{"id":735,"date":"2020-02-15T17:19:01","date_gmt":"2020-02-15T17:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/reeglid\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T07:48:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T07:48:57","slug":"rules","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

I FIFA Laws of the Game<\/h2>\n

The international youth football tournament Saku Cup 2026 shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
\nNB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the Saku Cup 2026 rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.<\/p>\n

II Age groups and regulations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Age group<\/div><\/th>\n
Stadium<\/div><\/th>\n
Players<\/div><\/th>\n
Game time<\/div><\/th>\n
Ball<\/div><\/th>\n
Off-side<\/div><\/th>\n
Dates<\/div><\/th>\n
Team fee<\/div><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Boys 2011 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Rapla<\/div><\/td>\n
11 vs 11<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d740 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
5<\/div><\/td>\n
+<\/div><\/td>\n
31.10.-01.11.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
350 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2012 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
J\u00fcri artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
11 vs 11<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d740 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
5<\/div><\/td>\n
+<\/div><\/td>\n
24.-25.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
350 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2013 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
11 vs 11<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d740 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
4<\/div><\/td>\n
+<\/div><\/td>\n
24.-25.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
350 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2013 (C-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
9 vs 9<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d735 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
4<\/div><\/td>\n
+<\/div><\/td>\n
24.-25.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
300 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2014 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
9 vs 9<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d735 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
4<\/div><\/td>\n
+<\/div><\/td>\n
17.-18.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
300 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2015 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
9 vs 9<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d735 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
4<\/div><\/td>\n
+<\/div><\/td>\n
17.-18.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
300 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2016 (B- & C-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
7 vs 7<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d735 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
3<\/div><\/td>\n
\u2013<\/div><\/td>\n
10.-11.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
250 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2017 (B- & C-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
7 vs 7<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d735 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
3<\/div><\/td>\n
\u2013<\/div><\/td>\n
10.-11.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
250 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2018 (B & C-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
5 vs 5<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d720 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
3<\/div><\/td>\n
\u2013<\/div><\/td>\n
03.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
150 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boys 2019 (B & C-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
5 vs 5<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d720 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
3<\/div><\/td>\n
\u2013<\/div><\/td>\n
03.10.2025<\/div><\/td>\n
150 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Girls 2015-2016 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
7 vs 7<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d735 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
4<\/div><\/td>\n
\u2013<\/div><\/td>\n
03-04.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
250 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Girls 2017-2018 (B-level)<\/div><\/td>\n
Saku artificial grass<\/div><\/td>\n
5vs5<\/div><\/td>\n
1\u00d720 min.<\/div><\/td>\n
3<\/div><\/td>\n
\u2013<\/div><\/td>\n
04.10.2026<\/div><\/td>\n
150 eur<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

III Use of older players in the tournament<\/h2>\n

In age group for 11v11\u00a0 it is allowed to use\u00a0 up to 3 older players in one team, who have been born later than 1 August the prior year.<\/p>\n

In age groups for 9v9 and 7v7\u00a0 it is allowed to use\u00a0 up to 2 older players in one team, who have been born later than 1 August the prior year.<\/p>\n

In age groups for 5v5\u00a0 it is allowed to 1 older player in one team, who have been born later than 1 August the prior year.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/strong> In the boys age group 2011, it is allowed to have in one team 3 older players, who have been born later than 1.08.2010.<\/p>\n

IV Players participating in several teams<\/h2>\n

At the Saku Cup 2026 youth football tournament, players are not allowed to participate in more than one age group or team. If this rule is violated, the results of the matches involving the team that broke the rule will be annulled, and the matches will be recorded as losses using the +\/- system, meaning a technical defeat. The team and the player will still be allowed to continue participating in the tournament resulting rest of the games played as friendlies.<\/p>\n

The tournament\u2019s chief organizer has the right to make exceptions to this rule if the team\u2019s coach has informed them of the situation (such as injuries, lack of players, etc.) and requested special permission. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account various factors related to the tournament.<\/p>\n

V Stadiums<\/h2>\n

Saku Cup 2026 matches will be played at Saku (Tallinna hgw..10, Saku) and J\u00fcri artificial grass (Laste st. 3, J\u00fcri) and Rapla football hall (Keskkooli st. 2A) .<\/p>\n

NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes in the time schedules during the tournament!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

VI Tournament system<\/h2>\n

In age groups 2011-2018 Saku Cup 2026 is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and playoffs.
\nIn 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.<\/p>\n

If some teams get equal scores in subgroups, the final ranking will be decided according to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. match between each other<\/li>\n
  2. goal difference between each other<\/li>\n
  3. overall goal difference<\/li>\n
  4. number of scored goals<\/li>\n
  5. number of received goals<\/li>\n
  6. disciplinary actions\n
      \n
    1. abandoned matches, cancellation of results<\/li>\n
    2. red cards<\/li>\n
    3. Yellow cards<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    4. drawing lots<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      All places in the Saku Cup 2026 tournament will be determined in the playoff system (exce\u00fct boys 2019 and 2020 and girls 2017-2018. The playoff system for each age group will be announced by the organizers one week before the tournament begins.<\/p>\n

      VII Penalties<\/h2>\n

      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.<\/p>\n

      The number of penalties in each age group:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • 2011-2018 (B-level)\u00a0 \u2013 3 penalties<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Boys 2019-2020, girls 2017-2018 – No penalty shootouts<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        VIII Protest<\/h2>\n

        A protest is directed against the validity of the result of the match. A protest has to be based on that whether the player has right to participate or not, on serious violation of the rules by the referee or on some other incident that affected the result of the match.<\/p>\n

        The protest must be submitted in writing by a team representative (a person who has been designated on the registration form as team leader) no later than 30 minutes after the end of the protested match.
        \nA general protest against the whole opposing team is not acceptable.
        \nProtest against the yellow or red card or against the removal of player from the field after the referee has showed two cards, is only allowed if referee made a mistake against the corresponding player.
        \nProtest processing fee is 75 EUR. This amount will be refunded if the protest is successful.<\/p>\n

        IX Jury<\/h2>\n

        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.
        \nNB! Jury\u2019s final decision cannot be appealed!<\/strong><\/p>\n

        X Referees<\/h2>\n

        All the referees are accepted by the Estonian Football Association or the head referee of the tournament.<\/p>\n

        XI Defaulters<\/h2>\n

        If on the football field there is not at least 7 players (11vs11), 5 players (9vs9), 4 players (7vs7) and 3 players (5vs5 and 4v4) then in 5 minutes after the start of official match time, a +\/- loss will be entered into the tournament table.<\/p>\n

        XII Awards<\/h2>\n

        Teams in age groups\u00a0 2011-2018\u00a0 having won the first, second and third place will be awarded with trophies and medals. Lower places in 2018\u00a0 are awarded with a participants medals.<\/p>\n

        No places are played out in age groups 2019-2020 and girls 2017-2018. All the players are awarded with medals.<\/p>\n

        XIII Medicine\/medical aid<\/h2>\n

        The organizers of Saku Cup 2026 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.
        \nIf possible, the football tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.<\/p>\n

        XIV Warnings and removals<\/h2>\n

        A player removed from the field will not be disqualified for the next match held in Saku Cup 2026 tournament.
        \nNB! The referee, who serves the match, has the right to demand harsher punishment (misses next game, will be disqualified from the tournament) 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.
        \nThe decision will be notified to the team representative specified on the registration form.<\/p>\n

        XV Recognition of fair play<\/h2>\n

        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.<\/p>\n

        XVI Warranty<\/h2>\n

        By participation in Saku Cup 2026 football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.<\/p>\n

        XVII Balls used in matches<\/h2>\n

        All the balls used during the Saku Cup 2026 have a marking “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED”.<\/p>\n

        XVIII Registration of the team<\/h2>\n

        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 erki@4seasonsfootball.com<\/p>\n

        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.<\/p>\n

        XIX Start of the match and its accompanying rules<\/h2>\n

        The team has to be on the match field 5 minutes before the match starts.
        \nIf 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.
        \nVests are guaranteed by the tournament organizer.<\/p>\n

        Maximum team size in 11vs11 age group\u00a0 – 22 players.
        \n<\/strong>Maximum team size in 9vs9 age group\u00a0 – 18 players.<\/strong>
        \nMaximum team size in 7v7 age group – 16 players<\/strong>
        \nMaximum team size in 5v5 and 4v4 age groups – 12 players<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        XX Live broadcasting rights<\/h2>\n

        All live broadcasting and recording rights of 4 Seasons Football (Saku Cup) events belong to the organizer. Broadcasting, recording, or distributing the events is permitted only with prior written consent from 4 Seasons Football.<\/p>\n

        XXI State of emergency, tournament management<\/h2>\n

        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!<\/strong><\/p>\n

        NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for the event of theft during the tournament!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":99,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-735","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRules - Saku Cup 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rules - Saku Cup 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Saku Cup 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-21T07:48:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/\",\"name\":\"Rules - Saku Cup 2026\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-02-15T17:19:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-21T07:48:57+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Rules\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Saku Cup 2026\",\"description\":\"International youth football tournament\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Rules - Saku Cup 2026","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Rules - Saku Cup 2026","og_url":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/","og_site_name":"Saku Cup 2026","article_modified_time":"2026-06-21T07:48:57+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/","url":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/","name":"Rules - Saku Cup 2026","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/#website"},"datePublished":"2020-02-15T17:19:01+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-21T07:48:57+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/rules\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Rules"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/","name":"Saku Cup 2026","description":"International youth football tournament","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=735"}],"version-history":[{"count":95,"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5660,"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/735\/revisions\/5660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cup.sakucup.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}