Regulations

1. The rules of the tournament will be those of FIFA, with the modifications of the Mexican Soccer Federation.

2. Teams from soccer leagues, educational institutions, clubs, industry associations, etc are allowed to participate.

3. The age limit for each category will be adjusted, and the requirements established by the official notice issued by the Sonora Cup Tournament will be fulfilled.

4. All the members of all the teams have to be properly uniformed with the official number of each player, wearing leg protectors (shin guards), they also need a second shirt with a different color to their original uniform. Nine substitutions are permitted in all categories and a player who has been substituted will take no further part in the game.

5. The games will not be lost by default, this situation will be allowed only by reason of force majeure, unforeseen circumstances, for incompetence of any of the players, or if a contender quits the tournament (two goals).

6. The resumption of suspended or postponed matches will be subject to the prevailing conditions at the time of the suspension, and to what the Organizing Committee decides.

7. Earned points will be given as follow:

Win 3 points, Draw 1 point, Defeat 0 points.

8. During the preliminary round, in case of a draw there will be no extra time periods.

9. In the case that two or more teams are tied on the same amount of points, qualification will be resolved according to the following criteria:

1. Goal Difference
2. The largest number of goals scored.
3. Result of the game itself.
4. Drawing lots.

10. During the elimination rounds (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals), in case of a draw they will proceed to penalties.

11. A player that has been sent off will not be allowed to participate in the next game. A player who has received two yellow cards during two different matches will not be allowed to play in the next game.

12. We only accept complains related to the regulations or players, and it has to be presented only during the first hour after the end of the game in the information center located at the soccer fields. The cost will be $500.00 (five hundred Mexican pesos) it is non-reimbursable, and the decision made will be for the good of soccer.

13. REFEREES: the referee is the principal authority on the game field; hence the players and coaching staff must obey his provisions without question. Referees must be respected in the exercise of his duties. Consequently, managers, coaches, and players should support and protect referees preserving their physical integrity both inside and outside the game field. The referees’ authority begins when he enters the game field and does not finish until he leaves the field, and he keeps his authority during breaks, interruptions, and suspensions.

14. If in any match the teams come wearing a uniform with the same or similar colors, so that it could create confusion, there will be a draw to determinate which team will use a second jersey; this does not mean the match will be won if problems of this kind arise.

15. Extra players are not able to be included during the tournament once the roster of players has been established; any id change before the tournament will have a charge of $50.00 (fifty Mexican pesos); October 11 is the limit date to make any change.

16. The previous meeting will be held on October 11, you will be notified about the time and place.  

17. A maximum of 20 players and five members in the coaching staff are allowed for each team.

18. All the teams have to attend the opening ceremony.

19. If players, coaches, family, or anybody else makes a violent complain, or physically and/or verbally attacks tournament personnel (referee, assistant referee, coordinator, etc.), they will be send off.

20. Sonora Cup Tournament is not responsible for accidents or thefts suffered within its facilities.

21. The champion team of each category will be awarded with trophy, medals, diplomas, and commemorative shirts; the 2nd place team with trophy, medals, and diplomas. The team that wins the Cup three times will also receive a special trophy.

22. There will be a rematch tournament for all the teams that do not qualify to the finals.