1. General Information

a) The competition will feature two groups, each containing four teams.

b) The tournament format will follow a round-robin structure within each group, with all teams advancing to a finals series.

c) The top two teams from each group will progress to the Cup Semi Finals, while the bottom two teams from each group will enter the Plate Semi Finals.

d) Group rankings will be based on the total number of points accumulated during the round-robin matches.

e) If teams are level on points at the conclusion of the group stage, the following tiebreakers will be applied in order:

I. Superior goal difference across all group matches

II. Head-to-head result between the tied teams

III. Greater number of goals scored during group matches

IV. Fewer goals conceded across group matches

f) Every team is guaranteed a minimum of four (4) matches over the two-day tournament.

g) These rules pertain exclusively to the Macron Cup and fall under the authority of the Tournament Manager.

h) In the event of severe weather or any unexpected disruption to the schedule, the Tournament Manager will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include alterations to match duration, kick-off times, or drink breaks.

i) Any issue not specifically addressed within these regulations will be resolved at the sole discretion of the Tournament Manager, whose decision is final.

2. Player Eligibility & Registration Requirements

a) All players must be registered with the club they are representing for the 2026 season.

b) Each team may list up to the maximum 14 players for JDL age groups and 18 players for the Youth League age groups.

c) Players may ONLY participate in the age group in which they are officially registered with Macron Cup administration at the start of the tournament.

d) Players can only play for one age group in the tournament regardless if they are age eligible to play up or down.

d) Official team lists must be submitted to the Competition organiser one week prior to the commencement of the tournament.

3. PLAY FOOTBALL TEAM IDs

a) A printed copy of your team’s Play Football player list must be available and on hand at all times throughout the tournament.

4. TEAM SHEETS

a) All teams are required to fill in and provide their team lists on the official MACRON CUP team sheet template 7 days prior to the commencement of this competition.

b) The submitted MACRON CUP team sheet will serve as the official roster for the entire event and does not need to be resubmitted.

c) Each player must retain the same shirt number throughout the tournament, matching the number listed on the team sheet.

d) Any alteration to a player’s shirt number must be reported to the Venue Manager before the match.

Tournament Rules 2026 Macron Cup

7. PLAYING TIMES

a) The following is the match duration per age group:

b) The referee will be responsible for keeping and managing all official match time.

c) The half-time interval will be five (5) minutes, measured from whistle to whistle.

d) No additional time will be added for stoppages or injuries in any fixture.

f) Finals Format

i. In both the Semi Final and Grand Final, if scores remain level at the end of regular time,

the match will proceed to extra time under a “Golden Goal” format, consisting of ONE period of five (5) minutes.

ii. If neither team scores during extra time, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout where each team will have 3 shooters only, until Sudden Death is invoked.

8. Playing Strip

ALL TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING BOTH THEIR HOME AND AWAY KIT

a) All teams are to wear their Designated Home Kit unless advised by the competition organiser.

If the competition organiser determines that the team colours clash, the away team will be required to change into an alternate strip.

b) All players must wear numbered jerseys, with each number used only once per team.

c) The home team will be the first team listed in the official draw.

9. Disciplinary Regulations

- A player who accumulates three (3) yellow cards during the tournament will be suspended for their team’s next scheduled match. Yellow cards DO NOT start again in the finals.

- A player shown a red card will be removed from the match immediately and will serve an automatic suspension for their team’s next game.

• The Tournament Manager or Disciplinary Committee will review the referee’s report and may impose further sanctions if deemed appropriate. One-match suspensions cannot be appealed.

10. Conduct on the Bench and Technical Area

a) Team staff are responsible for ensuring that all individuals within the bench and technical area behave in an appropriate and professional manner.

b) Only registered Coaches, Technical Directors, Managers, and Physiotherapists may occupy the technical area.

c) Coaching instructions and positive encouragement are permitted, but comments directed at referees, opposing players, or officials are strictly prohibited.

d) Abusive, offensive, or derogatory language or behaviour will not be tolerated. Match Officials or the Tournament Manager may remove offenders from the area.

e) Any team official removed from a match will receive an automatic one-match suspension.

f) Only named substitutes and registered team officials (up to 4 team officials) are allowed inside the technical area.

11. Protests

a) Any protest must be submitted through the team’s club and received by the Tournament Manager no later than 45 mins after the conclusion of the match in question.

b) Protests will only be considered when they relate to a clear breach of the Laws of the Game that had a direct and significant impact on the match outcome.

c) Decisions involving disciplinary actions by Match Officials or factual judgments made during play are not eligible for protest.

12. Results

a) The venue official is responsible for collecting the official match sheet following the completion of each game.

b) The venue official must take a photo and text competition organiser the match sheet.

13. Replacements and Interchange of Players

a) Unlimited interchange is permitted.

b) Each team is permitted to make unlimited interchanges at ONE interval per half.

c) Each team CAN also make interchanges at the time that the opponent uses their interchange. Allowing a maximum number of 2 Interchange opportunities per half + half time.

d) No Interchanges can be made in the last 5 minutes, regardless if teams have remaining interchanges.

Should a GK be injured, a replacement Goal Keeper / Player can substitute the injured Goal Keeper regardless if the team has already used their two interchanges.

__________________________________________________________________________

Macron Cup Golden Boot Award

The Macron Cup Golden Boot recognises the leading goal scorer in each age group throughout the tournament.

One Golden Boot will be awarded per age group, celebrating individual attacking excellence across all levels of competition.

All goals scored during the tournament count towards the Golden Boot, including: Group stage matches, Cup Finals, Plate Finals.

Goals will be recorded and verified across all matches, with the player who scores the highest number of goals in their age group being awarded the Golden Boot at the conclusion of the tournament.

In the event of a tie, the Golden Boot winner will be determined in accordance with tournament regulations.

The Macron Cup Golden Boot is designed to reward consistency, performance, and impact across the entire tournament.