General Information
Rule 1
The tournament is organised by Mallorca Football Events.
Rule 2
The games are organised at the Santa Ponça sports complex premises in Santa Ponça on the island of Mallorca.
Address: Carrer Riu Síl, s/n, 07180 Santa Ponça
Rule 3
All matches are played in accordance with the K.N.V.B. walking football rules and regulations, but executed in a customised tournament format. The customised Mallorca tournament walking football rules are leading!
Game Rules
Rule 4
Walking Football has the same rules as regular football, with a number of exceptions, which are no running, no sliding's or tackles no offside rule and no goalkeepers.
Rule 5
The game is played as a 6-a-side without goalkeepers, on a pitch measuring approximately 42 by 21 meters. Goals: 3 meters wide, 1 meter in height.
Rule 6-7
Substitutions can constantly be made, providing the ball is not in play. Substitutions are made level with the centre line.
Rule 8
The game should preferably be played with a size 5 football. Weight +/- 320 grams.
Rule 9
Only walking is permitted, also when the ball isn't nearby (walking means one foot is in constant contact with the ground).
Rule 10
The ball may not be played above hip level.
Rule 11
No offside rule.
Rule 12
Physical contact and slide tackles are not permitted.
Rule 13
A free kick will always be taken indirectly. This can be done via a pass or by dribbling (3 meters distance).
Rule 14
If the ball goes out of play, the ball will be placed back where it left the pitch and brought back into play with a kick (3 meters distance). The player can bring the ball back into play by passing or dribbling. The ball does need to be stationary. This applies to both when a player is offside or when the ball goes out of play. The ball can only be brought back into play with a pass in case of a corner kick. (3 meters).
Rule 15
The kick off will be done from the centre of the pitch following a goal.
Rule 16
Running is penalised with an indirect free kick at the position where the player started running. The same also applies to physical contact and slide tackles.
Rule 17
If the ball is played above hip level, the party which last touched the ball will give away an indirect free kick at that position.
Rule 18
You can't score from your own half of the pitch.
Rule 19
A penalty will be given if a direct scoring opportunity has been taken away in an inappropriate manner. The penalty will be taken from the penalty mark at an empty goal.
Tournament Rules
Rule 20-21
The matches are run by the KNVB- and international- referees. A referee's decision is final, protests are not permitted.
Rule 22
The tournament is for both men and women. The tournament is divided into 5 categories:
50+ Division
Players who are 50 years or older (The team may have 2 players younger than 50 years old but these players must be at least 45 years of age or older.)
60+ Division
Players who are 60 years or older (The team may have 2 players younger than 60 years old but these players must be at least 55 years of age or older.)
65+ Division
Players who are 65 years or older (The team may have 2 players younger than 65 years old but these players must be at least 60 years of age or older.)
70+ Division
Players who are 70 years or older (The team may have 4 players younger than 70 years old but these players must be at least 65 years of age or older.)
Women 40+ Division
For WOMEN with players who have the minimum age of 40 years.
Rule 23
The responsible referee, referee coordinator, or members of the organization may ask the players participating in the 40+ (women) 50+ & 60+ & 65+ & 70+ tournament for their ID in order to check the age of the player. Every player playing in one of the competitions has the obligation to bring his/her ID or a copy of his/her ID with him/her during his/her matches.
Important Notice: If a player is not able to proof his age to the referee, the referee has the right to exclude the player from the matches until the player involved can proof his age.
Rule 24-25
If a team in the mentioned competitions plays with younger players as allowed, the team will be disqualified from the tournament/competition. If the situation occurs in the knock out phase or semifinals: The results in the group phase will remain unchanged, the team involved will be disqualified, and the opponent will have a win of 3-0 and go through/on to the next round. (Walk over)
Rule 26
The number of players per team is unlimited, with a minimum of 8 players per team.
Rule 27-28
It's not prohibited to switch players from one team to another team not playing in the same age category. It's prohibited to switch players from one team to another team playing in the same age category! Teams will be monitored at every game.
Rule 29-30
The programme is completed in accordance with the timings noted in the programme booklet. Every team has to be present 5 minutes before kick-off. The team which does not show up at the sports field on time will lose the match by 0 - 3 and will not receive any points.
Rule 31-39
A team which wins as a result of a 'no-show' will be given 3 goals as their total score. If a team withdraws from the tournament, it loses all matches 0-3. Unless the referee decides otherwise, there will be no stopping for injuries, these will be dealt with off the pitch. The first team listed on the match form will start on the left side of the pitch, seen from the beach side and will also kick off the game. The first team mentioned (the home team) has to change shirts if both kits are the same (colour). Every team must be equipped with a second set of shirts. The pitches are made from artificial grass. Players are advised to wear regular Futsal (indoor Soccer) shoes, or special Astro turf football boots. There are changing rooms at the pitches; teams are welcome to use these. The team's representative needs to report to the Organisers' headquarters 30 minutes before the first scheduled match and submit their list of players.
Tournament Schedule & Additional Rules
Rule 40-41
The tournament will be kicked off with a PRELIMINARY ROUND on the Friday or Saturday. The FINAL ROUND will take place on the Sunday. The playing time in the PRELIMINARY ROUND, the Knockout Phase and the FINAL ROUND are according the time mentioned in the tournament schedule.
Rule 42-44
The PRELIMINARY ROUND will be played in groups. The goal difference will be the deciding factor if several teams in the group end in the same position. If this is also the same, the number of goals will determine the outcome. Penalties will need to be taken if this is the same too. 3 players per team will take a penalty at an empty goal from the centre line. Penalties will be taken in accordance with the above point in case of a draw following matches in the FINAL ROUND.
Rule 45-47
Protesting is not permitted. Decisions made by the tournament's sports management team are final. The referee in charge of a particular game, as well as both coaches or team captains, have to report to the jury table near the pitch after every match to sign the score sheet. Each team is required to report to the tournament's sports headquarters before leaving every day of the tournament.
Rule 48-51
Smoking and drinking alcohol is prohibited on the pitches. The use of glass is also forbidden. Alcoholic consumption has to be limited, as extensive alcohol consumption has a clear influence on the match. Every participant is responsible for his own behaviour in this respect. Other than players and coaches, no other person has the right to enter the field. Everyone is kindly asked to remain on the stands or in the sports arena's restaurant when not playing.
Rule 52-54
For any other rules or regulations not mentioned, the tournament's sports management team's decisions are final, as presented by the chief of the tournament's sports management team. The tournament organisers would like to remind participants to insure themselves for all medical costs which may be incurred as a result of any injuries suffered during the tournament.
Liability Disclaimer: The organisers are not responsible for damage, physical injuries or the theft of any personal belongings of any players, spectators or companions.
