Rules and Regulations

Revised January 2010

TITLES AND TROPHIES

Section 1. The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA or Adult Association) and United States Soccer Federation (USSF or Federation) shall organize a National Cup championship competition for men and women entitled as follows:

Over-30 Men's U.S. National Veterans Cup
Over-35 Men’s U.S. National Veterans Cup
Over-30 Women's U.S. National Veterans Cup
Over-40 Men's U.S. National Veterans Cup (Premier Division)
Over-40 Men's U.S. National Veterans Cup (First Division)
Over-40 Women's U.S. National Veterans (Premier Division)
Over-40 Women's U.S. National Veterans Cup (First Division)
Over-45 Men's U.S. National Veterans Cup
Over-45 Women’s U.S. National Veterans Cup
Over-50 Men's International Open Veterans Cup
Over-50 Women's International Open Veterans Cup
Over-55 Men's International Open Veterans Cup
Over-55 Women's International Open Veterans Cup
Over-60 Men's International Open Veterans Cup
Over-60 Women's International Open Veterans Cup
Over-65 Men's International Open Veterans Cup

A sponsor's name(s) may be incorporated in the title of any National Cup Championship herein, at the discretion of the organizers of the Competition.

The trophies presented shall be the property of the winners, while national trophies, to be displayed at the Federation, or USASA, shall be the property of USASA.

The Executive Committee of the Adult Association shall appoint a National Veterans Cup Committee (Veterans Cup Committee) to administer and oversee this Competition. The Committee shall consist of a chair and four members, one appointed in each of the four administrative regions.

TEAM ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. To be eligible to participate in the Competition any team affiliated with USASA is eligible to enter the competition so long as the players on the team meet eligibility criteria relating to age and registration status.

Section 2. International Division Teams:

International teams must receive clearance from their national association to travel to the United States and have their applications approved by the Veterans Cup Committee. A team may enter the competition if the players on the roster meet the specific competition eligibility requirements relating to age.
Domestic USSF affiliate teams entering the international competitions must meet the same requirements that USASA teams would have to fulfill such as: their state associations must verify current registration, the age of the player, the team must provide a certificate of insurance for a 2 million dollar liability insurance coverage with no aggregate and verify that all players have been provide participate accident insurance with at least a minimum of $5,000.00 in coverage.

Section 3. The National Veterans Cup Committee will review all applications for acceptance.

Section 4. Preliminary certified team rosters must be sent to your respective regional cup commissioner, no later than twenty-one (21) days before the national finals. Failure to do so will result in recommendations to your state associations to sanction the team and or the individual players through their individual affiliate state associations.

Section 5. Teams will present (6) copies of their final certified roster at the tournament designated check-in. Final rosters must be approved and signed by an officer of the team's State Association. The final roster shall contain no more than five (5) changes from the preliminary roster.

Section 6. Teams are required to attend opening ceremonies and must have a representative at all mandatory tournament functions, as defined by the Veterans Cup Committee.

Section 7. Player passes must be presented at the tournament designated check-in.

ENTRIES AND ENTRY DEADLINES

Section 1. The USASA Executive Committee shall establish the closing date by which a definite entry of a team must be received by the Veterans Cup Committee.

Section 2. The entry fee shall be determined by the USASA Executive Committee and is non-refundable.

Section 3. Only money orders, State Association checks or cashier's checks shall be accepted. No other form of payment shall be honored.

Section 4. Only Official National Veterans Cup entry forms and roster forms will be accepted.

FORM OF COMPETITION

The number of entries in each of the various divisions will determine the form of the competition. A four-team minimum is required to hold a championship in any division.

A team may only compete in one competition. Players may play and compete in different competitions as long as they meet the age requirements and are listed on the original official team roster except in the case where there are different divisions in the same competition. In other words a player that plays on a Premier team cannot also play on a Division I team in that same competition. For example if you play for a team that is entered say in the Women's 0-40 Premier competition you are not eligible to also play in the Women's Division I competition that year.

Teams that enter the International Division need to establish their eligibility and receive an invitation through the Veterans Cup Committee.

NATIONAL FINALS

The National Finals shall be played at a site or sites approved by the USASA Executive Committee. The Veterans Cup Committee shall be responsible for the supervision and organization of the National Finals and coordination with the hosting State Association.

NATIONAL COMPETITION-TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

In the event a team does not fulfill its obligations, by participating in the National Finals, as scheduled; submitting forms, rosters and any other paperwork on time, registering, checking your team in at the prescribed date and time set by the committee, or to follow any other competition guidelines including an intentional forfeit etc, your State Association will be notified of your breach of contract with the National Veterans Cup and you may be sanctioned according to the following:

Individuals from a team that does not fulfill its obligations may not be invited back nor allowed to participate in the next 2 successive National Veterans Cup Competitions and the respective state association may be asked to sanction those individuals from league play for no less than 3 games.

In the case of an intentional forfeit the individuals from that team and the team itself will be barred from participating in the competition for no less than 3 years and the National Veterans Cup Committee will contact the appropriate state association to require those players from that team are sanctioned from affiliated play for no less than 6 games.

FORFEITS

Section 1. A team using an ineligible player shall forfeit the game to the opposing team, and shall be expelled from the competition and that team and the ineligible player could be sanctioned further by being denied access to the next two successive National Veterans Cup Championships.

Section 2. A team shall also forfeit a game to the opposing team for just causes as determined by the National Veterans Cup Committee. Teams forfeiting the game due to Just Causes shall be sanctioned by being denied access to the next two successive National Veterans Cup Championships.

Section 3.

A team that causes a game to be forfeited or abandoned shall not advance in the National finals competition beyond that game. Further, such team and its players may also forfeit its right to participate in the next two National Veterans Cup Championships and may be further sanctioned by the Veterans Cup Committee, subject to the review of the Executive Committee. Such sanctions may include but not be limited to making recommendations for further sanctions by the team's National State Association or national association for teams in the International Division.
If a player is included on team rosters for more than one Championship (for example let's say teams in both the Over-40 and Over-50 competitions), and one of the teams with which the player is rostered forfeits a game or causes a game to be abandoned in the national finals, such player shall not be allowed to participate further on the second team on which the player is rostered.

Section 4. Teams that choose to not complete any assigned game at the National finals, including the championship game, shall not advance and will not be awarded a title or a finishing place in the tournament. A completed game consists of two equal and fully completed periods as assigned to that specific game. The National Veterans Cup Committee assigns duration of games. Such team and all its players shall forfeit their right to participate in the next two National Veterans Cup Championships and may be further sanctioned by the Veterans Cup Committee, subject to review by the Executive Committee. Such sanctions may include, but not be limited to making recommendations for further sanctions by the National State Association or national association for teams in the International Division.

Section 5. Teams are responsible for finishing all games. Teams that cannot finish a game due to not enough eligible players on their roster or not enough players available for the competition whether it is due to disciplinary action or any other absence will be considered as causing the abandonment, termination or forfeiture of a game. In such a case all sanctions apply as outlined in Section 3 and 4.

TEAM UNIFORMS

Section 1. Where the uniforms of the two competing teams are so similar as to create possible player identification problems on the field, as determined by the referee, the home team shall change their uniform, unless the visiting team is wearing colors other than those submitted on the Official National Veterans Cup entry form, in which case the visiting team shall change. Home team is listed first on the game schedule.

Section 2. Clear visible numerals must be worn on the back of the players' jerseys. Each player on a team must wear a different number including the goalkeeper. For the National Finals, a description of the team's uniform shall accompany the roster forwarded.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. General

Each player of a team competing in these competitions must be duly registered and must be properly rostered with that team by the tournament deadline.
International Division players and teams must comply with their local league registration requirements as well as the requirements of their national association and have their roster be reviewed by the National Veterans Cup Committee.
A player shall not play for more than one team in the same age group. For example should you play on a team in a 0-40 Championship you cannot play on any other 0-40 team whether it be Premier, Division I or International. However; a player may be registered and play in different age groups, providing they meet the age requirements of each group.
Once a player starts play in a match that player cannot leave that match to go play on another team even if they are dual rostered.
Teams qualifying for the National Finals must submit a roster of not more than twenty-five (25) players no later than twenty-one (21) days prior to the start of the National Finals.
A suspended player is ineligible to participate in any competition until the suspension has been served.
Players must achieve the required age for participation in the competition any time during the calendar year the competition occurs.

Section 2. Players must submit proof of age to the National State Association.

Section 3. Players who are professional status players are eligible to participate if properly registered.

Section 4. International Division players must submit proof of age to the National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman no later than twenty-one (21) days prior to the National Finals.

PLAYER PASSES

Section 1.

Registered player shall present laminated or otherwise tamper resistant Adult Association appointed identification passes bearing their photographs prior to the start of each game in the Competition.
Passes shall be verified by a National State Association and shall be presented to the referee before each game. Except in the International Division the Veterans Cup Committee will verify affiliation, which shall be presented to the referees before the game.

Section 2. In the International Division the National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman will determine appropriate identification for players. USSF affiliate domestic teams entering the International Division will comply with Section 1.

PLAYING RULES

In all games in the Competition the playing rules shall be the FIFA Laws of the Game in effect at the time of the deadline of entry with the following exceptions:

The length of the field shall not be more than 120 yards, nor less than 100 yards, and the width of the field shall not be more than 80 yards, nor less than 65 yards.
Goal nets shall be used. The field shall be properly marked. A flag on a post not less than five (5) feet high and having a non-pointed top, shall be placed at each corner.
Substitutions shall be unlimited.
A team roster is limited to twenty-five (25) players, all of whom are eligible to suit-up for each match.
In the event the score of any game is tied at the end of regulation periods, in a preliminary round match, the tie score will stand. In the event a semi-final or Championship match is tied at the end of the regulation periods, a thirty (30) minute overtime period, which is divided into two (2) periods of fifteen (15) minutes, shall be played. In the event the score is tied at the end of the overtime period, the winner shall be determined according to the FIFA method of obtaining a result in knock-out competition in effect at the time of the entry deadlines.
Competition in the National Finals shall be based on a ten (10) point scoring system. In each qualifying game, a team shall be awarded six (6) points for a win, (3) points for a tie, one (1) point for a shutout, and one (1) point for each goal up to a total of three (3) win or lose. The maximum possible points per game is ten (10). Forfeits shall be scored as 1-0 with eight (8) points awarded.
The following sequence shall be used to break ties in the standings. For a three or more way tie, after the first tie is broken the tiebreaker shall start at the beginning to break the next tie.

Tiebreaker:
1. Head to head, if still tied.
2. Goals for, if still tied.
3. Goals against if still tied.
4. A thirty (30) minute mini-game.
5. If tied at the conclusion of the mini-game, the FIFA tiebreaker method of kicks from the penalty mark shall decide the match.
If, for any cause, a game is not completed, the National Veterans Cup Committee shall decide the disposition of the game.

GAME OFFICIALS

The selection of game officials shall be subject to the following limitations:

Only officials registered with the Federation shall be eligible to be selected as referee and assistant referee for games in these competitions.
Neither members of the USASA Referee Committee nor a member of the National Veterans Cup Committee shall be eligible as game officials. Present or past members of either of the competing teams shall not be eligible as game officials for the game between the two teams, unless both teams waive the restriction in writing.

PLAYER DISCIPLINE

Players who are sent off for two subsequent cautions shall be suspended for a minimum of one (1) following prescheduled league or cup competition games. Exhibition or indoor games do not qualify as satisfying the suspension period.
Players sent off for any other reason shall be suspended for a minimum of one (1) (or more games at the discretion of the Cup Committee) following cup competition games. Exhibition or indoor games do not qualify as satisfying the suspension period. Pass cards for players sent off together with a copy of the referee report(s) must be promptly sent the player's National State Association or national association, which has the authority to increase the period of suspension.

ANY BREACH OF THE RULES

Section 1. The National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman shall have the power to disqualify and remove from further participation in the competition any team, team official or player(s) of any competing team who may be proven to be guilty of any breach of the rules of the USASA, US Soccer Federation or the Competition.

Section 2. All notices of disqualification or suspensions shall be forwarded by certified mail or overnight delivery to the affected team(s), except that the minimum two (2) game suspension is effective without notice.

Section 3. In the event of a dispute (other than referee assault or abuse) arising from a game in any of the Competitions in which suspensions or sanctions of six (6) months or more are levied against an individual, an opportunity shall be provided for the individual to appeal such decision of the National Veterans Cup Competition Committee to the USASA Appeals Committee. The decision of the USASA Appeals shall be final. The process for appealing the decision of the National Veterans Cup Competition Committee shall conform to that outlined in these rules.

Section 4. Theft of Veterans Cup tournament items is not only considered a breach of the rules but the involved parties will face additional sanctions including but not limited to the following: expulsion from ever participating in the National Veterans Cup, fines, replacement costs, etc. It will be the position of the Veterans Cup Committee to ask the National State Association to further sanction the guilty party by expulsion from their association.

PROTESTS

National Finals

The Veterans Cup Committee shall appoint a Protest Committee consisting of a Chair and a minimum of three (3) USASA members to hear protests at the National Finals. All decisions of the Protest Committee shall be final. No member of the Protest Committee may participate in a protest involving a team from the Committee member's National State Association.

All protests shall be made as follows:

The protest must be made in writing and must describe in detail the grounds for the protest.
The original signed protest and the protest fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) shall be submitted to the National Veterans Cup Chairman within one (1) hour of the conclusion of the game being protested. A copy of the protest must be provided to the opposing team concurrently with delivery to the National Veterans Cup Committee.
A protest may be withdrawn in writing after it has been submitted, but withdrawal of a protest shall result in forfeit of the protest fee, which shall be forwarded to the Adult Association.
The protest fee shall be forwarded to USASA if the protest is not sustained, or shall be returned if the protest is sustained.

The Protest Committee shall hold a hearing and determine whether to uphold or deny the protest. The Protest Committee may request additional information be provided by either team or the tournament staff in determining the protest. The protest must be rendered prior to the participants next scheduled game.

AWARDS - TEAMS AND PLAYERS

National Finals

National Finals winning and second place teams shall be awarded trophies and player medals. Additional awards may be made to the teams at the discretion of the Executive Committee. All division winners receive an automatic berth to defend their championship title in the following year's competition.
The winning teams shall be entitled to call themselves the United States Soccer Federation Adult Association National Veterans Cup Champions of their respective competition. The Executive Committee may incorporate a sponsor's name(s) in the title of any cup at its discretion.

ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Veterans Cup Committee Chairman

The Chairman of Adult Association shall recommend to the Executive Committee a Veterans Cup Committee Chairman who shall be responsible for administering the Competitions with the assistance of the Veterans Cup Committee, the staff of the Adult Association and the Federation.
The National Finals shall be operated directly by the appointed USASA Veterans Cup Committee.
The National Veterans Committee Chairman shall report to Adult Association Chairman and shall be responsible for coordinating the administration of the National Veterans Cup Competition on behalf of the Association. The National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman's specific responsibilities shall include the following:
1. Recommend a National deadline to the Executive Committee.
2. Notify and coordinate with the local hosting committee in the staging of the National Finals.
3. In conjunction with the Veterans Cup Committee, reject team entries for failure to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Veterans Cup Competition.
4. Notify and coordinate with the USASA Referee Committee of the proposal to be used for the appointment of game officials.
5. Determine, in consultation with the Veterans Cup Committee, player or team suspensions and fines related to breaches of the rules.
6. Insure timely distribution of Competition entry forms, promotional materials and rules to the Regional Committee Members.
7. Coordinate the selection of game venues for conducting the National Finals.
8. Coordinate and assist in the processing and determination of protests at the National Finals.
9. Support the Executive Committee in marketing of the Veterans Cup Competition.
10. Other duties as assigned by the Chairman of the Adult Association.

Section 2. Veterans Cup Regional Committee Members

The Chairman of the Adult Association, in consultation with the National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman, and Regional Directors shall appoint Regional Committee Members.

The Regional Committee Members shall be responsible for the coordination and administration of all Veterans Cup entries in their respective Regions. And their specific responsibilities shall include the following:

Forward all entry forms, fees and bond monies received from teams in their Region to the Veterans Cup Committee Chairman in a timely manner.
Insure timely distribution of Competition entry forms, promotional materials and rule books to the National State Associations and or individual teams.
Support the National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman and Executive Committee in the marketing of the National Veterans Cup Competition program.
Provide advice to the National State Associations regarding conduct of the competition and rule interpretations.
Other duties as assigned by the National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman

NOTICES

All notices required to be given in the Adult Association by any of these rules shall be addressed to the proper person with a copy to the National Veterans Cup Committee Chairman.

MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR

The Veterans Cup Competition Committee whose decision shall be final shall determine any matters not provided for in these Rules.

TIMELINE AND IMPORTANT DATES

All entries must be in the hands of the respective Veterans Cup Committee Regional Member along with the entry fee and the performance bond on the entry deadline date set by the USASA Executive Committee each year.

The final Official Veterans Cup Roster certified by a National State Association is due to the appropriate Veterans Cup Committee Member twenty-one (21) days prior to the first game of the competition. Only five (5) changes to the roster are allowed after that date.

Team Representatives are required to check-in and register their teams on the date and at the times the National Veterans Cup Committee designates. They shall submit (6) copies of the roster, the tamper resistant player passes and the team contact person's name, location and contact mode during the competition.

Teams in their entirety are required to attend the opening ceremonies.

USASA Veterans Cup