Salaam Cup 2025 – Rules & Format
🏆 Tournament Format
Group Stage: One group per age category
- Each team plays at least 5 matches
Game Duration:
- U6 & U7: 10 minutes per game
- U8–U14: 12 minutes per game
Top 4 teams in the group will advance to the semi-final knockout round
⚖️ If teams finish on equal points, ranking will be decided by:
1. Total points
2. Goal difference
3. Goals scored (Goals For)
4. Head-to-head result
5. Coin toss
⚽ General Rules (All Age Groups)
Respect: All players, coaches, and spectators must behave respectfully. Abuse toward referees, players, or others will not be tolerated. Referee decisions are final.
Footwear & Player Equipment: Shin pads must be worn. No metal studs. Goalkeepers must wear a different coloured kit.
Substitutions: Roll-on/roll-off on a dead ball, referee must be notified before the change is made. Players may return after being subbed off.
Restarts & Set Pieces:
- Kick-offs can be taken in any direction.
- No throw-ins. Restarts from sidelines are kick-ins only (see age group rules).
- All free kicks are direct.
- Opponents must be at least 5 yards (or 3 meters for U6–U10) away from the ball on all restarts.
- Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-offs or kick-ins.
Goalkeepers:
- Can handle the ball only inside their penalty area.
- Back-pass rule applies for U11-U14
- On goal kicks (U6–U10), opponents must retreat to the halfway line.
Fouls:
- Slide tackles are allowed.
- No deliberate handball (except by the goalkeeper in their area).
- No Offside Rule
5-a-side: U6, U7, U8
- Players on Pitch: 5 (including goalkeeper)
- Sideline Restarts: Pass or dribble-in
- Retreat Line: Opponents retreat to halfway during goal kicks
- Heading: Not allowed intentionally – indirect free kick if it occurs
7-a-side: U9, U10
- Players on Pitch: 7 (including goalkeeper)
- Sideline Restarts: Kick-in
- Heading: Allowed
- Retreat Line: Opponents retreat to halfway during goal kicks
9-a-side: U11 – U14
- Players on Pitch: 9 (including goalkeeper)
- Sideline Restarts: Kick-in
- Heading: Allowed
🏆 Knockout Matches
If Drawn After Full Time:
- All age groups: 3 penalties per team
- If still tied: Sudden death penalties
- Only players on the pitch at full time may take part
🚨 Disciplinary Rules
- Red Card: Player is suspended for the remainder of the current match plus the next match
- Serious Offences (e.g., violent conduct, abusive language): May result in suspension for the rest of the tournament
- Players may only play for one team in the tournament