2. There will be 24 teams with 4 Pools of 5 teams for the Saturday “round robin” games.
Pools 1 and 2 teams have a Morning Schedule and Pool 3 and 4 teams have an Afternoon Schedule. This has been done to reduce long waiting times between games for all teams. The Organizer’s decision on this is final and requests from teams for changes to pool allocations and seeding will not be entertained.

3. All players in all teams shall be required to wear Futsal kit of an acceptable standard and each member of a team shall be required to wear identical shirts and shorts. All players’ shirts will be required to have large numbers on the back for ease of identification by the referees. The numbers on each shirt of the players in any one team shall be different. The referee has the right to inspect the playing kit before or during the game and request any player to change any item he deems inappropriate.

4. Play on the first day (Saturday) will consist of 5 matches, on a round robin basis, between the teams in each of the 4 pools. ALL teams will have then played 5 games. These results will be included into the table, based on AWARDED POINTS (see Rule 5), that will be used to determine the team rankings, for the 3 Championships to be played on Sunday.

5. For ALL pool games THREE AWARDED POINTS will be given for a win and ONE AWARDED POINT for a draw. ZERO AWARDED POINTS for a loss. There will be NO EXTRA TIME played to determine a winner in the pool games. If, for any reason whatsoever, a team cannot field 5 players within 2 minutes of the referee and the opposing team being on the pitch and ready to commence play then that team will FORFEIT the game. The team who were ready to play will be awarded THREE POINTS and the team who forfeited the game will be awarded ZERO POINTS. Further, in order to allow for ranking of the teams for the 3 Championships the score will be logged as being 3-0 in favor of the team who were on the pitch and ready to play.

6. During all the tournament the Captains of each team will be called to the Officials Box in front of the stands for a Coin Toss prior to the commencement of the game preceding theirs. The referees will not come to the playing teams to find the Captains. If any Captain fails to attend the coin toss then choice of start will be awarded to the other Captain.

7. Following the completion of the pool games, team’s progress to the 3 separate knockout championships, all to be held on the second day of the tournament. The pool winners will be ranked by the number of Awarded Points. The ranking of the teams and the schedule of play for the Sunday championship games will be determined by the Organizers, in accordance with the format described below in (a) – (c), following the last game on Saturday. These results and schedules will be made available to all teams by 9pm on Saturday night at the Hanoi Futsal Party (place TBC)

8. The selection for the 3 Championships will be determined as follows and is shown in the attached ranking and relegation chart:

a. Cup Championship: Eight teams. The top 2 teams of each pool will progress to the Cup Championship. There will be Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Cup Finals.

b. Plate Championship: Eight teams. The 3 and 4 ranked teams from each pool will progress to the Plate Championship. There will be Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Plate Finals.

c. Bowl Championship: Eight teams. The 5 and 6 ranked team from each pool will progress to the Bowl Championship. There will be Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Bowl Finals.

9. When determining the ranking for the three Championships, if two or more teams have the same number of Awarded Points at the end of the pool games under Rule 5 above, ranking of the teams shall be decided by taking into account within the following ordered rules:

a. The team that received less Red Cards
b. The team that received less Yellow Cards
c. Particular Goal Average between the ex-aequo teams
d. The difference between "Points For" less "Points Against"
e. Total number of scored goal
f. If the teams are still tied after considering criteria (a, b, c, d, e) the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin.

10. During the second day (Sunday), when there is a tie at full time in any of the games of the three
Championships, then the following will apply:

a. Quarter Finals: The teams will immediately play a period of “Drop One” extra time wherein each team will drop one player after every minute of play. The choice of kick-off at the restart of the “Drop One” extra time will be decided by a toss of the coin. After one minute the Officials Desk will sound the Hooter and the referee will blow his whistle, at an appropriate time thereafter, when there is a stoppage in ongoing play due to an infringement, the ball going out of play, etc. One player from each team will immediately leave the field and will not be replaced. Play will recommence from the position or play where it was stopped. This will continue with another player being dropped after two minutes, to go to a minimum of three players on the pitch. The first team to score points during the “Drop One” extra time will be declared the winner. If the teams are still tied after 4 minutes of “Drop one” period, 3 penalty kick will be given to each team, followed by one by one penalty kick for each team, until one of the two team win. If any player is sent off during the “Drop One” extra time that team will continue play with one man short till the end of the game and Rule 23 will apply. If any player is sent to the “Sin bin”, then Rule 22 will apply.

b. Semi Finals: One period of extra time of five minutes will be played. The choice of kick-off at the restart of extra time will be decided by a toss of the coin. During this extra time period it is the first points scored (i.e. Golden Goal) that will determine the winner. If the teams are still tied after five minutes extra time (i.e. there has been no further score), the winner will be decided by playing a period of “Drop One” extra time wherein each team will drop one player after every minute of play as described in 10(a) above. The first team to score points during the “Drop One” extra time will be declared the winner.

c. Finals: Two periods of extra time of five minutes each will be played with the teams changing ends after five minutes with a one-minute interval at half time. During these extra time periods it is NOT the first points scored that will determine the winner as it shall be the total additional points scored by BOTH teams that will accrue to the final score. If the teams are still tied after ten minutes of extra time play, the winner will be decided by playing a period of “Drop One” extra time wherein each team will drop one player after every minute of play as described in 10(a) above. The first team to score points during the “Drop One” extra time will be declared the winner.

11. The duration of all Pool games on the first day will be 12 minutes, one way play with no half time interval.

12. Changeover between games will be two minutes.

13. The Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final games will be 10 minutes each way for the Cup, Plate and Bowl with a 2-minute half time interval. Changeover between games will be 2 minutes.

14. Each playing side shall comprise a maximum of 10 players who must all be registered before the start of play. In all cases, the source of the players in each squad shall be stated on the registration form. This is so that the Officials and Organizing Committee can track the movement of players from team to team, especially where teams are amalgamating or using players from another club in accordance with Rule 16.

15. A team can change any player on the field at any time during the game, providing a maximum of 5 players are on field of play at any time, except during “Drop One” extra time (See Rule 10) wherein the number may be less than 5. The departing player must leave the field of play before the replacement player enters the field of play. Both departing and replacement players must leave/enter the field of play at the designated place, except in the case of injury when the departing player can leave wherever appropriate.

16. A team that can only field 5 or less players because of injury may borrow players for reserves from other teams but shall submit the names of such borrowed players to the Officials at the commencement of the tournament or least one game prior to the scheduled game of the team. The approval for transfers of players will be strictly controlled by the Officials and Tournament Director and will only be given in appropriate circumstances. Players can only be transferred from teams seeded at the SAME LEVEL (in the case of the Bowl) or LOWER (in the case of Plate and Cup) in the competition. For example: To Bowl level team from Bowl level team or to Plate level team from Bowl level team.

17. At least 30 minutes prior to each SEMI-FINAL and FINAL (Cup, Plate and Bowl) the Captains of each team shall issue a written list of their maximum 10–men squad to the Officials and Tournament Director stating the original team source of each player. Players not complying with Rule 17 shall be changed by the Captains.

Managers and Captains please note:
The intent and spirit of the above rules are to avoid the “stacking” of teams in the finals with the best players from other teams to the disadvantage of the opposing team. Therefore, aggrieved teams will be given the opportunity to cite other teams that are abusing the spirit of the Hanoi Futsal tournament.
If the Committee agrees, the result will be overturned – BE WARNED!

18. If there is a bleeding or open wound the player must leave the playing area until such time as the bleeding is controlled and the wound is covered and dressed.

19. Matches will commence with a kick off from the center spot, opposing team waits outside centre circle; ball deemed in play once it has been touched; the kicker shall not touch ball before someone else touches it. All restarts of the game will also be by means of a kick off.

20. The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline; when the game has been stopped by a referee; when the ball hits the ceiling (restart: dropped ball beneath that point). Touchlines and goal lines are considered inside the playing area.

21. Direct free kick awarded when a player intentionally commits any of the following 11 offenses (penalty kick awarded when infringement takes place in penalty area):

a. Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
b. Tripping an opponent
c. Jumping at an opponent
d. Charging an opponent in a violent or dangerous manner
e. Charging an opponent from behind
f. Striking, attempting to strike at an opponent
g. Holding an opponent
h. Pushing an opponent
i. Charging an opponent with shoulder (i.e., shoulder charge)
j. Sliding at an opponent (i.e., sliding tackle)
k. Handling the ball (except goalkeeper)

22. Indirect free kick awarded when any of the following 8 offenses is committed (kick taken from the 6-meter line when infringement takes place in penalty area):

a. Dangerous play (e.g. attempting to kick ball held by goalkeeper)
b. Obstruction
c. Charging the goalkeeper in the penalty area (i.e., goalkeeper charge)
d. Goalkeeper throws ball directly over the halfway-line (without it first touching his own side of the pitch or any player)
e. Goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a back pass
f. Goalkeeper picks up or touches with his hands a kick-in from a teammate
g. Goalkeeper controls the ball with any part of his body for more than 4 seconds
h. A substituting player enters the pitch from an incorrect position or before the player he is substituting has entirely left the pitch.

23. Players shall be SIN BIN for a period of 2 minutes (i.e., shown yellow card) when:

a. He persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
b. He shows dissent with any decision of the referee
c. He is guilty of ungentlemanly conduct
These 3 yellow-card offenses are punishable by an indirect free kick taken from the point of infringement (or from the 6-meter line when the infringement takes place in penalty area).

24. Players shall be sent off (i.e., shown the red card) for:

a. Serious foul play
b. Violent conduct
c. Foul or abusive language
d. Second instance of cautionable offense (i.e., second yellow card)
e. Intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity
f. Intentionally impeding a clear goal opportunity in the penalty area by handling the ball
Direct free kicks (or penalty kicks) accompany the expulsion for (a), (b), (e) and (f); indirect free kicks, for (c) and (d) (from the 6-meter line when the infringement takes place in the penalty area).

25. Rules of Expulsion:

• The SIN BIN player must stay in the SIN BIN area next to official area for a minimum period of 2 minutes. The SIN BIN player cannot come until the ball is out of play and he has a referee’s consent. Any player "sin binned" twice in the same day will take no further part in the tournament’s day.

• The player sent off (shown a red card) is out for the rest of the game and is not even permitted to sit on the reserves' bench. Once sent off, a player may not take any further part in the tournament decision will be taken from the tournament organization.

26. Free Kick

• Types: Direct free kicks and indirect free kicks
• Wall: At least 5 meters away until the ball is in play
• Ball in Play: After it has traveled the distance of its own circumference
• Time Limit: Kick must be taken within 4 seconds
• Restriction: Kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player

27. Accumulated Fouls
Accumulated fouls refer only to all the fouls mentioned in Law 21, 22, 23 and 24. Once a team has accumulated 5 fouls during a half (those accumulated in the second half continue to accumulate into extra time), from the 6th foul:
• That team shall not be allowed a defensive wall
• All free kicks shall be direct (no indirect free kicks)
• Infringements committed within 12 meters of the goal line shall be punished with a direct free kick from the point of infringement; infringements committed from 12 meters or further from the goal line shall be punished with a direct free kick from the Second Penalty Spot
Procedure:
• Until the ball is kicked into play, all players other than the goalkeeper and kicker shall remain behind an imaginary line that is in line with the ball and parallel to the goal line.
• The goalkeeper shall remain in his penalty area at least 5 m away from the ball.
• The kicker must aim at the goal, with the intention of scoring.
• No other player may touch the ball until it has been touched by the pitch, rebounded from the goal post or crossbar, or has left the pitch.

28. Penalty Kick
• To be taken from the penalty mark on the mid-point of the 6-m-line.
• The kicker is to aim at goal, with the intention of scoring.
• All players must be out of the penalty area, and the players of the opposing team must also be at least 5 m from the penalty spot.
• The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

29. Kick-in
To be taken in place of the throw-in.

• The ball is placed on the touch line before kicking.
• The kicker's foot not kicking the ball must be outside or at least on the touchline; if it crosses the touchline all of the way, into the pitch, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
• The kick-in must be taken within 4 seconds; if it is not, the kick-in is given to the opposing team.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entail an indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
• Players on opposing team must be at least 5 m away from point of kick-in.
• Cannot score directly from a kick-in.

30. Goal Clearance
To be taken in place of goal kick.

• From inside the penalty area, the goalkeeper throws the ball into play.
• The ball is not in play until it has passed outside of the penalty area. If the goal clearance is received inside of the penalty area, the goal clearance shall be taken over.

31. Corner Kick

• Ball placed on the corner (no corner-kick arc). If ball is misplaced, the corner kick is taken over.
• Must be taken within 4 seconds; failure to do so entails indirect free kick to the opposing team from the corner mark.
• The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player; infringement of this rule entail an indirect free kick to the opposing from the point of infringement.
• Players on opposing team must be at least 5 m away from point of the corner kick.
• Can score goal directly from a corner kick.

32. All Teams will be required to complete a general Waiver Form with every player in the squad signing that they understand that the Organizer’s cannot be held responsible for injuries etc sustained as a result of participation in the Hanoi Futsal Tournament and associated events. In addition, all players under the age of 18 will be required to complete and sign an Under 18’s Waiver Form as they are competing in a senior level Futsal competition. Their Parents, Coach and or Captain will also be required to co-sign the Waiver. The FIFA guideline advises that 18 is the minimum age for participation in senior level games. However, the application of this guideline is at the discretion of the Union concerned and is related to the experience and capabilities of each player on a case-to-case basis. Be advised that the Vietnam Football Federation has set this safety requirement for ALL its sanctioned games, tournaments and leagues. The Organizers will accept no responsibility whatsoever for TEAMS AND PLAYERS WHO IGNORE THIS RULE.

33. The Rules of the Tournament, including their interpretation and any additional rules that may be required from time to time, are at the sole discretion of the Officials and Tournament Organizers of the Hanoi Futsal 2008, whose decision is final and binding.