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Rules of Competition
for the National Cups
Maryland Qualifier
1. All players must be registered through the MSSA/MSYSA. The player must present a player pass to the referee before entering the match.
2. The U.S. Open Cup is an open competition; open to players of professional or amateur status. The U.S. Amateur Cup is an amateur competition and is limited to players of amateur status only. The U.S. National Over-30 Cup is an open competition limited to players who have reached 30 years of age prior to the date of any game they participate in. The U.S. U23 Cup is an open competition limited to players who have not attained the age of 23 years before 1 August of the year prior to the current registration period. Players must provide proof of age. A player may participate for only one club in each cup competition
3. The length of the field may not be more than 120 yards nor less than 100 yards and the width of the field may not be more than 80 yards nor less than 65 yards.
4. The duration of the game shall be 90 minutes, made up of two 45-minute halves. If tied after regulation time, 30 minutes of extra time shall be played to its entirety with the teams changing directions after the first 15-minute period. If still tied, the game shall be decided by penalty kicks.
5. No more than 18 players may may suit up for the match. Substitutions shall be made in accordance with FIFA rules. A maximum of 7 substitutions shall be allowed in all Open, Amateur Cup and Over-30 Cup matches. In any cup competition, a player who has been substituted may not re-enter the match at any time.
6. Matches will start at the scheduled time. There is a 15-minute grace period (30-minute grace period for teams traveling thirty miles or more) beyond the scheduled starting time for a team to get the minimum number of seven (7) players on the field for the start of the match. If a team fails to appear or has less than seven (7) players and the opposing team has seven (7) or more players ready to play, the latter team shall claim the game by forfeit. THE FORFEITING TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OFFICIATING FEES.
7. In cases of conflicting colors, the home club must change jerseys.
8. All participating teams will prepare the required match report for each game. Failure to do so will result in a $25.00 fine. Match reports may be obtained from the cup commissioner, cup delegate or on the MSSA Cup Web site.
9.The match shall be officiated by a referee and two linesmen. All fees must be paid prior to the start of the match.
10. Any intent to protest a game shall be given to the referee and the MSSA field delegate (if present) prior to their departure from the field. The referee or field delegate shall immediately notify the opposing team and shall also state so in their game report. No protest will be considered unless it has been delivered or postmarked to the MSSA cup commissioner no later than 11:00 PM of the day following the game. A fee of fifty dollars ($50) must accompany a written protest; of which shall be forfeited if the protest is not upheld. A duplicate copy of the protest must also be sent to the opposing team.
11. Suspensions
A.
If a player is sent off from a match, whether a red card is issued or as
the result of two yellow cards in the same match, the player shall be
suspended for at least one match. Players sent off for violent conduct due to fighting or
striking another player shall be suspended a minimum of two matches.
B.
If a player receives three yellow cards while participating in the cup
competitions (excluding two yellow cards received in the same match
resulting in a red card), the player shall be suspended for one match.
C.
The suspended player shall serve the suspension at the next scheduled cup
match or matches in the competition the player received the suspension, if the
team is still eligible to play in that competition. If the team is not
eligible for that competition, the the suspension shall be served at the next
cup competition that the player is scheduled to play.
If the player has no remaining cup matches during the year, the suspension shall be served at the following year’s
competition matches.
D. The MSSA reserves the authority to impose further sanctions necessary to uphold the integrity of the game.
12. The MSSA will make every effort to have a field delegate present at a match. In the absence of a delegate, the referee shall represent the MSSA.
13. The playing of these competitions will be governed by the rules of FIFA, USSF, USASA and MSSA except as noted above.
Rules of Competition - Maryland Qualifiers in Word Format
USASA National Cup Policies (Need Adobe reader)
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MSSA Online - the official Web site of the Maryland State Soccer Association