Welcome to the Great Hungarian Football Cup! The guidelines below ensure smooth, fair, and enjoyable play.

⚽ League Rules – Small-Sided Football English

Match Duration & Schedule

• Each game lasts 20 minutes, no half-time or change of ends.
• 5-minute break between matches.

Team Size

• Current format: 5+1 (5 outfield + 1 goalkeeper). Future option: 6+1.
• Substitutions only when play is stopped (keeper in possession, injury, or ball out) and with the referee’s signal. The outgoing player must leave before the new one enters.

Pitch & Ball

• 7-a-side sized artificial turf with boards/walls.
• Ball remains in play unless it completely leaves the pitch.
• No offside. Headers allowed.

Corners / Ball Out of Play

• No corners.
• If the ball exits within the keeper’s area (side or above), restart with goalkeeper.
• Otherwise, the ball rebounds off the boards and remains in play.
• If the ball gets stuck on top of the boards/netting, restart with the opponent’s free kick from that spot.

Goalkeeper Rules

• The goalkeeper may handle the ball only inside the keeper’s area.
• If the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball outside the area, it is a penalty.
• If it happens accidentally, or the ball is kicked at them from close range, it is a free kick.
• No back-pass handling.
• Restarts must be by hand (throw/roll) and the ball must be released within 6 seconds.

Fouls & Free Kicks

• No slide tackles.
• Defenders stand at least 2 metres from the ball.

Discipline

• Yellow = warning (multiple yellows → possible red).
• Red = 3-minute suspension for dissent, reckless play, or unsporting behaviour. The same player cannot return.
• Two reds in the same tournament = automatic tournament ban.

Equipment

• Teams wear matching shirts/colours.
• Astro-turf shoes only – no studs.
• Shin pads strongly recommended. No jewellery.

📋 General Rules & Code of Conduct

• No littering – use the bins provided.
• No food on the pitch – only outside the playing area.
• Team captains are responsible for their teams, supporters, and relatives; ensure everyone understands and respects the rules.
• Damage to property, fighting, or violation of personal rights is strictly forbidden.
• Abuse towards referees will result in team punishment.

Injuries:
– Minor: on-site first aid.
– Serious: call 112 or go to the nearest hospital: Milton Keynes University Hospital, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD.

Fair Play: keep it friendly – this is about enjoyment, not aggression (everyone has work the next day).
Own risk: teams play entirely at their own risk; organisers accept no liability for injuries.

🏆 Tournament Format

• 2 groups of 6 teams each (A & B), round-robin.
• Top 2 from each group advance to the semi-finals: Group A 1st vs Group B 2nd and Group B 1st vs Group A 2nd.
• Final between the semi-final winners; 3rd-place match between the semi-final losers.
• Knockout stage & Final: if tied after regular time, a 3–3 penalty shootout will decide. The team to start is determined by a coin toss. If still tied after 3–3, the shootout continues with sudden death until there is a winner.
• Top Scorer tie-breaker: if players finish with the same number of goals, a penalty shootout will determine the Golden Boot winner. The penalties are taken alternately, and each player’s own team goalkeeper defends against the opposing player’s shots. The duel continues until one misses and the other scores.