REGULATIONS FOR EUROHOCKEY CLUB COMPETITIONS (OUTDOORS)
EURO HOCKEY LEAGUE – updated September 2016

1. Authority and Title
The competition is organised by the European Hockey Federation (EHF) and Euro Hockey League (EHL) and shall be played under the authority of EHF. The title of the competition shall be the Euro Hockey League.
2 Entry
2.1 Those National Associations qualified to enter the Euro Hockey League (EHL) for the coming season must send their correctly completed Entry Form(s) to the EHF by the deadline date as specified in the entry letter. The application must include the name, address, telephone and email details of the 2 contact persons of each club entered, so that EHF and EHL may communicate with them.
2.2 Other than those National Associations ranked 1-4, each National Association affiliated to EHF shall be entitled to enter 2 clubs in Men’s EuroHockey club competitions each season (to include EHL, EuroHockey Club Trophy and EuroHockey Club Challenge tournaments), and each National Association:
(a) SHOULD enter its champion club for the first ranked place for which it is qualified; In exceptional circumstances, the EHF Competitions Committee Outdoor may, at its sole discretion, waive this requirement.
(b) Is entitled to decide its own procedure for choosing/qualifying the other club(s) it will enter, and the ranking of those clubs.
2.3 If such detailed entries are not received by the date specified in the entry letter then that National Association’s entry for EHL will not be valid and may be refused. For those National Associations whose national competition is not finished by this date, then they must enter their current champion clubs at the entry date and are not allowed to submit club names at a later date.

3 Qualification for the Euro Hockey League and EuroHockey Club Trophy
3.1 Ranking points will be earned by each team entered by a National Association in the Euro Hockey League and in the EuroHockey Club Trophy. This set out in paragraph 4 below.
3.2 The preparation, justification and interpretation of the ranking table shall be at the absolute discretion of EHF.
3.3 After each season’s Euro Hockey League competition has been completed, then the number of clubs each National Association is qualified to enter in the Euro Hockey League for the following season will be decided using the EHL Ranking Table.
3.4 National Associations ranked 1-4 will be qualified to enter 3 clubs, those ranked 5-8 will be qualified to enter 2 clubs, and those ranked 9-12 will be qualified to enter 1 club in the Euro Hockey League.
3.5 It is a condition of playing in the EHL or the EuroHockey Club Trophy (and therefore of earning points in the ranking table) that not less than 2 clubs from a National Association must be entered and participate in EuroHockey (Men’s) club competition in the season.

4 Ranking Points
4.1 Euro Hockey League (the top 24)
For each match played, the following EHL ranking points will be applied:
Win: 5 points
Draw: 2 points
Loss with goal difference of no more than 2: 1 point
Loss with more than 2 goals between the teams: 0 points

Should any classification match that ends in a draw go to a shoot-out competition, then the winner of that shoot-out competition shall receive 1 bonus point, in addition to the points which it has earned from the draw.

In addition the National Association of the clubs contesting the EHL Final will be awarded additional

EHL ranking points as follows:
Winning club: 5 points
Runner-up: 3 points

4.2 EuroHockey Club Trophy
For the EHL Ranking Table (which decides on qualification for EHL (the top 24) for the following season) the following points will be awarded based on a team’s final ranking in the Trophy:

1st place: 12 points          5th place: 4 points
2nd place: 10 points        6th place: 3 points
3rd place: 8 points           7th place: 2 points
4th place: 6 points           8th place: 1 point
In the event of a classification match ending in a draw at full time, then a shoot-out competition, played in accordance with the relevant Appendix of the current FIH General Tournament Regulations (Outdoor Competitions) will decide the winner.
For the avoidance of any doubt, the points awarded after a match for the purposes of calculating the ranking in the pool competition in the Trophy will not count towards the EHL Ranking Table.
Only the points based on the final positions as set out above will be included in the EHL Ranking Table.

Any team on being disqualified or withdrawing at any stage in the Club Trophy competition shall forfeit its entitlement to any ranking points in that season. Where a club has a team in the EHL and a team in the Challenge competition which is disqualified or withdraws at any stage of the Club Challenge competition, the EHL team shall forfeit its entitlement to any ranking points in that season.

4.3 Bonus Points
a) In addition to the basic points won, each club playing in EHL (the top 24) will receive 6 bonus points.
b) The teams (12) automatically qualified for Round 2 (KO16) will receive extra bonus points as they will not have a chance to earn points from Round 1. It is the corrected average of what they get, based on the points calculated from previous EHL seasons and is as follows:

1st teams from countries ranked 1-4: 7 bonus points
2nd teams from countries ranked 1-4: 6 bonus points
1st teams from countries ranked 5-6: 6 bonus points
1st teams from countries ranked 7-8: 3 bonus points

4.4 Number of Clubs from each National Association To decide the ranking of a National Association in the season’s ranking table, the total number of points won by its clubs (and if necessary the number of goals scored and conceded) will be divided by the number of clubs which that National Association was qualified to have in the EHL and the EuroHockey club competition that season.

4.5 If points are equal:
(a) Clubs in a pool in Round 1
If the points of 2 or more clubs are equal in a pools points table in Round 1 then the position will be decided, as per FIH Regulations, by:
(i) number of matches won
(ii) goal difference;
(iii) the highest number of goals for (scored);
(iv) the result of the match between the teams;
(v) if all these remain equal, then by a shoot-out competition played in accordance with relevant Appendix of the current FIH General Tournament Regulations (Outdoor Competitions);
(vi) if more than 2 teams are on equal points then FIH Regulations are followed.
(viii) a shoot-out competition will only be played to determine qualification to the next round.

(b) National Associations in the Ranking Table
If the points of 2 or more National Associations remain equal in the season’s final ranking table, their positions will be decided by:
(i) dividing their points by the total number of clubs from the National Association playing in EuroHockey competitions and then
(ii) by goal difference, established by dividing the accumulated goal difference of these clubs by the total number of matches played by them in the competitions.

4.6 Ranking in Lower Divisions
Ranking points will be awarded only to clubs playing in the EHL and EuroHockey Club Trophy.

Direct promotion and relegation (2 up, 2 down) will apply between the Trophy and Challenge I tournaments, and between all Challenge tournaments at all times, subject to the number of competing teams in each tournament (see para. A3 of the EHF Club Competitions Regulations).

5 Entry Fees
An entry fee of €1000 is payable to the EHF in respect of each club entered in EHL. National Associations are responsible for payment of entry fees on behalf of their club(s) and will receive from the Hon. Treasurer of the EHF an invoice for the entry fee(s) due. Entry fees are non-refundable once the official entry form has been received by the EHF.

6 Format
6.1 Round 1 of the Euro Hockey League will be played, on date to be fixed by EHL, usually on the first or second weekend in October in each season. Round 1 will consist of 12 teams: ranked as 3rd of countries ranked 1-4 (4 teams), 2nd of countries ranked 5-8 (4 teams) and number 1 countries ranked 9-12 (4 teams).

There will be 4 pools each of 3 clubs (to be played at pre-arranged venue). Each club in a pool will play the other 2 clubs in that pool once. The top 1 clubs in each pool go forward into Round 2 (KO16). The 2nd and 3rd ranked club in each pool are eliminated from that season’s competition.

(The draw for Round 1: Clubs ranked as 3rd from countries ranked 1-4 in the EHL Ranking Table will be seeded as the numbers one in each pool.

Followed by a draw to allocate the remaining 8 places; first to allocate the numbers two in each pool, then to allocate the numbers 3 in each pool).

6.2 Round 2 will consist of 16 teams: ranked as 1st and 2nd of countries ranked 1-4 (8 teams), ranked as 1st of countries ranked 5-8 (4 teams) and winners of Round 1 (4 teams).
The first 2 teams from countries ranked 1-4 and the first team from countries ranked 5-8 are waived to Round 2 (KO16).
The draw for KO16: Clubs ranked as 1st from countries ranked 1-8 in the EHL Ranking Table will be seeded. The remaining 8 places will be allocated by a draw.
Rounds 2 and 3 will be played at Easter (at venue(s) decided by EHL). Round 2 will consist of 16 clubs, playing 8 knockout matches. The winners of those 8 matches will play Round 3 (quarterfinals) at the same venue(s)*.

6.3 Round 4 (the semi-finals) and Round 5 (the Final and 3/4 place), will be played at Whitsun at a single venue to be decided by EHL*.

*: The EHL Board can decide to combine the rounds 2/3 and 4/5

6.4 For each match played in Rounds 1-5 clubs will gain ranking points for their National Association in accordance with Paragraph 4.1 above.

6.5 The EuroHockey Club Trophy tournament, consisting of 8 clubs, will be played at Whitsun in 2 pools of 4, followed by classification matches of A1 v B1, A2 v B2, A3 v B3 and A4 v B4.

6.6 Subject to the fact that ranking points will be awarded in accordance with Paragraph 4.2 above, the EuroHockey Club Trophy tournament will be played in accordance with Appendix C of the EHF Regulations for Club Competitions (Outdoor).

6.7 The EuroHockey Club Challenge tournaments will be played in accordance with Appendix D of the EHF Regulations for Club Competitions (Outdoor).

6.8 In exceptional circumstances EHL reserve the right to change the dates on which any tournaments/matches are held. The semi-finals will be played as stated in the draw for Rounds 2- 5.

7 Applications to Host
7.1 Applications to host any round/event must be submitted through a member National Association to EHF by such date and in such form as EHF may from time to time specify.

7.2 The hosting of those events will be subject to the provisions of the EHL Host Club Manual and of any other contract between the host club and EHL. Those agreeing to host will be deemed to have fully accepted the terms of the Manual and any contract.

7.3 Any appointed host club (or their National Association) which fails to comply with the terms of the contract shall be liable to penalty including deduction of ranking points or disqualification from the current competition or from subsequent competitions.

8 Umpires and Officials Expenses
The provision of all travel and bed and breakfast hotel accommodation for all EHL tournament officials – TD, TO, Judges, Umpires Manager(s) and all appointed Umpires and video Umpire(s) – will be made by the EHF.

9 Teams Transport and Hotels
9.1 Participating teams are responsible for arranging their own transport from home to the designated airport. All local transport (designated airport to hotel, hotel to playing venue for 1 training session and matches) will be provided by the EHL (if you are staying in the designated tournament hotel(s)).

9.2 Each team is also responsible for booking and paying for its own hotel accommodation. The host club or EHL will recommend a number of suitable local hotels (and any special rates they have been able to obtain with those hotels) but it is entirely up to the participating teams where they choose to stay.

9.3 The 4 teams qualifying from Round 1 might receive a fixed contribution to be confirmed (participation fee) towards the cost of travel and accommodation for Round 2.

9.4 Transport arrangements will be provided by EHL for any EHF Representative(s) and for the TD and all the other tournament officials.

10 Training Facilities
10.1 Each participating team is entitled, at the host club’s expense, to practice on the tournament pitch (if possible) or on an adjacent or nearby pitch which should be as similar as possible to the tournament pitch for at least 1 hour on the day before or on the morning before their match. Available practice times will be reserved on a “first come, first served” basis.

10.2 If it proves impossible to accommodate practice by all teams on the pitch prior to their match then the host club must arrange for another practice pitch in the area, which should be as similar as possible to the tournament pitch.

10.3 If a team requests additional practice/training facilities, over and above that specified above, then the host club shall use their best endeavours to assist them but, if the host club have to hire an alternative venue for this purpose then this shall be at the expense of the team requiring the additional facilities.

11 Team Entry
11.1 Clubs playing in the EHL must submit to EHF their list of 26 players (maximum of 21 field players and up to 5 goalkeepers) from which their team will be selected throughout the season’s EHL and for each round for which they are qualified to play.

11.2 The list of players for those competing in Round 1, certificated by the National Association to confirm the eligibility of the players listed, must be received by the EHF by 15 September prior to the commencement of Round 1 of the EHL competition. For failure to send the list of players to EHF by the deadline date, the National Association will be subject to a penalty to be decided by EHF. Once a list has been submitted, no further changes will be allowed. The list of players for the 12 teams who are waived through to Round 2, certificated by the National Association to confirm the eligibility of the players listed, must be received by the EHF by 1 November prior to the commencement of Round 2 of the EHL competition. For failure to send the list of players to EHF by the deadline date, the National Association will be subject to a penalty to be decided by EHF. Once a list has been submitted, no further changes will be allowed.

11.3 At a time and place to be agreed by the TD, before each match in which they compete, each team manager must submit to the TD a final list of up to 18 players who will play in that match. Only those players who have been included on the original Team Entry list of 26 and have been certified by their National Association will be allowed to play in any match.

11.4 Teams can comprise up to 18 players, which includes 2 fully kitted goalkeepers. If a team has only one fully kitted goalkeeper available, then only 16 players in the team will be allowed (1 goal keeper and up to 15 field players). If a player has been permanently excluded from a match (e.g following the issue of a red card), then that team will have one player less on the team bench.

11.5 Unlike the 26 players (who shall be as shown on the original list submitted to the EHF), the team manager, coach and support staff for a club may be changed from one round/event to another, provided the names of the current staff appear on the list submitted at the Tournament Briefing Meeting.

11.6 As of the 2016-2017 season, the EHF requires that all participating athletes in EHL, EHCC and Trophy tournaments complete an anti-doping education program as part of hockey’s commitment to anti-doping. All participants must complete the WADA ALPHA course or a NADO course and the certificates and the list of players who have completed the course must be sent by the National Association to the EHF. The deadline date for submitting the certificates to the EHF is the same date as that for submitting the team entry list. Please note that the failure of any player() to complete an education programme will result in a sanction for the National Association and the player(s) not being allowed to participate until they have submitted the form.

12 Advertising on Umpires/Officials Uniforms and team kit
12.1 Uniforms for umpires and officials, including advertising in the form of a company’s name, logo or trademark, will be provided by Euro Hockey League. It is compulsory for this uniform, and no other, to be worn during any and all EHL events.

12.2 Each club (playing in Round 1) must submit to EHL for approval by 15 September, in accordance with instructions received from the EHF Competitions Manager, digital colour photographs of their playing kit, (shirts, shorts and socks) for both their first choice (club colours) and their alternative choice, including goalkeepers shirts. For teams waived through to Round 2, the deadline for the submission of the playing kit photographs is 1 March.

12.3 Each player shall wear the logo of the EHL on either the left or right sleeve and in a position specified by EHL in such a way that no association with a sponsor is possible.

12.4 Players’ Uniforms:
Advertising in the form of a company’s name, logo or trademark is permitted on shirts and shorts as follows and is measured as the area within a rectangle drawn around the advertisement:
(i) on the front of the player’s shirt – size not exceeding 350 sq cm;
(ii) on the upper arm of the opposite shirt sleeve to the EHL logo – size not exceeding 80 sq cm;
(iii) on the reverse of the player’s shirt below the player’s number – size not exceeding 200 sq cm;
(iv) on the front of the shirt collar (both sides) – size not exceeding 40 sq cm;
(v) on the side panels of the shirt (both sides) – size not exceeding 100 sq cm each;
(vi) on the back of the player’s shorts below the waistline – size not exceeding 100 sq cm;
(vii) on one front leg (left or right) of the player’s shorts – size not exceeding 80 sq cm. Advertising is not permitted in any other location on playing strip.

13 Duration of Matches and Timekeeping
13.1 A match shall consist of 4 periods of 15 minutes as specified in paragraph 4 of Appendix 1 of the current FIH General Tournament Regulations (Outdoor Competitions). The EHF will determine match start times in all rounds of the Euro Hockey League.

13.2 Should the result of a match in Rounds 2 to 5 be a draw at the end of regulation time, a shoot-out competition will be played to establish a winner.

13.3 Ranking points (see paragraph 4 above) will be awarded on the basis of the result and score at the end of regulation time (even if the match was a draw at this stage) and before any shoot-outs are taken. The winner after the shoot-outs shall receive one further bonus point (in addition to the 2 points received for the draw).

13.4 Timekeeping will be controlled by the technical officials on duty whose responsibility it will be to signal the end of any period of regulation time (at half time and full time and for the time outs). However, in the case of an extension of any period of regulation time to permit the completion of a penalty corner awarded before the signal for the end of the period, the umpires will signal the end of that period.

13.5 The umpires shall blow a whistle to start or restart the game; they shall also signal to the technical officials every stoppage they may order and the subsequent restart.

14 Video Umpire The procedure to be followed is set out in Appendix 16 of the FIH General Tournament Regulations.

15 Radio Communication and Commentary
It is intended that both the umpires and coaches of the teams shall be wired with radio microphones. The umpires’ transmissions, in addition to going to their colleagues, including the reserve and video umpire, will be available to the TV director for broadcasting, as will the transmissions from the microphones of the coaches. It is compulsory for the umpires and the coaches to have their microphones live at all times during the match, and to follow any directions of the TV director (as relayed through the TD) as to the use of their microphones.

16 Final Result of Matches
If, at the end of full-time, the score remains level (a draw) in a match in Rounds 2-5, then which team shall progress as the winner of that match will be decided by a shoot-out.

17 Variations to the Rules of Hockey Applicable to the Euro Hockey League (Men)
The Euro Hockey League (Men) is subject to all variations of the Rules of Hockey as set out in Appendix 1 of the current FIH General Tournament Regulations (Outdoor Competitions).

18 Media and Marketing Provisions
Clubs, players and officials are required to comply, both on and off the field of play, with EHL Media and Marketing requirements and with the EHL Clubs Manual.

19 Disqualification or Failure/Refusal to Play
19.1 Any team which fails to start its first match in Round 1 of the tournament (albeit that it may have been rearranged for a later time), shall be treated as withdrawn and shall not be allowed to participate further in the EHL that season.

19.2 During Round 1 pool matches:
(a) a team either disqualified or refusing/failing to play or to complete a Round 1 pool match shall be considered to have withdrawn from the EHL;
(b) if a team so withdraws from the tournament, then the results of any matches already played by that team shall be removed from the records and the pool points table shall be corrected accordingly.

19.3 During Rounds 2 to 5:
(c) a team either disqualified or refusing/failing to play or to complete a match shall be considered to have withdrawn from the competition at that stage and to have lost that match; Any team on being disqualified or withdrawing at any stage in the competition shall forfeit its entitlement to any ranking points won in that season of Euro Hockey League.

20 Appeals
20.1 If one or more of the teams involved in a protest, or a person suspended by the TD, or any team affected by the decision of the TD wish to appeal, the team manager or the person suspended must do so in writing within 30 minutes after the TDs decision has been published. If no such appeal is lodged then the decision of the TD is final.

20.2 Appeals must be handed to the TD together with a deposit of €500, or equivalent in freely convertible currency. This sum is in addition to the €500 paid on the lodging of the original Protest.

20.3 The deposit may be refunded at the discretion of the EHF Executive Board.

20.4 The TD must immediately inform the Secretary of the EHF Appeal Panel, who will then convene a Panel. It may be that the members of the Appeal Panel will not be present at the venue, but will communicate electronically or by telephone and may use any available television footage.

20.5 No team or individual is entitled to a personal hearing before the Appeal Panel, but may make representations in writing (electronically) provided these are received within the time laid down by the Secretary to the Appeal Panel.

20.6 The Appeal Panel will make a decision in writing and publish it as soon as possible but not later than 2 hours before the start of the first match on the next day that matches are played.

20.7 The decision of the Appeal Panel is final and binding.