Tournament where Ryan Reynolds will play for Wrexham features bizarre set of rules

The tournament where Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in line to represent Wrexham in features an utterly bizarre set of rules.

The Hollywood pair have had to learn the ins and outs of the beautiful game after the investing in the Welsh club, who achieved promotion back to the Football League following a stunning National League title win.

In the May 2022, they had to have England legend David Beckham explain the offside rule to them after seeing a Wrexham goal disallowed in the dying embers against Bromley at Wembley.

But just when the duo will have got to grips with the regulations in football, they are now partaking in a competition where it's all change.

Over in Cary, Northern California, Wrexham are one of 32 teams in the seven-a-side 'The Soccer tournament' taking place at the start of June and both Reynolds and McElhenney are registered players.

Image: Alamy

Former Spurs and Fulham forward Clint Dempsey is involved in the tournament, where the winners will collect a whopping $1 million.

Borussia Dortmund, West Ham and Hashtag United all have teams, while Cesc Fabregas' Como have been paired in the same group as Wrexham along with a team full of ex USWNT players and Say Word FC, a side representing black colleges and universities in America.

The tournament follows on the inaugural basketball edition and the format and rules are anything but traditional.

Games last 40 minutes (two 20 minute halves) - with half-time breaks lasting just two minutes. Seven players, including the goalkeeper, can be on the pitch and substitutions are unlimited at all times.

There will be no draws or offsides but the monumental change is the introduction of 'Target Score Time'.

After 40 minutes is done and dusted, teams will enter an untimed period whereby the winners must reach a targeted number of goals.

The predefined score is always one more than the winning team's tally. For instance, if the score is 6-4, the target will be set at seven goals.

One team will then need to score one, with the opposition requiring three. In the event that scores our level, it's essentially golden goal or next goal wins.

But if no goal is scored in the target score time in 10 minutes, one player from each team will be removed every five minutes until it's a one-vs-one battle until someone finds the net.

Proceedings get underway on 1 June and last until June 4, when the final takes place.

Wrexham have said they will donate $500,000 to the local community if they go all the way.

Topics: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Wrexham

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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