Unity Cup Specific Rules

UNITY CUP SPECIFIC RULES

  1. GAME PLAY
    1. All 25 players may dress
      1. All players present must be checked in order to participate in that particular match.
      2. No player or coach may double roster
  • Teams must field a minimum of 8 players to begin the game. If after 15 minutes the team can not field a full 11 players team they will forfeit the match.
  1. Each team may only have a maximum of 3 coaches on their sideline
    1. Special exceptions can be made prior to the tournament for special guests (i.e. consulates, community leaders)
  2. All players are required to be in matching uniform including socks, shorts and undergarments (under armor, etc.)
    1. There should be no other sponsorship on uniforms other than those provided by the tournament
  3. Each goalie must wear colors that differentiate them from the rest of the players.
  • All players are required to wear shin guards
  • No metal cleats are permitted
  1. Wrist bands, chains, and earrings (etc) are prohibited.
  2. Injuries
    1. Play continues until the ball goes out of bounds if it appears to be a minor injury.
    2. Play is immediately stopped if the player appears to be seriously injured and they will be taken off the field. (Immediately replaceable)
    3. If any blood is present, the player must come off the field until it stops.
  3. Substitutions
    1. “Rolling substitutions policy”
    2. There is no limit on the number of times a player can sub in and out of matches
  • Players may only sub on any goal kick, throw in or injury
  1. Replacing Players due to injury
    1. There is no replacement of players due to injury
  2. Slide tackling is permitted, referee will monitor legal vs. illegal slide tackles
  3. Spectators
    1. In instances where no stands exist, spectators will be permitted only on the sideline opposite the team benches at a distance 10 feet off the sideline
    2. No spectators are permitted behind either goal
  • Teams are encouraged to discuss appropriate behavior with their fans prior to games.
  1. Time
    1. Games are 2 – 45 minute halves in length
    2. Group Stage Games
      1. If teams are tied at end of regulation and added time each team is awarded a tie and 1 point in the group standings
      2. Added time during group stage play is determined by the center official
  • Knock out stages
    1. If teams are tied at end of regulation and added time the game will extend to 2 – 10 minute halves played to conclusion (NO golden goal rule!)
    2. In the event the game is still tied after the extra time session the game will be decided by penalty-shoot out (5 kicks, followed by single kicks)
      • Only players on the field at the completion of extra time will be permitted to participate in penalty kicks (goalies included)
    3. Order of kicks will be decided by coin toss
  1. GROUP STANDINGS
    1. There will be a max goal differential of 7 goals for all group stage games (i.e. a score of 9-1 will result in a goal differential of 7 goals rather than 8)
    2. The following point values will determine standings for group stage games:
      1. WIN = three (3) points
      2. TIE = one (1) point
  • LOSS = zero (0) points
  1. The following criteria is used for standings purposes:
    1. Greatest number of points in all group stage matches
    2. Attendance at pre-tournament captains’ meeting
  • Head-to-head pool play outcome
  1. Least amount of goals allowed
  2. Fair play points (minus 1 for yellow card, minus 2 for red card)
  3. Goal difference in group stages
  • Most goals scored
  • Coin toss
  • KNOCK OUT ROUND
    1. All Cards will reset after the group stage matches & again after the quarterfinal round.
    2. The top 2 teams in each of the 16 groups will make the knock out round. They will be seeded based on predetermined positioning in the 32 team, single elimination bracket
    3. The following criteria is used in determining a tie break
      1. Greatest number of points in all group stage matches
      2. Least goals allowed
  • Goal difference in group stage matches
  1. Fair play points
  2. Most goals scored
  3. Coin toss

 

 

 

 

Unity Cup Code of Conduct

  1. While promotion of the tournament is appreciated and encouraged, teams and coaches must acknowledge that the tournament is a program of the City of Philadelphia by doing one of the following:
    • Stating such and/or mentioning Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Office of Immigrant Affairs in written text or verbal statements. Sample language could include, “The Philadelphia International Unity Cup is a program of the City of Philadelphia, led by the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.”
    • Tagging @PHLUnityCup and/or @PhilaParkandRec and @PhillyOIA in social media posts.
    • Linking website references to unitycup.phila.gov.
  2. Players and coaches may not disclose details of the tournament until they have been made public by the City of Philadelphia, Office of Immigrant Affairs or Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.
  3. Players and coaches may not speak or receive gifts/recognition on behalf of the tournament as a whole to the news media, unless granted approval by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation or the Office of Immigrant Affairs.
  4. Proper conduct by all players and coaches is mandatory before, during and after all games.
  5. Any suspended player or coach may not attend the games in which they are suspended.
  6. Teams are responsible for the conduct of their fans. Incidents involving a specific teams’ fan will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee and could result in game suspension for the fan and in extreme cases may penalize the team.
    • At the referee’s discretion he/she may suspend and/or forfeit a match in the case of unruly fan behavior
  7. Any player receiving a red card or any coach who has been removed from a game by the referee will be given a minimum one (1) game suspension, which cannot be appealed. The ejected person will not be permitted within two hundred (200) yards of the playing field in all directions. Failure to comply will result in further disciplinary action. Second offenses or conduct of a more serious nature will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.
    • The site monitor and game official will send a detailed report to the tournament director to be reviewed to see if further action is necessary
  1. Suspensions for misconduct towards game officials
    • Any assault on a game official will carry a five (5) year suspension from all Unity Cup activities
    • Deliberately striking or kicking or attempting to kick, throwing a soccer ball at, or spitting on a referee or assistant referee will carry a suspension for the rest of the tournament plus suspension from the subsequent year’s tournament as well as Philadelphia Parks & Recreation activities.
    • Gesturing or signaling obscenely at a referee or assistant referee will carry a one (1) game suspension
    • Abusive language towards a referee or assistant referee will carry a one (1) game suspension
    • Dissent, whether physical or verbal, expressing of differing opinion will carry a one (1) game suspension
    • The above suspensions are to be considered minimum. The Unity Cup reserves the right to increase the suspension based on the severity of the violation. Situations not listed will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.
  1. Suspensions for misconduct towards an opponent, colleague or spectator
    • Fighting (engaging in combat with an opponent, colleague or spectators by means of mutual exchange of blows delivered by hand, head, foot or other portions of the body) will carry a suspension through the rest of the tournament plus suspension from the subsequent year’s tournament
    • Deliberately attempting to strike or kick an opponent, colleague or spectator will carry a two (2) game suspension
    • The verbal threat of bodily harm or to property, gesturing or signaling obscenely, the throwing of objects at an opponent, colleague or spectator will carry a two (2) game suspension
    • The above suspensions are to be considered minimum. The Unity Cup reserves the right to increase the suspension based on the severity of the violation. Situations not listed will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.
  1. Suspensions for serious foul play and persistent misconduct
    • Serious foul play shall be understood to be play characterized by fouls of an aggravated nature committed with such fervor as to threaten an opponent with serious physical harm and will carry a minimum one (1) game suspension with subsequent review
    • Suspension for abusive language directed at an opponent, colleague or spectator will carry a one (1) game suspension
    • Persistent misconduct will carry a one (1) game suspension
    • The above suspensions are to be considered minimum. The Unity Cup reserves the right to increase the suspension based on the severity of the violation. Situations not listed will be reviewed by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.
  2. Conduct detrimental to the good and welfare of soccer
    • Such misconduct shall include but is not limited to misbehavior as a spectator, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or the use of illegal substances in the vicinity of the playing field before, during or after the game. This offense carries a minimum one (1) game suspension with further review of the incident by the Unity Cup Conduct Committee.
  3. Celebrations
    • Excessive and/or inappropriate celebrations could result in a possible card and/or suspension at the digression of the referees (possible cards) and Unity Cup Staff (possible suspension).
  4. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will suspend individuals from ALL DEPARTMENTAL ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES, for a minimum of one (1) year for any of the following:
    • Physical assault of a departmental employee or a member of his/her family
    • Physical assault of a referee or member or his/her family
    • Physical assault of a PPR volunteer or member of his/her family
    • Or otherwise caused damages to the property of personal possessions of the aforementioned people
  5. Cards
    • Yellow cards accumulate through group play. Upon receiving a second yellow card during group play, the player will receive a one (1) game suspension. Yellow cards will reset at the conclusion of group play.
    • Yellow cards accumulate through the knockout round. Upon receiving a second yellow card during the knockout round, the player will receive a one (1) game suspension.
    • Yellow cards will reset at the conclusion of the quarterfinals.
    • If a player receives a red card at any time, the player will leave that game immediately and will also serve a minimum one (1) game suspension.
      • Red cards do not reset at any point during the tournament.
    • Cards and minimum suspensions due to cards are not appealable, if additional games are added that may be appealed.
  6. Appeals of disciplinary actions (other than mandatory suspensions) may be made by handing in a written appeal, with a fifty dollar ($50) appeal fee to the tournament director within 72 hours for review.
  7. Players Expectations:
    • Promote and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
    • Play a fair and respectful game.
    • Respect the referees, staff, coaches, and fans
    • Use the sport of soccer to unite the people in their cultures as well as the other countries represented.
    • Be a good example for the youth of your culture as well as the youth of Philadelphia.
    • HAVE FUN!!!!
  8. Coaches Expectations:
    • Encourage their players to do all the expectations above.
    • Be a role model to their community and the city of Philadelphia.
    • Respect the referees, staff, players, and fans.
    • Be a driving factor in having different communities come together.
    • Be alert of any injuries or issues the team may have and make it a priority to improve conditions.
    • HAVE FUN!!!!
  9. Staff/ Volunteer Expectations:
    • Respect the fans, players, and coaches.
    • Help any spectator, player, coach that may need assistance with something.
    • Be alert for possible surrounding issues (Fans drinking and/or fighting, equipment issues, etc).
    • Do not show up under the influence
      1. Failure to do so will result in being sent home with possible suspension/ firing for staff members.
      2. Volunteers with not get their hours signed if need be.
    • Be enthusiastic, have fun, and promote a good atmosphere at the games you are working.
  10. Fans/ Spectators Expectations:
    • Watch and cheer in a respectful matter.
    • No derogatory comments/chants towards opposing teams. RESPECT!
    • Let the referees and coaches do their jobs!!
    • The consumption or use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
    • Physical or verbal assaults will not be tolerated!
    • Represent your country loud and proud!
    • HAVE FUN!!!!
  11. Rule Addendum
    1. Players and coach attire
      1. Be in proper uniform at all times
        • This includes tournament provided jersey and shorts, matching socks of the team, and shin guards
        • Uniform numbers should remain consistent for the entire tournament
    2. Players must be in uniform on the bench (Only checked in players, this will reduce number of people throwing on a team Jersey when they are not on the team)
    3. Coaches must be in coaches shirt, or readily identifiable on the bench
    4. Failure to do so will result in a yellow card – NO EXCEPTIONS!
  12. Team Bench Behavior
    1. Coaches are responsible for all persons on their bench
      1. There should be no more than 22 players and 3 coaches on the bench at any time
      2. Players must always be in game jersey, even if injured
      3. There should be no persons on the bench who are non-players or non-coaches
        1. In the event this occurs, the head coach will receive an automatic yellow card
  13. Appropriate Behavior
    1. The Unity Cup exists to bring communities together, not to split them apart
    2. Any player or coach that issues racially/ethnically derogative term to a player, coach or fan will receive an automatic red card, ejection and one year suspension from the tournament (effective the date of the incident)
    3. Any player or coach who throws a punch, or is involved in a physical altercation will receive an automatic red card, ejection and one year suspension from the tournament (effective the date of the incident)
    4. Any suspended player or coach may not attend the games in which they are suspended.
  14. Appropriate Behavior towards game Officials
    1. We will not always see eye-to-eye with the officials, but we must respect their decisions on the field
    2. Officials have been asked not to escalate arguments, but rather to calm them down. In the event an official escalates an argument, the tournament director will report the behavior to the referee assignor
      1. Teams are encouraged to complete their official’s evaluation every Monday
    3. Any player or coach that accuses an official of cheating will receive an automatic red card, ejection and suspension from the team’s next match. In the event the season is over, that player will serve their suspension at the beginning of the next season.
    4. Any player who verbally abuses an official by either swearing or using a racially/ethnically derogative term will receive a red card, ejection and one year suspension from the tournament (effective the date of the incident)
    5. Any suspended player or coach may not attend the games in which they are suspended.