MSSA Online

Rules of Competition

for the

Rowland, Stewart & Maryland Over-30 Cups

1.  All players must be registered with MSSA.  Teams from MSYSA are eligible to compete as long as they receive the proper permission to play from MSYSA.  The player must present a player pass to the referee before entering the match.

2.  The Rowland Cup is an open competition, open to players of professional or amateur status. The Stewart Cup is an amateur competition and is limited to players of amateur status only.  The Maryland Over-30 Cup is an open competition for players that reached the age of 30 on the day of the competition. A player may participate for only one club in each MSSA cup competition.

3.  The duration of the game shall be 90 minutes, made up of two 45-minute halves.  If tied after regulation time, there will be no overtime and the match shall be determined by kicks from the penalty mark as prescribed by FIFA.

4.  Match Day Rosters & Substitutions - On match days, clubs are permitted a roster of up to eighteen (18) players. All 18 are eligible to play in the match. Substitutions shall be unlimited in number and players who have been substituted may reenter the match.  Substitutions may be made as follows:

  1. After a goal by either team.
  2. On a goal kick by either team.
  3. On a throw-in by the team in possession.
  4. By either team at half-time.
  5. For an injured player, when play is stopped for the injury.
  6. When a yellow card is given for the player given the yellow card.  The substitution is not mandatory.
  7. In any situation above where players are at midfield awaiting to come onto play as a substitute, those players may come on as substitutes.

5.  Matches will start at the scheduled time.  There is a 15-minute grace period 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.

6.  In cases of conflicting colors, the home club must change jerseys.

7.  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.

8.  The match shall be officiated by a referee and two linesmen.  All fees must be paid prior to the start of the match, divided evenly among the two teams.

9.  Any intent to protest a match 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 match report.  No protest will be considered unless it has been delivered in writing by mail, email or in person to the MSSA cup commissioner no later than 9:00 PM of the second day following the match.  A fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) must accompany the protest.

10.  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.

11.  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.

12.  The playing of these competitions will be governed by the rules of FIFA, USSF, USASA and MSSA except as noted above.

MSSA Cup Policies

Return to Cups and Tournaments

MSSA Online - the official Web site of the Maryland State Soccer Association