1

The Tournament shall be known as the Northern Ireland Milk Cup International Youth Football Tournament.

2

The Tournament shall be organised by the Officers and Members of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup Committee and shall be known as the Organising Committee.

3

a

All players participating must be in one of the following age groups:

(1) Players born on or after 1 January 1991 – Elite Section

(2) Players born on or after 1 January 1993 – Premier Section

(3) Players born on or after 1 January 1995 - Junior Section

b

Each player must produce proof of date of birth at registration, either through birth certificate, passport or player registration card. All players must have photographic ID.  No player can take part in the Tournament until the Organising Committee has been satisfied of this requirement.

c

Each team will be limited to 18 players. Full details must be lodged with the Organising Committee not later than Sunday 25 July 2010 (Elite, Premier and Junior Sections).

d

Each team is requested to play in numbered strips and each player should use the same number throughout the Tournament. (18 is the maximum number of players a team may register to play in this tournament.)

e

Players and officials are not allowed to display messages promoting drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, betting or gambling on their playing or team kit, equipment (including kit bags, beverage containers or medical bags etc) or body during time spent in the stadiums, training grounds or any other areas where accreditation is required to enable access.

4

a

The Northern Ireland Milk Cup is an open Tournament and eligible teams may be either club teams or teams representing more than one club.  Teams shall be invited to apply for entry.

b

Northern Ireland entries in the Premier and Junior sections will be limited to six CountySelect teams in each section.

c

In order to qualify for a county team the player must satisfy one of the criteria referred to in each of the following paragraphs.

d

The player must play for a county in which his natural parents reside.  The parent’s address is to be confirmed by the production of an original utility bill or any other original document which in the opinion of the Organising Committee satisfied this requirement of residence.

e

In the event of a player whose parents reside at different addresses and live in different counties the player must nominate his county by selecting one of his parents as his qualification parent. That parent’s address must be confirmed by production of an original utility bill or any other original document which in the opinion of the Organising Committee satisfies and confirms this requirement of residence.  Once a player has selected his qualification parent that player is not permitted to change his selection at any time in the future unless that qualification parent is deceased or has permanently moved out of residence of the original county in which he/she resided and the Committee is satisfied that any change of residence is not temporary and in particular is not specifically undertaken so that the player can change his nomination of county at any time in the future.

f

In the event where a player’s mother and father are both deceased the player will use the address of his legal guardian or his own address or the address of the adult with whom he is permanently residing and that address must be confirmed by the production of an original utility bill or any other document which in the opinion of the Organising Committee satisfies and confirms this requirement of residence.  In the event of a player’s legal guardians or adult with whom he resides not continuing to live with each other and moving to different addresses then the player shall be permitted to nominate one of those adult or guardians as a qualification adult and in that case again the qualification adult’s address must be confirmed by the production of an original utility bill or any other original document which in the opinion of the Organising Committee confirms the requirement for residence.

g

The parent of the player or the qualification parent or the qualification adult must be resident in the county for which the player wants to play from the 1^st day of May in the year in which the player wishes to play in the competition of the Milk Cup.

h

If the player is legally adopted or is being fostered then the rules above shall apply in the same manner to the adults who are adopting or fostering the player concerned.

i

Any matters of dispute relating to issues of residence within the county and any issues of dispute regarding county boundaries shall be resolved by the central Milk Cup Organising Committee which shall be entitled to use all available evidence including Ordnance Survey maps in reaching their decisions as to whether a player can play for any particular county.  The decision of the Organising Committee shall be made at their sole discretion and any decision reached shall be final and binding between all the parties concerned.  For the sake of clarification post codes are not evidence of county boundaries and will not be used for this purpose.

j

Players resident in Northern Ireland may only play for their respective County Select team in the Premier and Junior sections; the only exception being a player from Northern Ireland if:

1) They have attained the age of 16 years at the date of the tournament, and

2) They have given a full-time contractual commitment to that team, and

3) They have obtained the necessary International Clearance Certificate.

k

In the Elite section for National teams, Northern Ireland players cannot be registered or play for any other country in this Tournament.

l

The Organising Committee shall have power to accept or reject any application for entry into this Tournament.

m

By entering the Tournament, teams undertake to accept the arrangements and decisions made by the Organising Committee.

5

All teams taking part in this Tournament must have received the permission of their own Association or League and National Association concerned. Teams must submit written proof that permission has been granted by their National Association. It is the aim of the Organising Committee that all participating teams should have a Child Protection Policy in place.

6

a

The Tournament entry fee is as detailed in the Tournament Brochure and Entry Form.

b

The cost of accommodation, meals and transport within Northern Ireland to be paid in two (2) instalments on 30 April 2010 and 30 June 2010, in accordance with the Tournament entry form.

7

a

THE MILK CUP ‘ELITE’ SECTION (Players born on or after 1 January 1991)

There are six teams taking part in the Elite Section.

b

Each team will play two (2) qualifying games – one on Monday and one on Wednesday.

c

On the basis of points gained in the qualifying matches, the top two teams will proceed to the final on Friday. If the teams for this match cannot be determined solely by points, then a sequence of goal difference and goals for shall be adopted to separate teams. If this is unsuccessful then the Committee shall arrange a penalty competition on Thursday.

The four remaining teams shall be placed third to sixth, using the same sequence of points, goal difference and goals for.  However if this is unsuccessful, either wholly or partially, then any equal teams shall be placed by the drawing of a lot or lots as necessary.  The teams placed third and fourth will play for 3^rd/4^th places on Friday afternoon (Match 1).  The teams placed fifth and sixth will play for 5^th/6^th places on Friday morning (Match 2).  This rule will be used provided none of these teams have met earlier in the competition. Rule 7f will also apply.

d

If any of the teams placed 3 to 6 in 7c have met earlier in the competition then these four teams will play a third game on Friday determined by the sequence set out below. Sequence 2 will only be adopted if it transpires teams have met in sequence 1. The points, goals etc gained in the first two games will be carried forward, with the third game’s points, goals etc being added to determine the final finishing places.  If the placing cannot be determined by the sequence of points, goal difference and goals for, then any equal teams will be declared as jointly placed.

Sequence 1:

Sequence 2:

Match 1: 3^rd placed v 6^th placed ; Match 2: 4^th placed v 5^th placed

Match 1: 3^rd placed v 5^th placed ; Match 2: 4^th placed v 6^th placed

e

Three (3) points for a win and one (1) point for a draw in all Elite Qualifying games and Elite third to sixth place games ( if using Rule 7(d))

f

In the Elite Final and the Elite third to sixth place games (if using Rule 7(c), should scores be level at full-time, the ties shall be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the conditions approved by the International F.A. Board.

8

THE ‘PREMIER’ SECTION (Players born on or after 1 January 1993)

and

THE ‘JUNIOR’ SECTION (Players born on or after 1 January 1995)

Qualifying Competition – Premier and Junior Sections

Each team will play two (2) qualifying games – one on Monday and one on Tuesday.  Three (3) points for a win and one (1) point for a draw in all Qualifying games.

9

On the basis of points gained in the qualifying matches, teams placed 1 to 4 in Group A and Group B, inclusive shall qualify for the knock-out Quarter-Final stages of the Milk Cup in both Premier and Junior Sections; teams placed 5 to 8 in Group A and Group B, inclusive shall qualify for the knock-out stages of the  Slemish Trophy in both Premier and Junior Sections; and teams placed 9 to 12, inclusive in both the Premier and Junior Section shall qualify for the knock-out stages of the Dunluce Trophy. (If the groups of four teams cannot be determined solely by points, then a sequence of goal difference and goals for shall be adopted to separate teams. If this is unsuccessful, then ‘best result’ for each shall be adopted, using initially goal difference and if this fails then goals for. If teams still cannot be separated, the Committee shall adopt a further points systems with respect to these teams of:

                                    2 points for winning a half

1 point for drawing a half

plus a further 2 points for an overall victory and 1 point for an overall draw.  In the event that teams still cannot be separated, the team position shall be drawn by lot.

10

Quarter-Finals – Premier and Junior Sections

The Quarter-Finals of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, the Slemish Trophy and the Dunluce Trophy, shall be drawn by lot, after ensuring that teams which have already played each other in a group Qualifying game are kept apart.

The draws shall take place at the Tournament Headquarters on Tuesday 27th July 2010 at 6.00 p.m. (Junior Section) and 9.15 p.m. (Premier Section).

11

Place Games – Premier and Junior Sections

In the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, the Slemish Trophy and the Dunluce Trophy, place games will be played to determine 3^rd to 8^th places. Teams are obliged to fulfil these fixtures in accordance with the Tournament rules.

3^rd and 4^th place game will be between the two losing Semi-Finalists.

5^th to 8^th place games will be between the four losing Quarter-Finalists:

Loser of Quarter-Final No. 1 v. Loser of Quarter-Final No. 2

Loser of Quarter-Final No. 3 v. Loser of Quarter-Final No. 4

5^th and 6^th place game will be between the winners of the 5^th to 8^th place games, and

7^th and 8^th place game will be between the losers of the 5^th to 8^th place games above.

Semi-Finals – Premier and Junior Sections

In the Semi-Finals of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, the Slemish Trophy and the Dunluce Trophy, the fixtures will be as follows:

Semi-Final 1 – Winner of Quarter-Final No. 1 v Winner of Quarter-Final No. 2

Semi-Final 2 – Winner of Quarter-Final No. 3 v. Winner of Quarter-Final No. 4

Finals

The two winners of the Semi-Finals shall qualify for the Final.

12

If any of the matches in the Knock-Out Stages, place matches or Finals, of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, Slemish Trophy and the Dunluce Trophy competitions ends in a draw, the winner shall be determined by the taking of penalty kicks at the end of the match in accordance with the conditions approved by the International F.A. Board.

13

a

The duration of matches shall be as follows:

Players born on or after 1 January 1991 (Elite)

i.

All matches

45 minutes each half (90 minutes)

(Half-time interval – 15 minutes)

Players born on or after 1 January 1993 (Premier)

ii.

iii.

iv.

Group matches

Knock-out stages including Final

Place matches in Cup and Trophies

35 minutes each half (70 minutes)

35 minutes each half (70 minutes)

35 minutes each half (60 minutes)

(Half-time interval – 10 minutes)

Players born on or after 1 January 1995 (Junior)

v.

vi.

vii.

Group matches

Knock-out stages including Final

Place matches in Cup and Trophies

30 minutes each half (60 minutes)

30 minutes each half (60 minutes)

30 minutes each half (50 minutes)

(Half-time interval – 10 minutes)

b

A size 5 leather ball will be provided by the Organising Committee.

c

Five (5) substitutes may be used at any stage of the match.

d

All teams must be at the relevant pitch 30 minutes before kick-off.

e

All Tournament matches will be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as laid down by the International Football Association Board.

14

Referees and Assistant Referees, who must be in membership of a recognised Refereeing Association, shall be appointed by the Organising Committee.

15

If the team colours may lead to confusion, one team, determined by the toss of a coin, shall change.

16

The Tournament will be held in the Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymoney and Ballymena areas from Monday 26th. July to Friday 30th. July 2010.

17

a

If a player is sent off the field by the Referee he shall be automatically suspended from taking part in his team’s next match in the tournament.

b

If the offence is a serious one, his case shall be considered by the Organising Committee who shall be entitled to impose a more severe punishment.

c

The same player being sent off twice, shall automatically be suspended from the remainder of the Tournament.

d

If a player receives two cautions in different matches he shall be automatically suspended from taking part in his team’s next match in the Tournament.

e

Any player who holds one caution (yellow card) at the conclusion of the Milk Cup Qualifying matches will have that caution expunged. Any player who holds two cautions (yellow cards) at the conclusion of the Milk Cup Qualifying matches will be suspended from taking part in his team’s next match, i.e. the first match of the Knock-out Competitions.

f

Referees shall report cautions and sending-off offences to the Organising Committee who shall inform the Irish Football Association who will report to the National Association or Associations concerned.

18

Any protest must be made not later than two (2) hours after the match concerned, in writing, to the Organising Committee and be accompanied by a deposit of £20 sterling. Deposits will only be refunded if the protest is upheld by the Organising Committee. The Committee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. If the conditions of this rule are not complied with, the protest will not be competent.

19

A team list, on the Tournament form provided, must be completed and handed to the Referee before the commencement of each match.

20

The winners and runners-up in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, SlemishTrophy and Dunluce Trophy Competitions shall receive trophies together with 22 medals or mementoes.

21

Teams are advised to have adequate insurance cover in respect of participation at this Tournament.

22

Participating clubs and associations shall be responsible for:-

a

The behaviour of the members of its delegation (officials and players) and of any person carrying out duties on its behalf throughout the competition for the whole duration of their stay in Northern Ireland.

b

Concluding compulsory health, accident and travel insurance cover for all the members of its delegation.

c

Paying for incidental expenses incurred by delegation members during the course of their stay in Northern Ireland and for any costs incurred by additional members of the delegation. In respect of teams staying at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, a refundable deposit of £100 sterling will be required on arrival to cover the cost of any lost keys.

d

Paying for any costs of extending their stay.

23

Any question of interpretation or any other matter not specifically covered by these rules will be determined by the Organising Committee.