Athens of the South 2026 8v8 Rules

Fair Play Code of Conduct

This competition is conducted with the express goal of bridging Nashville’s racial, socio-economic, and political divides through futbol.  As such, each participant agrees to the following fair play standards.

All participants agree to:

• Participate faithfully in pre-match dialogue

• Respect referees, opponents, and tournament staff

• Maintain sporting behavior at all times

• Accept decisions with dignity

• Refrain from use of alcohol or drugs during tournament hours

• Understand and comply with modified yellow card suspension rules

• Violation may result in ejection from tournament without refund

• Shake hands post match

Tournament Information

This tournament is conducted under FIFA Laws of the Game with specific modifications for 8v8 format and disciplinary procedures outlined below.

1. Eligibility and Registration

Player Eligibility:

• All players must be 18 years of age or older

• Each player may only register with one team for the duration of the tournament

• Players must present valid photo identification at registration

• All participants must sign liability waivers prior to participation

Team Registration:

• Teams must register a minimum of 8 players and maximum of 15 players

• Registration deadline is 7 days prior to tournament start

• A non-refundable registration fee must be paid at time of registration

• Team rosters are locked after the first match; no additions permitted

2. Match Format

Game Duration:

• Group stage matches: Two 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime

• Knockout stage matches: Two 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime

• Extra time (if applicable): Two 5-minute halves

• Penalty shootout follows if scores remain level after extra time

Substitutions:

• Rolling substitutions permitted (players may re-enter)

• Substitutions must be made at the halfway line during a stoppage in play at referee’s discretion

• Substitutes must receive referee approval before entering

• Suspended players returning from yellow card suspension may re-enter during the run of play upon completion of suspension with permission of referee

3. Tournament Structure

Group Stage:

• Round-robin format (each team plays all others in group)

• Top 2 teams from each group advance to knockout stage

Points System:

• Win: 3 points

• Draw: 1 point

• Loss: 0 points

Tiebreakers (in order):

1. Head-to-head result

2. Goal difference

3. Goals scored

4. Fair Play (fewer yellow and red cards)

5. Shoot out

Knockout Stage:

• Single elimination

• Extra time and penalty shootouts if necessary

4. Playing Regulations

Field Dimensions:

• 70-80 yards × 45-55 yards

• Goals: 6.5 feet high × 18 feet wide

• Penalty area: 30 yards × 18 yards

• Penalty spot: 10 yards from goal line

Team Size:

• 8 players per side (including goalkeeper)

• Minimum 5 players required to start/continue match

Equipment:

• Teams must have matching numbered jerseys (home and alternate colors)

• Shin guards are mandatory

• Metal cleats are prohibited; molded or turf cleats only

• Jewelry must be removed or taped if unable to remove

• Goalkeepers must wear colors distinguishable from field players and officials

Ball Specifications:

• Size 5 ball meeting FIFA quality standards

• Tournament will provide match balls

• Referee will halt play until a member of the team that kicked the ball over the fence has been designated and begun to retrieve the ball.

5. Disciplinary Procedures - MODIFIED RULES

Slide Tackle Rule - AUTOMATIC YELLOW CARD

All slide tackle fouls result in an automatic yellow card, including but not limited to:

• Any slide tackle that makes contact with an opponent before the ball

• Any slide tackle deemed from behind, reckless, or using excessive force

• Any slide tackle that endangers the safety of an opponent

Clean Slide Tackles:

• Slide tackles that cleanly win the ball without first contacting the opponent and are not reckless are permitted and will not receive a yellow card

• The referee has sole discretion to determine if a slide tackle was clean or constitutes a foul

Yellow Card Suspension System

Automatic 5-Minute Suspension:

• Any player receiving a yellow card must immediately leave the field

• The suspended player serves a 5-minute suspension timed from the moment play restarts after the card is issued

• The team must play with one fewer player (down to 7v8) during the suspension period

• The suspended player must remain in the designated substitution/bench area during suspension

• A tournament official or referee will track the suspension time

Early Return - Goal Against Rule:

• If the suspended player's team concedes a goal during the 5-minute suspension period, the suspension ends immediately

• The player may return to the field at the kickoff after the goal is scored

• The team returns to full strength (8v8)

• If multiple players are suspended simultaneously and a goal is scored against their team, the longest suspended player returns first, while the second or third suspended player continue their suspensions.

Multiple Simultaneous Suspensions:

• If a team receives multiple yellow cards while already serving a suspension, each suspension is tracked separately

• Teams may play down multiple players simultaneously (e.g., 5v8 if three players are suspended)

• Each suspended player's time is tracked individually

• A goal against terminates ONE suspension at a time

Second Yellow Card (Red Card):

• If a player receives a second yellow card in the same match (while already having served one 5-minute suspension), they are shown a red card and ejected permanently from the match

• The team must play down a player for the remainder of the match (no substitution allowed for red card)

• Suspensions for following games will be reviewed on a per case basis by Futbol Fellowship officials

Red Cards

Immediate Ejection:

• Direct Red card offenses result in immediate ejection from the current match

• Team plays down a player for the remainder of the match (no substitution allowed for red card)

• Minimum one-match suspension for subsequent tournament matches

• Futbol Fellowship officials review all direct red cards and may extend suspensions

Red Card Offenses Include:

• Serious foul play

• Violent conduct

• Spitting at an opponent or any other person

• Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with a handball or foul

• Using offensive, insulting, or abusive language/gestures

• Receiving a second yellow card in the same match

Serious Misconduct

• Fighting, violent conduct, or abusive language toward officials may result in tournament expulsion

• Teams are responsible for spectator conduct

• Repeated disciplinary issues by a team may result in team forfeiture or expulsion

6. Match Officials

• Each match will have one center referee

• Assistant referees will be assigned to final matches

• Referee decisions are final, including determination of yellow card suspension times and early releases

• Video review is not available

7. Weather and Cancellations

• Lightning: Play suspended immediately; 30-minute wait before resumption (suspension times pause during weather delays)

• Heavy rain: Referee determines playability

• Canceled matches will be rescheduled when possible

• If rescheduling is impossible, the tournament committee will determine advancement

9. No Offside Rule

• There will be no offside in Athens of the South Play

10. Miscellaneous

• The tournament director reserves the right to modify rules if necessary for player safety or fair competition

• FIFA Laws of the Game apply to all situations not specifically covered in these rules

• All teams will receive a copy of these rules upon registration and must acknowledge understanding of the modified yellow card and slide tackle rules

Emergency Contact: Tournament medical staff will be on-site for all matches. Emergency services: 911

Summary of Key Modified Rules

1. Yellow Card = 5-Minute Suspension: Player leaves field, team plays down a player

2. Goal Against = Early Release: For each goal scored against the suspended player's team, the longest served suspension ends

3. All Slide Tackle Fouls = Automatic Yellow Card: Clean tackles allowed; any foul from a slide tackle results in automatic yellow card and 5-minute suspension

By participating, all players and teams acknowledge they have read, understood, and agree to abide by these tournament rules, including the modified disciplinary procedures.