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:-
"Associate Member Club" means a Club accorded the status of an Associate Member
Club pursuant to these Rules
"Club" means a football club;
"Club Official" means any official, director, secretary, servant or representative of a club;
"Competition" means any competition (whether a league or knock-out competition or otherwise) sanctioned by The Association or an Affiliated Association;
"Contract Player" means any player (other than a Trainee or Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club;
"Football Association Premier League, The" means The Football Association Premier League Limited or any successor body;
"Football Creditor" means
(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.
"Football League, The" means The Football League Limited or any successor body;
"Laws of the Game" means the Laws of the Game as settled and in force from time to time by the International Football Association Board and FIFA;
"Licensed Agent" means an agent licensed by The Association in accordance with the applicable FIFA regulations governing players’ agents;
"Management Committee Member" means a person responsible for the management and administration of an unincorporated club;
"Manager" means the Official of a Club responsible for selecting a Club team;
"Match" means a football match sanctioned by The Association or an Affiliated Association;
"Match Officials" means referees and assistant referees and includes reserve officials and fourth officials;
"Non-Contract Player" means any Player (other than a Trainee or Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment;
"Official" means any official, director, secretary, servant or representative of an Affiliated Association or Competition;
"Out of Contract Player" means a Contract Player whose contract has expired;
"Player" means any Contract Player, Out of Contract Player, Non-Contract Player or other Player who plays or is eligible to play for a Club;
"Participant" means an Affiliated Association, Competition, Club, Club Official, Licensed Agent, Player, Official, Match Official, Management Committee Member, Member or Employee of an affiliated club and all such persons who are from time to time participating in any activity sanctioned either directly or indirectly by The Association;
"Professional Footballers Association, The" means The Professional Footballers Association or any successor body.
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
A Full Member Club or Associate Member Club may resign its status as such to have effect only at the end of the playing season. Written notice of an intention to resign must be received at The Association by 31st December in that playing season.
(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.
(ii) A Full Member Club or Associate Member Club which has failed to pay any subscription due to The Association by 1st August in any year shall be subject to such fine or other appropriate sanction as may be determined by the Council.
Affiliation of Associations
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"
Associations, Competitions or other combinations of Clubs, Players or Officials, shall not be formed without the consent of The Association, or of the Affiliated Association or Affiliated Associations concerned.
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.
(c) The Competitions participating in the National League System shall be as determined by the Council from time to time.
Charity Associations, Benefit Competitions and Charity Matches
3. (a) Form "E" Charity Associations or Benefit Competitions shall not be formed without the consent of The Association or of an Affiliated Association. All applications for formation shall be made on the form marked "E" annexed to these Rules and applications for continuance must be made on this form annually.
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.
Where two (2) Affiliated Associations cover the same area, the permission must be obtained from the appropriate Parent Association.
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;
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 66
(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.
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 67
(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
nominee, to act as Chairman of the Disciplinary Commission. The Chairman of a
Disciplinary Commission shall be a Member of the Panel of Commission Chairmen as
determined by Council from time to time, or an individual (who need not be a Member of
Council) who is a Barrister or Solicitor of seven or more years’ standing and whose
appointment has been approved by the Board.
10. If a member of a Disciplinary Commission doubts his or her ability to be impartial, or
believes there to be a materially conflicting interest in the proceedings, this must be
declared as soon as possible, and unless all parties waive it and request the member to act,
then the member shall withdraw completely from the proceedings.
11. The Chairman of the relevant Committee, or (in the Chairman’s absence) the Chairman’s
nominee, shall appoint another Member of Council to fill any vacancy that arises on a
Disciplinary Commission prior to a hearing so that the number of persons appointed is not
fewer than 3. Where a vacancy or vacancies occur in a Disciplinary Commission after the
commencement of a hearing, the hearing shall cease and a rehearing arranged before a
freshly constituted Disciplinary Commission, unless the parties consent to the remaining
Members continuing.
Procedures for dealing with alleged Misconduct under Rule G2(1)
12. Misconduct under Rule G2(1) above shall be dealt with under Rules G13-14.
13. Any breach of the Laws of the Game involving a Player associated with a Club in The FA
Premier League, The Football League, The Football Conference, the Isthmian League, the
Northern Premier League and the Southern League shall be dealt with by The Association
in accordance with the relevant Memorandum of Disciplinary Procedures concerning a
breach of the Laws of the Game.
14. Any breach of the Laws of the Game involving a Player associated with a Club other than
referred to above shall be dealt with on behalf of The Association by the Affiliated
Association having jurisdiction over the Club in relation to the Match concerned. The
matter shall be dealt with by the Affiliated Association in accordance with the relevant
Memorandum of Disciplinary Procedures concerning a breach of the Laws of the Game.
Procedures for dealing with alleged Misconduct under Rule G2(2)-(6)
15. Misconduct under Rule G2(2)-(6) shall be dealt with under the Regulations for Football
Association Disciplinary Action.
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 78
H. APPEALS TO THE APPEAL BOARD
Appeal to the Appeal Board
1. Subject to Rule H2 below, an appeal shall lie to an Appeal Board under these Rules and
Regulations from a decision of:
(a) a Disciplinary Commission of an Affiliated Association; or
(b) an Affiliated Association or Competition where rules and regulations provide for an
appeal to an Appeal Board of The Association.
2. No appeal shall lie to an Appeal Board under these Rules and Regulations
(a) from a decision of a Disciplinary Commission of The Association or a penalty
imposed for a breach of the Laws of the Game; or
(b) where an appeal has been heard by an Affiliated Association in respect of a decision
of a Competition, or in respect of decisions arising out of competitions of Affiliated
Associations where the rules and regulations provide that such decisions are final.
3. An appeal may only be made by the person or body who is the subject of the original
decision appealed against.
Appeal Boards
4. The Chairman of Council, or such individual that the Chairman shall appoint from time to
time as nominee for the purpose of this Rule, shall appoint an Appeal Board, which shall
comprise three Members of Council save as set out at Rule H6 below.
5. If a member of an Appeal Board doubts his or her ability to be impartial, or believes there to
be a materially conflicting interest in the proceedings, then this must be declared as soon as
possible and unless all parties waive it and request the member to act, then the member
shall withdraw completely from the proceedings. An individual who sat on the body that
made the decision appealed against may not be a member of the Appeal Board.
6. One member of the Appeal Board shall be appointed to act as Chairman. The Chairman of
an Appeal Board shall be a Member of the Panel of Appeal Board Chairmen or an
individual (who need not be a Member of Council) who is a Barrister or Solicitor of seven
or more years’ standing and whose appointment has been approved by the Board.
7. The Chairman of Council (or nominee) shall appoint another Member of Council to fill any
vacancy that arises on an Appeal Board prior to a hearing. Where a vacancy or vacancies
occur after the commencement of a hearing, the hearing shall cease and a rehearing
arranged before a freshly constituted Appeal Board unless the parties consent to the
remaining members continuing.
8. An Appeal shall be dealt with under the Regulations for Football Association Appeals.
I. FINANCIAL RECORDS
Records to be Kept
1. (a) An Affiliated Association, Competition or Club shall keep accounting records for
recording the fact and nature of all payments and receipts so as to disclose with
reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position including the assets and
liabilities of the Affiliated Association, Competition or Club.
(b) Records to be Retained
An Affiliated Association, Competition or Club must retain accounting records for
six years.
(c) Corporate Bodies - Accounts
An Affiliated Association, Competition or Club which prepares annual accounts in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985 shall, on demand, forward a copy of the
annual accounts to The Association.
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 79
(d) Unincorporated Bodies - Financial Statements
An Affiliated Association, Competition or Club which does not prepare annual
accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 shall prepare a Financial
Statement, in such format as shall be determined by The Association from time to
time. The Financial Statement shall be verified by an independent, appropriately
qualified accountant. A copy of any Financial Statement shall, on demand, be
forwarded to The Association.
(e) Bodies Required to Prepare only a Receipts and Payments Statement
An Affiliated Association, Competition or Club not owning gross assets exceeding
ten thousand pounds shall not be required to prepare a Financial Statement under
the provisions of Rule I1(d) but instead shall prepare only a Receipts and Payments
Statement, which shall be in such format as shall be determined by The Association
from time to time. A Receipts and Payments Statement shall, on demand, be
forwarded to The Association or the relevant Affiliated Association.
(f) Errors and Omissions to be Reported
Any material errors or omissions in the accounting records of an Affiliated
Association, Competition or Club must be reported by such body to The
Association or, in the case of a Competition not sanctioned by The Association, or a
Club not being a Full or Associate Member Club, to the relevant Affiliated
Association.
(g) Documentation of loans made to a Club
All loans extended to a Club should be documented. Copies of the documentation
should be retained by the Club. The loan document should include the following
information;
(i) The value of the loan
(ii) The length of the loan
(iii) The interest rate charged, and whether this is fixed or variable
(iv) Repayment terms
(v) The full names of the individual or corporate body extending the loan
(vi) The terms in the event of a default on the loan
(vii) The document should be signed by two Club Officials or Management
Committee Members who are independent of the party extending the loan
(h) Gate Records to be kept by Clubs
When a Club charges for admission to a match, it is necessary for that club to have a
system that enables them to;
(i) Record the full gate receipts for each match
(ii) Account for the full gate receipts in the Club’s accounting records and bank
account
(iii) Accurately record the number of entrants into the ground for each match
The Club should retain documentation supporting this system for six years
Provisions Relating to Clubs
2. (a) General Provisions
A Club shall include the following provisions in its Articles of Association (where a
corporate body) or Club Rules (where an unincorporated association).
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 80
(i) The members and the directors of the Company shall so exercise their
rights, powers and duties and shall where appropriate use their best
endeavours to ensure that others conduct themselves so that the business
and affairs of the Company are carried out in accordance with the Rules and
Regulations of The Football Association Limited for the time being in force.
(ii) No proposed alteration to the provisions set out herein shall be effective
unless the proposed alteration has been approved in writing by The Football
Association 14 days or more before the day on which the alteration is
proposed to take place.
(iii) The office of a (Director/Officer or Official)* shall be vacated if such person
is subject to a decision of The Football Association that such person be
suspended from holding office or from taking part in any football activity
relating to the administration or management of a Football Club.
(*delete as appropriate for a corporate/unincorporated body)
(b) Club Companies - Winding Up Provisions
A Club which is a corporate body shall have the following provisions in its Articles of
Association:
On the winding-up of the Company the surplus assets shall be applied, first, in
repaying the Members the amount paid on their shares respectively. If such assets are
insufficient to repay the said amount in full, they shall be applied rateably, so that the
loss shall fall upon the Members in proportion to the amount called up on their shares
respectively. No Member shall be entitled to have any call upon other Members for
the purpose of adjusting the Members’ rights; but where any call has been made and
has been paid by some of the Members such call be enforced against the remaining
Members for the purpose of adjusting the rights of the Members between themselves.
If the surplus assets shall be more than sufficient to pay to the Members the whole
amount paid upon their shares, the balance shall be given by the Members of the
Club, at or before the time of dissolution as they shall direct, to The Football
Association Benevolent Fund, or to some Club or Institute in the (here insert the name
of the appropriate city or county) having objects similar to those set out in the
Memorandum of Association or to any local charity, or charitable or benevolent
institution situate within the said (here insert the name of the appropriate city or
county).
In default of any such decision or apportionment by the Members of the Club, the
same to be decided upon and apportioned by a Judge of the High Court of Justice
having jurisdiction in such winding-up or dissolution and as he shall determine.
Alternatively such balance may be disposed of in such other manner as the Members
of the Club with the consent of the Council of The Association, as then existing, shall
determine.
(c) Unincorporated Clubs - Winding Up Procedures
Where a Club which is an unincorporated association is wound up and there are
surplus assets after the payment of debts of the Club, the surplus assets shall be
transferred only to a Club, Competition or Affiliated Association or The Association.
(d) Notifiable Changes
A Club shall not alter its constitution or make a material change to its financial
structure without prior notification to The Association or if not a Full or Associate
Member Club then the Parent Association of the Club. Any new entity shall be
deemed, for the purposes of playing status in a Competition, to be a new Club.
For the purposes of this Rule, an alteration in constitution or material change in
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 81
financial structure shall include such as winding-up of a Club, incorporation of an
unincorporated Club, an agreement by which all the assets and goodwill of the Club
are sold or transferred, entry into compulsory or voluntary liquidation, the
convening of a meeting of creditors or the appointment of a receiver, administrative
receiver, manager or administrator or if the Club ceases for any reason to carry on
business or becomes a holding company or subsidiary company within the meaning
of the Companies Act.
J. RULES, REGULATIONS AND LAWS OF THE GAME
1. (a) Alterations to Rules
The Council may make alterations to these Rules as and when considered
necessary, so as to conform to any alterations to the Memorandum or Articles of
Association of The Association.
(b) Forms
The Council shall settle the Forms required by these Rules.
(c) Regulations
The Council shall have the power to make such regulations deemed necessary to
provide for matters arising from or to implement these Rules in so far as any such
regulation is not in conflict with any Rule. Affiliated Associations and Clubs in
membership with The Association or an Affiliated Association shall be deemed to
have knowledge of and be bound by the said Rule or regulation if the same shall
have been published in the Minutes of the Council, the production of which shall
constitute at all times undisputed proof of the validity of such Rule or regulation.
(d) Regulations Concerning Cup Competitions and Match Officials
The Council are authorised to make such regulations with reference to Cup
Competitions and Match Officials, as they may deem expedient.
(e) Laws of the Game
The Laws of the Game as amended at a meeting of the International Football
Association Board in each year shall come into force on such a date as is directed by
the Board.
Advertising on Players’ clothing
2. Advertising on players’ wearing apparel is permitted providing such advertising is
approved by the Council.
Mixed Football
3. Save for matches in a playing season in the age ranges Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under
10 and Under 11 (as defined at Rule C) players in a match must be of the same gender.
K. ARBITRATION
Agreement to Arbitration
1. (a) Subject to Rule K1(b) below, any dispute or difference (a "dispute") between any
two or more Participants (which shall include, for the purposes of this section of the
Rules,) including but not limited to a dispute arising out of or in connection with
(including any question regarding the existence or validity of)
(i) The Rules and Regulations of The Association;
(ii) The rules and regulations of an Affiliated Association or Competition;
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 82
(iii) The Statutes and Regulations of FIFA and UEFA; or
(iv) The Laws of the Game shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration
under these Rules.
(b) Rule K1(a) shall not apply to any dispute or difference which fails to be resolved
pursuant to any rules from time to time in force of any Affiliated Association or
Competition.
Commencement of Arbitration
2. (a) Any party or parties wishing to commence an arbitration under these Rules (the
Claimant(s)) shall serve on the other party or parties to the dispute a written notice
of arbitration (the Notice of Arbitration) which shall set out
(i) the names and addresses of the parties to the arbitration;
(ii) a brief statement describing the nature and circumstances of the dispute and
specifying the relief claimed;
(iii) any proposals in relation to the procedures for the arbitration as proposed
amendments to the procedures set out in these Rules; and
(iv) the name and address of the Claimant(s)’s appointment to act as arbitrator
(between them if more than one).
(b) Where The Association is not a party to the dispute, the Claimant(s) shall send a
copy of the Notice of Arbitration to The Association at the same time as it is sent to
the other party or parties.
(c) Within 14 days of service of the Notice of Arbitration, the other party or parties (the
Respondent(s)) shall each serve on the Claimant(s) and any other Respondent(s) a
response to the Notice of Arbitration (the Response(s)) which shall set out:
(i) an admission or denial of all or part of the claims set out in the Notice of
Arbitration;
(ii) a brief statement of the nature and circumstances of the Respondent’s
denial, if any, and of the nature and circumstances of any counterclaim;
(iii) a response to any proposals made by the Claimant in the Notice of
Arbitration in relation to the procedure for the arbitration; and
(iv) the name and address of the Respondent(s)’s appointment to act as
arbitrator (between them if more than one).
(d) Where The Association is not a party to the dispute, each Respondent shall send a
copy of its Response to The Association at the same time as it is sent to the other
party or parties.
The Tribunal
3. (a) In these Rules, "Tribunal" means the arbitrator or arbitrators appointed pursuant to
these Rules to determine the dispute. A Tribunal of three arbitrators shall be
appointed unless the parties agree otherwise.
(b) The Claimant(s) and the Respondent(s) shall within 14 days of service of the
Response(s) agree to the appointment of a third arbitrator who shall act as
Chairman of the Tribunal.
(c) (i) Where, in a dispute to which The Association is not a party, any party fails to
serve a Response under Rule K2(c) above within 14 days of service of the
Notice of Arbitration, the Chairman of The Association shall appoint an
arbitrator on behalf of the Respondent(s) and shall appoint the Chairman of
the Tribunal. Such appointments shall be made within 14 days after the date
upon which the Response(s) should have been served. A Respondent shall
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 83
have no right to oppose such arbitrator(s) who shall be treated as if
appointed (or agreed to in respect of the appointment of the Chairman) by
the Respondent(s).
(ii) Where, in a dispute to which The Association is a party, any party fails to
serve a Response under Rule K2(c) above within 14 days of service of the
Notice of Arbitration, the Claimant shall forward a copy of the Notice of
Arbitration to the President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators who shall
appoint an arbitrator on behalf of the Respondent(s) and shall appoint the
Chairman of the Tribunal. Such appointments shall be made within 14 days
after the date upon which the Response(s) should have been served. A
Respondent shall have no right to oppose such arbitrator(s) who shall be
treated as if appointed (or agreed to in respect of the appointment of the
Chairman) by the Respondent(s).
(iii) Where the parties cannot agree on the appointment of a third Arbitrator
who shall act as Chairman of the Tribunal under Rule K3(b) above.
(1) in a dispute in which The Association is not a party, the Chairman of
The Association shall appoint the Chairman of the Tribunal as
appropriate.
(2) in a dispute in which The Association is a party, the President of the
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators shall appoint the Chairman of the
Tribunal as appropriate.
(d) Each arbitrator must be, and remain, impartial and independent of all the parties to
the arbitration at all times. Each arbitrator must be resident in England.
(i) Any arbitrator may be challenged if circumstances exist that give rise to
justifiable doubts as to the arbitrator’s impartiality or independence. A party
who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall send to the other party or parties
a notice of challenge setting out the reasons for its challenge within 14 days
after notification of the appointment of the challenged arbitrator, or within 14
days from the date when the party making the challenge is informed of the
facts and circumstances upon which the challenge is based if such date is
subsequent to the receipt of such notification. A copy of the notice shall be
sent at the same time to the arbitrator who is challenged and the other
members of the Tribunal and The Association or the President of the
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (in the event that either appointed the
arbitrator challenged). The notification shall be in writing and shall state the
reasons for the challenge.
(ii) If the other party or parties do(es) not agree to the challenge or the
challenged arbitrator does not withdraw, the decision on the challenge will
be made, in a dispute in which The Association is not a party, by the
Chairman of The Association or in a dispute in which The Association is a
party, by the President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. If the
challenge is sustained, a replacement Arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant
to Rule K3(f).
(e) In the event that the procedure for the appointment of any arbitrator fails, upon the
application by any party or parties, The Chairman of The Association (in a dispute to
which The Association is not a party) or, the President of the Chartered Institute of
Arbitrators (in a dispute to which The Association is a party) shall make such
appointments as are necessary.
(f) If, for any reason, an arbitrator becomes unable to act or refuses to act, a
replacement shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment.
Procedure
4. (a) The parties shall be entitled to agree on all matters of procedure and evidence
arising in connection with the arbitration. If or to the extent that there is no such
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 84
agreement, the Tribunal shall determine all procedural and evidential matters.
(b) Those matters may include (but are not limited to):
(i) the procedure for submitting written statements of claim, defence and counterclaim
and reply;
(ii) the procedure for the production and inspection of documents or property;
(iii) the procedure for submitting other material to the Tribunal, including
whether to apply strict rules of evidence or any other rules as to the admissibility,
relevance or weight of any material tendered by a party on any matter
of fact or expert opinion and to determine the true manner and form in
which such material should be exchanged between the parties and
presented to the Tribunal;
(iv) whether there should be a hearing or hearings before the Tribunal or
whether the dispute should be determined on the basis of written
submissions and documents alone.
(c) As soon as is practicable after it has been appointed, the Tribunal shall arrange a
meeting with the parties and/or their representatives to determine the procedure
for the arbitration.
(d) The Tribunal may fix a time within which any directions given by it are to be
complied with and may, if it considers fit, extend the time so fixed (whether or not it
has expired).
(e) In the event of default by either party in respect of any matter under these
Arbitration Rules or of any procedural order or direction of the Tribunal, the Tribunal
shall have the power, upon application by any party or of its own motion:
(i) to debar that party from further participation, in whole or in part, in the
arbitration; and/or
(ii) proceed with the arbitration and deliver its award; and/or
(iii) make such other order as it sees fit.
(f) Parties may be represented in an arbitration conducted under these rules by a
solicitor or barrister or any other individual of their choice.
Award
5. (a) The Tribunal shall make its award (the Award) in writing and, unless all parties
otherwise agree in writing, shall state the reasons for its decision. The Award shall
be dated and signed by the Tribunal.
(b) The Award shall be final and binding upon the parties as from the date it is made.
(c) The parties shall be deemed to have waived irrevocably any right to appeal, review
or recourse to a Court of law.
(d) Where there were three Arbitrators and the Tribunal fails to agree on any issue, the
Arbitrators shall decide that issue by a majority. Failing a majority decision on any
issue, the Chairman of the Tribunal shall decide that issue.
Confidentiality
6. (a) The parties shall preserve and respect the confidentiality of the arbitration
proceedings, including the issues in the dispute and the evidence and arguments
presented by the parties.
(b) Except with the prior written agreement of the parties to the arbitration, no
disclosure shall be made to any third party of the existence of the proceedings, the
contents of any documents or other evidence produced in the arbitration or any
procedural decision of the Tribunal or its Award, or any part of them save and to the
extent that disclosure may be required of a party by legal duty, to protect or pursue
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION 85
a legal right or to enforce an award.
Costs
7. The Tribunal shall have the power but not the obligation to make such order against one or
more of the parties as it considers appropriate as to the costs of the arbitration, which shall
include the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and any hearings and the parties’ legal and
other costs in the arbitration, including administrative costs (if any).
Service of Documents
8. Any document served under these Rules (including any Notice of Arbitration or Response)
must be served personally or by first class post, registered post, or facsimile transmission. In
the absence of proof to the contrary, any document served by first class post or by
registered post shall be deemed to have been served on the third day after the date of
posting or, in the case of any document served by facsimile transmission, on the date such
facsimile transmission was sent.
Governing Law
9. These rules and any arbitration pursuant to them shall be governed by English law. The
Tribunal shall apply English law (both procedural and substantive) in determining any
dispute referred to arbitration under the Rules. The arbitration shall take place in England.
L. FAIR PLAY IN FOOTBALL
means that EVERYONE connected with football
œ shows understanding of and respect for the Laws of the Game
œ supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive
way
œ behaves on and off the field in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be
they players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results