Helsinki Cup Rules and Regulations

In series B10–B17, G10E–G13E and G14-G18

From Finland, only competing teams from FAF competitions may enter and all participating players must have a hobby or game pass. This does not apply to foreign teams (including teams from Ålands Islands).
- Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for 13-year-olds’ and younger series with the football club’s approval, provided that the team competes extensively enough otherwise.

In series B7–B9, G7-G9, B10H-B15H, G10Y-G13Y and G10H–G18H

From Finland, only teams that compete in competitions arranged by FAF or cities/ municipalities/clubs may enter and players in 10-year-olds’ or older series must have a hobby or game pass. This does not apply to foreign teams (including teams from Ålands Islands).
- Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis with the football club’s approval.

Players in the 7–9 years old (B/G7-9) and boys’ hobby division (B10-15H) can represent multiple teams. Excluding B9E. In other leagues, a player may represent only one team in the same league.

In series B10–B17, G10E–G13E and G14-G18

Over-aged players may only enter with a permit from FAF. In 8v8 series matches there may only be one (1) field player and one (1) goalkeeper and in 11v11 series matches, two (2) such over-aged players on the field at any one time. These players may not enter any other series.

In series B10H–B15H, G10Y–G13Y and G10H–G18H

In addition to the over-aged players entering with permits from FAF, two (2) over-aged players born in the previous year may play with the team. In 8v8 series matches there may only be two (2), and in 11v11 series matches, two (2) such over-aged players on the field at any one time. These registered players may not enter any other series. The over-aged players must not change during the tournament, and they must be registered in the player list before the tournament, like all other players.

In series B7-B9 and G7-G9

Two (2) over-aged players born in the previous year may play with the team. Only one (1) such over-aged player may be on the field at any one time.

The over-aged players must not change during the tournament, and they must be recorded in the player list before the tournament, like all other players.

Foreign teams may include unlimited amount of older players in their player list, as long as they are born in the previous year than the age group. The limitation of the number of older players participating per match applies.

A player is automatically eligible to play only for the club where they have the representation rights according to their player license during the tournament. An exception is made for dual-registered players who have received permission from the Football Association, as they are not considered players of a different club.

In series B9E, B10-B17, G10E-G13E and G14-G18

A team may include at most two (2) players from a different club. These players may not play in any other teams.
If the team has loan players, both the coach or team manager of each team must send information about this via email to helsinkicup@helsinkicup.fi before the first match.

In series B7-B9G & B9H, B10H-B15H sekä G7-G9, G10G-G13G ja G10H-G18H

A team may include at most four (4) players from a different club. These players may not be on any other teams.
If the team has loan players, both the coach or team manager of each team must send information about this via email to helsinkicup@helsinkicup.fi before the first match.

Players who play in FAF’s combined teams represent the club in which they hold a game pass at the time. If a combined team that plays in an FAF series registers for the tournament as a combined team, its players are entitled to play in it.

The team size is limited to 18 players per match. There is no limit on the number of substitutions. The non-playing players who exceed the limit of 18 must be clearly distinguishable from the playing team’s substitutes while watching the match (i.e. not be wearing the team kit on the substitutes’ bench).
Teams must be kitted and ready to play at least 15 minutes before the start of the match
A player or coach who is sent off the field will be banned from play for at least the next match in the series in question. After that, the jury will decide on possible further penalties.
If opposing teams’ kits are indistinguishable from each other, the team mentioned last in the match programme (the away team) must change their kit (vests are permitted as away shirts)
If the away shirts have different numbers than the home shirts, the team must send a separate list of numbers and players to helsinkicup@helsinkicup.fi before the first match.
The goalkeeper’s kit must be clearly distinguishable from the others in the team
The competition jury has the right to intervene with inappropriate behaviour from teams, if necessary, to the point of banning them from the series entirely. The jury may also order that teams demand appropriate behaviour from their supporters. Teams or clubs may be requested to cover damages caused in the tournament.
Teams that withdraw from or forfeit the competition must pay a fine of €200
The incorrect result must be reported to the tournament office by 10:00 PM on the same day

The normal offside rule applies from the 12-year-olds’ series upwards
In the 10- and 11-year-olds’ series, the offside area starts from the penalty area’s boundary
B/G7- , B/G8- ja B/G9 kickoff rule: pass or dribbling
B/G7- , B/G8- ja B/G9 sideline throw-in: only dribbling
B/G7- , B/G8- ja B/G9 goal kick rule: pass or dribbling
B/G7- , B/G8- ja B/G9 free kick rule: shoot, pass or dribbling
B/G7- , B/G8- ja B/G9 corner kick rule: shoot, pass or dribbling
The retreat line rule applies in the B/G7 series
In the B/G7, B/G8 and B9G/H and G9 series, a team may bring one additional player onto the field when the opposing team leads by at least five (5) goals. This entitlement is lost when the lead is reduced to two (2) goals. This rule does not apply to the B9E and older series.

In the event of any disagreements concerning breaking

A protest may be made by a team participating in the same series for violations of the tournament rules or the Laws of the Game. Complaints/Protest against issues related to the field of play or its equipment will only be investigated if the referee has been informed of them before the start of the match. Match-related complaints must be made to a referee of the match before they have left the match site.

The complaints must then be presented in writing, with detailed reasoning, to the tournament office within * hours of the end of the match. *The deadline for complaints is two (2) hours for qualifying rounds and one (1) hour for later rounds. A complaint fee of €200 must be paid, which will be returned if the complaint is deemed valid.

In accordance with Law 5 of the Game’s Laws, the referee’s decisions on the match are final. In principle, complaints against the referee’s decisions cannot lead to a rematch. However, the jury may demand a rematch if a referee’s decision breaches the Game’s Laws.

If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following criteria are applied in the order given to determine their rankings:

a. In the group matches played among the teams in question:

Points obtained
Goal difference
Goals scored

b. if, after having applied criteria a., teams still have an equal ranking, criteria
a. are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the remaining teams to determine their final rankings.

If this procedure does not lead to a decision, the following criteria is applied in the order given to the two or more teams still equal.

c. In all group matches

Goal difference
Goals scored
Lottery

If a match goes into a penalty shoot-out, the players on the field at the end of the match are entitled to take part; the goalkeeper may be replaced if injured. In 11v11 series, there are five (5) initial kickers per team. 7v7 and in 8v8, three (3) initial kickers per team. If the winning team cannot be determined during or after the penalty shoot-out, a sudden-death round will take place, one pair of kickers at a time, until one team succeeds and the other fails.

By registering for the tournament, you accept that Helsinki Cup Oy has the right to view the player’s name, date of birth, Football ID, and the club where the player holds a valid player license from the Football Association’s information system. If the player does not have a valid player license, they are not eligible to participate in the tournament. (NB. This does not apply to series B7–B9 and G7–G9).

Teams B7-B9 and G7-G9 and international teams complete their player lists with the team ID at https://helsinkicup.torneopal.fi/taso/login.php

Other teams update their player lists to the latest version from the TASO system at https://taso.palloliitto.fi/taso/login.php before registering at the tournament office.

The list must include the players’ names and uniform numbers. No changes may be made to the player list during the tournament, and no players may be added after the first match, so please ensure that all players can be found on the list. (NB. This does not apply to series B7–B9G ja B9H, 10H–15H and G7–G9).

Helsinki Cup does not insure the players or backroom staff taking part in the tournament. Every player must be covered by valid insurance. Players from outside Finland must possess valid travel insurance or other insurance that covers accidents during matches.

The person appointed as team manager is responsible for their team during and outside of matches and for being in contact with the organisers during the tournament. The managers of teams must ensure that their teams behave appropriately. The tournament organisers are not liable for any injuries, illnesses or thefts. Alcohol consumption is forbidden in all tournament facilities, including accommodation and fields.

The organizers have the right to verify players’ identities through random checks. The team manager must ensure that players have the opportunity to present their player license or a photo ID within a reasonable time.
In the A-finals on Saturday, the identity of all players will be verified with a photo ID.

If a team does not have at least seven (7) players for an 11v11 match, at least six (6) players for an 8v8 match, at least five (5) players for a 7v7 match, or at least four (4) players for a 5v5 match, at the latest five minutes after the appointed start time of the match, and the team cannot provide adequate justification for this course of action, they shall be considered to forfeit the match. The forfeiting team is deemed to withdraw from the tournament, and any matches they have played will be annulled. Teams that withdraw from or forfeit the competition must pay a fine of €200.

Players in the 7 to 12-year-olds’ series receive a diploma. Players in the 13-yearolds’ and older series may also request diplomas, if they so wish, from the Helsinki Cup office. The finalist teams in the A final receive medals, and the winning team receives a trophy. The teams that lose in the semifinals will receive bronze medals, which will be awarded to the team after the semifinal.

Medals are awarded based on the registered list of players and up to four members of the backroom staff. The winner of the B final receives a trophy, while the C final winner is awarded a prize platter.

All players in the B/G7, B/G8, B/G9 and B10H–B15H series receive participant medals, which are only intended for players. Additional medals can be requested at the cost of €5 each.

The referees are officials approved by FAF and other UEFA member associations. Youth referees are usually used in the B/G7, B/G8 and B/G9 series.

All disagreements and objections relating to any disputes and complaints related to the tournament are resolved by a jury consisting of three (3) members. The jury’s decisions cannot be appealed.

Helsinki Cup Rules and Regulations