1. RULES

The matches are held in accordance with the FIFA International Football Association Board regulations and the Nigeria Football Federation statute. Tournaments is for U19 teams and held on the large field at 11 versus 11 players.

2. REFEREES

The matches are led by NFF association referees.

3. TEAM

Teams that have received an Invitation Letter by the Organizers have the right to take part in the tournament.

4. TEAM SECRETARY / COORDINATOR

Each team must be accompanied by a Team Coordinator above whose name must be included on the player list submitted to the organizers. The team coordinator is responsible for the conduct of the players, not just at the sports grounds, but also at other social areas available to participating teams.

5. CONTROL

Before the start of every game, the respective team coordinator or Team Secretary must submit 5 copies of player list to the tournament secretariat, on which the full name/Date of birth/Back number of each player is mentioned.

6. TRAINING KITS

All the teams must be in possession of a customized training kits for all eligible players, that must be used for Warm ups and also when sited on the bench during a match situation.

7. PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY

The club is responsible for the accuracy of the information submitted for registration to the Evolution Cup website. In addition, the club is responsible for ensuring that it only fields players who are eligible and available to participate in the competition and ready for a possible transfer to European Football Clubs. Any violation of the eligibility requirements will be penalised.

The approved squad list for the participating players must be presented to the referee before the start of all games.

Eligibility to play must be proven by showing the authorised squad list that clearly identifies each player.

Failure to present proper proof: If a club is unable to present proper proof of eligibility for its participating players before the start of a game, the referee must write a report to this effect.

8. PLAYING TIMES

Category Tournament Group Stage
There will two groups consisting of 5 teams each and played each other in a round robin format, each team that topped their group qualifies for the finals.

The exact duration of the playing times will be 35 mins each half.

9. RANKING LIST, GROUP MATCHES 

The ranking lists are set based on the point score. The points are awarded as follows:
Win 3 points, draw 1 point , and loss 0 points.
If two teams have an equal number of points, the decision is firstly based on the match result in terms of direct comparison (Head-to-Head). If this match ended in a draw, the goal difference is the deciding factor. If this is equal, the greater number of goals becomes the deciding factor. If this is also a draw, a toss of a coin is carried out.

For three or more teams with equal scores, a special table from the direct comparison should be made for them. For teams with equal scores, the goal difference from this special table is the initial deciding factor. After this, the goal difference from the special table, and lastly, the number of scored goals from the special table.

If after this there is still no difference ascertainable, a recourse to all tables of the group matches will be necessary. Then the goal difference from the group matches is called into play. If this goal difference is also equal, the greater number of scored goals in the group matches become the deciding factor.
Only if after all this there is still no difference ascertainable, a toss of a coin is carried out.

If playoff matches or knockout-system matches end in a draw, these are immediately decided by a penalty shootout as per F.I.F.A. rules:

10. MATCHES

Before every match, the team coordinator or team Secretary submits 5 copies of list of players to the referee or organizing committee which the substitute players are also listed. 5 substitutes can be substituted in or out any number of times. This is only possible during a break in a match, with approval by the referee. For an individual penalty shootout, only those players that were on the pitch at the final whistle are admissible.

11. KITS

Every club should provide change kits clearly distinguishable from the club colours. If before the start of the match, the referee decides that the teams’ club colours are too similar, the first named club must play in its change kit.

12. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

There are cautions (yellow cards), penalty Kicks, or send-offs (red cards). If a player has been sent off from the field or has received a caution, the referee will inform the tournament commission about this immediately after the match. Any player who has been sent off is suspended from the next match or excluded from the tournament.
All reports on misconduct are sent from the tournament organiser to the national football association, which forwards these reports on to the other relevant national clubs.
In the case of group matches, all results of a team maybe declared as void, if:

• The team in question is late for a match without a valid reason
• The team in question has played with an ineligible player
• The referee makes the decision to cancel the match because of players’ bad behaviour.

In intermediate and final rounds (if it is not a question of group matches) the relevant team in the above-named cases loses with a score of 0-3.

13. APPEALS

Appeals with regard to the referee’s decisions are not possible. Appeals with regard to other matters must be submitted in writing to the tournament organizing committee by the team Secretary or Coordinator no later than 20 minutes after the match.
The tournament organizers also decides on all matters that are not stated in the rules. The organizing committee decisions are binding.

14. MATCH SCHEDULE

The tournament organizing committee has the right to amend the match schedule in the case of unforeseen circumstances.

15. LIABILITY

The participating clubs are themselves responsible for adequate insurance for the players. The organisers will only provide a first aid and are not liable for any serious injuries and damages to property or for the loss of participants’ belongings.