• At UFCA, we’re all about creating a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone involved — players, coaches, managers, referees, and spectators alike. To make sure everyone has a great experience, we ask that all participants follow our Code of Conduct.

    Failure to comply will result in removal from the tournament, disqualification, and future participation at UFCA.

    We are proudly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful atmosphere, regardless of gender, religion, disability, or ethnicity.

    This Code of Conduct outlines:

    • What kind of behavior we expect from everyone

    • What types of conduct won’t be tolerated

    • How we can all work together to keep the Showcase positive and respectful

    We encourage all attendees to do their part to promote good sportsmanship, mutual respect, and a positive experience for every participant.

    Expected Behavior:

    We ask all participants to:

    • Be kind, respectful, and considerate to others.

    • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing language or behavior.

    • Be aware of your surroundings and look out for the safety of fellow participants. If you see something concerning, alert a tournament organizer immediately.

    • Follow Islamic etiquettes in your interactions with fellow athletes, officials, and staff.

    • Park only in designated areas provided by the venue.

    Unacceptable Behavior:

    The following behaviors will not be tolerated under any circumstances:

    • Intimidation, harassment, abuse (verbal, physical, written), or any discriminatory conduct.

    • Harassment may include offensive comments (in person or online) related to gender, race, religion, disability, or orientation; stalking; unwanted photography; and inappropriate physical contact.

    • Any form of fighting, threatening behavior, or aggressive actions.

    • Possession of weapons or items that may be used to threaten or cause harm.

    • Destruction, vandalism, or tampering with venue property or others’ personal belongings.

    • Lewd, profane, or obscene language or gestures, including racial, ethnic, or religious slurs.

    • Disrespecting staff, officials, spectators, or fellow participants.

    • Disrupting the event or refusing to follow official rulings, which are final.

    There will be a stoppage of play for prayers. Matches will resume once prayer concludes.

    Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior:

    • Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

    • UFCA Management may take action up to and including immediate removal from the tournament and a ban from future events — with or without warning.

    • Teams may face point deductions or even disqualification due to unsportsmanlike behavior from any team member, coach, or associated parent.

    • There is zero tolerance for:

      • Abusive or aggressive language

      • Harassment or intimidation of any kind

      • Physical altercations or threats

      • Cursing or swearing

    Uniform Policy:

    • All teams are required to wear matching uniforms.

    • Teams may wear their own kits. For teams without uniforms, UFCA will provide pinnies.

    • Failure to comply will result in a 1-point deduction per game played while out of uniform.

    Roster Rules:

    • Teams must compete with only those players who are on their original submitted roster.

    • Players from eliminated teams may not join teams still in the tournament.

    • Violations will result in:

      • Ejection of ineligible players

      • Point deductions for the offending team

    Age Verification:

    • Age groups are as follows:

      • U-8: Players aged 7 or younger

      • U-10: Players aged 9 or younger

      • U-14: Players aged 13 or younger

    • Participants must upload valid documentation during registration or provide it on game day.

    • Failure to present proper ID when requested will result in disqualification.

    • Age concerns must be addressed before the match begins. Complaints after the game concludes will not be considered.

    Let’s work together to make this tournament an amazing experience for everyone — full of positive energy, fair play, and a love for the game!

    Liability Disclosure:

    All athletes, coaches, managers, parents and vendors must agree and comply to the Liability Disclosure

  • LAWS OF THE GAME

    All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules in this document.

    1.0 Heading Rules for U11 and Younger

    1.1 Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. The proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head. If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

    1.2 U8-U10 Build Out Line

    1.2.1 When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is put into play.

    Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw, or roll the ball into play. NO PUNTING. After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build-out line, and play resumes as normal.

    1.3 Offside

    1.3.1 The build-out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called. Players cannot be penalized for offside between the halfway line and the build-out line. Players can be penalized for offside between the build-out line and goal line.

    2.0 EQUIPMENT , UNIFORM, AND FIELDS

    2.1 Players of the same team must wear uniforms of similar design and color with numbers on the back of their uniforms.

    2.1.1 When the uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will change jerseys. The home team is listed first on the schedule. Pinnies are allowed to be worn if the second color uniform is not available. Ref and coaches to decide suitable outcome.

    2.2 Players are required to wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA Laws

    2.3 Players playing with protective casts may require approval by a Tournament Organizers as well as the referee. If the referee on the field deems a player’s protective cast is unsafe in any way, the player will not be allowed to play regardless of approval from a medical professional.

    2.4 Referees and/or Tournament Organizers can postpone or cancel a match.

    2.5 The home team will provide the ball to be used for playing and the referee will decide if the ball is suitable for play. If the home team cannot provide a game ball, the away team will provide the game ball.

    2.6 No jewelry may be worn by any player during a match (earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.).

    2.7 Coaches and players shall stand on opposite sides of the field from parents and spectators. No coaching shall be permitted within 18 yards of the goal line, from behind the goal line, or from the parent/spectator sideline.

    3.0 SUBSTITUTIONS

    3.1 Substitutions without limit may be made on the fly at the referee's discretion.

    3.2 For all other games, substitutions will be on-the-fly.7.

    GAME DURATION

    7v7 25 minute matches with no halftime

    4.1 In the event that inclement weather forces a cancellation of a game, the game will be considered complete if the game was stopped at or after half time and the score at that time shall be considered the official result.

    If the game is stopped before half time, the match may resume, be shortened or considered final at the discretion of The Tournament Organizers.

    4.2 In the event of an injury, makeup time will not be awarded. The clock will continue to run and the game will resume once the player has left the field. If the duration of the game runs out of time while the injury is still in progress, the score will stand as final.

    5.0 FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS

    5.1 A game may not start with fewer than the required minimum number of properly uniformed players on each team. The minimum number of players for a game is seven (7).

    5.1.1 Once a game has started, it may not continue with fewer than the stated minimum. If a match cannot start or continue because of a team having fewer than the minimum, that team shall forfeit the game.

    5.2 A team shall have a five (5) minute grace period from the scheduled kick-off time to take the field before the match is awarded to their opponent as 5-0 forfeited win.

    5.3 If a team, through the actions of its players, coaches, and/or spectators is the cause for termination of a game, the match will be awarded to their opponents as a 5-0 forfeit win.

    5.4 If a team has forfeited a game during the tournament, they will not be eligible to receive either first or second place medals (if playing in a championship format).

    5.5 If a team forfeits within 48 hours of the tournament, the other teams in that bracket will receive a forfeit win for the game.

    6.0. DETERMINATION OF WINNERS

    Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:

    Three (3) points for each win

    One (1) point for each tie

    Zero (0) points for each loss

    6.1 Tie-Breaker System after group play, in the order listed below:

    When the tie-breaker system is used, the criteria are followed in order until one or more team is determined at any given step. The criteria then start over again at the top of the tie-breaker system with the remaining teams. Rules are repeated until a winner is determined.

    ● Head-to-head (if there is a 3-team tie, proceed to the next tie-breaker)

    ● Goal Differential (the difference between goals for and goals against)

    ● Fewest goals against

    ● Most Shutouts

    ● If a tie still exists after the steps listed above, a coin toss will be made with two tournament officials presenting the result which will then be communicated to each team manager.

    6.2 During a semifinal and final match, if a tie score exists at the end of regulation, the FIFA penalty kick procedure will be used to determine a winner.

    Overtime periods will not be used.

    6.2.1 Penalty Kick Procedure:

    ● Each team will select five (5) players to kick – only players on the field at the end of the game may be selected.

    ● Teams will alternate kicks – the first team to kick will be determined by the referee’s coin flip.

    ● If the score remains tied after five (5) kicks, teams will alternate kicks one at a time from the remaining players on the field until a winner is determined.

    ● No player may shoot more than once until all eligible players have taken a kick.

    ● Keepers may not be changed to face penalty kicks unless an injury has occurred. This will be at the referees discretion.

    ● If at the end of the match and before the kicks start to be taken from the penalty mark, one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce its number to equate with that of its opponents and the team captain must inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. Any player thus excluded may not participate in kicks from the penalty mark or serve as the keeper.

    ● Unless participating in the penalty kicks as a kicker or goalkeeper, team members, coaches, and other bench personnel shall remain on the designated sideline (off the field).

    7.0 INCLEMENT WEATHER

    Regardless of weather conditions, players and coaches must be present at the scheduled field at the scheduled time, ready to play. In the event of inclement weather, The Tournament Organizers will have the authority to change any game as follows:

    ● Relocate or reschedule games

    ● Cancel preliminary game(s) that have no bearing on the selection of

    division winners.

    ● Change the duration of games. In the event that inclement weather forces a cancellation of a game, the game will be considered complete if the game was stopped at or after half time and the score at that time shall be considered the official result.

    If the game is stopped before half time, the match may resume, be shortened or considered final at the discretion of The Tournament Organizers.

    8.0 PROTESTS AND DISPUTES

    8.1. All disputes for non-refereed decisions are submitted through the clubs

    DOC in writing to the Tournament Organizers. The Tournament Organizers will consider and hear protests and disputes from official team representatives only; which consists of the coaches and managers listed on the official roster provided to the tournament. Appeals of misconduct reports shall be settled by the Judicial Committee with input from the referee assignor. All protests and disputes, except for roster eligibility issues (see Rule 12.3), must be made with the club's DOC within 30 minutes of the completion of the match. The Tournament Organizers will take such actions necessary to resolve the dispute.

    12.2. Decisions by referees regarding the outcome of the game are final and

    may not be appealed; any decisions by the Tournament Organizers deciding

    on a protest or dispute are final and may not be appealed.

    12.3. A protest of player eligibility must be made by the official team

    representative (which consists of the coaches and managers listed on the

    official roster provided to the tournament) 20 minutes prior to a game starting

    with the site coordinator or Tournament Organizers. If a player is ruled

    ineligible, that game will be forfeited and the player will be prohibited from

    participating in the remaining games of the event. The Tournament Organizers

    reserve the right to determine the fate of the teams remaining participating in

    the tournament and the teams’ official standings in the tournament.

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