Rules

I FIFA Laws of the Game

The international youth football tournament Haapsalu Football Festival 2025 (HFF 2025) shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the HFF 2025 rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.

II Size of the team and duration of the match

III Use of older players in the tournament

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

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

In age groups for 5v5  it is allowed to use 1 older player in one team who have been born later than 1 August the prior year.

For example: In the age group 2011, it is allowed to three older players in one team, who have been born later than 1.08.2010.

IV Players participating in several teams

During the youth football tournament HFF 2025, it is not allowed for the players to play in more than one age group or one team. If this rule is ignored, the player will be disqualified from the tournament and the game of the violating team will be cancelled. The result -/+ will be noted in the tournament chart and this means that the other team has won.

V Stadium

HFF 2025 matches will be held on Haapsalu city stadiums artificial and natural grass (Staadioni 16, Haapsalu) and in Haapsalu football hall (Masti 6).

VI Tournament system

HFF 2025 is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and play-offs.
In 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.

If some teams get equal scores in subgroups, the final ranking will be decided according to:

1. match between each other
2. Goal difference between each other
3. overall goal difference
4. number of goals
5. disciplinary actions
   1. abandoned matches, cancellation of results
   2. yellow cards
   3. red cards
6. drawing lots

All places in the HFF 2025 tournament will be determined in the play-off system. The playoff system for each age group will be announced by the organizers one week before the tournament begins.

NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes in the time schedules during the tournament!

VII Penalties

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.

The number of penalties in each age group:

• Age groups  2011 – 2017 – 3 penalties

VIII Protest

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.

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.
A general protest against the whole opposing team is not acceptable.
Protest 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.
Protest processing fee is 75 EUR. This amount will be refunded if the protest is successful.

IX Jury

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.
NB! Jury’s final decision cannot be appealed!

X Referees

All the referees are accepted by the Estonian Football Association or the head referee of the tournament.

XI Defaulters

If on the football field there is not at least 7 players (11v11)  5 players (9v9) 4 players (7v7) and 3 players (5v5) in 5 minutes after the start of official match time, a +/- loss will be entered into the tournament table.

XII Awards

In age groups  2011-2017, teams having won the first, second and third place will be awarded with trophies and medals.

XIII Medicine/medical aid

The organizers of HFF 2025 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.
If possible, the football tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.

XIV Warnings and removals

A player removed from the field will be disqualified for the next match held in HFF 2025, if a head referee does not decide the other way (Disqualifications definitely come with violent or disrespectful behavior towards other players or referee).
NB! The referee, who serves the match, has the right to demand harsher punishment for the disqualified player (for example disqualification until the end of the tournament). 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.
The decision will be notified to the team representative specified on the registration form.

XV Recognition of fair play

For the recognition of fair play it is recommended that players welcome and thank  the opposing players and referee right after the line-up (before the match starts) and after the final whistle.

XVI Warranty

By participation in HFF 2025 football tournament, the team confirms being aware of all the rules of the tournament.

XVII Balls used in matches

All the balls used during the HFF 2025 have a marking “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED”.

XVIII Registration of the team

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@revalfootball.eu

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.

XIX Start of the match and its accompanying rules

The team has to be on the match field 5 minutes before the match starts.
If the uniforms of both teams are in the same colours, the team who has been listed as the second team has to change shirts or wear vests.
Vests are guaranteed by the tournament organizer.
Maximum team size:

• 11v11 age group – 24 players
• 9v9 age groups – 20 players
• 7v7 age groups – 18 players
• 5v5 age groups – 14 players
  

XX State of emergency, tournament management

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!

NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for the event of theft during the tournament!