Question Number: 28000

League Specific 11/13/2013

RE: school Under 14

Mary Sue of Gattikon, Switzerland asks...

Our team recently played in a tournament of 8 international school teams. There were 2 groups. Our team was in a three way tie for the top of the group, the teams had equal points. The rules for the tournament sited FIFA Law but the tournamnet organiser decided 1,2,3 place by comparing goal difference between teams in the tie rather than all matches in the group.

There were no winners as the kids all fe;lt bad. The kids went with the world cup group rules and felt a mistake had been made and goal difference for all group matches should have counted?

Were they right?

Thanks
Mary Sue

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mary Sue
I would suspect not. International torunaments are generally well run with set rules and good administration. So the decision rests with the competition rules specific to this tournament. The games themselves would have beeen played under FIFA Laws of the Game but the break of a tie would be up to the competition organisers and the rules set down which can vary greatly from tournament to tournament. It is not part of the FIFA Laws.
There are a number of methods
1. Goal difference of all games in the group.
2. Head to head results between the tying teams.
3. Goal difference between the tying teams.
4. Scores at half time etc
5. Kicks from the Penalty Mark Contest
For instance in the 2014 World Cup, ties will be determined by goal difference in all games. If there is a further tie it will be decided by the number of points obtained in the group games between the tying teams. If there is a further tie goal difference between the teams will apply followed by goals scored between the teams.
In Ireland an example of competition rules would be the Dublin Cup. Here is what the Dublin Cup Rules says online
''8. Teams finishing level on points at the end of the group games will be separated by the following criteria: 1. Goal difference 2. Goals scored 3. Result of game between teams and finally 4. Toss of coin.
9. Games ending in a draw at the play off stage shall be decided by FIFA Penalty Rule. No extra time.
These are the rules of the Tournament and cannot be appealed. All teams entering are accepted into the Tournament on the basis of these rules.''
If the competition rules state that ties will be decided by "comparing goal difference between teams in the tie rather than all matches in the group." then that is all that matters.
Finally I would make the point that in Underage if there is the possibility of weak teams in the groups it can be unfair to go with goal difference. Teams can decide to ease up in a game to prevent a heavy defeat on its opponents and should not be punished for that. So it can be a good idea to break the tie only involving games between the tying teams. Underage Leagues that I'm involved with do not use goal difference to break ties for the above reason. All ties result in a play off game/s.