East Algarve Walking football

The EuroCopa Walking Football Cup (previously the Albufeira Walking Football Trophy) will take place on April 1st and 2nd 2019.

There are 50+ and 60+ competitions, with 21 teams in the 50+ playing in 3 groups of 7 on day 1. EAWF have entered 3 teams in this competition, while we have 2 teams included in the 9 teams taking part in the 60+ competition.

The full groups can be viewed/downloaded as pdfs by clicking the relevant links below:

EuroCopa 50+ Group A

EuroCopa 50+ Group B

EuroCopa 50+ Group C

EuroCopa 60+ Day 1 part 1

Eurocopa 60+ day 1 part 2

If you have trouble opening the links, please send an email to and we can email you the pdfs.

Matches will be of 16 minutes duration with no half time.

Only the final will be played 20 minutes, two halves of 10.

All games will be played on both natural grass and synthetic 3G pitches.  Moulded boots or astro turf boots are suitable for both surfaces.

We have created a programme that on the first day everyone will play the same percentage of games on both surfaces.

 

The 50+ category is comprised of 21 teams and the first group stages will be three groups of 7.  These will all be played on day one.

Following the group stage the top 2 plus the best 2 third places will make up the quarter finals through to the final for the Champions Cup. Including finals for the loosing quarter finalists.

The remaining 3^rd place, 4^th and 5^th places plus the best 6^th place team will compete for the plate trophy.

Finally the two remaining 6^th place plus the three 7^th places will compete for the bowl trophy.   (Full explanation is in the rules).

 

The 60+  category first phase will be played as a league of 9 teams.  All but the last round of games will be played on the first day.

Following the league the teams will be split into top 5 to compete for 60+ Champions Cup as a league format.

The remaining 4 will compete in a round robin for the plate trophy.

 

The tournament rules are as follows:

Rules & additions to the English FA rules for Walking Football.

Location – Estadio Nora, Futebol Clube Ferreiras.

Pitches. Natural Grass x 4 pitches & 2 x 3G ( synthetic) pitches. 7 a side. Goal size 6m x 2m. Ball size 5.

1. Teams over 50+ or over 60+ ( 1 under age player permitted in the 60+ category) – 7 a side – up to 5 substitutes (Substitutions to be made when play is dead or out of play, players that are substituted can re-join the game, rolling subs).
2. 16 minutes matches one way. Finals 20 minute matches. (2 x 10 mins each way). 2 minutes half time.
3. Equipment -A jersey or shirt – Numbered • shorts or track suit trousers • socks • shin guards • footwear – which is appropriate to local conditions and surface type. In the FA rules the use of shin pads is compulsory, therefore we strongly advise that they used.
4. Teams allocated to home position has colour preference.
5. A coin toss shall be used at the start of a game to determine which team has kick-off. The home team of the match will play in the direction of left to right (as you look from main stand)
6. A player is allowed a Maximum of 3 TOUCHES of the football in one movement. (local Portuguese rules)
7. NO running with or without the ball.
8. Walking is defined as ‘always having at least one foot in contact with the ground’. Infringements/Sanctions The referee will award an indirect free kick against any player who is seen to be not walking, regardless of whether or not they are in possession or if they are within playing distance of the ball or not.
9. If a player is penalised on three occasions for infringing the walking rule, they receive a blue card and are ‘sin binned’ for a duration of two minutes.
10. A player is shown the blue card and temporarily excluded from play if he/she commits any of the following offences: C1 is guilty of unsporting behaviour: C2 shows dissent by word or action: C3 persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
11. Yellow cards & Red cards (hopefully not) will be used by the referees as is normal football rules for incidents or misconduct where cards would be normally shown. A player being sent off will result in a permanent reduction in the number of players on that team.
12. A goal may not be scored directly from the kick off.
13. All free kicks will be indirect. Opposition players must be 3-metres from the ball in all dead ball situations
14. This a minimal contact sport.
15. Slide tackling and slide blocking are not permitted.
16. Players may not play the ball whilst grounded.
17. Tackling across a player at the barrier/wall is not permitted.
18. “Crowding” (two player’s vs one) is not permitted.
19. Shoulder charging or barging is not permitted.
20. Players may not physically step across an opponent to gain an advantage or deny that player access to the ball or position.
21. Tackling must be clean.
22. Tackling from the side or behind where definite contact has been made is not permitted
23. Reckless or over-excessive intent without contact is an infringement.
24. Outfield players may not enter the goalkeeper’s area intentionally. (6 metre D)
25. An attacking player may not enter the opposing goalkeeper area except by momentum.
26. A defending player may not enter the goalkeeper area deliberately to gain position to another part of the pitch for any reason, to play the ball back to the goalkeeper, to block a shot on goal or to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity. This will result in a penalty kick. However, when a defending player enters the goalkeeper area inadvertently, has gained no advantage or does not affect play, no penalty can be awarded and play continues.
27. If two opposing players come into contact on the goalkeeper area line and the defender enters the goalkeeper area not by their own volition, no penalty can be awarded.
28. Goalkeepers may not egress from the area except by momentum. (egress – leave the penalty area)
29. If in the process of making a save the goalkeeper’s lower half egresses the area, but the upper half and the ball are retained within the goalkeeper area, play shall continue.
30. Offences in the goalkeeper area by the defending team a free kick is given to the opposing team 3-metres outside of the goalkeeper area as close to where the infringement occurred
31. The goalkeeper may elect to either throw the ball out under-arm (a bowling action) or kick it out from the ground. No over arm throws.
32. Ball Height- A height restriction is set at a designated height of 2 metres, above which an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team. If the ball is blocked and goes up in air a free kick will be awarded against the offending player.
33. If the ball exceeds the head height restriction from a goalkeeper’s throw or kick (except in the process of making a save) a free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken 3-metres outside the goalkeeper area as close to where the infringement took place.
34. NO heading of the ball at any height.
35. When the ball rises above the designated height restriction resulting from a save or block performed by a goalkeeper, the goalkeeper will retain possession of the ball and must restart play with a goal clearance.
36. If the goalkeeper receives the ball from a team mate in open play the goalkeeper is permitted to touch the ball and to pick the ball up. After the goalkeeper has distributed the ball, he/she may only receive a pass if the ball has either touched an opponent or if the ball has been touched by at least two of the goalkeeper’s team mates, otherwise: • a free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken 3m from the goalkeeper area line from the place nearest to where the infringement occurred. The defending team is allowed to defend the free kick with a wall if they wish.
37. The goalkeeper’s possession is based on the 6 second rule. Ball has to be distributed in this time.
38. A kick-in is the method of restarting play. • the player taking the kick-in may not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player • the ball is in play immediately after it is kicked or touched Infringements/Sanctions The kick-in is retaken by a player. Opposition players must be 3-metres from the ball for kick in.
39. In the case of a penalty shootout in the knock out stage, 3 penalties per team & if required after this sudden death penalties. Only players who are on the field are allowed take penalties. The penalty taker is allowed a maximum of one step before striking the ball.
40. In the case of clubs having multiple teams, players cannot switch between teams.
41. THE DECISIONS OF THE REFEREE REGARDING FACTS CONNECTED WITH PLAY ARE FINAL.

 

Results & points system.

1. Group Stage. 3 points for win, 1 for a draw. 0 for a loss.

2. League position decided by; (Phase 1 & 2 will have same system applied)

Points Won,
Goal difference,
Goals Scored.

In the case of the teams still being tied, then results is based on the head to head.

Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;

Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;

Greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned

Greater number of points obtained in the fair play conduct of the teams based on yellow and red

cards received in all group matches

 

Tournament format

50+ Tournament. 21 teams. Phase 1 – 3 leagues of 7 teams.

Top 2 teams from each league & the best 2 – 3rd places make 8 teams to compete for the Champion Cup.

Following the Quarter finals, the 4 winners will go into the winner’s semi-final & to a final.

The losing Quarter finalists will play in loser’s semi-final & a final.

This will also determine positions 1st to 8th in the group.

The remaining 3rd place team plus 4th & 5th & the best 6th place team will play for the Plate Trophy. With the same format with Quarter Finals & winners & losers Semi -finals & final & determines positioned

9th to 16th from the group positions.

The remaining 2 – 6th plus the 3 – 7th placed team will compete for the Bowl Trophy, in a league 5. Also to determine the positions 17th to 21.

Knockout Stage. Penalty’s will decide the result of the match in the case of a draw.

One step rule for penalties will apply.

Each team will take 3 Penalty’s, if still no result, sudden death penalty’s will be taken until we have

a result.

60+ Tournament. 9 teams. Phase 1 – League of 9 teams.

Following the league phase the top 5 teams will compete in a secondary league of for the Champions Cup.

The remaining 4 teams will compete in a round robin to play for the Plate Trophy.

League Positions decided by rules of the points system previously explained. If all should be equal in the final group stage & tie breaker match can be implemented.

We wish everyone a great tournament & enjoy our beautiful game played the Walking Football way.

If you wish to read all the new rules released by The FA.

All versions for players & events can be seen on their website on this link.

http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/oct/08/walking-football-revised-laws-of-the-game-081018