COMPETITION REGULATIONS – NATIONAL TEAMS

§ 1 GENERAL

1.1 IFF Championships (Championship) shall be conducted in accordance with IFF

Competition Regulations, IFF Juridical Regulations and the IFF Rules of the Game.

1.2 All IFF member Associations are entitled to apply to organize IFF Championships.

1.3 The organizers of IFF Championships are appointed by the IFF Central Board (CB) upon proposal from IFF Rules and Competition Committee (RACC).

1.4 The duties and responsibilities of the organizers are laid down in the IFF Organizers

Regulations.

§ 2 PARTICIPATION

2.1 IFF shall stage a World Championship for national representative teams in principal:

a) in May every year for Adults, in odd years for Women and in even years for Men.

b) in November every year for Juniors, in odd years for Men Under 19 and in even years

for Women Under 19.

2.2 All IFF member Associations (ordinary and provisional) may apply to participate in a Championship.

2.3 Registration shall be made on the official IFF formula.

Registration and payment of the participation fee shall be the IFF by hand as follows:

a) Seniors: 4000 CHF for the A-division and 2000 CHF for the B-division shall be at the
headquarters of IFF not later than 31^st of March the year preceding the Championship.

b) Juniors: 2000 CHF shall be at the headquarters of IFF not later than the 30^th of

June the year preceding the Championship.

2.4 A registered team that has entered the competition and withdraws from the championship shall be sanctioned according to the IFF Juridical Regulations.

2.5 Costs for travel to and from the arrival city and board and lodging shall be borne by each participating team.

2.6 The host shall pay for no more than 30 persons (23 players and 7 officials) for travelling from the airport, harbour or railway station in the Arrival city to their respective accommodation. The host shall also pay for the participating teams for travelling from their accommodation to the official venues, to one daily training session according to the official program and to the airport, harbour or railway station in the departure city.

The responsibility for the organizer to transport the teams starts two days before the first match and seizes the day after the last match of each team.

2.7 Participants shall be responsible for taking out the appropriate insurance to cover their delegations.

§ 3 QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS

3.1 Only players with citizenship of the own nation, having not participated earlier for

another national representative team in a Championship, shall be eligible to represent the

nation in the Championship. Only players having achieved the age of 15 and officials the age of 18 before the start of the tournament are eligible to participate.

3.2 Teams participating are entitled to use a maximum of 23 players and a maximum of 7 officials in the Championship.

3.3 30 days before the first match of the Championship a list of the team delegation, completed on the official IFF formula and signed by the national Association concerned, shall be sent to IFF and the organizer. This list may consist of up to 30 players and 10 officials from which the final delegation shall be selected. 20 days before the first match of the Championship the final list of a maximum of 23 players and 7 officials shall be sent to IFF and the organizer. Only those persons included in the final list are entitled to participate in the Championship. Persons in the final list may, due to unforeseen circumstances, be substituted after an application to the IFF RACC. Passports shall be checked before the first match.

3.4 A maximum of 20 players and 5 officials are allowed to participate in a match.

A list of players and officials who are taking part in a match shall be handed in to the match secretariat no later than 30 minutes before the start of the match. No other than those on the list are allowed to be in the substitution zone.

§ 4 PLAYING SYSTEM OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

4.1 The Championship shall be played, in principal, in two divisions.

Dividing into further divisions may be decided after dead-line for registration

4.2 The A-division shall consist of the seven or nine best ranked teams of the previous Championship of the same category and the winner of the B-division of the previous Championship of the same category.

4.2.1 The A-division for Men shall be played in two groups of 5 teams each. The forming

of the groups shall be based on the final rankings of the previous Championship of the

same category, as follows:

Group 1 Group 2

World Champions Runner-up

4^th placed team 3^rd placed team

5^th placed team 6^th placed team

8^th placed 7^th placed team

9^th placed team B-division winner of the previous Championship

4.2.2 The order of play within each group in the A-division shall be:

1-2, 3-4, 5-1, 2-3, 4-5, 1-3, 5-2, 4-1, 3-5, 2-4.

The IFF RACC shall allot the number of each team within a group by drawing of lots.

§ 4 PLAYING SYSTEM OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - continuation

4.2.3 The A-division for Women and for U19 shall be played in two groups of 4 teams each.
The forming of the groups shall be based on the final rankings of the previous

Championship, as follows:

Group 1 Group 2

World Champions Runner-up

4^th placed team 3^rd placed team

5^th placed team 6^th placed team

B-division winner of the previous Championship 7^th placed team

4.2.4 The order of play within each group in the A-division shall be:

1-2, 3-4, 1-3, 2-4, 1-4, 2-3.

4.2.5 The groups are decided by each team playing each other once within the group, where 2 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

4.2.6 The ranking within a group shall be decided in the following order:

a) The total number of points.

b) If two or more teams have the same number of points the internal matches of the teams concerned, the internal goal difference included if necessary, shall be decisive.

c) If the internal matches according to b) are not decisive, most scored goals internally shall be decisive.

d) If the ranking can not be decided by the internal matches, the total goal difference of the teams concerned shall be decisive.

e) If the total goal difference is not decisive most scored goals of the teams concerned shall be decisive.

f) If most scored goals is not decisive a drawing of lot with the teams concerned shall settle the ranking.

4.2.7 Continued play after the group matches shall be as follows:

Semi-final 1 Winner of group 1 – 2^nd of group 2

Semi-final 2 Winner of group 2 – 2^nd of group 1

Match for 3^rd Place Loser of Semi-final 1 – Loser of Semi-final 2

Final Winner of Semi-final 1 – Winner of Semi-final 2

Ranking matches for 5^th, 7^th and 9^th place shall be played as follows:

Match for 5^th Place 3^rd of group 1 – 3^rd of group 2

Match for 7^th Place 4^th of group 2 – 4^th of group 1

Match for 9^th Place 5^th of group 1 – 5^th of group 2

The loser of the 7^th (Women and U19) respective 9^th (Men) place match shall be

relegated to the B-division.

§ 4 PLAYING SYSTEM OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - continuation

4.2.8 Upon request by RACC, Quarter-finals may be played.

A final decision shall the be taken by the IFF CB. When Quarter-finals are played the

continued play after the group matches shall be as follows:

Quarter-final 1: 2^nd group 1 - 3^rd group 2

Quarter-final 2: 1^st group 2 - 4^th group 1

Quarter-final 3: 1^st group 1 - 4^th group 2

Quarter-final 4: 2^nd group 2 - 3^rd group 1

Semi-final 1: Winner Q2 - Winner Q1
Semi-final 2: Winner Q3 - Winner Q4

Match for 3^rd place: Loser S1 - Loser S2

Final: Winner S1 - Winner S2

Ranking matches for 5^th, 7^th and 9^th place shall be played as follows:

Match 1: Loser Q2 - Loser Q1

Match 2: Loser Q3 - Loser Q4

Match for 5^th place: Winner Match 1 - Winner Match 2

Match for 7^th place: Loser Match 1 - Loser Match 2

Match for 9^th Place 5^th of group 1 – 5^th of group 2

4.2.9 All matches of the continued play after the group matches shall, when ending with a

draw, be decided according to the IFF Rules of the Game concerning extra-time and, if

necessary, penalty shots.

4.3 The B-division shall consist of the last ranked team of the A-division of the previous

Championship of the same category and the remaining teams registered for participation, no more than 9. Should more than 10 teams register for the B-Division qualifying matches shall be organized. The procedure shall be decided by the CB upon proposal from the RACC.

4.3.1 The forming of groups shall in principal be equal to the A-division, and be based on the final rankings of the previous Championship of the same category.

4.3.2 A group is decided by each team playing each other once within the group, where 2 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

4.3.3 The ranking within a group shall be decided in the following order:

a) The total number of points.

b) If two or more teams have the same number of points the internal matches of the teams concerned, the internal goal difference included if necessary, shall be decisive.

c) If the internal matches according to b) are not decisive, most scored goals internally shall be decisive.

d) If the ranking can not be decided by the internal matches, the total goal difference of the teams concerned shall be decisive.

e) If the total goal difference is not decisive most scored goals of the teams concerned shall be decisive.

f) If most scored goals is not decisive a drawing of lot with the teams concerned shall settle the ranking.

§ 4 PLAYING SYSTEM OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - continuation

4.3.4 When the B-division is divided into two groups continued play after the group matches shall be as follows (ranking referring to the complete Championship):

Semi-final 1 Winner of group 1 – 2^nd of group 2

Semi-final 2 Winner of group 2 – 2^nd of group 1

Match for 11/13^th Place Loser of Semi-final 1 – Loser of Semi-final 2

Final (9/11^th place) Winner of Semi-final 1 – Winner of Semi-final 2

Ranking matches for 13/15^th, 15/17^th and 19^th place shall be played as follows:

Match for 13/15^th Place 3^rd of group 1 – 3^rd of group 2

Match for 15/17^th Place 4^th of group 2 – 4^th of group 1

Match for 19^th Place 5^th of group 1 – 5^th of group 2

The above mentioned matches shall, when ending with a draw, be decided according to the IFF Rules of the Game concerning extra-time and, if necessary, penalty shots.

The winner of the B-Division shall be promoted to the A-division.

The loser of the 17/19^th place match shall be relegated to the C-division.

4.4 The match schedule of a Championship shall be done such that there is least 2 1/2 hours

between the start of matches being played on the same rink and that there is at least 3

hours rest between the start of two consecutive matches of any team. In principal a team

that plays the last match of the day should not play the first match the following day.

4.5 The organizers are entitled to request to the IFF RACC for changes in the timetable for

reasons of television coverage. The teams shall be informed at a justified time before the

start of the match concerned.

4.6 Teams are entitled to warm up at least 15 minutes on the rink before the start of a match.

§ 5 PLAYER’S OUTFITS

5.1 The player’s outfit shall be according to the IFF Rules of the Game.

IFF may decide about further regulations regarding numbering, colours and

advertisements on the player’s outfit and equipment, and the team official’s outfit and

equipment, to be in charge during the Championship.

5.2 A player taking part of the Championship shall wear the same number throughout the

whole competition (according to the list of players § 3.3).

5.3 If two teams have the same colour the RACC shall decide which team shall change

according to registration.

§ 6 ADVERTISEMENT RIGHTS

6.1 A team is entitled to have advertisements on the player's outfit, but shall leave

space for possible IFF advertisement according to 6.2.

The main colour of the outfit must be dominating.

6.2 IFF is entitled to have advertisements on the player's outfit.

§ 7 REFEREES

7.1 All matters concerning referees in IFF National Team competitions shall be dealt with by

the IFF Referee Committee according to valid regulations and decisions.

§ 8 PROTESTS

8.1 The IFF Rules and Competition Committee (RACC) shall act as the jury and decide in

matters regarding protests during the Championship. Sanctions imposed by the Jury are

final as far as the duration of the competition to which they apply is concerned.

8.2 When taking decisions the valid IFF regulations are applicable.

8.3 The intention to protest shall be noted in the Match Record directly after the match and

the protest shall be handed to the Jury within 60 minutes from the end of the match

concerned.

8.4 Protests concerning qualification of players shall be handed in before the start of the

match concerned.

8.5 A protest must be written, signed and followed by the amount of 50 CHF, which will be

returned only if the protest is approved.

§ 9 DOPING

9.1 The IFF Rules and Competition Committee (RACC) shall act as the jury and decide in

matters regarding doping during the Championship. Sanctions imposed by the Jury are

final as far as the duration of the competition to which they apply is concerned.

9.2 When taking decisions the valid IFF regulations and the IOC (WADA) Anti-Doping

regulations are applicable.

9.3 All players registered for competition of IFF agree to undergo doping control test.

Refusal of player to submit to doping test shall be considered as equivalent to positive

result. The player is entitled to be accompanied by an official or other of the team during

the test.

9.4 In case of a positive doping test the player concerned shall be suspended during

investigation. Decision about punishment shall be taken after the Championship.

§ 10 OTHER DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

10.1 The IFF Rules and Competition Committee (RACC) shall act as the jury and decide in

matters regarding other disciplinary matters during the Championship.

Sanctions imposed by the Jury are final as far as the duration of the competition to which

they apply is concerned.

10.2 When taking decisions the valid IFF regulations are applicable.

10.3 All disciplinary matters which are not in the competence of the CB or the RACC of IFF

shall be dealt with by the IFF Disciplinary Bodies.

§ 11 WALK OVER

11.1 When a Walk Over (W.O) is at hand, meaning when a team does not line up to a match,

the match is forfeited and the opponent shall be considered having won the match with

the result 5-0.

§ 12 CUPS AND MEDALS IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

12.1 A challenge cup shall be presented to the winning team to hold for one year. The holder

shall be responsible for the loss or damage of the cup and shall bring it to the next

Championship in perfect condition. The holder shall be responsible for engraving of its

name according to the guide-lines laid down by IFF. A replica of the cup and 30 IFF

Gold medals shall be awarded to the winning. Additional medals may not be produced.

The challenge cup shall become the final property of the team which wins the trophy

three times in succession or a total of five times.

12.2 The runner-up shall receive a cup and 30 IFF Silver medals.

12.3 The 3^rd ranked team shall receive a cup and 30 IFF Bronze medals.

12.4 The winner of the B-division shall be presented a cup and 30 IFF Gold medals.

12.5 The referees in the final shall be presented one IFF Gold medal each. The referees in the bronze match shall be presented one IFF Silver medal each and the referees in the B-division final shall be presented one IFF Bronze medal each.

12.6 Each participating player, team official and referee shall be presented one IFF Bronze Memory medal each.

§ 13 THE RINK

13.1 The rink shall be according to the IFF Rules of the Game.

§ 14 PRACTISE SESSIONS DURING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

14.1 Teams are entitled to practice for at least 60 minutes per day on a regulation playing area.

14.2 Teams are entitled to at least one practice in the official tournament venue before their first match in that venue, on the day before an official match.

14.3 Practice sessions shall be conducted according to the official practice schedule.

14.4 Teams shall bring their own balls and other equipment to practice sessions.

§ 15 MEETINGS IN IFF CHAMPIONSHIPS

15.1. Immediately prior to the start of the tournament a meeting should be held where the

organizing committee, the head of delegation and coach of each team, the referees

representative and the IFF RACC shall be present. The agenda shall include:

a) Welcome

b) Task of the RACC

c) The list of 23 players and 7 officials

d) Colours of the teams at each match

e) Match schedule, Lining ups

f) Advertising, Outfits, IFF

g) Media

h) Instructions to the referees

i) Doping, medical care

j) Transport, Hotel Accommodation, ceremonies

k) Questions, remarks

l) Any other business

m) Date and time of the Meeting of the qualified teams

§ 15 MEETINGS IN IFF CHAMPIONSHIPS

15.2 A second technical meeting shall be held prior to the semi-finals.

15.3 The organizers are responsible for arranging the meeting rooms.

15.4 The heads of delegation’s shall attend other meetings scheduled by the RACC or the organizing committee.

§ 16 TICKETS

16.1 Each participating team is entitled to a maximum of 30 tickets valid for the entire Championships, free of charge, for the players and officials of the team.

16.2 Each participating member Association is entitled to a maximum of 10 tickets (2 VIP and 8 ordinary) valid for the entire Championships, free of charge.

16.3 Each participating member Association is entitled to purchase tickets.

The ticket quota of each participating member Association shall be fixed by IFF RACC in consultation with the organizer, and shall be divided as follows:

a) For their own team’s matches in the group

b) For matches played by other teams in the same group

c) For matches in other groups

d) For their own team’s matches in continued play after group matches

e) For other matches in continued play after group matches

§ 17 UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

17.1 The CB and/or RACC of IFF shall take decisions on all matters not provided for in these Regulations, as well as in cases of “force majeure”. Such decisions shall not be subject to appeal.