National Championship

Introduction

The United States Futsal Federation ("USFF") shall organize a Futsal National Championship every year in the following mens and womens categories:  Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 16, Under 17, Under 19, Open Men and Open Women.#MORE#

This competition is open to all team from all State Futsal Associations of USFF, which undertake to abide by the tournament regulations published by USFF.

The USFF National Board of Directors shall appoint a State Association affiliated to USFF as organiser of the National Championship.

The USFF National Board of Directors shall appoint a Futsal National Championship Committee to be in charge of the organization of the competition.

The State Association chosen by the USFF National Board of Directors shall set up a Local Organizing Committee ("LOC") to organise the competition.  Both the State Association and the Local Organising Committee shall come under the jurisdiction of USFF, which has the right to make the final decisions on all matters.

These regulations apply to all parts of the qualifying competition of the United States Futsal National Championship.

1. This competition, open to all teams from State Association and National Associations affiliated to USFF, shall be officially called the United States Futsal National Championship.
   
    
2. The winner of this competition shall be awarded the championship trophy for the category in which the team competed, which shall be presented by a U.S.  Futsal delegate.  The trophy shall be held permanently by the winning team.
   
    
3. The State Associations whose teams qualify and take part in the final competition shall be awarded a souvenir plaque.
   
    
4. The teams that qualifying for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in the final competition shall each receive a diploma.
   
    
5. Sixteen medals shall be presented to each of the four winning teams in the final competition, i.e.  gold medals to the winner, silver medals to the runner-up, and bronze medals to the teams coming 3rd and 4th.
   
    
6. A fair play contest shall be run during the final competition for which U.S.  Futsal shall draw up special regulations.  The winner shall be awarded a challenge trophy and a diploma.  

1. The competition shall be organized by a State Futsal Associations in good standing, as approved by U.S. Futsal, which have drawn up rules approved by the United States Futsal Federation.
   
    
2. Entry fee into the competition shall be determined by U.S. Futsal each year.
   
    
3. On entering the competition the participating teams automatically undertake:
   
   
   1. to observe the rules;
   2. to accept that all administrative, disciplinary and refereeing matters connected with the preliminary competition shall be dealt with by their respective State Associations in compliance with the rules drawn up by the U.S. Futsal Federation.

1. The teams that have qualified for the final competition shall send to U.S. Futsal confirmation of their participation two month before the tournament is scheduled to begin.
   
    
2. Entries sent by telefax must be confirmed by posting the appropriate entry form to U.S. Futsal.
   
    
3. On entering the competition, the teams taking part shall automatically undertake:
   
   
   1. to observe the regulations;
   2. to accept that all administrative, disciplinary and refereeing matters connected with the final competition shall be dealt with by U.S. Futsal in compliance with these regulations or the decisions of the United States Futsal Federation National Championship Organizing Committee;
   3. to accept all the arrangements regarding the local organization undertaken by the host State Association of the final competition in agreement with U.S. Futsal.

1. The maximum number of teams taking part in the final competition shall be determined by the United States Futsal Executive Committee.
   
    
2. The host State Association shall be qualified ex officio.
   
    
3. The organization of the final competition of the Futsal National Championship shall be entrusted to one of the member State Associations designated by U.S. Futsal Executive Committee on the proposal of the U.S. Futsal National Championship Committee.
   
    
4. The host State Association shall undertake to observe these regulations and the list of requirements drawn up by USFF.

1. The dates and venues of the matches in the final competition shall be fixed by the U.S. Futsal National Championship Committee after consultation with the host State Association.
   
    
2. The kick-off times shall be decided by the U. S. Futsal National Championship Committee after consultation with the host State Association.
   
    
3. The finalist teams shall be entitled to one hour's training (if possible) on the day preceeding their first match at each venue in the hall where they are due to play.
   
    
4. Unless special permission is given by the U.S. Futsal National Championship Committee, the halls reserved for matches shall not be used for other matches during the final competition.

1. Teams qualifying for the competition are obliged to play all their matches until they are eliminated.
   
    
2. If a team which has qualified withdraws during the competition, it shall be fined $500.
   
    
3. Depending on circumstances and the decision of the U.S. Futsal National Championship Committee, any team which withdraws may be ordered to reimburse the organizing committee any expenses they have already incurred for its team as a result of its involvement in the competition, and also pay compensation for any damages or losses sustained.
   
    
4. A team withdrawing before the start of the final competition may be replaced by another team in that category. The United States Futsal National Championship Committee shall decide.
   
    
5. Exceptions are made in cases of grave situations, which shall be decided upon by the United States Futsal National Championship Committee.

1. In accordance with the United States Federation By-Laws, United States Futsal Board of Directors shall appoint a Futsal National Championship Committee, which shall be responsible for organising the competition.
   
    
2. The Futsal National Championship Committee shall draw up the regulations of the U.S. Futsal National Championship, which shall be subject to approval by the United States Futsal Federation Board of Directors.
   
    
3. The Futsal National Championship Committee shall be responsible for:
   
   
   1. imposing the fines specifically provided for by these regulations;
   2. dealing with complaints;
   3. dealing with protests;
   4. replacing teams which have withdrawn;
   5. appointing match commissioners;
   6. supervising general preparations, arranging the match system and the draws;
   7. arranging, in conjunction with the LOC, the dates, venues and halls for the matches;
   8. determining kick-off times;
   9. choosing the official futsal ball and the stipulated technical material.
      
       
4. The decisions of the National Championship Futsal Committee shall shall be final.

1. Complaints concerning the eligibility of players taking part in the matches of the final competition shall be submitted in duplicate to the National Championship Futsal Committee at least 3 hours before the first match in the competition.
   
    
2. All other complaints, except those provided for in par. 3 to par. 5 below, shall be submitted in writing, not later than two hours after the match, to U.S. Futsal representative at the match or the match commissioner, who shall immediately send a written report on the matter to U.S. Futsal.
   
    
3. Protests concerning incidents during the game shall be lodged orally to the main referee by the team captain immediately after the incident has occurred and before the game has resumed. Such protests shall be confirmed in writing by the head of delegation to U.S. Futsal representative at the match or the match commissioner within one hour after the match.
   
    
4. Protests concerning the state of the hall, the markings, installations (goals, etc.) or the futsal ball, shall be made to the main referee before the game starts.
   
    
5. Protests against the referee's decisions of fact and the time-keeper's chronometry shall be inadmissible.

1. The United States Futsal Federation Disciplinary Committee shall be responsible for deciding incidents of a disciplinary nature occurring during the National Championship.
   
    
2. The Disciplinary Committee for this championship shall be composed of the chairman or deputy chairman of U.S. Futsal Disciplinary Committee plus two members to be appointed ad hoc).
   
    
3. The procedure to be applied by the Disciplinary Committee is defined by the regulations mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
4. When taking a decision, the Disciplinary Committee shall refer to the report made by the referee and, if deemed necessary, to any other existing evidence (the reports of the match commissioner, referee's inspector, timekeeper, general co-ordinator, technical delegate, television and video recordings, etc.). This evidence may, however, only be used to judge disciplinary matters and shall not affect any factual decision taken by the referees.
   
    
5. The Disciplinary Committee shall base its decisions on the U.S. Futsal Federations List of Disciplinary Measures.
   
    
6. The following decisions of the Disciplinary Committee shall be final:.
   
   
   1. cautions and censures imposed on players, referees, officials or national associations;
   2. suspensions (up to two matches) and disqualifications (up to two months) imposed on players, referees or officials;
   3. fines imposed on players, referees or officials (not exceeding $250) or on State Associations (not exceeding $1,000)..
      
       
7. Appeals against any other decisions taken by the Disciplinary Committee shall be permitted and dealt with by an Appeal Committee.

1. The Appeal Committee appointed for this championship shall hear appeals lodged against decisions of the Disciplinary Committee which are not irrevocable according to these regulations.
   
    
2. This Appeal Committee shall be composed of the chairman or the deputy chairman of the United States Futsal Federation Appeal Committee plus two members to be appointed ad hoc.
   
    
3. The procedure to be applied by the Appeal Committee is defined by the regulations mentioned in the preceding paragraph. These regulations stipulate, in particular, the deadlines to be observed and the fees to be paid.
   
    
4. The Appeal Committee shall, as a rule, reach its decision on the basis of the documents and other means of evidence contained in the Disciplinary Committee's file. However, the Appeal Committee may, if deems necessary, request the General Secretary or his representative to provide any further evidence (including television and video recordings etc.) which it considers relevant.
   
    
5. Decisions pronounced by the Appeal Committee shall be final.

1. Each match of players over 14 shall last 40 minutes of net playing time - two periods of 20 minutes - with the interval specified in the Laws of the Game for Futsal.
   
    
2. Each match of players under 14 shall last 40 minutes of net playing time - two periods of 20 minutes - with the interval specified in the Laws of the Game for Futsal. .
   
    
3. If, in accordance with the provisions of these regulations, extra time must be played as the result of a draw at the end of normal playing time, it shall always consist of two periods of five minutes each, with an interval of five minutes at the end of normal playing time, but not between the periods of extra time. .
   
    
4. If a game goes into extra time, two halves of five (5) minutes each will apply. .
   
    
5. If no goal is scored in extra time, penalty kicks shall be taken to determine the winner, in accordance with the procedure laid down and published by FIFA.

1. The host State Association shall guarantee that the playing Courts chosen for the competition comply with the Laws of the Game for Futsal. They shall be subject to the approval of the National Championship Organizing Committee. All playing courts shall have identical dimensions: length 38/42 m, breadth 18/22 m.
   
    
2. All matches shall be played on a wooden or synthetic surface, felt carpet or artificial turf. All the halls used shall have the same surface.

1. The participating teams shall be responsible for:
   1. The behaviour of the members of their delegation (officials and players) before, during and after matches, from the moment they enter the country until the time of their departure;
   2. sickness and accident insurance for all members of their delegation;
   3. Responsibilities of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
      
       
2. The LOC shall be responsible throughout the competition for:
   1. order and security in the halls, training halls and their vicinity;
   2. adequate liability insurance cover for the halls. Responsibility of U.S. FUTSAl.
      
       
3. U.S. FUTSAL shall be responsible for:
   1. insurance against accident for the members of its official delegation and the referees.

1. All the players shall be in the age group that their are competing.
   
    
2. All players may move up in age, but may not move down.
   
    
3. Aall players may play for only one team per age category.  A player may play in no more than two age categories

1. Each State Association whose teams are qualifying for the National Championship shall enter 12 players numbered from 1 to 12. The list of 12 players must be in the possession of the National Organizing Committee no later than ten clear days before the first match of the final competition.

2. All 12 players shall be identical with those entered in the players' list for the match (five selected players and seven reserves).
3. Before the start of the final competition, all the players entered must prove their identity and agee by submitting appropritae identification. Any player who fails to submit this document shall be disqualified from participating in the competition.
4. Upon verification of the document submitted, official identity cards with photograph shall be issued to the players by U.S. Futsal.
5. Only those players who are in possession of such an identity card with photograph, issued by U.S. Futsal, shall be entitled to play in the matches of the final competition. The identity card shall always be available for inspection by the referees prior to the start of the match.

1. Each team shall wear its colors as declared on the entry form.

2. In addition to the official team outfit, each team shall have a spare outfit (in colors contrasting with those of the official outfit) which shall also be taken to every match.
3. If, in the opinion of the United States Futsal National Championship Organizing Committee, the colours of two opposing teams might lead to confusion or prove unsuitable for television broadcasts, they shall be modified, either using the entire spare outfit or a combination of both.
4. The goalkeepers' outfits shall be in colors contrasting with those of the two teams.
5. Throughout the final competition, each player shall wear the same number as declared on the official players' list (Art. 18, par. 1). The number, in a contrasting colour, shall appear on the outfit as follows: 25 cm high on the back of the shirt and 10 cm high on the front, and 10 cm high on the front of the shorts (below right).
6. The player's surname, 7.5 cm high, also in a contrasting color, shall be affixed to the back of the shirt, above the number.
7. Any form of advertising on the outfit during the Futsal National Championship shall be strictly forbidden. The authorised trademark of the manufacturer shall be allowed to appear only once on the shirt, once on the shorts and once on the socks. The trademark may be used alone as a logo or in combination with the name of the manufacturer but shall not exceed 20 cm; on the shirt and 12 cm; on the shorts and the socks. The emblem of the national association may also be worn on the shirt.
8. The players' outfits must have been approved by United States Futsal. This shall also apply to the goalkeepers' gloves and cap, on which the trade mark shall not exceed 5 cm;.
9. United States Futsal will issue precise instructions to the finalist teams regarding articles of clothing and other equipment used inside the hall.

1. The referees for the matches of the final competition shall be registered U.S. Futsal Referees whose state(whenever possible) is not included in the same group as the match in question.

2. The referees for the matches in the final competition shall be appointed by U.S. Futsal referee Committee.
3. The decisions of the Referees' Committee shall be final and not subject to appeal.
4. After each match the main referee shall fill in an official U.S. Futsal report form. He shall hand it over immediately after the match to the match commissioner or the U.S. Futsal representative at the venue.

1. The 16 teams taking part in the final competition shall be divided into four groups of four teams.

2. The United States Futsal National Championship Committee shall divide the teams into groups, first by seeding them and then drawing lots in public while taking the states geographical location into account.
   
    
3. The teams of the four groups shall be divided as follows:

   GROUP A	GROUP B	GROUP C	GROUP D
   A 1	B 1	C 1	D 1
   A 2	B 2	C 2	D 2
   A 3	B 3	C 3	D 3
   A 4	B 4	C 4	D 4

4. The system of play shall be the league system, each team playing one match against each of the other teams in the same group, with three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a defeat.

5. Qualification in each group shall be determined as follows:
   1. number of points,
   2. goal difference,
   3. number of goals scored,
   4. Goal against,
   5. Head to head competition,
   6. drawing lots
      
       

6. The two teams coming first and second in each group shall qualify for the second round.

1. The eight teams qualifying for the 2nd round shall be divided into two groups of four teams each.

2. The two groups shall be formed as follows:

   Group E:	the winner of Group A	=	E 1
   	the second team of Group B	=	E 2
   	the winner of Group C	=	E 3
   	the second team of Group D	=	E 4
   Group F:	the winner of Group B	=	F 1
   	the second team of Group A	=	F 2
   	the winner of Group D	=	F 3
   	the second team of Group C	=	F 4

3. The system of play shall be the league system, each team playing one match against each of the other teams in the same group, with three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a defeat.

4. The classifications in each group shall be determined in accordance with Article 22, paragraph 5 of these regulations.
5. The two teams coming first and second in each group shall qualify for the third round (semifinals and finals).

1. The matches in the 1st and 2nd rounds shall be played in accordance with a schedule drawn up by the National Championship Organizing Committee.

2. The last two matches in a group in the 1st and 2nd rounds shall be scheduled to take place at the same time on the same day.

1. The four teams that have qualified shall play the semifinals as follows:
   
   

   Match No. 37:	Winner of Group E v. Second team from Group F
   Match No. 38:	Winner of Group F v. Second team from Group E

2. If, after 40 minutes, a match ends in a draw, extra time shall be played (two periods of five minutes each), and if necessary, penalty kicks taken to determine the winner (cf. Art. 13, par. 2, 3 and 4 of these regulations).

1. The winners of the semifinals shall qualify for the final (match no. 40).
2. The losers of the semifinals shall contest the play-off for third place (match no. 39).
3. If the play-off for third place ends in a draw, no extra time shall be played. The winner shall be determined by taking penalty kicks (cf. Art. 13, par. 4 of these regulations).
4. If, after 40 minutes of a final match, the final ends in a draw, extra time shall be played (two periods of five minutes each), and if necessary, penalty kicks taken to determine the winner (cf. Art. 13, par. 2, 3 and 4 of these regulations).

1. USFF will conclude contracts covering radio, television, telerecordings, closed circuit television, video recordings and the official film of the final competition.
2. The LOC shall be responsible for providing the technical facilities for nationwide television, for the signal for every match and for the satellite link-up.
3. The LOC shall also be responsible for ensuring that all halls are free of advertising.

1. The accreditation card shall serve as an admission ticket for members of the attending teams to any competition matches. The LOC shall reserve appropriate seats in the respective halls.

2. In addition to this, each delegation shall receive free of charge:
   
   
   1. 5 numbered tickets for seats nearest the VIP box for all its team's group matches and, if its team qualifies, for the matches in the 2nd round, semifinal, final and play-off for 3rd place;
   2. two tickets for the VIP box for all its team's group matches and, if its team qualifies, for the matches in the 2nd round, semifinal, final and play-off for 3rd place.

1. The State Association and the LOC shall submit a budget to the U.S. Futsal National Championship Committee before the final competition.
2. The State Association and the LOC shall submit the final statement of accounts to USFF within two months after the final. This statement shall be examined by a firm of auditors to be appointed by USFF.
3. Any objection with regard to the settlement of the accounts shall be ultimately dealt with by the appropriate USFF Committee.