NIC Tournament Rules:

Nexgem International Cup – Tournament Rules

Dates: December 12th – 14th 2025
Location: Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago

Categories:

• Boys:

• BU16: Players born after 1/10/2009
• BU20: Players born after 1/10/2005

Game Format:

• 11v11: For U-16s – 25 mins each half.
• 11v111: For U-20s, – 25 mins each half.

Offside Rule:

• 11v11: Offside applies as per standard FIFA rules.

Ball Size:

• Size 5 for all 11v11 matches (U16s – U20s).

Game Duration:

• Two halves of 25 minutes each.
• Halftime: 5 minutes, which may be shortened at the discretion of the Match Officials if the schedule falls behind.
• Additional Time: A maximum of two (2) minutes of additional time may be added per game, at the discretion of the referee. The referee remains the official timekeeper, but all disputes will be settled at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
• No Extra Time: For knockout matches tied at the end of regulation, penalties will determine the winner. 3 Kicks per team. Winner gets 3 points.

Roster Rules:

• Max Roster Size:

• 24 players for 11v11 formats (U16 & U20).
• Over-age Players: x 3

• 3 over-age players allowed for 11v11.
• Substitutions: Limited to seven per match.

Tournament Structure:

All teams are guaranteed at least 3 games. The tournament is bracket-based with the following formats:

• U16s Bracket: 1 group of 6 teams. Top 2 teams advance to Final, and middle two 2 advance to consolidation match.
• U20s Bracket: 1 group of 6 teams. Top 2 teams advance Final middle 2 advance consolidation match.
  The organisation reserves the right to change match-ups in the consolidation round.

Tie-breaker Rules (Group Stage):

In case of a tie in points, the following tiebreakers will be applied in order:

1. Head-to-head result
2. Goal differential
3. Goals scored
4. Goals against

Forfeits:

• A team is allowed a 10-minute grace period after the scheduled kickoff time before the match is awarded to their opponent.
• In 11v11, a minimum of 7 players must be present for the match to begin.
• If a team forfeits, they are ineligible to be declared a group winner or wild card.
• If a team causes a match termination, they are deemed to have forfeited the game.
• For tie-breaking purposes, forfeits are recorded as a 3-0 win for the opponent. In knockout rounds, forfeits are also recorded as a 3-0 win.

Red Card Policy

1. Automatic Suspension:
   Any player who receives a red card, either directly or as a result of two yellow cards in the same match, will automatically be suspended from their team’s next match in the tournament.
2. Additional Sanctions:
   The tournament organising committee reserves the right to impose further sanctions, including additional match suspensions, based on the referee’s report and the severity of the offense.
3. No Appeals:
   Decisions regarding suspensions are final and cannot be appealed during the tournament.

Uniform Submission:

• All teams must submit their home and away uniform colours 5 days prior to the event.
• In the event of a uniform color clash, the away team must change their uniforms.

Field and Game Equipment:

• Shin Guards: Mandatory per FIFA Laws of the Game.
• Field Positioning: Players and coaches occupy one side, spectators in the stands. No one is allowed behind the end lines.
• Casts: Covered casts are permitted with referee approval.
• Match Balls: The tournament will supply game balls, but each team should bring one FIFA-approved match ball for backup.

Protests and Appeals:

• Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of the match’s conclusion.
• All decisions made by the Tournament Committee are final.

Sanctioning and Referees:

• The tournament is sanctioned by the T&T Football Federation.
• All referees will be officially appointed by the Tournament organisers.

Permission To Travel:

All international teams participating in the Nexgem International Cup, Tobago Salou must obtain visa and/or other official permission to travel to and from their respective federations to Tobago. This permission is mandatory and should be submitted to the tournament organisers prior to the event. Failure to provide this documentation may result in disqualification from the tournament. This doesn’t apply to private academies.