Rules

1. Tournament Format
Teams will compete in group stages on Saturday 2nd March and knockout/championship matches on Sunday 3rd March. Tournament formats vary by age group. Please check your schedule at www.klcup.com or on the official Kuala Lumpur Cup app, available on iOS and Android

2. Draw for Groups
The Tournament Committee will conduct a draw for all age-groups at a date not less than 7 days before the event. A fixture list will then be circulated to all participating teams and published on the official tournament app.

3. Players
3.1 Age Cut-Offs
All players must abide strictly to the age categories as listed below. Female players may apply for a dispensation to play 1 year below.

Player Eligibility:

  • Under 6: Born January 1st 2018 and later
  • Under 7: Born January 1st 2017 and later
  • Under 8: Born January 1st 2016 and later
  • Under 9: Born January 1st 2015 and later
  • Under 10: Born January 1st 2014 and later
  • Under 11: Born January 1st 2013 and later
  • Under 12: Born January 1st 2012 and later
  • Under 14: Born January 1st 2010 and later
  • Under 16: Born January 1st 2008 and later
  • Under 18: Born January 1st 2006 and later

3.2 Player Registration
All players must be registered via the Coaches Dashboard on the KL Cup app before kick off.

Players may play for 1 team only.

On event day, teams are required to report to the admin tent with their whole team no later than 30 minutes before the start of their first match to verify their players.

All players are required to produce their original IC or Passport document when registering on day 1 of the tournament.

Players under the age of 12 with no photo ID may present their original birth certificate as a replacement. All players above the age of 12 must have a valid photo ID displaying their IC or passport number.

After verification by the KL Cup admin team, players will receive a wristband which they must wear for the duration of the tournament. If a player loses their wristband or takes it off they must re-register and pay a replacement fee of RM10 for a new wristband. Any player that does not have a wristband will not be allowed onto the field of play.

All teams are required to have team kits with player numbers on the back of the jerseys.

4. Match Formats and Rules
Please check the table below for the KL Cup match formats and general rules for each age group.

  U7 U8, U9, U10, U11,  U12 & G12 U14, U16,  & U18 G18
Playing format 5 vs 5 7 vs 7 7 vs 7 7 vs 7
Minimum number of players 3 5 5 5
Maximum squad size 10 12 12 12
Ball size 4 4 5 5
Match duration 1 x 16 mins 1 x 16 mins 1 x 16 mins 1 x 22 mins
Offside rule Not applicable
Throw ins Throw in Throw in Throw in Throw in
Shots from kick off No direct shots from kick off*
Backpass rule Applicable Applicable Applicable Applicable
Substitutions Rolling substitutions

*Teams cannot score directly from kick offs (or goal kicks, or from kick-ins in the U6). The ball must be touched by another player from the same team before a goal is scored

5. Pitch and Footwear
Playing area is an artificial turf pitch. Players may wear plastic-studded soccer shoes (metal-studded soccer boots are not allowed). Players must wear shin-guards throughout the course of the tournament.

6. Balls
Age groups U7–U12 will use size 4 footballs. The U14–U18 age groups will use size 5 footballs.

7. Match Times
The matches will be 16 minutes long with no break in between, except for the G18 age group whose matches will be 22 minutes long with no break in between.

8. Red and Yellow Cards
Players shown a red card are sent off immediately and banned from play for one full match. Yellow cards will not be carried through the tournament.

9. Offside
The offside rule will not be used in this tournament.

10. Scoring from kick-off & goal kicks
For all age groups, teams cannot score directly from kick offs or goal kicks. The ball must be touched by another player from the same team before a goal is scored.

11. Substitutions
The substitute must wait for the player to leave the pitch before entering

When substituting, the team must notify the referee when the ball is out-of-bounds for the substitution to happen

Substituted players shall be allowed to re-enter during the same match (rolling substitutions)

12. Time Allowance
A maximum of two (2) minutes allowance shall be allowed after the starting whistle by the referee, failing which a walkover may be awarded to the opponents with full points and a registered score of 3-0.

13. Points System
Win: 3 points
Draw: 1 point
Loss: 0 points

14. Teams tied in group stages
In the case that 2 teams are tied at the end of the Group stages, placing will be determined by the following order, in order:

  1. Best goal difference
  2. Highest goals for
  3. Lowest goals against
  4. Winner of head to head match
  5. Sudden death penalty shootout

15. Teams tied in Knockout stages
In the event of a tie in the Knockout Stages, matches will move directly to a sudden death penalty shootout. A winner will be decided when 1 team scores and the other fails to score in the same round.

Note: Only players on the pitch at the end of ordinary time may take a penalty.

16. Conduct
Coaches, team managers & supporters shall not question the referee’s decision. The use of foul language and/or aggressive behaviour could lead to a team being removed from the tournament.

All teams are reminded that this is a youth tournament and that positive support is strongly encouraged. Please take a moment to read our stance on Parent Conduct here.

17. Player Wristbands
Only players with a Kuala Lumpur Cup wristband will be allowed to enter the field of play. Wristbands should be collected from the registration tent on Day 1 of the tournament and must be kept on for the duration of the weekend. If a player loses or removes their wristband they must re-register at the admin tent with their original IC or passport.

18. Team Official Passes
Only coaches/team staff with a Kuala Lumpur Cup lanyard and Team Official Pass will be allowed onto the fields. Each team will receive 2 passes. Please display your Coach Pass clearly at all times when on the field. Individuals without a valid Coach Pass or Player Wristband may not enter the field. No exceptions

19. Act of God
If the field becomes unsuitable for play due to heavy rain, lightning or for any other reasons, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on the event or change the format of the event.

20. Bad Weather Protocol
In the event that lightning or bad weather causes a stop in play, a match result will stand if more than 10 minutes of that match has been played. If less than 10 minutes of a match has been played at the time of the stoppage, the remainder of the match will be played once conditions are deemed safe by the organiser.

In the case of severe weather, the organiser reserves the right to amend the schedule and formats in order to complete the tournament according to our principles of safety.

21. Insurance and Risk
A medical team will be on site at both locations to aid injuries, however players must have their own medical insurance. The tournament organisers are not liable for any death, disability, personal injury, loss of property or any other loss howsoever arising from any cause whatsoever at any time during the course of this tournament.

The organising team will take all reasonable precaution, but each player is responsible for his or her personal health and safety upon agreement to participate in this tournament.

22. Jurisdiction
In the event of a protest or dispute, the Tournament Committee shall have sole jurisdiction in settling the matter.