WORLDNET
2000 RULES
1.
Tournament format:
Day one will see a series of games between eight groups of competing
teams, with the winner and runners-up in each group progressing to day two of
the tournament proper.
On day two, the sixteen qualifying teams will play off against each other
in an FA Cup style knockout format.
The thirty-two non-qualifying teams will go forward to contest the
Worldnet Plate; this will also be a sudden death knockout competition.
All rules for both events will be as per the Football Association, with
the following exceptions:
(i)
Games will be 15 minutes each way.
(ii)
In the event of a draw in the knockout stages, a ten-minute “Golden Goal”
period will be played (no half time). If
the teams are still level at the end of this period the tie will be decided on
penalties
(iii)
Teams will be allowed a maximum of five substitutions per game; players who have
previously been taken off can be brought back on during the same game, although
this will count towards the maximum of five.
2. Disciplinary measures: Any player receiving a sending off or two bookings will miss their teams next game.
3.
Squad registrations:
All squads, including individual email addresses for each member (Maximum size -
22 players), should be registered with the following contacts no later than
Friday 7th July 2000. Your email
header should read: WorldNet 2000 Squad Registration – Team Name.
R.Goodair@brad.ac.uk
C.Hayward@brad.ac.uk
Squad
replacements will be allowed in the event of late injuries or other unforeseen
circumstances. If you need to
change your squad, email the details to the two addresses above immediately; do
not expect to be able to turn up on the day with half your squad having
miraculously metamorphosed into the local Sunday League Champions!! Team
Managers should also be aware, that there would be little point in using more
than 22 players, as there will only be 22 medals available should you win the
tournament! Even more important, the use of ‘Ringers’
i.e. non-list members, is strictly forbidden at WorldNet 2000, and will be
punishable with a ban from next years tournament if discovered.
Please note, the IFA will be checking your list membership during the run
up to the tournament; if any members of your squad will not have a valid email
address (subbed to your list) at the time of the tournament, we will require a
very plausible excuse as to why this is so.
Please include all fairy tales in your registration email!
4.
Administration:
Each group on the first day of the tournament will have a ‘Group Administrator’. They will be expected to fulfill the
following duties:
a)
Make sure that both teams and the officials for each match are ready to start
games on time. You will be provided
with a full match schedule and the names of officials for all your games.
b)
Liaise with the referee at the end of each game, to confirm the score,
and take note of any bookings or sendings off.
c)
Report scores, bookings and sendings off, to the IFA Central Admin Desk at the
first available opportunity.
N.B.
We require NON-PLAYING volunteers for this role.
If you know of a suitable candidate/s who would be willing to take this
on, please forward their details via email to the two addresses above, with the
header: WorldNet 2000 – Group Admin.
5.
Disclaimer:
As
per official IFA policy, Worldnet 2000 has not been registered with the FA at
Lancaster Gate and hence is not an FA sanctioned tournament.
We,
the IFA, must make it clear that all players compete in the tournament at their
own
Teams
who reach their respective finals, could end up playing a total of five to six
hours football, and because the tournament is in July it could be in relatively
high temperatures. It is the responsibility of each player to ensure that they
are fit and well enough to participate and do not enter the tournament with any
medical condition, which could endanger their health. All matches will be played
on grass; it is up to players to decide on suitable footwear.
6.
It's Only a Game:
Certain
supporters have old rivalries with other teams supporters. If anyone wishes to
display their feelings towards another team, they should do this by scoring a
spectacular hat trick rather than a Cantonaesque flying drop kick!
Likewise,
with the increase in the number of competing teams and the advent of the second
day plate competition, even the most competitive of sides will have little or no
excuse for not giving ALL their players, a fair “crack of the whip” in terms
of playing time. We all know
don’t we boys and girls, that it’s not the winning that counts, but the
taking part!!
8.
Officials:
Since the emphasis of the
tournament is on fun, it is hoped players will respect all decisions made by
officials even though they may be obviously wrong!
Referees and linespeople will be instructed to punish acts of dissent
severely, and those teams that persistently offend in this manner will face an
immediate IFA Disciplinary Hearing. Physical
and persistent verbal abuse of officials will not be tolerated under any
circumstances, and will result in instant expulsion from the tournament.
