Rules & Regulations
Designed to promote fair competition, employee wellness, and corporate pride. This official framework ensures all participants respect the spirit of the game and represent their company with professionalism.
Introduction
COPA Corporate Football was established to promote active lifestyles, employee well-being, teamwork, and stronger connections among the corporate community.
The tournament will be conducted in a fair, respectful, safe, and professional manner, guided by the values of integrity, discipline, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.
These Rules and Regulations will serve as the official reference for all participating companies, players, team officials, match officials, and organizers throughout COPA Corporate Football.
Overview
The COPA Corporate Football Riyadh Edition 2027 is a premier 7-a-side corporate football championship. It is designed to promote fair competition, employee wellness, and corporate pride across six matchdays in Riyadh.
General Principles
01.Fair Competition
All teams compete under the same Rules, procedures, and standards, ensuring a fair and level playing field for everyone.
02.Sportsmanship & Respect
Every participant must demonstrate honesty, respect, integrity, and professionalism, on and off the pitch.
03.Participation & Enjoyment
The Championship promotes teamwork, employee engagement, well-being, and enjoyment of the game, while keeping a genuinely competitive spirit.
04.Safety & Welfare
The safety and welfare of players, officials, staff, and spectators remain a priority throughout the Championship.
05.Competition Integrity
All participants must protect the credibility and reputation of the Championship through fair and ethical conduct.
06.Official Governance
COPA Corporate organizes and administers the Championship under these official Rules & Regulations.
07.Official Communications
Fixtures, schedules, notices, amendments, and decisions issued through official COPA Corporate channels are binding on all participants.
08.Authority & Final Decisions
COPA Corporate reserves the right to interpret these Rules, make operational decisions, and resolve any matters not expressly covered.
Participant Obligations
By registering and participating in COPA Corporate, every player, team official, and participating organization agrees to the following obligations.
01.Comply with the Rules
Follow these Rules and Regulations, the Laws of the Game, and all official instructions issued by the Organizing Committee.
02.Stay Informed
Regularly check official communications, fixtures, and schedule updates issued through official COPA Corporate channels.
03.Ensure Eligibility
Provide accurate registration information and meet all player eligibility requirements.
04.Be Match Ready
Arrive on time for check in, verification, warm up, and scheduled matches.
05.Wear Required Equipment
Use the approved team kit and mandatory playing equipment throughout the competition.
06.Follow Safety Instructions
Comply with medical, safety, venue, and emergency procedures at all times.
07.Protect Tournament Property
Use venues, facilities, and tournament equipment responsibly.
08.Cooperate with Officials and Decisions
Support the Organizer and Match Officials, and accept decisions made under these Rules and Regulations.
09.Report Integrity Concerns
Report any credible concern about match manipulation, bribery, or misconduct through the official organizer channel.
10.Uphold Integrity Standards
Ensure players and team officials are briefed on integrity, anti-bribery, and respectful conduct standards before the Championship.
11.Consent to Data Use
Allow COPA Corporate to collect and use registration, eligibility, and medical information for competition administration and safety.
12.Consent to Media Use
Allow COPA Corporate to use official photography, video, and media coverage from the Championship.
Tournament Structure
Group Stage
The 48 registered teams will be divided into 8 groups of 6 teams. Each team will play every other team in its group once, giving every team a minimum of 5 group-stage matches. The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage.
Points SystemGroup Ranking Criteria: If two or more teams are tied, ranking may be decided by: 1. Highest number of points | 2. Goal difference | 3. Highest number of goals scored | 4. Head-to-head result | 5. Fair play record | 6. Drawing of lots by the Organizing Committee, if required.
- Win: 3 Points
- Draw: 1 Point
- Loss: 0 Points
Knockout Stage
The top 16 teams will enter the knockout rounds. If a knockout match ends in a draw, the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks, except for the Final where extra time will be applied before penalties, subject to final competition rules.
- Round of 16
- Quarter Finals
- Semi Finals
- Third Place Match
- Final
Match Format
COPA Corporate Football follows a fast and competitive 7v7 football format.
SubstitutionsRolling substitutions with referee approval
Who Can Register?
COPA Corporate Football is open to legally registered organizations operating in Saudi Arabia.
Important ConditionsEach company has the right to participate with up to 3 teams as long as there are no duplicate players (1 Manager is accepted for all 3).
- Private companies
- Public companies
- Semi-government entities
- Multinational companies
- SMEs
- Startups
- Professional organizations
- Agencies and service companies
- Business groups and corporate institutions
Team Formation
Each team must register a complete squad before the registration deadline, and appoint a captain for on-field communication and a Team Manager for official correspondence.
*1 Team Manager / Company Representative
Registration Requirements
Each team must submit complete and accurate information before the deadline.
A team is officially confirmed only after registration submission, document approval, and payment completion.
- Company Profile: Company name, legal proof (if requested), company logo, representative details, finance contact details, and team name.
- Player Profile: Full name, nationality, date of birth, mobile number, email address, ID / Iqama / passport copy, employment proof (if required), jersey number, and medical declaration.
Fee & Payment
The registration fee supports professional tournament delivery, including operations, match scheduling, venue coordination, referee management, registration systems, accreditation, medical support, matchday staffing, photography, awards, and event experience.
A team is officially registered only after payment is received and confirmed by the Organizing Committee. All registration fees are exclusive of applicable VAT.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate, players must meet the eligibility requirements set by the Organizing Committee.
Employment Verification:The Organizing Committee may request employment verification, including company employment letter, HR confirmation, company ID, official company email confirmation, or other supporting documents.
- Must be 18 to 55 years old.
- Be employed by the registered company.
- Hold valid Saudi residency or legal work status.
- Be included in the official team roster.
- Submit required verification documents.
- Accept the tournament rules and code of conduct.
- Be physically fit to participate.
Competition Rules
These rules govern the overall event, tournament structure, and general guidelines.
01.Tournament Participation
Registered teams must participate in all scheduled matches and fulfil their competition commitments throughout the Championship.
02.Approved Participation
Only teams, players and team officials registered, verified and approved by COPA Corporate may participate. Unregistered, ineligible or falsely identified persons are prohibited.
03.Team Manager
Each team must appoint one registered Team Manager as its official representative for communication, documentation, verification, protests and tournament coordination.
04.Team Captain
Each team must appoint one registered player as Captain to support player conduct, on-field leadership and communication with match officials.
05.Official Communications
Teams must monitor and follow notices issued through the official portal, registered email, Team Manager channel and COPA Corporate circulars.
06.Match Reporting, Accreditation and Punctuality
Teams must arrive within the official reporting time, complete check-in and verification, and be correctly equipped and ready at the scheduled kick-off time. Accreditation cannot be transferred, exchanged or shared. Late or incomplete arrival may result in sanctions or forfeiture.
07.Fixtures and Schedule Changes
Teams must follow the published date, pitch and kick-off time. Fixtures may not be privately exchanged, and only COPA Corporate may approve changes.
08.Withdrawal or Forfeiture
A team unable to fulfil a match or continue in the Championship must notify the Competition Committee immediately through its Team Manager.
09.Forfeit Result
A forfeited match will normally be recorded as a 3–0 victory for the non-offending team, unless the existing score provides that team with a better result.
10.Interrupted, Abandoned or Rescheduled Matches
The Competition Committee will decide whether an affected match is resumed, completed later, replayed, confirmed at the existing score or awarded as a forfeit. No team is automatically entitled to a replay.
11.Competition Integrity
Betting on COPA Corporate matches, and offering or accepting bribes, gifts or improper benefits to influence a match or decision, are strictly prohibited. Participant information must not be disclosed or misused, and any credible integrity concern must be reported through the official channel.
12.Official Instructions
Teams must comply with instructions issued by authorized referees, match officials, medical personnel, security staff, venue staff and the Competition Committee.
13.Official Results and Standings
Scores and standings become official once verified through the tournament process. Administrative errors may be corrected through the official review procedure.
14.Protests and Reviews
Only the registered Team Manager may submit a protest. Notice and supporting information must be provided within the deadlines stated in the official Rules.
15.Penalties and Disqualification
A team, player or team official may be warned, suspended, removed, penalized, awarded a forfeit against them or disqualified for:
- Using an unregistered, ineligible or falsely identified player
- Falsifying employment, identity or registration documents
- Cheating or attempting to manipulate a match result
- Violent, abusive, discriminatory or threatening conduct
- Unauthorized entry or interference with another match
- Tampering with equipment, accreditation or official records
- Refusing to follow official instructions
- Conduct that threatens safety, fairness or competition integrity
Disqualification will be confirmed by the Competition Committee after reviewing the relevant reports and evidence.
Match Rules
01.Team Format
Each match will be played between two teams, with seven players per team on the pitch, including one goalkeeper. Each registered squad may include three substitutes.
02.Minimum Starting Players
A team must present seven registered and eligible players to start the match. Failure to meet this requirement may result in forfeiture.
03.Match Readiness
Teams must complete player verification, report to their assigned pitch, and be ready before the scheduled kick-off time.
04.Match Duration
Each match will consist of two 20-minute halves, separated by the official half-time interval communicated by the Tournament Organizing Committee.
05.Referee Authority
The match will begin, pause, restart, and end only on the referee's signal. All referee decisions made during play must be respected.
06.No Offside
The offside rule will not apply in COPA Corporate Football.
07.Rolling Substitutions
Unlimited rolling substitutions are permitted using registered squad players. All substitutions must take place through the designated substitution area.
08.Goalkeeper Rules
The goalkeeper may handle the ball only within the designated penalty area and must follow the approved distribution, substitution, and restart procedures.
09.Kick-Off and Restarts
Play commences from the center mark at the start of each half and after each goal. All restarts must follow the official COPA Laws.
10.Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when it completely crosses the goal line or touchline, or when play is stopped by the referee.
11.Captain Communication
Only the Team Captain may respectfully approach the referee for clarification after a major decision. Players must not surround, confront or intimidate match officials.
12.Fouls and Misconduct
Dangerous play, handball, reckless challenges, serious foul play, violent conduct, dissent, cheating and unsporting behaviour will be penalized under the official COPA Laws.
13.Free Kicks and Penalty Kicks
Opponents must normally remain at least five metres from free kicks. Penalty kicks are taken from the official eight-metre penalty mark.
14.Fair and Safe Play
Players must compete safely, honestly and respectfully. Player welfare and safety take priority over continuation of play or match results.
15.Match Interruption
The referee may stop, suspend or abandon a match because of injury, unsafe conditions, venue failure, security concerns, misconduct or outside interference.
16.Group-Stage Match Outcome
A group-stage match level at full time ends as a draw. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss.
17.Knockout Match Outcome
A knockout match level at full time proceeds directly to a penalty shoot-out. Each team takes three initial kicks, followed by sudden death if required. No extra time is played.
18.Match Completion
Immediately after the match, the referee and match commissioner confirm the score, cards and any incidents for the official record.
Substitutions
01.Squad Composition
Each team may register a maximum of 10 players: seven players on the pitch, including one goalkeeper, and three substitutes.
02.Rolling Substitutions
Teams may make unlimited rolling substitutions throughout the match using only registered and approved squad players.
03.Substitution Procedure
Substitutions must take place through the designated area at the halfway line. The outgoing player must fully leave the pitch before the substitute enters.
04.Goalkeeper Changes
A goalkeeper may be substituted or exchange positions with another registered player, provided the referee is informed before the change.
05.Substitute and Technical Area Conduct
Substitutes must wear the provided bib and remain within the designated technical area unless authorized to enter the pitch.
06.Dismissed Players
A player who is dismissed may not be replaced. The team must continue with one fewer player, subject to the minimum-player requirement.
Referees
01.Match Referee
The Match Referee has full authority during the match and is responsible for controlling play, recording goals, managing match time and substitutions, issuing disciplinary sanctions, and submitting the official match report. Group Stage and Round of 16: One referee per match Quarter-finals to Final: Two referees per match
02.Lead and Second Referee
From the Quarter-finals onward, the Lead Referee will have final on-field authority. The Second Referee will assist with substitutions, technical-area conduct, off-ball incidents, and actions outside the Lead Referee's immediate view.
03.Tournament Organizing Committee
The Tournament Organizing Committee will appoint referees, review official match reports, and decide disciplinary or administrative matters. Referee decisions concerning incidents during play are final.
Fouls & Misconduct
The referee may take disciplinary action for fouls, misconduct, or unsafe behavior.
- Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
- Tripping
- Pushing
- Holding
- Dangerous charging
- Deliberate handball
- Dangerous play
- Blocking the goalkeeper unfairly
- Reckless or excessive contact
Card Offences
Disciplinary cards are issued to players for offences during the match.
Yellow Card (Caution)
- Unsporting behavior
- Dissent by word or action
- Persistent fouling
- Delaying restart
- Failing to respect required distance
- Entering or leaving the field without permission
- Disrespectful conduct
Red Card (Dismissal)
- Serious foul play
- Violent conduct
- Spitting
- Offensive or abusive language
- Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
- Receiving a second yellow card
- Serious misconduct against officials, opponents, staff, or spectators
Disciplinary Consequences
| Action | Possible Consequence |
|---|---|
| Yellow Card | Recorded in match report |
| Two Yellow Cards | Red card and dismissal |
| Direct Red Card | Sent off and committee review |
| Serious Misconduct | Suspension or tournament removal |
| Team Misconduct | Possible match forfeiture or disciplinary action |
* The Disciplinary Committee may review incidents after matches.
Walkover & Forfeit
Teams must respect the official match schedule. A team may be considered late or absent if it fails to arrive, check in, or field the required number of eligible players on time.
If a team fails to appear, the match may be awarded to the opponent. An indicative forfeit result may be 3–0, subject to Organizing Committee confirmation.
- Warning
- Reduced warm-up time
- Match delay penalty
- Forfeit result
- Disciplinary review
Protests & Appeals
Disallowed Protests: Protests against referee judgment decisions during play are generally not accepted. The Committee may only review administrative, eligibility, disciplinary, or procedural matters.
Only the official Team Manager may submit a protest or official request. Players, spectators, or other individuals may not submit protests directly.
- 01.Team Manager informs the Tournament Desk
- 02.Written protest is submitted
- 03.Match details and evidence are provided
- 04.Committee reviews the case
- 05.Decision is communicated to the Team Manager
Player Code of Conduct
COPA Corporate Football is conducted in a manner that promotes fairness, respect, safety, and good sportsmanship. All players are expected to:
- 01.Take responsibility for their own safety and avoid actions that may endanger others.
- 02.Treat teammates, opponents, organizers, officials, volunteers, and spectators with respect and courtesy, and follow the instructions of referees, medical personnel, and venue staff.
- 03.Avoid abusive, offensive, discriminatory, threatening, or provocative language and behaviour.
- 04.Immediately report any injury, medical incident, safety concern, or withdrawal to the referee or tournament official.
- 05.Compete fairly, without cheating, match manipulation, unauthorized assistance, or any attempt to gain an unfair advantage.
- 06.Respect the pitch, technical areas, equipment, facilities, and official venue boundaries, and dispose of waste only in designated areas.
- 07.Wear only approved kit and safety equipment during play — nothing that could injure another player or distract from the match.
- 08.Conduct themselves at all times in a manner that protects the reputation of their company, their team, and COPA Corporate Football.
Event Safety & Medical
Participant safety is a priority.
Fitness Declaration: Each player is responsible for ensuring they are physically fit to participate.
- Medical team on site
- First aid support
- Emergency response process
- Hydration points
- Venue safety inspection
- Clear field boundaries
- Safe goal installation
- Heat and weather monitoring
- Match suspension procedure if required
Weather & Conditions
The Organizing Committee may adjust match operations due to weather, temperature, air quality, or unsafe conditions.
- Adjusting kickoff time
- Adding hydration breaks
- Delaying match start
- Temporarily suspending play
- Rescheduling matches
- Stopping play for safety
Spectator Conduct
Guidance for spectators supporting corporate teams.
- Support respectfully and follow venue rules.
- Remain in approved areas and respect referees, opponents, and staff.
- Support company spirit positively and follow staff/security instructions.
- Do not enter the field of play or restricted zones.
- Do not use abusive language or throw objects.
- Do not harass players or officials, or display unauthorized commercial branding.
Official Channels
The Team Manager is the official point of contact between the team and the Organizing Committee.
Important: Only information issued by the Organizing Committee should be considered official.
- Email updates
- WhatsApp group messages
- Website announcements
- Registration portal notifications
- Social media posts
- Team manager briefings
- Matchday announcements
Legal & Official Documents
These Rules and Regulations govern all participating teams, players, managers, spectators, partners, and officials during COPA Corporate Football Riyadh Edition 2027.
Disclaimer: In case of any difference between website content and the official Competition Rules and Regulations, the official Competition Rules and Regulations will prevail. These Rules and Regulations are an independent COPA Corporate publication and are not an official IFAB, FIFA, or national football association publication. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to amend these rules and regulations at any time.
- 01.Order of Precedence: 1. Official COPA circulars and amendments | 2. These Competition Rules | 3. These 7-a-side Laws | 4. Matchday instructions | 5. General football principles, applied in the spirit of fairness and safety.
- 02.Separate official documents may be issued for: Competition Rules and Regulations, Player Waiver, Sponsor and Partner Guidelines, Match Schedule, Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Media Consent, Venue Operations Manual, and Final Team Briefing Pack.
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