III Use of older players in the tournament

In the 11v11 age groups, a maximum of 3 older players born later than 1 August of the previous year may participate in one team.

In the 7v7 and 9v9 age groups, a maximum of 2 players born after 1 August of the previous year are allowed to play in a team.

In age groups where 5v5 is played, a maximum of 1 player born later than 1 August of the previous year is allowed per team.

NB! If a player is born earlier than August 1 of the previous year, but has a special permission from the Estonian Football Association to participate in the championship of the respective age group, he automatically has a permission to play in the Tarvas Cup tournament.

For example: in the age group of boys born in 2010, 3 players born later than 1.08.2009 can play for one team.

IV Participation of players in several teams

Players are not allowed to play in more than one age group on the same weekend in the Deer Cup 2025 youth football tournament. In case of non-compliance, the player will be disqualified from the tournament and the game of the team that has broken the rule will be cancelled. The result of the tournament will be recorded as -/+ to the disadvantage of the team.

V Stadiums

Tarvas Cup tournament games will be played in Rakvere football hall. The tournament games will be played on the artificial pitch.

NOTE: Tournament organisers reserve the right to make changes to the schedule during the tournament!

VI Tournament system

The Deer Cup is divided into a sub-group tournament and a play-off.

In the semi-final tournament, teams will be divided into sub-groups of 4 to 5 players, with all teams playing each other once. A match in a group will result in 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

In the event of a tie in a sub-group, the final ranking will be determined:

1. interplay
2. goal difference between games
3. overall goal difference
4. number of goals scored
5. disciplinary sanctions
   • a) abandonment of games, cancellation of the result.
   • b) yellow cards
   • c) red cards
6. link

All places in the Deer Cup tournament will be played out in a play-off system. The play-off system for each age group will be announced by the organisers 1 week before the tournament.

VII Penalty

In play-offs (qualifying matches) and drawn games in the final, penalties will immediately follow at the end of the playing time.
There will be no extra time in tournament matches.
Number of penalties in age groups:There will be 3 penalties in all age groups.

 

VIII Protest

The protest is against the validity of the game result. The protest is based on the justification of a player’s participation, a major violation of the rules by the referee, or some other incident that affected the outcome of the game.

Protests must be submitted in writing by the team representative (the person designated as the team manager on the registration form) no later than 30 minutes after the end of the match being protested.
A general protest against the entire opposing team is not acceptable.

Protests against the showing of a yellow or red card, or against removal from the field of play after two cards have been shown, are only allowed if the referee made a mistake concerning the identity of the player concerned.

The fee for handling a protest is €75. The full amount will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

IX Jury

Possible disagreements and protests will be settled by a 3-member jury. The jury consists of the tournament referee and two tournament organisers.
NB! The final decision of the Jury is not subject to appeal!

X Judges

All referees are recognised by the Estonian Football Association or by the head referee of the tournament.

 

XI Forfeiture

If at least 7 players (age groups 11v11), 5 players (age groups 9v9), 4 players (age groups 7v7) and 3 players (age groups 5v5) are not on the pitch 5 minutes after the official start of the match, a +/- loss will be recorded in the tournament standings.

XII Awards

The first, second and third place teams will be awarded with cups and medals.

XIII Medicine/medical care

The organisers of the Deer Cup football tournament do not accept any responsibility for injuries occurring during the tournament. It is the responsibility of the teams to ensure that they themselves resolve any traumatic situations that may arise. Where possible, the organisers of the football tournament will assist with medical skills.

XIV Warnings and removals

A player removed from the field of play is disqualified until the end of the current match, but due to the severity of the infraction (e.g. violent conduct, intentional injury, verbal abuse towards teammates or referee) the organizers may also remove the player from the next Deer Cup match or the tournament.
The severest sanction will be decided by mutual agreement of all parties involved (referee, tournament organizer, coaches of the teams involved in the incident), but the final decision rests with the tournament organizer.
The decision will be communicated to the team representative indicated in the box provided on the registration form.

XV Fair Play Recognition

In recognition of fair play, players are encouraged to shake hands with their opponents and the referee after the extra time, before the start of the match and after the final whistle.

XVI Guarantee

Participation in the Deer Cup football tournament confirms that the team is aware of all the rules set by the tournament.

XVII Balls

For the Deer Cup, all footballs used in tournament matches shall be marked “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED”.

XVIII Tournament team registration

On arrival at the tournament, all teams are required to submit a completed entry form to the tournament organisers before their first match. If possible, a signed registration form can be submitted by e-mail to info@tarvascup.ee.

Players who are not listed on the entry form are not allowed to participate in the tournament. Teams are not allowed to add players to the entry form during the tournament.

Each team representative is required to sign a form confirming their arrival at the tournament site, agree to the Deer Cup rules and be aware of any changes.

NB! A team that has not correctly fulfilled the above requirements will not be allowed to play on the tournament field!

XIX Starting the game and the rules involved

The team is obliged to be on the pitch 5 minutes before their match.
In case of uniforms of one colour, the team indicated as the second team will change shirts or use vests.
Vests will be provided by the tournament organiser.

The maximum team size in the 11v11 age groups is. 22 players.
Maximum team size in 8v8 age groups is. 20 players.
Maximum team size in 7v7 age groups is. 16 players.
Maximum team size in 5v5 age groups is. 14 players.

XX Special situation, tournament organisation

The Tournament Jury reserves the right to make changes to the venues and times of the matches if deemed necessary and if unavoidable events require it!

NB! Tournament organisers are not responsible for theft at the tournament!