This post is to explain the rules and format of the cup competitions to all the new clubs and to make sure all those that haven't heard about the new rules from the April meeting are advised of the changes for 2016.

 

The BFA Committee have relaxed some of the rules about players being cup tied in the group stages. Last season there were a lot of forfeits at the latter stages of the cup group competitions and this was mainly due to the difference in restrictions of player movements between teams in the cup competition compared to the rules for the league competitions. The BFA Committee have made it well known from our first meeting with the clubs that we want to reduce the amount of forfeits compared to last season and that is why we have decided to make these changes.

 

A copy of the cup format and rules is at the bottom of this page. I have attached a document titled '2016 Cup Format & Rules' under the 'Forms and Publications' tab on the website explaining all the rules and the format for qualification past the group stage. This will enable clubs to save, print, share copies of the cup format and rules for all those that are involved in team selection.

 

Email baysidefasecretary@gmail.com if you would like clarification on the cup rules or format, if you would like to leave any feedback or if you have any questions in regards to the rules mentioned or not mentioned.

 

Regards

Bayside FA Secretary

 

The following rules still apply:

- players are automatically cup tied to a team after one game in cup competitions that are a straight knockout competition (does not have a group stage).

- maximum of 5 player movements from 1 team sheet to another per round.

- move up a grade at any time, but not down. Grading is as follows.

1 Premier League

2 Division One

3 Division Two

4 Division Three

5 Over 35s

 

New rules that apply to this season’s cup competitions:

- there is no cup tied rule in the group stage of any cup competition. This was introduced by the BFA Committee at the April Club Delegates meeting to try and reduce the amount of forfeits we had last year.

- a player must play a minimum of 4 games at that team’s level or lower to qualify for the semi-final and final. For example, if you have played 3 games for your Division Two team and 10 games for your Premier League team, then you don’t qualify to play for your Division Two team if they make it to the semi-final and/or final.

- a player will be cup tied to a team once they play a game for a team from the ¼ finals stage onwards (will not be able to move to a team that plays in a lower grade, but will still be able to move up to a team that plays in a higher grade).

 

Criteria to qualify past the group stage:

FA Cup

- the top two teams in each group qualify for the ¼ final stage. They will be joined by the two best third place getters from the group stage. The top team in each group will be seeded to avoid each other in the ¼ final stage.

League Cup

- the top two teams in each group qualify for the ¼ final stage. The top team in each group will be seeded to avoid each other in the ¼ final stage.

Over 35s Cup

- the top two teams in each group qualify for the semi-finals. The format for the semi-finals will be:

Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B

Winner Group B v Runner Up Group A