Summary of Organizational Rules for the Elite Premium Championship for Under-20, Under-18, and Under-16 Categories.
In implementation of the various circulars of the Algerian Football Federation regarding the organization of youth championships for the 2025-2026 sports season, particularly circulars 53, 60, and 65 to regulate the 2026 Elite Premium Championship under the supervision of the Professional Football League, the organizational rules for this championship are as follows:
Group and Stadium Allocation: The division of groups and the designation of stadiums are predetermined in circular 65, prior to knowing the identity of the qualified clubs, and cannot be subject to change requests from any party. Only the Professional Football League has the right to replace a stadium, if it is closed due to construction work, with another stadium in the same city, or a suitable stadium in the nearest city.
Organizational Responsibilities: The wilaya league in whose territory the match stadium is located is fully responsible for organizational matters, including coordination for the readiness of the stadium, providing an ambulance, a doctor, and security. The league also pays any expenses resulting from this to the relevant authorities.
Organizational Fees: In return, each team must pay an amount of 15,000 DZD to the concerned wilaya football league handling the organization, which must be done mandatorily before the match. The club does not have the right to request to pay a lesser amount, even if it brings its own doctor. If the match is not played due to either team's refusal to pay the expenses, that team loses the match by default (3-0), and a point is deducted from its balance.
Match Postponement: If a match is not played for organizational reasons (stadium, security, ambulance, doctor) or is stopped due to weather conditions, it is automatically replayed the following morning starting at 10:00 a.m. at the same stadium and with the same refereeing crew.
Equipment: Each club is required to bring two kits of different colors and 6 balls. If the uniforms are similar, the referee conducts a draw to determine which team must change its kit, under penalty of a 3-0 loss and a one-point deduction for the defaulting team.
Player Eligibility: Clubs in the under-20 category are not allowed to use senior team players in the Elite Premium Championship matches. However, they are allowed to use players born in 2006 and 2007, even if they are registered as senior players during the 2025-2026 sports season.
Match Duration and Point System: Matches are played in two 45-minute halves for the Under-20s, two 40-minute halves for the Under-18s, and two 35-minute halves for the Under-16s. In the event of a draw, a penalty shootout takes place with 5 kicks per team. In the group stage, the team that wins in regular time receives 3 points versus 0 points for their opponent, while the winner of the penalty shootout receives 2 points versus 1 point for their opponent.
Tie-Breaker: In the event that two or more teams are tied at the end of the group stage, the club that has obtained the most points in the head-to-head matches qualifies.
Discipline: The Professional Football League prepares the competition platform for the Elite Premium Championship and designates match commissioners. Its Disciplinary Committee examines everything related to official reports, such as cautions or incidents that may accompany the matches, in accordance with the Youth Championships Regulations, October 2025 edition.
Refereeing: The Central Refereeing Committee appoints a refereeing trio for all stages of the Elite Premium Championship. If a crew or referee is unable to attend, the wilaya league of the match stadium automatically replaces them with one of its own referees.
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