Rules and Formats

All games and matches played in the KL Invitational Cup adhere to the following rules, as set out by the Tournament Committee.

[Updated 24 November 2023]

1. Tournament Format

1.1 Girls Invitational

Teams will compete in group stages on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November with the knockout stages taking place on Sunday 1st December. Tournament formats may vary by age group. All tournament information will be available at www.klicup.com or on the official tournament app which can be downloaded from the app store or google play store.

1.2 Boys Invitational

Teams will compete in group stages on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December with the knockout stages taking place on Sunday 8th December. Tournament formats may vary by age group. All tournament information will be available at www.klicup.com or on the official tournament app which can be downloaded from the app store or google play store.

2. Tournament Draw

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 our website at www.kli.com or on the official tournament app.

3. Player Age Groups

All players must abide strictly to the age categories as listed below:

Under 8: Born January 1st 2016 and later
Under 10: Born January 1st 2014 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

4. Player Registration

All players must be registered via the Coaches Dashboard in the KLI tournament app before the tournament.

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 KLI 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.

5. Match Formats

Boys age groups formats

	U8	U10	U12	U14 & U16
Match format	7 vs 7	7 vs 7	11 vs 11	11 vs 11
Minimum number of players	5	5	7	7
Match duration	2 x 15 minutes	2 x 15 minutes	2 x 22 minute	2 x 22 minute
Pitch size	48m (L) x 28m (W)	60m (L) x 40m (W)	80-90m (L) x 50-60m (W)	90-100m (L) x 50-60m (W)
Offside rule	Not applicable	Not applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Ball size	4	4	4	5
Throw ins	Throw in	Throw in	Throw in	Throw in
Shots from kick off	No direct shots from kick off**	No direct shots from kick off**	Not applicable	Not applicable

Girls age groups formats

	G12	G15 & G18
Match format	7 vs 7	11 vs 11
Minimum number of players	5	7
Match duration	2 x 15 minutes	2 x 22 minutes
Pitch size	48m (L) x 28m (W)	90-100m (L) x 50-60m (W)
Offside rule	Not applicable	Applicable
Ball size	4	5
Throw ins	Throw in	Throw in
Shots from kick off	No direct shots from kickoff **	Not applicable

Not Unless otherwise stated, normal FIFA rules for 7-a-side and 11-a-side football apply.

6. 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.

7. Team Technical Areas

Technical areas will be assigned for teams. In the venues of Ardence Arena and The New Camp these will be the dugouts around the field. At IGB International School these will be the yellow tents. Only players and 3 coaches are allowed into these areas when their team is playing. Coaches should wear their Coach Passes at all times. If your team is not playing you may not wait in the team technical area.

8. Yellow and Red 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. 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)

10. Time Allowance

A maximum of five (5) 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.

11. Points System

Win: 3 points
Draw: 1 point
Loss: 0 points

12. Teams Tied in the 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:

Best goal difference
Highest goals for
Lowest goals against
Winner of head to head match
Sudden death penalty shootout

12. Teams Tied in the Knockout Stages

In the event of a tie in the Knockout Stages, matches will move directly to a round of 3 penalty shootout. If no team has won after a round of 3 penalties we will move straight to sudden death penalty shoots where a winner will be decided when 1 team scores and the other fails to score in the same round.

13. Conduct

Coaches, team managers and 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.

14. Player Wristbands

Only players with a KLI 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.

15. Team Official Passes

Only coaches/team staff with a KLI Cup lanyard and Team Official Pass will be allowed onto the fields. Each team will receive 3 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

16. 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.

17. Bad Weather Protocol

In the event that lightning or bad weather causes a stop in play, a match result will stand if the 1st half of the match has been completed. If less than the 1st half 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.

18. Insurance and Risk

A medical team will be on site at both locations to assist in the case of 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.

19. Jurisdiction

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