The regulations for 2025 are under progress!
§ 1. Rules
The tournament is being played according to the Swedish Football Association's rules and regulations with the following additions and exceptions. Please note that we are using the new regulations from the Swedish Football Association with no winners in age groups B8, B9, B10, B11F, B12F, G8, G9, G10, G11F, G12F. Age groups B11T, G12T, B11T, G12T is being played with playoffs.
B13 and G13 play 9-a-side on 7-a-side goals. B 14 och G 14 play 9-a-side on 11-a-side-goals.
§ 2. Age groups
Boys: B8, B9, B10, B11T (playoffs), B11F (no playoffs), B12T (playoffs), B12F (no playoffs), B13, B14, B15, B16
Girls: G8, G9, G10, G11T (playoffs), G11F (no playoffs), G12T (playoffs), G12F (no playoffs), G13, G14, G15/16, G17/18
Parasport Trophy
Senior class mixed
§ 3. Number of players
11-a-side: 10 players + goalkeeper, unlimited number of substitutes
9-a-side: 8 players + goalkeeper, unlimited number of substitutes
7-a-side: 6 players + goalkeeper, unlimited number of substitutes
5-a-side: 4 players + goalkeeper, unlimited number of substitutes
In age groups 8-12 years: all players who are present and available at the time of the match must play.
§ 4. Representation
Players are not allowed to participate in more than one team in the same age group, but exceptions can be made in age groups B8, B9, B10, B11F, B12F, G8, G9, G10, G11F, G12F. However, it is OK for players to represent more than one team if this is in a different age group. If so, the player must be mentioned in the list of participants for each team. Girls may play in both girls’ classes and boys’ classes.
§ 5. Combined teams
5.1 Combined teams approved by the home districts and those who have been approved by Umeå Fotbollsfestival are allowed to play in Umeå Fotbollsfestival. All players must be able to show identification.
5.2 In cases where foreign teams applies the rule of 1st of August (US and UK), the organizer has the right to decide which class the teams should belong according to the decision of the Football Association of Västerbotten.
§ 6. Exemptions
6.1 For the classes playing 11-a-side two general exemptions are being given for two players per match, as long as they are not more than one year older.
6.2 For the classes playing 7-a-side a general exemption are being given for one players per match, as long as the player is not more than one year older.
6.3 There are no limit in the number of exemptions a team can have as long as the rules above are followed. If a team does not follow these rules the match in question will be considered a 0-3 loss for the team.
6.4 11-a-side teams which have more than two (2) overaged players in their team, and 7-a-side teams with more than one (1) overaged player, need to hand in a line-up before every game marking the overaged players playing the match. These are given to the responsible for the playing field.
6.5 Particular circumstances could lead to exemptions being made by the competition management for players more than one year older.Each case will be looked into individually.
§ 7. Match length
11-a-side: 2 x 20 minutes in group stages and play offs. 2 x 25 minutes in A- and B-finals.
9-a-side: 2 x 20 minutes in group play and playoffs. 2 x 25 minutes in A- and B-finals.
7-a-side: 2 x 15 minutes (no tables and no playoffs in B10, B11F, B12F, G10, G11F, G12F).
5-a-side: 2 x 15 minutes (no tables and no play offs in B8-8 and G8-9).
§ 8. Table
3 points for victory, 1 point for draw and 0 points for loss. If multiple teams have the same amount of points they are separated through the following rules: 1) Goal difference. 2) Goals scored 3) Head-to-head. 4) Coin toss.
§ 9. Play-off matches
Age groups B11T, B12T, B13, B14, B15, B16, G11T, G12T, G13, G14, G15/16, G17/18 , Senior class, Parasport Trophy:
If a playoff match ends in a draw the winner will be concluded through penalties. Five penalties per team. If needed, sudden death penalties are used. Different penalty takers until everyone has taken one penalty. Before the penalty shootout potential differenties in the number of players must be solved. The same number of players must be used in both teams.
Every participant, including substitutes, of the match are allowed to take penalties. Before and during the penalty shoot-out the teams are allowed to substitute the goalkeeper.
§ 10. Offside
Only in 11-a-side and 9-a-side.
§ 11A. General rules in 5-a-side
Goal kick: The goalkeeper starts the game by rolling out the ball orpassning it through the grass. No kicks or launchers are allowed. After a dead ball, the ball must leave the penalty area before the ball is considered to be in play.
Passing the own goalkeeper:The goalkeeper is allowed to pick up passes from the own team with his/her hands.
When the ball leaves the pitch: In 5-a-side there is no throw-in, insted the ball is laid on the sideline and played after the grass. A player is also allowed to operate the ball and dribble.
Retreat Rule: The defending team returns back to their own half, so the opponents can start the game.
Corners: From the corner flag.
Scoring oppertunity expulsion: Not applicable in 5-a-side.
Offside: Not applicable in 5-a-side.
In age groups B8-B9 and G8-G9 the teams are divided into bigger groups with every team playing 6 matches. The results are noted but no tables are calculated and there is no play-off.
§ 11 B. General rules in 7-a-side
Goal kick: The goalkeeper starts the game by throwing or passning the ball along the grass. After a dead ball, the ball must leave the penalty area before the ball is considered to be in play. However, the ball must not pass the center line without first touching a fellow or opponent or the ball bouncing on its own half. If the ball reaches the center line without bouncing or touching any player, a free kick will be awarded to the opponents.
Throw in: If a player fails in a technically incorrect way, the same player will be given the opportunity to re-enter after the referee issued a shorter instruction.
Corner: From the corner flag.
Passing the own goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is only allowed to use his/her feet when taking care of a pass from the own team.
Scoring oppertunity expulsion: Not applicable in 7-a-side.
Offside: Not applicable in 7-a-side.
In age groups B10, B11F, B12F, G10, G11F, G12F the teams are divided into larger groups and all teams are guaranteed six matches. The results are noted, but there are no tables and there is no playoff. B11T, B12T, G11T, G12T are played with playoffs according to § 9.
§ 12. Walk Over
Team that have not noficied any delay to the tournament oganizers and not shown up 5 minutes after the game was supposed to be played loses the match. Opponents are awarded 3 points and 3-0. Should both teams fail to show up, both teams will be declared loser by 0-3 and no points will be awarded. Teams leaving Walk Over without exceptionally strong reasons are charged a penalty of 500 SEK /match.
§ 13. Protests
Protests are submitted in writing to the competition at the festival office at the Nydala playingfield no later than 60 minutes after the match has been played. A protest fee of SEK 500 will be paid in connection with the submission of the protest. The fee will be refunded if the protest is approved. Note that according to FIFA Rule 5, it is not possible to protest against judges decision in facts relating to the match.
§ 14. Warnings
Warnings do not accumulate.
§ 15. Expulsion
Dismissed players will automatically be deactivated in the team's next match of the same age class unless the competition jury decides on extended suspension. Two yellow cards in the same game does not lead to suspension in the next game. Responsible leader contact the competition jury for info.
NOTE! Players participating in a match where he/she is suspended is considered unauthorized and the team loses the match by 0-3.
§ 16. Competition Jury
Consists of representatives from the organizers' association and Södra Västerbotten Domarklubb. Their decisions can not be appealed.
§ 17. Equipment
Shin pads are obligatory. Rings, earrings, necklaces and watches should be removed before gaming is allowed.
§ 18. Dressing rooms
Dressing and shower must be done at schools and at home.
§ 19. Balls and sizes
The organizer only provides match balls.
Ball size 3 in B8, B9, G8, G9
Ball size 4 in B10, B11, B12, B13, G10, G11, G12, G13
Ball size 5 in B14, B15, B16, G14, G15, G17, Senior class, and Parasport Trophy.
§ 20. Awards
Medals for the three top teams of the A-finals and the winner of the B-playoffs. A cup trophy to the final teams in A-playoffs. Medals to classes B8, B9, B10, B11F, B12F, G8, G9, G10, G11F, G12F.
§ 21. Award ceremony
Award ceremony takes place immediately after the match ends. Some waiting times may occur when multiple finals are played at the same time.
§ 22. Insurance and liability
The leaders in each team are responsible for ensuring that all participants are insured both on and off the field. Umeå Football Festival has no collective insurance covering damages, illnesses, theft or damage.
Umeå Football Festival is not responsible for reimbursement for financial loss or damages that may occur due to a pandemic, war, war-like events, civil war, revolution or due to official action, strike, lockout, blockade or similar event. In the event of unfriendly weather or other unforeseen event that causes the tournament to not be completed, no fees will be refunded.
NOTE! In order to ensure the correct match results for all matches, a responsible leader from each team immediately after the match finishes will check the card and approve the result by signing this.