FIFA Laws of the Game

The international youth football tournament Arena Spring Cup 2025 shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.

NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the Arena Spring Cup 2025 rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.

Age group information / Match day information / Stadium information

  • Boys 2010, who were born on January 1, 2010 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2011, who were born on January 1, 2011 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2012, who were born on January 1, 2012 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2013 A, who were born on January 1, 2013 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2013 B, who were born on January 1, 2013 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2014 A, who were born on January 1, 2013 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2014 B, who were born on January 1, 2014 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2015 A, who were born on January 1, 2013 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall
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  • Boys 2015 B, who were born on January 1, 2015 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall’
  • Girls 2011, who were born on January 1, 2011 and later, will participate in the tournament 29.03-30.03.2025 / Nike arena, Lilleküla indoor football hall, Raja indoor football hall

DURATION OF COMPETITION GAMES

In age groups 2009,  1 x 40 minutes.
In age group 2008 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups 2010, 1 x 40 minutes.
In age group 2010 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups 2011,  1 x 40 minutes.
In age group 2011 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups 2012,  1 x 40 minutes.
In age group 2012 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups 2013,  1 x 35 minutes.
In age group 2013 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups 2014,  1 x 30 minutes.
In age group 2014 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups 2015,  1 x 30 minutes.
In age group 2015 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

In age groups Girls 2011, 1 x 35 minutes.
In age group 2011 the number of games per day maximum 3 to 4

Size of the team

  • Team size for boys in age groups 2010 – 2012  is 20 players.
  • Team size for boys 2013-2015  is 18 players.

Use of older players in the tournament

In the boys’ age groups 2010 – 2012 and girls 2011  it is allowed to use in one team up to three older players, who have been born later than 1 August the prior year. For example: In the boys’ age group 2010, it is allowed to have in one team three older players, who have been born later than 1.08.2009

In the boys’ age groups 2013  it is allowed to use in one team up to two older players (to participate in the game), who have been born later than 1 August the prior year. For example: In the boys’ age group 2013, it is allowed to have in one team two older players, who have been born later than 1.08.2012

During the youth football tournament Arena Spring Cup 2025, it is not allowed for the players to play in more than one age group. If this rule is ignored, the player will be disqualified from the tournament and the game of the violating team will be cancelled. The result -/+ will be noted in the tournament chart and this means that the other team has won.

Stadiums

Arena Spring Cup 2025 matches will be held on various stadiums in Tallinn. The matches of the tournament will be played on artificial turf. – Nike arena, TalTech indoor football hall, Lilleküla indoor football hall –  All stadium artificial turf.

NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes in the time schedules during the tournament!

Tournament system

Arena Spring Cup 2025 is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and playoffs. In the subgroup tournaments, the teams are divided into subgroups of 4-6 teams, 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 some teams get equal scores in subgroups, the final ranking will be decided according to:

1. match between each other
2. overall goal difference of goals
4. disciplinary actions
a) abandoned matches, cancellation of results
b) red cards
5. drawing lots

All places in the Arena Spring Cup 2025 tournament will be determined in the playoff system. The playoff system for each age group will be announced by the organizers one week before the tournament begins.

Penalties

During the playoff and final match, if the match ends with a draw after the end of match time, the teams have to start shooting penalties immediately. There will be no extra time during the tournament matches. The number of penalties in each age group: Boys in age groups  2010 – 2015 = 3 penalties.

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!

Defaulters

If on the football field there is not at least 7 players (age groups 2010-2012) or 5 players (age groups 2013-2015) and, then in 5 minutes after the start of official match time, a +/- loss will be entered into the tournament table.

Awards

The teams having won the first, second and third place will be awarded with trophies, medals and diplomas. The best player of each age group and goalkeeper will be awarded with the special prizes.

Tournament entry fee

Payment of the entry fee guarantees the place for Arena Spring Cup 2025 tournament.

If the entry fee is not paid in time, the tournament organizers have the right to remove the registered team from the list of the registered teams and not accept any subsequent claims.

Medicine/medical aid

The organizers of Arena Cup football tournament will not take any responsibility for injuries, which happen during the football tournament. Teams have an obligation to ensure that all trauma situations will be resolved. If possible, the football tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.

Warnings and removals

A player removed from the game will be disqualified until the end of this game. NB! The referee, who serves the match, has the right to demand harsher punishment for the disqualified player. The referee must submit a written application to the tournament head referee, who makes the final decision. The decision of the head referee is final and cannot be appealed. The decision will be notified to the team representative specified on the registration form.

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.

Warranty

By participation in Arena Spring Cup 2025 football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.

Balls used in matches

All the balls used during the Arena Spring Cup 2025 have a marking “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED”.

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: theimo.tulp@gmail.com 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. The representative of each team is required to sign a statement, confirming the arrival to the tournament, acceptance of the Arena Spring Cup 2025 rules and the team’s awareness of possible changes.

NB! A team, who has not met the aforementioned demands, will not be allowed to play in the tournament.

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 colour, the team who has been listed as the second team has to change shirts or wear vests. Vests are guaranteed by the tournament organizer. 

State of emergency, tournament management / FORCE MAJEURE

The jury of the tournament has right to make changes in match times and locations, if it is necessary and an inevitable event requires it! In case of emergency the tournament organiser has the power to cancel the whole tournament if the problems occur outside the reasonable control of the party affected if it’s not possible to organise the event due to technical problems.

NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for the event of theft during the tournament!