The FA Rules 2003-04

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION

These rules must be read in conjunction with the Articles of Association.

A. CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association

1. The Association shall consist of Clubs and Affiliated Associations such as the Council may approve and which are otherwise qualified hereunder.

All Clubs and Affiliated Associations shall play and/or administer football in conformity with these Rules and also:

(a) The Laws of the Game and

(b) the Statutes and Regulations of FIFA and UEFA

Definition and Interpretation

2. In the interpretation of these Rules (a) the terms of Articles 2 and 3 of the Articles of Association of The Football Association Limited shall apply; (b) the words or expressions used herein shall have the following meanings:-

Club pursuant to these Rules

(i) The Association

(ii) The Football Association Premier League Limited

(iii) The Football League Limited

(iv) The Football Conference Limited

(v) The Northern Premier League Limited

(vi) The Southern Football League Limited

(vii) The Isthmian Football League Limited

(viii) Any member club or any of the organisations listed in (i) to (vii) above

(ix) Any full-time or part-time employee of a member club, as defined in (viii) above, or former full-time or part-time employee of such a member club, in respect of sums due to such person by way of arrears of remuneration or expenses

(x) The Professional Footballers Association

(xi) The Football Foundation

(xii) Any Affiliated Association

(xiii) Any other affiliated clubs or leagues.

In the case of a Club in membership of more than one Affiliated Association, the "Parent Association" means the Affiliated Association in which the Club was first a member.

Affiliation of Clubs

3. (a) Application to be a Full Member Club

A Club may apply to be a Full Member Club on the appropriate form published by The Association. A completed form must be received at The Association before 1st March in any year.

(b) Application to be an Associate Member Club

A Club may apply to be an Associate Member Club on the appropriate form published by The Association. A completed form must be received by The Association before 1st March in any year.

(c) Control by the Council

Eligibility to be a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club shall be under the control of the Council, which shall have the power to make regulations concerning eligibility criteria and conditions. Notwithstanding that an application may satisfy such criteria and conditions, the Council shall have the power in its absolute discretion to refuse an application to be a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club.

(d) Rights and Privileges

Neither a Full Member Club nor an Associate Member Club shall have rights or privileges other than as arise pursuant to the Articles of Association and the Rules.

(e) Resignation by a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club

(f) Termination of Status of Full Member Club or Associate Member Club

The Council may at any time decide that a Club shall cease to have the status of a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club on such terms as it considers appropriate. A Club shall automatically cease to have the status of a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club if it ceases to be in membership of an Affiliated Association.

(g) Transfer of Membership

The Council will use the following minimum criteria in deciding whether to approve the transfer of membership by a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club;

(i) The shareholders or members of the existing Full Member Club or Associate Member Club have voted to agree the transfer of the membership to the proposed future member

(ii) All ‘Football Creditors’ of the existing Full Member Club or Associate Member Club must be fully satisfied

(iii) All other creditors of the existing Full Member Club or Associate Member Club must be satisfied and evidenced as such

(iv) The proposed future Full Member Club or Associate Member Club must provide financial forecasts showing their ability to fund the Full Member Club or Associate Member Club for the next 12 months or to the end of the season following transfer (whichever is the longer)

(v) Evidence of funding sources will be required.

(h) Suspension of Membership/Rights and Privileges


On such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate the Council may at any time suspend the status, rights and privileges of a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club.

(i) Nursery Clubs

Any Club which is under obligation to another Club, written or otherwise, by reason of which it has not the sole and entire control of its own management, finances and players, shall be deemed to be a "Nursery Club" and is not entitled to be a Full Member Club or Associate Member Club.

(j) Annual Return of a Full Member Club and Associate Member Club

Each Full Member Club and Associate Member Club shall forward to The Association before 1st October in each year a completed Form "A" in such form as shall be published by The Association from time to time and shall supply such further information as is required by the Council.

A Club shall report to The Association as soon as possible any change in the information set out on the Form "A" most recently submitted.

(k) Subscription Fees of Full Member Clubs and Associate Member Clubs

(i) Each Full Member Club and Associate Member Club shall on or before 1st

June in each year pay to The Association such subscription fee as shall be determined from time to time. An annual subscription shall not be refundable in any circumstance.

4. (a) Conditions of Affiliation

(i) Each Affiliated Association shall cover a defined area and shall neither extend nor alter such area without first having obtained the consent of The Association.

(ii) Affiliated Associations may admit to membership Clubs within their area, and provide for the proper management and control of such Clubs.

(iii) An annual affiliation fee shall be paid by all Clubs in membership with Affiliated Associations and shall not be less than the amount determined from time to time by The Association.

(iv) All Clubs affiliated to an Affiliated Association which are not Full or Associate Member Clubs are designated "Non-Member Clubs" and shall observe the Rules.

(v) Second or Reserve Teams must always be so described.

(b) Annual Return-Form "B"

Each Affiliated Association shall forward to the Secretary on or before the first (1st) day of November in each year, a return in accordance with the form marked "B" in the Schedule annexed to these Rules.

(c) Subscription

A membership fee, payable within one (1) week of approval of application, and an annual subscription payable by the first (1st) day of June in each year, shall be as determined from time to time by The Association.

(d) Other associations and clubs

The Council shall have the power to admit into membership any association of football clubs within the British Commonwealth, or any football club in any area where an association has not been established. The annual subscription shall be as determined from time to time by The Association. The membership of either such association or football club does not confer the right to send a representative to any meeting of The Association, nor to exercise a vote at any such meeting.

Failure to Pay Subscription

5. An Affiliated Association whose subscription is unpaid on first (1st) August in any year shall cease to be a member of The Association from that date.

Powers of Council

6. Save as otherwise expressly provided by these Rules, resolutions and decisions of the Council shall be binding upon all Affiliated Associations and Clubs and all members thereof, until they are rescinded or varied.

Privileges of Council Members

7. Each Member of the Council shall be furnished with a pass (which shall not be transferable), and all Clubs shall admit the holder to their grounds and stands upon production of such pass without requiring any other authority, except on occasions when the Council shall otherwise decide.

B. SANCTIONING OF ASSOCIATIONS, COMPETITIONS AND MATCHES

Sanctioning of Competitions

1. (a) Form "D"

All applications for formation of Competitions (other than Charity Competitions) shall be made on the form marked "D", and applications for continuance must be made on this form annually.

All Affiliated Associations, Competitions or other combinations of Clubs, Players or Club Officials, Officials or Match Officials shall observe the Rules.

Associations or Clubs in membership of or affiliated to The Association or an

Affiliated Association shall not play against any association or club belonging to any association, competition or combination of clubs to which such consent has not been given.

Clubs being members of more than one (1) Affiliated Association shall be under the jurisdiction of the Affiliated Association of which they first became a member, except in matters arising in a match under the control of another Affiliated Association.

(b) Competition Regulations for Clubs and Players

Any Competition or other combination of Clubs may, subject to these Rules, make such regulations between their Clubs and Players as they may deem necessary.

Where a Competition or other combination of Clubs is sanctioned direct by The Association an Appeals Board shall be appointed by The Association.

Where a Competition or a combination of Clubs is sanctioned by an Affiliated Association an Appeals Board shall be appointed by the sanctioning Affiliated Associations.

(c) Powers of Affiliated Associations over Clubs not in Membership

(i) An Affiliated Association must not close a ground of a Club or another

Affiliated Association. The matter must be dealt with by a joint commission of the Affiliated Associations concerned.

(ii) Clubs entering a Competition of an Affiliated Association of which they are not in membership shall be under the control of that Affiliated Association so far as the rules of the Competition are concerned. If in such matches, Clubs or Players are reported for offences against the Laws of the Game, or the Rules, such offences shall be dealt with by a joint commission of the Affiliated Associations concerned unless otherwise mutually agreed.

National League System

2. (a) There shall be a National League System comprising participating Competitions between which relegation and promotion links shall operate on such basis as shall be determined by the Council from time to time.

(b) The Competitions and the Clubs participating in the National League System shall be bound by Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of the National League System as determined by the Council from time to time.

All Charity Associations or Benefit Competitions shall observe the Rules and Regulations of The Association.

Associations, Clubs or Players in membership of The Association or an Affiliated Association shall not play or take part in any Charity Association or Benefit Competition to which consent has not been given.

(b) Charity Matches

Individual matches (not competition matches) may be played, for charity, or some similar object approved by The Association or an Affiliated Association. Reasonable expenses not exceeding twenty per cent (20%) which may be approved by the consenting Association on the application for consent, may be deducted from the gross proceeds.

The balance must be paid over within fourteen (14) days of the match being played, and at the same time a return of the sums received and paid together with the necessary receipts, must be sent to the association which gave consent.

A match arranged between two (2) Clubs or teams in which a trophy, medals or other reward is given to the Club or Players is not a Competition within this Rule.

Sanctioning of Matches

4. (a) Unaffiliated Football Clubs, Players and Club Officials subject to the jurisdiction of The Association or an Affiliated Association shall not be associated with nor play with or against any Club which is not a member of The Association or an Affiliated Association. Those who immediately prior to their association with unaffiliated football organisations were under the jurisdiction of The Association or an Affiliated Association, shall not be eligible to participate in football under the jurisdiction of The Association or an Affiliated Association without the consent of The Association or an Affiliated Association.

No match between unaffiliated teams shall be played on grounds which are under the jurisdiction of Clubs which are in membership with The Association or an Affiliated Association.

(b) Matches with Foreign Associations, League and Clubs

Affiliated Associations, Competitions or Clubs wishing to play a match or series of matches against members of another national association must apply on the prescribed forms to The Association at least twenty-eight (28) days before the date of the intended match or the first of a series of matches.

The Association has in its discretion the power to consent or refuse an application. When consent has been given The Association will inform the other national associations concerned.

An application to participate in a match or a series of matches against members of another national association involving players of school age shall be required to demonstrate that all such players have received the necessary permission from their Head Teacher before The Association will give consent.

Affiliated Associations, Competitions and their Clubs must not pay a commission of more than ten per cent (10%) of the reimbursements of travelling expenses to organisations or persons arranging their tours.

Where a national association provides in its rules for the membership of all associations, competitions, and clubs within its area, consent for matches with unaffiliated associations, leagues or clubs will not be given.

[This Rule does not apply to matches between members of The Association or an Affiliated Association and members of The Scottish Football Association, The Football Association of Wales and The Irish Football Association.]

Football on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day

5. No Club, Player, Official, Referee or Assistant Referee shall be compelled to participate in football on Sundays, Good Friday or Christmas Day, except that:

(a) membership of or participation in Sunday football shall be taken as consent to play on Sundays, except when Christmas Day be on a Sunday;

(b) registration as a player under written contract for a Club in membership of The FA Premier League or The Football League shall be taken as consent to play on Sundays unless otherwise provided for in the contract.

Scratch Teams

6. Except with consent of The Association, or of the Parent Association, no match at which gate money is taken shall be played if either of the competing teams is a scratch team.

Where consent is given for such a match the provisions of Rules B7(a) and 7(b) shall apply.

Proceeds of Matches or Competitions

7. (a) Clubs and Players shall not compete in any Match or Competition (including small side Matches or Competitions) the proceeds of which are not devoted to a Club or association or some other object approved by The Association or by an Affiliated Association.

Small-Side Matches

(b) Small-side Matches and Competitions (not more than seven (7)-a-side) may be arranged provided that:-

(i) the Competition has been sanctioned by The Association or the relevant Affiliated Association. Clubs seeking affiliation to an Affiliated Association in order to participate in a small side Competition must be charged an affiliation fee;

(ii) in the case of single matches, charity Competitions and one (1) day Competitions, they must be sanctioned by The Association or the County Association concerned in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations for the Sanction and Control of Leagues and Competitions in so far as they are applicable.

The sanctioning of such a match or Competition in this case shall automatically accord to the Club and/or Competition the status of an affiliated body and to the Players participating in the match or Competition the status of affiliated Players for the Club for which they play in the match or Competition. A list of the competing Clubs must be submitted to the sanctioning Association in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Regulations for the Sanction and Control of Leagues and Competitions.

(iii) the rules governing the eligibility and conduct of the players shall be under the control of the management committee of the Competition subject always to the overriding authority of The Association or the Affiliated Association concerned and shall in so far as practicable be in conformity with the Rules.

In the case of individual Matches the eligibility and conduct of the Players shall be the responsibility of the sanctioning body;

(iv) for small-side games played for charitable objectives a statement of accounts of the event shall be supplied to the sanctioning body concerned within twenty-one (21) days.

There shall be no close season for small-side games.

The Laws applicable to small-side games are printed elsewhere in this Handbook.

The Playing Season

8. (a) Council to Determine

The Council shall determine annually the date on which the playing season shall commence and the season shall terminate not later than the following first (1st) June. Each Competition shall within the limit laid down by The Association, determine the length of its own playing season.

(b) The Close Season

The Close Season shall be defined as the period between first (1st) June and thirtieth (30th) June inclusive each year, save where the Council makes an order to the contrary. No matches other than those permitted and played in accordance with paragraph (c) of these Rules may be played in the Close Season.

(c) Matches which may be played in the Close Season

No matches other than the following may be played during the Close Season:-

(i) Small-side matches as specified in Rule B7 and those organised in connection with works’ clubs sports days on private grounds and at fetes and similar sports functions.

(ii) Matches between Army, Navy and Royal Air Force teams and teams of the Auxiliary Forces in Competitions whilst in camp. Such Competitions shall be strictly confined to the units concerned and gate money shall not be taken.

(iii) Matches involving members of Boys’ Brigades, Scouts and kindred organisations in Competitions whilst in camp.

(iv) Matches in any Competitions for National Representative teams or Clubs played under the auspices of FIFA or UEFA.

(v) Matches between Clubs in the FA Premier League and The Football League for the following season.

(d) Matches which may be played prior to the commencement of the Season

After thirtieth (30th) June and prior to the commencement of the playing season matches may be played between teams of the same Club or between teams of different Clubs.

(e) An appropriation will be made annually from the amount payable to the competing Clubs, The Association and the Cup Pool from The FA Challenge Cup Semi-Finals and Final of five point five per cent (5.5%) and two point five per cent (2.5%) from the gross receipts of The FA Community Shield to which The Football League will contribute six point three per cent (6.3%) of the net gate from its League Cup Semi-Finals and Final. The total amount will then be distributed to Affiliated Associations as decided by The Association.

(f) Eligibility of Players

Players who have not previously been registered or recognised playing members of Clubs, or who have not been engaged for the following season may play in matches after thirtieth (30th) June and prior to the commencement of the playing season.

*Throughout these Rules full-time education refers to a child who is of compulsory school age within the meaning of the Education Acts applying in England or who is over the school leaving age but is for the time being attending a school or in full-time education in an establishment of further education.

(g) Special Provisions

(i) The appropriate sanctioning association may grant special permission for Competition and other Matches to be played preceding the dates fixed by the Council for the opening of the playing season and shall attach to the granting of such permission whatever conditions it may deem expedient.

(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule B3(b) The Association shall determine in each year the date on which and the financial conditions under which The Football Association Community Shield match shall be played.

(iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Rule, Affiliated Associations shall determine the dates on which County Cup Matches shall be played.

Suspension of the Game and Extension of Season

9. The Council shall have power to suspend the game either sectionally or entirely. They may also extend the periods for playing, as from time to time, in their discretion, shall be deemed necessary, or desirable, and agreements between Clubs, Players, and Club Officials, Officials and Match Officials shall be subject to such decisions.

C. RULES RELATING TO PLAYERS

Players with Written Contracts

1. (a) Minimum Age

(i) A Player under eighteen (18) years of age and in receipt of full-time

education* in accordance with the Education Acts may not enter into a

contract of employment with a Club in membership of The Association or an

Affiliated Association.

(ii) A Player under seventeen (17) years of age may not enter into a contract of

employment with a Club in membership with The Association or an Affiliated

Association, except as a Trainee or Scholar as provided for by Rule C3.

(b) Financial Arrangements - Registration

(i) Subject to paragraph (a) and (b)(ii) to (b)(vii) of this Rule, and to the rules

and regulations of the League of which the Club is a member, any Club in

membership of The Association or an Affiliated Association may negotiate a

financial arrangement with its players.

(ii) All players under written contract must be registered with The Association.

(iii) All payments and benefits due to the player must be shown in the contract.

(iv) All payments made to players must be must be made by the Club and fully

recorded in the accounting records of the Club.

(v) All salaried payments must be subject to PAYE and National Insurance.

(vi) All salary payments due on written contracts must be stated gross, before

PAYE and National Insurance deductions.

(vii) Any players paid expenses must be reimbursed via an expense claim form.

The Club must retain all expense records in a format acceptable to the Inland

Revenue.

(c) Contract of Employment

(i) All contracts must be in the full name of the Club. If the Club is a corporate

body, the contract must also include the Company registration number

(ii) Contracts or letters of employment exchanged between a Club and any

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Club Official, Player or any other employee of the Club, must specify that all

emoluments due are paid to the employee concerned and not to any

company or agency acting on behalf of the employee.

(iii) All such contracts must also specify that the individual is directly under the

disciplinary control of the Club and of The Association.

(iv) All claims by Players against Clubs for wages or expenses must be submitted

to The Association within three (3) months of the termination of the

agreement to which they refer, unless special grounds are shown for the

delay.

(d) Form G(1) - Registration for One (1) Calendar Month

A registration for a period of one (1) calendar month is effected when The

Association receives Form G(1), in the Schedule annexed to these Rules, signed by

the Player.

(e) Form G(2) - Registration Exceeding One (1) Calendar Month

A registration for a period in excess of one (1) calendar month is effected when The

Association receives Form G(2), in the Schedule annexed to these Rules, signed by

the Player. Such a registration must terminate on the first Saturday in May, or the

date of the last league or knock-out Competition match of the Club’s first (1st) team,

whichever is the later, or on the thirtieth (30th) day of June in any year.

(f) Forms to be Returned to The Association

(i) Within five (5) days of having been signed by the player, Registration Forms

G(1) or G(2) must be returned to The Association, accompanied by a copy of

the contract.

(ii) A Player seeking registration under written contract is not permitted to play

under the terms of the contract until the Club registering the Player has

received the registration certificate from The Association.

(g) Transfers

(i) A Players’ registration may be transferred from one Club to another using

the relevant Form H of The Association, in the Schedule annexed to these

Rules. The Player must be re-registered by the Club to which the registration

is transferred.

(ii) A transfer must be bona fide; applications for the purpose of obtaining

Players’ registrations for special matches are not permitted.

(iii) In the case of last-minute registration or transfer of a Player, the registration

form, contract of employment and the transfer form (if any) must first be

sent to The Association by facsimile transmission, and then the original

documents to follow by first-class mail. Additionally, electronic mail may also

be transmitted to indicate the time of posting, which will also be accepted as

the time of receipt if the mailed documents are found to be in order.

(iv) In the event of a Player registration being transferred from one Club to

another in consideration of the payment of a fee, a copy of the written

transfer agreement must be sent to The Association with the transfer and

registration forms and the contract of employment. In the event of a transfer

of a player where a consideration is agreed, the consideration can only be

paid between the two Clubs (the transferor and transferee clubs). The full

name of each contracting Club should be stated in the transfer agreement.

The full consideration involved must be recorded in the accounting records

of both Clubs.

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(v) For Leagues sanctioned by The Association, when a Player is temporarily

transferred between Clubs in the same League or in different leagues,

compliance with the relevant League rules must govern the transfer.

(vi) A copy of the appropriate Association or league’s temporary transfer form

must be submitted to The Association within five (5) days of its signature.

(vii) In the case of last-minute registration of a temporary transfer the provisions

set out in paragraph (g)(iii) above must be observed.

(viii) A Club accepting a Player on temporary transfer must satisfy itself as to the

Player’s fitness.

(ix) A Player subject to a temporary transfer must not play until such transfer has

been authorised by The Association.

(x) In the event of a Player under temporary transfer being recalled in

accordance with the rules of the League or leagues concerned, a copy of the

recall letter or notice must be received and acknowledged by The

Association before the Player can play for the Club initiating the recall.

(h) Second Registration Not Permitted

The signing of a second registration form before the Council have declared the first

invalid is an offence.

(i) Registered Players to Play for One (1) Club Only

(i) A Player registered with The Association can play only for the Club holding

the registration unless:

(A) in the case only of benefit, testimonial and charity matches, the Player

obtains by written request special permission of The Association, or

(B) is temporarily transferred in accordance with Rule C1(g)(v), or

(C) is registered as a Trainee or Scholar in accordance with Rule C3, or

(D) has the written permission of the Club, copied to The Association, to

play not more than two trial matches for another Club, provided that

such matches are not for the first team of that Club in a Competition

Match and are both within a period of one month from the date of

such permission, which shall not be repeated in the same season for

the same Player to the same Club.

(ii) Where a Club has a Nursery Club as defined in Rule A3(i) a Player registered

with the Club to which it is under obligation may also play for the Nursery

Club without further registration.

(j) Agreements Between Club & Players

(i) Clubs must enter into a written contract of employment with their Players on

the relevant form approved by The Association, known as Form of

Agreement (Rule C1), with or without an option. Such contracts must clearly

indicate all the terms and conditions of employment, be of stated duration

and signed at the same time as a relevant registration Form G, in the

Schedule annexed to these Rules, indicating the same duration. A copy of

the contract of employment must be handed to the Player at the time of

signing both documents.

The following provisions of this clause (j) only do not apply to Clubs

in membership with The FA Premier League and The Football League.

(ii) There shall be no right to a compensation or transfer fee by the previous

Club of a Player who has attained the age of twenty-four (24) years on or

before thirtieth (30th) June and whose contract with that Club has expired. If

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a Club wishes to offer re-engagement to a Player or exercise an option

contained in the agreement the following practice shall prevail.

(iii) On or before the first (1st) Saturday in May, or the date of the last

Competition Match of the Club’s first (1st) team, whichever is the later, the

Club must give notice in writing to the Player indicating that either the Club

offers a re-engagement or, if appropriate, exercises any option contained in

the agreement.

(iv) If the notice offers re-engagement it must specify the period which the Club

is prepared to agree and the terms and conditions to apply, which must be

the same or not less favourable overall than those which applied during the

initial period of employment - or the option period (if applicable).

(v) The Player must notify in writing the Club holding the registration within

twenty-eight (28) days of receipt of the said notice whether or not the offer

of re-engagement is accepted.

(vi) If the offer is rejected the Player is immediately free to negotiate with

another club.

(vii) If the Player does not reply in writing to the offer of re-engagement then at

the expiry of a period of twenty-eight (28) days, the Player is free to

negotiate with another Club.

(viii) In either of the instances (vi) and (vii), the Club holding the player’s registration

has the right to receive compensation.

(ix) An existing agreement shall continue and have full force and effect between

the parties on the terms and conditions as those pertaining prior to the

expiration of the initial period of employment, or the option period if

appropriate, and the Player will continue to train and play as instructed by

the Club until thirty-first (31st) August, or the date on which the Player

registers for another Club, whichever is the sooner.

(x) In the event of the Player continuing to play for the Club after the thirty-first

(31st) August, a week-to-week agreement must be completed and

submitted to The Association under which the Player will continue to be paid

in accordance with the terms of the existing agreement.

(xi) In the event of the Player signing for another Club which is unable to reach

agreement on the payment of a compensation fee to the Club holding the

player’s registration in pursuance of the existing agreement then such fee

shall be dealt with by a League Appeals Committee.

(xii) The League Appeals Committee shall comprise nominated representatives

from:

the Council (to act as an independent Chairman);

the management committee of the league; and

the Professional Footballers Association.

The committee may, at its discretion, order either the Club or the Player to

pay all or part of the costs involved in an appeal. The League Appeals

Committee also applies to clauses (k), (l) and (m) of this Rule C1.

(xiii) If the notice exercises an option contained in the agreement on the same or

not less favourable terms and conditions overall, as in the agreement but

excluding the option provision, and that such further period shall not be for

longer in extent than that of the initial period of employment, then the

agreement can continue in full force and effect, as between the parties

hereto and shall terminate on the last day of the option.

(xii) All notices required to be given to players under this Rule must be sent

either by registered mail or recorded delivery or a written acknowledgement

otherwise obtained;

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(xiii) By the first (1st) June in each year all Clubs must notify The Association of

players who have been offered re-arrangement or on whose agreement the

option has been exercised.

(k) Cancellation of Agreement

(i) Agreements may provide that payment shall be only for each match in which

the Player actually plays or attends as a substitute.

(ii) Should a Player not be selected to play or attend as a substitute for a period

of four (4) weeks, the Player may apply to the Club to cancel the agreement

and registration. If refused, the Player is free to apply to the most senior

League of which the Club is a member for the cancellation of the agreement

upon such terms as may be desirable. If either the Club or Player is dissatisfied

with the decision of the League each shall be entitled to appeal the

League Appeals Committee.

(iii) Where conditions form part of an agreement other than payment of wages

for playing football, a League or the League Appeals Committee in dealing

with claims will restrict its investigations and decisions solely to the question

of wages for playing as stipulated in the agreement.

(iv) Except by mutual consent, a Club or Player is not entitled to determine an

agreement between them without the consent of The Association or in

accordance with Rule C1 (l).

(v) When an agreement has been determined by mutual consent, notice signed

by the Club and the Player shall at once be sent to The Association who will

cancel the registration.

(vi) In the case of last-minute cancellation of a Player’s registration, a signed

notice must first be sent to The Association by facsimile transmission, and

then the original documents to follow by first-class mail. Additionally,

electronic mail may also be transmitted to indicate the time of posting, which

will also be accepted as the time of receipt if the mailed documents are

found to be in order.

(vii) When an agreement has been determined by mutual consent the Player

shall not be permitted to re-register for the original Club within three (3)

months at the date of determination except with the written consent of The

Association

(viii) The Association has power to cancel the registration of a Player at any time

upon application of the Player or the Player’s Club.

(l) Termination of Agreement

(i) Where an agreement between Club and Player in any league or other

Competition provides for either the Club or Player terminating by fourteen

(14) days’ notice, the following practice shall prevail:-

(ii) a Club or Player has the right to appeal to the management committee of the

league or other Competition and a further right of appeal to the appeals

committee of that body;

(iii) a club, on giving fourteen (14) days’ notice to a Player to terminate the

agreement, must state in the notice the name and address of the Secretary

of the League or Competition to which the Player may appeal, and must at

the same time give notice to the League or Competition of which the Club is

a member;

(iv) a Player, on giving fourteen (14) days’ notice to a Club to terminate the

agreement, must at the same time give notice to the League or Competition

of which the Club is a member.

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(v) the notice terminating the agreement must inform the Club or Player of the

grounds for such notice;

(vi) a copy of the notice sent to the Club or Player must at the same time be

forwarded to the Secretary of The Association;

(vii) either Club or Player shall have the right of appeal to the league or other

Competition, but such appeal must be made within seven (7) days of the

receipt of a notice; and the management committee must hear such appeal

within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice of appeal.

(viii) if either party is dissatisfied with the decision, there shall be a further right of

appeal to the appeals committee of the league or other Competition but

such appeal must be made within seven (7) days of the receipt of the

decision of the management committee, and must be heard by the appeals

committee within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the notice of appeal;

(ix) the league or other Competition must report to The Association when the

matter is finally determined, and the agreement and registration shall be

cancelled by The Association where necessary.

(x) Agreements between Clubs and Players shall contain a clause showing the

provisions made for dealing with such disputes and for the cancelling of the

agreements and registration by The Association.

(xi) Clubs belonging to any League or other Competition may make similar

regulations which provide for a right of appeal by either party to the

Affiliated Association or to The Association.

(m) Disciplinary Suspension

(i) In the case of breach by a Player of the training or disciplinary rules or orders

of the Club, a Club not wishing to use the larger powers contained in Clause

(l) of this rule shall have the right to suspend such Player for a period not

exceeding fourteen (14) days or impose a fine not exceeding two (2) weeks’

wages and shall state whether or not the Player shall receive his basic wage

during the period that the Player is ordered not to attend at the Club.

(ii) The Club shall, within two (2) days, notify The Association and the league(s)

in which the Club’s first (1st) team competes of such suspension or fine.

(iii) Within seven (7) days of receipt of such notice of a fine or suspension the

Player has the right to lodge an appeal to the management committee of the

more senior League of which the Club is a member who shall hear the

appeal within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice of appeal.

(iv) If either the Club or Player is dissatisfied with the decision of the League

each is entitled to appeal to the League Appeals Committee within seven (7)

days of receipt of the decision, and be heard within fourteen (14) days of

receipt of the notice of further appeal.

The Player may request that an appeal made in accordance with this Clause

shall be dealt with at a personal hearing.

(v) In any event the suspension or fine shall not operate as a termination or cancellation

of the agreement between the Club and Player.

(n) Re-engagement of Players

(i) On or after first (1st) April of the year in which an agreement or any renewal

of it expires, a Player under written contract may enter into a new agreement

with and again be registered for the Club;

(ii) Until the existing agreement or any renewal of it has terminated -

(A) a Player may not enter into any agreement with any other Club in

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 68

membership with The Association, or an Affiliated Association, or of

any other national football association.

(B) the Player may not be approached by any other Club, or Club Official

of any other Club, or any person with a view to inducing the Player to

leave the Club for which the Player is registered, except with the

written permission of that Club.

(iii) If, by the time specified for such notice to be served, the Player has not

received notice exercising an option or offering a further re-engagement

under paragraph (j) of this Rule, the Player is free to make such enquiries or

approaches as thought fit to secure employment when the agreement or

renewal of it terminates.

(iv) A Player under suspension may be re-signed by the Club, or any option

conferred on the Club may be exercised, subject to the terms of the

suspension.

(v) In the event of a Player registered with a Club in membership with The FA

Premier League or The Football League being offered re-engagement terms

in accordance with the regulations of the appropriate league but wishing to

accept an engagement as a Player with a Club not in Membership with

either league, and the Clubs not being able to reach agreement on the

payment of a compensation fee, providing the Club concerned has complied

with the appropriate League’s regulations relating to right to a compensation

fee:

(vi) Such compensation fee shall be determined by an appeals committee

comprising one nominated representative of each of The Football

Association (who shall act as Chairman), The FA Premier League or The

Football League, the Professional Footballer’s Association and the other

league involved.

(vii) In the event of a Player registered with a Club not in membership of The FA

Premier League or The Football League not having accepted re-engagement

terms in accordance with the Rules C1 (g)(ii)-(xiii) and having negotiated

terms with another Club, and the Clubs not being able to reach agreement

on the payment of a compensation fee, then provided the Club holding the

player’s registration has complied with the Rules such compensation fee

shall be determined by an appeals committee comprising one (1) nominated

representative of each of The Association (who shall act as Chairman), the

Professional Footballers Association and the league or leagues involved.

(viii) When a case is referred to an appeals committee it will be necessary for both

Clubs involved to pay before adjudication a non-returnable administration

fee of two hundred pounds (£200).

Players Without Written Contracts

2. (a) Regulations Concerning Approaches

Players who are not under written contract to a Club may be registered with a

number of Clubs at any time, subject to the following provisions and those of

the Competitions in which they play:

(i) Competitions sanctioned by The Association under Regulation 3 of the

"Regulations for the Sanction and Control of Leagues and Competitions"

may make their own regulations for the approach of Players between Clubs

of the Competition.

(ii) During the current season* any Club wishing to approach a Player known to

be registered with or having played for any other Club must give to the

Secretary of each such Club seven (7) days’ formal written notice of the

intention to approach the Player.

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 69

Formal written notice of approach need be given by:

(A) a Saturday Club only to all Saturday Clubs

(B) a Sunday Club only to all Sunday Clubs

(C) a midweek Club only to all midweek Clubs

(iii) The written notice must be sent by Special Delivery or Recorded Post, or a

written acknowledgment otherwise obtained from the Secretary or

Chairman of the Club approached. Facsimile or e-mail transmission may be

used provided a receipt of acknowledgment is also obtained.

(iv) Following the date of posting of the written notice of approach, or receipt of

an acknowledgment: (A) the Player may be registered on or after the eighth

(8th) day; (B) the Player must have been registered on or before the twentyfirst

(21st) day.

(v) The approaching Club: (A) may not approach the same Player a second time

in the same season; (B) may approach only one (1) Player at a Club at any

time subject to (ix) below; (C) may not approach another Player at the same

Club within twenty-eight (28) days of an earlier notice of approach or

acknowledgment.

(vi) If an approach is made by a Player to another Club during the current

season+, that Club shall give the Club(s), for which the Player is known to be

registered or has played, seven (7) days’ notice of approach as set out in (i)

to (iv) above before registering the Player.

(vii) A Club which is the subject of a complaint alleging failure to give notice in

accordance with this Rule may be subject to a charge of misconduct under

FA Rule G2(2).

(viii) A Club proved to have breached the provisions of this Rule may have its

current registration of the Player cancelled and be subject to such other

penalty as The Association or Affiliated Association deems appropriate, in

accordance with Regulation 6.1 of the Regulations for FA Disciplinary Action.

(ix) During the current season* a maximum of two (2) Players may be

approached in the manner described above if invited to trial at a licensed

Football Association/FA Premier League/Football League Academy or

Centre of Excellence.

(b) Conditions

(i) A currently registered Player shall not be allowed to register with another

Club without first satisfying the Club Officials of the intended Club that all

reasonable financial and other liabilities have been discharged to the Club or

Clubs with which the Player is or was known to be registered in the current+

and previous season.

(ii) A player approached on or after first (1st) May in the current season+ may

not play in competitive football for the Club making the approach until the

commencement of the following season.

(c) Service Players

(i) While serving in any branch of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces, a Player may

not hold a contract of employment with any Club under the jurisdiction of

The Association or an Affiliated Association.

(ii) Neither a Club nor any person may attempt to induce a Player of a Club of any

branch of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces to play for another Club during the

current season* without at least fourteen (14) day’s written notice of approach

- in the case of the Army to the Secretary of The Army Football Association,

the Royal Navy to the Secretary of The Royal Navy Football Association, and

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 70

the Royal Air Force to the Player’s Commanding Officer. The notice must be

forwarded by Special Delivery or Recorded Post, or a written acknowledgment

otherwise obtained. Facsimile or e-mail transmission may be used

provided a receipt of acknowledgment is also obtained.

(iii) Players are required to inform Civilian Clubs of their rank and service number,

which information must be stated on League or other registration forms.

*a current season runs from 1st July to the following 31st May

Trainees and Scholarships

3. (a) Trainees

(i) Players between their fifteenth (15th) and seventeenth (17th) birthdays who

are not receiving full-time education in accordance with the Education Acts

may be registered as Trainees with The Association.

The registration of Trainees shall be made on the Form marked "G(3)". Each

Form, after completion of all particulars, including dates and signatures, must

be signed at the same time by the Trainee and by a parent or guardian and

returned to The Association within five (5) days of such signatures

accompanied by a copy of the agreement entered into by the Club and the

Trainee and also a copy of the birth certificate.

(ii) On or after a Trainee’s seventeenth (17th) birthday the Trainee may remain

as a Trainee or may sign as a player under written contract subject to the

regulations of the league or combination of which the Club is a member, and

to these Rules with reference to players under written contract.

(iii) A Trainee shall not play for a Club until such Club registering the Trainee has

received acknowledgement of the registration from The Association. The

Association will from time to time publish the names of registered Trainees.

(iv) Neither a Club nor any person shall induce or attempt to induce a Trainee to

leave the Club for which the Trainee is registered.

(v) A registered Trainee may play for another Club subject to the written

approval of the Club for which the Trainee is registered. A copy of the

written permission must be received by The Association, the league or

combination of which the Club is a member, the Trainee and the Club for

which the Trainee is to play. A Club may not play more than two (2) such

Trainees in any match at first team level.

(vi) If a Trainee wishes to become a player under written contract, the Club for

which the player was registered as a Trainee shall be entitled to the registration

of such Trainee as a player under written contract. If the Club does not

wish to exercise its entitlement the Trainee shall be free to register for any

other Club.

(vii) The provisions of Rules C1(l) and C1(m) shall apply in the case of Trainees.

(b) Scholarships

(i) Players on or after their fourteenth (14th) birthday may be offered a

Scholarship to commence no earlier than the last Friday in June in the

academic year in which they will reach the age of sixteen (16) provided they

are not receiving full-time education in accordance with the Education Acts.

The registration of a player on a Scholarship shall be made on the Form

marked "G(4)". Each form, after completion of all particulars, including dates

and signatures, must be signed at the same time by the player on a

Scholarship and by a parent or guardian and returned to The Association

within five (5) days of such signatures accompanied by a copy of the

agreement entered into by the Club and the player on a Scholarship and also

a copy of the birth certificate.

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 71

(ii) On or after a Player on a Scholarship’s seventeenth (17th) birthday the

Player may remain on a Scholarship or may sign as a Player under written

contract subject to the regulations of the league or combination of which the

Club is a member, and to the Rules with reference to players under written

contract.

(iii) A Player on a Scholarship shall not play for a Club until such Club registering

the Player has received acknowledgement of the registration from The

Association. The Association will from time to time publish the names of

Players registered on Scholarships.

(iv) Neither a Club nor any person shall induce or attempt to induce such a

Player on a Scholarship to leave the Club for which the Player is registered.

(v) A Player who is registered on a Scholarship may play for another Club

subject to the written approval of the Club for which the Player is registered.

A copy of the written permission must be received by The Association, the

league or combination of which the Club is a member, the Player and the

Club for which the Player is to play. A Club may not play more than two (2)

such Players in any match at first team level.

(vi) If a Player on a Scholarship wishes to become a player under written

contract, the Club for which the Player was registered on a Scholarship shall

be entitled to the registration of such Player as a Player under written

contract. If the Club does not wish to exercise its entitlement the Player shall

be free to register for any other Club.

(vii) The provisions of Rules C1(l) and C1(m) shall apply in the case of Players on

a Scholarship.

4. Age Ranges and Provisions Relating to Players Under 16 Years of Age

(a) Children not registered in the Programme for Excellence

The following provisions apply to children not registered in the Programme for

Excellence.

Children Under 6 Years Old

(i) A child who has not attained nor will have attained the age of 6 as at

midnight on 31st August in a playing season shall not play, and shall not be

permitted or encouraged to play, in a match of any kind in that playing

season.

Children permitted to play Mini-Soccer only

(ii) A child who has not attained nor will have attained the age of 9 as at

midnight on 31st August in a playing season shall not play, and shall not be

permitted or encouraged to play, in a match between sides of more than

seven players in that playing season. Such children shall only play in a match

played according to the "Laws of the Game - Mini-Soccer" as amended for

particular age ranges by the Council from time to time.

(iii) A child who has attained the age of 9 but who has not attained nor will have

attained the age of 10 as at midnight on 31st August in a playing season shall

not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match

between sides of more than seven players in that playing season. Such

children shall only play in a match played according to the "Laws of the

Game - Mini-Soccer" as amended for this age range by the Council from

time to time.

This clause shall come into effect on 1st September 1999.

Children permitted to play Eleven-a-Side

(iv) Any child may play in a match between sides of eleven players according to

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 72

the Laws of the Game, save for those specifically prohibited from doing so

pursuant to this Rule.

Sanction Provisions

(v) The consent of The Association or of the relevant Affiliated Association or

Associations shall be required pursuant to Rules B1 and/or B7 as appropriate

for any Competition involving children who have not attained nor will have

attained the age of 14 as at midnight on 31st August in that playing season.

Such Competitions (whether for Mini-Soccer or eleven-a-side matches) shall

only be allowed where participants are restricted by age range, such age

ranges being "Under 7", "Under 8", "Under 9", "Under 10", "Under 11",

"Under 12", "Under 13" and "Under 14". The age ranges shall be defined to

include all children (subject to clause (i) above) who have not attained nor

will have attained the ages of 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 or 14 respectively as at

midnight on 31st August in the relevant playing season.

The above age ranges and their respective definitions shall apply on a

compulsory basis as follows:

Season 1998-1999 - Under 7s

Season 1999-2000 - Under 7s and 8s

Season 2000-2001 - Under 7s, 8s and 9s

Season 2001-2002 - Under 7s, 8s, 9s and 10s

And so on until Under 7s to 14s inclusive in Season 2005-2006.

Where the age ranges and their respective definitions do not apply on a

compulsory basis pursuant to this Rule, a Competition, where age ranges are

used, shall be allowed only where such age ranges are defined by reference

to either midnight on 31st July or to midnight on 31st August in the relevant

playing season.

Age Brackets

(vi) A child in the age ranges Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11,

Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 must not play, and shall not be permitted

or encouraged to play, in a match where any other player is older or younger

by 2 years or more than that person.

Gender of players in Under 10 matches

(vii) A child in the age ranges Under 7, Under 8, Under 9 and Under 10 may play

in a match involving boys and girls.

Priority for School Activities

(viii) Priority must at all times be given to school or school organisation’s activities

in accordance with the recommendations of the "Memorandum: Children of

School Age and School Games" whilst a pupil is receiving full-time education

in accordance with the Education Acts.

(ix) All Clubs and Competitions, excluding those whose matches are played on Sundays,

shall include in their rules a provision to the effect that the availability of a pupil must

be consented to by the Head Teacher.

(b) Players of School Age Registered in the Programme for Excellence

(i) Players who reach the age of nine (9) years during the academic year and

who are in full-time education may register with a recognised and licensed

Centre of Excellence through the procedures established by The Association

regulations.

(ii) It shall be a breach of the Rule for a Centre without a valid licence to coach

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 73

and train players of school age who are in full-time education, and registered

through the registration scheme or for a licensed Centre of Excellence to

play against any Centre which is not licensed apart from a school. The

licensing authority for Centres of Excellence shall comprise representatives

as determined by The Association and which shall lay down regulations and

guidelines by which the Programme for Excellence is run.

(iii) It shall be deemed to be misconduct for any Club or Club Official to induce

any player of school age registered with a separate Club or Centre of

Excellence to leave school for the purpose of signing a contract of

employment.

D. INTERNATIONAL AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES AND CALL-UPS

International Matches

1. A Player selected for an international or other representative team, tour, squad or other callup

arranged by The Association shall attend at the time and place notified to the Player and

comply with the arrangements of The Association in every respect save where there is

good and sufficient cause not to do so.

2. A Club shall do all things necessary to ensure that a Player referred to in Rule D1 above

complies with the arrangements of The Association.

3. Illness or injury shall constitute good and sufficient cause for the purposes of Rule D1

above by where The Association is satisfied, following receipt of medical evidence, that

such illness or injury is of sufficient seriousness. The Player shall, in any event, submit to

assessment by a medical adviser appointed by The Association.

Inter-Affiliated Association Matches

4. In Inter-Affiliated Association matches a Player must be a bona fide member of a Club in

membership of the Association for which the Player plays, but a Player shall always be

eligible to play for the County Association of birth. A Player shall not be eligible to play for

more than one Affiliated Association in the same season in Inter-Affiliated Competition

matches.

E. CONDUCT

General Behaviour

1. A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game, and shall not act in any

manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute.

2. A Participant shall not use any one or combination of the following: violent, threatening,

abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.

Discrimination

3. A Participant shall not carry out any act which is discriminatory by reason of ethnic origin,

colour, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability.

Gifts, Rewards or other matters affecting in relation to Matches

4. A Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, offer, agree to give, give, solicit, agree to accept

or accept any gift or reward or consideration of any nature which is, or could appear to be

related in any way to influencing the outcome or conduct of a Match.

5. As an exception to Rule E4 above, a Participant may enter into an arrangement or

agreement for which the prior written approval of The Association has been sought and

obtained. Bonuses agreed between a Club and its Players or Club Officials shall be deemed

to be approved.

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 74

Tickets

6. A Participant shall not sell, offer or expose for sale, either directly or indirectly, a ticket for a

Match in excess of the face value of the ticket.

Betting

7. A Participant shall not, either directly or indirectly bet, or instruct, permit or enable any

person for the Participant’s benefit to bet, on the result, progress or conduct of a Match or

Competition.

8. A Participant shall not provide to any other person any information relating to football

which the Participant has by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not

publicly available with the intention that it be used by the other person for or in relation to

betting.

9. A Participant shall not breach Rule E7 or 8 above where the Participant can prove that:

(1) the bet was on authorised and registered football pools; or

(2) the bet was on a Match or Competition in which the Participant was not participating

or had no influence, either direct or indirect.

Attempts and Agreements to Breach

10. An attempt by a Participant or any agreement with any other person (whether or not a

Participant) to act in breach of any provision contained in these Rules shall be treated for

the purposes of these Rules as if a breach of the relevant provisions had been committed.

Compliance with Decisions, including Suspensions

11. Each Participant shall comply with a decision made pursuant to the Rules and Regulations

of The Association, including but not limited to a decision of a Disciplinary Commission or

Appeal Board.

12. A Participant shall not participate in any activity with another Participant suspended from

carrying out such activity.

13. A Club shall do all things necessary to ensure that a Player associated with it complies with

a penalty or order imposed by a Disciplinary Commission or Appeal Board.

14. An Affiliated Association, Competition, or Club shall not appoint to any position, or allow to

continue in such position, any individual who has been suspended from holding such

position.

Reporting Misconduct

15. A Participant shall immediately report to The Association any incident, facts or matters

which may constitute misconduct. For the purposes of this Rule, a report to an Affiliated

Association shall constitute a report to The Association.

16. A report to The Association of any incidents, facts or matters shall not be made for

vexatious or frivolous reasons.

Suspension Pending Misconduct Hearing

17. The Association shall have the power to order that a Club Official or Player associated with

a Club in The Football Association Premier League or The Football League shall be

suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on such terms and

conditions as The Association considers fit (an "Interim Suspension Order") where

(a) The Club Official or Player has been charged by The Association in relation to an

alleged act of misconduct, or with a criminal offence, or by The Football Association

Premier League or The Football League in connection with disciplinary action

pursuant to relevant regulations; and

(b) The Association, the Professional Footballers Association (in the case of a Player)

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 75

and The Football Association Premier League or The Football League (as

appropriate) have each agreed the Interim Suspension Order.

18. The period of an Interim Suspension Order shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date

upon which any charge of misconduct or criminal offence or other disciplinary proceedings

referred to in paragraph (a) above is decided or brought to an end.

19. Notification of an Interim Suspension Order shall be given as soon as reasonably

practicable to the individual concerned and/or the Club with which the individual is

associated.

Attendance at and Participation in Matches

20. An individual may take part in or attend at a Match only on condition that such individual

observes the Rules, and each Affiliated Association, Competition and Club is required to

observe and enforce such Rules.

21. Each Affiliated Association, Competition and Club shall be responsible for ensuring:

(a) that its directors, players, officials, employees, servants, representatives, spectators,

and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conduct themselves in

an orderly fashion and refrain from any one or combination of the following: violent,

threatening, abusive, obscene or provocative behaviour, conduct or language whilst

attending at or taking part in a Match in which it is involved, whether on its own

ground or elsewhere; and

(b) that no spectators or unauthorised persons are permitted to encroach onto the pitch

area, save for reasons of crowd safety, or to throw missiles, bottles or other

potentially harmful or dangerous objects at or on to the pitch.

22. Each Club is expected to provide a private way from the playing area to dressing room

wherever this is practicable.

23. Any Affiliated Association, Competition or Club which fails effectively to discharge its said

responsibility in any respect whatsoever shall be guilty of misconduct, save that it shall be a

defence if it can show that all events, incidents or occurrences complained of were the

result of circumstances over which it had no control, or for reasons of crowd safety, and

that its responsible officers or agents had used all due diligence to ensure that its said

responsibility was discharged.

24. Any individual referred to in Rule E20 above may be removed from any ground, and such

force used as may be necessary for the purpose of effecting such removal.

25. Each Club shall have bills printed and posted in their grounds, threatening with expulsion

anyone responsible for any insulting or improper conduct towards a Match Official.

Doping Control

26. A Participant shall comply with the provisions of any doping control regulations as shall be

in force from time to time as determined by the Council.

Suspension for Serious Criminal Offences

27. The Council shall have the power to order that a Participant be suspended from all or any

specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it considers fit

where the Participant has been convicted of a criminal offence and where the Council

considers there to be a risk of physical harm to another Participant or Participants through

the convicted Participant’s continuing participation in the game.

F. POWERS OF INQUIRY

Powers of Inquiry of The Association

1. The Association shall have the power to monitor the compliance by each Participant with

the Rules, the Laws of the Game, the Statutes and Regulations of FIFA and UEFA and the

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 76

rules and regulations of each Affiliated Association and Competition to which a Participant

is subject and inquire into any incident, facts or matters which may constitute misconduct

under these Rules.

2. In carrying out its functions under Rule F1, The Association shall have the power to require:

(1) the attendance, upon reasonable notice, of any Participant to answer questions and

provide information; and

(2) the production, upon reasonable notice, of documents by a Participant.

3. Each Affiliated Association, Competition, or Club shall ensure the compliance by its

officials, directors, players, representatives or servants with a requirement to answer

questions and provide information or to produce documents.

4. In carrying out its functions under Rule F1, The Association may request any person who is

not a Participant to assist it by producing documents or answering questions and providing

information.

5. The Chief Executive of The Association or nominee shall be entitled to exercise the above

powers on behalf of The Association.

Commission of Inquiry

6. A Commission of Inquiry may be appointed by the Chief Executive and may consist of such

persons and have such terms of reference as are considered appropriate. The terms of

reference of the Commission of Inquiry may be published at the time of its appointment.

The terms of reference may relate to any matter connected with the affairs of The

Association.

7. A Commission of Inquiry may adopt such procedures as it considers appropriate.

8. A Commission of Inquiry shall have the power to exercise the powers of The Association

under Rules F2-4 above.

9. A Commission of Inquiry shall present a report to the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive

may publish a report in any way considered appropriate.

G. DISCIPLINARY POWERS

Power of The Association to take Disciplinary Action and Jurisdiction Arrangements

1. The Association may act against a Participant in respect of any misconduct.

2. Misconduct is a breach of any of the following:

(1) the Laws of the Game;

(2) the Rules and Regulations of The Association;

(3) the Statutes and Regulations of FIFA;

(4) the Statutes and Regulations of UEFA;

(5) the rules or regulations of an Affiliated Association, League or Competition;

(6) an order, requirement or instruction of The Association.

3. The same facts or matters may constitute a breach of more than one rule, regulation,

statute, or law referred to above and The Association may bring a charge or such charges,

as it sees fit.

Jurisdictional Arrangements

4. Misconduct under Rule G2(1) above shall be dealt with only by The Association, or an

Affiliated Association on its behalf, notwithstanding that the alleged breach may constitute

misconduct under the rules and regulations of an Affiliated Association or Competition.

5. The Association shall have the power to take disciplinary action in all cases where facts or

matters give rise to alleged misconduct under Rule G2(2)-(6) above.

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 77

6. Facts or matters giving rise to alleged misconduct under Rule G2(2)-(6), which also give rise

to an alleged breach of the rules and/or regulations of The FA Premier League or The

Football League, may be dealt with by The Association under the Rules and Regulations of

The Association, unless The Association and either The FA Premier League or The Football

League as appropriate, agree that either League shall act.

7. Facts or matters giving rise to alleged misconduct under Rule G2(2)-(6), which also give rise

to an alleged breach of the rules and/or regulations of a Competition other than those

referred to at Rule G6 above, shall be dealt with by the Competition having jurisdiction

under its rules and regulations, unless The Association or an Affiliated Association acts. A

Competition shall not act before The Association or Affiliated Association acts.

Commissions

8. The power to impose a penalty or other order for misconduct shall be exercised by a

Committee having responsibility for such matters, who may delegate such powers to a

Sub-Committee (referred to in these Rules as a "Disciplinary Commission"). Where alleged

misconduct is to be dealt with, the Chairman of the relevant Committee or (in the

Chairman’s absence) the Chairman’s nominee, shall appoint the Disciplinary Commission

to deal with the matter. Save as set out below, the Disciplinary Commission shall comprise

of not less than 3 Members of Council.

9. A member of a Disciplinary Commission appointed to deal with a matter shall be appointed

by the Chairman of the relevant Committee, or (in the Chairman’s absence) the Chairman’s