup Competitions Secretary of the League at least 7 clear days before the player (s) is/are required to play a match. Players may only play for the team for which they have been registered, and no player may play for two or more teams or clubs in the Competition. Any team proven to have played an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player in this Competition shall forfeit the tie in which the player has taken part.

9. Club Colours, Club Name. As per Rule 9 of the League. In all Cup Finals, when the colours of the competing teams are the same or similar, both teams shall change colours to the satisfaction of the Competition. 

10. Playing Season. Times of Kick-off. Postponements. Substitutes. As per Rule 10 of the League, with the exception of Rules 10(a) and 10(f). Competitions shall be offered to clubs in each age section of the League Competition, except the Under 8 section. The Under 9 and Under 10 competitions shall be played as 7-a-side competitions, in accordance with the FA Laws on Mini-Soccer. Matches to be played on the scheduled dates, subject to priority being given to the FA and all County Association Competitions. 
In such cases, the Competition Secretary will amend the scheduled date. No match may be postponed on the scheduled date, unless in the case of bad weather. Clubs may mutually agree to play on an alternative date with the agreement of the Competition Secretary. Any team failing to comply may forfeit 
the tie, subject to the decision of the League Management Committee. In the event of the home pitch being declared unfit for play, where it is practically possible to do so, it is expected that the match be played on the away team pitch, should this be fit for play. 

11. Reporting Results. The winning team only is responsible for ensuring that their, fully completed, Match Result Sheet is received by the Competition Secretary within 72 hours of the match. Failure to comply will incur a fine of £10.00. There is no need to telephone the match result to the Competition Secretary.

12. Determining Outcomes. 
• The Competition will be on a strict knockout basis and the 1st named teams in each round, except the final, will be the home team. For every round, a result must be obtained on the day. 
• If scores are level in any match, at the end of normal time, extra time of 10 minutes each way, with the exception of the 7-a-side competitions, will be played. If scores are still level after extra-time, a result will be obtained by the taking of penalty kicks as per FIFA Rule.

13. Referees. As per Rule 13 of the League, with the exception of Rules 13(a), 13(b) and 13(h). The Home Team in every 11-a-side tie shall appoint a qualified referee to officiate and this referee shall have no direct connection with either club unless mutually agreed prior to the date of the match. For 7-a-side ties, referees, who need not be qualified, should be appointed in the same manner.

14. Continuation of Membership. Withdrawal of a team. Any team which withdraws from the competition shall forfeit its entry fee and may be replaced by a team eliminated previously.

15. Protests and Complaints. As per Rule 15 of the League. 

16. Board of Appeal. As per Rule 16 of the League. 

17. Exclusion of Clubs or Teams. Misconduct, Clubs, Officials, Players. As per Rule 17 of the League. 

18. Trophy; Legal Owners, Conditions of Taking Over, Agreement to be Signed. Awards. As per Rule 18 of the League. 

19. Special General Meetings. These may be called in accordance with Rule 19 of the League. 

20. Alteration to Rules. As per Rule 20 of the League.

21. Rules Binding on Clubs. As per Rule 21 of the League. 

22. Finance. The competition finance shall be integrated with the League finance, and as such shall be subject to Rule 22 of the League. 

23. Child Protection. As per Rule 23 of the League. 

FINALS; These shall be played on the 13th May at the Gainsborough Sports Centre, Ipswich. Each team shall provide a Match Ball. Individual trophies will be presented to both teams after the Final, on the basis of 14 trophies for each 11-a-side finalist and 10 for each 7-a-side finalist. Additional trophies may be purchased at the club’s expense. 

All matters not covered by the above Rules will be decided by the Management Committee of the Ipswich & Suffolk Youth Football League. Each Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee.