1. NAME OF CUP
The Cup shall be called “The Football Association County Youth Challenge Cup”.
2. CUP OWNERSHIP
The Cup is the property of The Association. When the winning County Association has been ascertained, The Association shall deliver the Cup to such County Association, which shall be responsible for its return to The Association on or before the first day of March in the ensuing year in good order and condition. Should the Cup be lost, destroyed or damaged by fire or any other cause whilst under the care or custody of the County Association, the latter shall refund to The Association the amount of its current insured value or the cost of thorough repair in addition to any other penalty which The Association may impose.
3. MEDALS
In addition to the Cup, The Association shall present 20 medals to playing staff and officials to both County Associations in the Final. When a player taking part is ordered to leave the field of play for misconduct, the medal to which he may be entitled may be withheld at the discretion of the Council.
4. CONTROL OF COMPETITION
(a) The ownership, organisation, control and management of the Competition and any rights associated with it of any nature shall be vested entirely and exclusively in The Association.
(b) The Council shall have power to make, delete and amend regulations for the organisation, control and management of the Competition as it, from time to time, deems expedient (the “Competition Rules”) subject only to the authority of the Board where such matters relate to financial or commercial matters.
(c) All County Associations participating in the Competition shall be bound by and comply with the Competition Rules.
(d) The Council shall have the power to appoint a Committee (the “Youth Committee”). The Youth Committee shall have the power to exercise all powers of the Council in relation to the Competition and to make decisions on all matters arising out of or in relation to the organisation, control and management of the Competition (including as to eligibility and qualification) which shall be deemed decisions of the Council and shall be final and binding on all participants in the Competition. In relation to these and any other matters not specifically mentioned in the Competition Rules, the Youth Committee shall, on behalf of the Council, have the power to take such action and make such decisions, orders, rulings and impose such penalties as it deems necessary and following such procedures as it considers appropriate and such shall be final and binding on all participants. In considering such matters, the Council shall not be bound by any enactment or Rule of Law relating to the admissibility of evidence in proceeding before a Court of Law.
(e) A County Association participating in the Competition shall have only such rights in relation to the Competition (and any match in the Competition) as are expressly granted to the County Association under these Competition Rules or by The Association in writing.
(f) In relation to each match in the Competition, The Association shall itself be exclusively entitled to, or otherwise to authorise or grant to others, rights of access to and attendance at the ground of the Home County Association (“Access Rights”) for the purposes of transmitting or filming or otherwise recording on or by any media, any audio and/or visual materials depicting or describing all or any part or parts of a match (“the Copyright Materials”).
(g) In relation to each match in the Competition, The Association shall itself be exclusively entitled throughout the world, or to grant to or otherwise authorise others:
(i) on a live, delayed, recorded or highlighted basis to broadcast or otherwise transmit by any method whatsoever (now known or hereinafter devised) the Copyright Materials by way of any and all forms of television or similar technology (now known or hereinafter devised) including, without limitation, free to air television, pay television, pay per view, “not-video-on-demand” internet or other on-line media and “video-on-demand” (“the Television Rights”).
(ii) on a live or delayed basis to broadcast or to otherwise transmit the Copyright Materials (or audio) by way of radio broadcast or internet, or other on-line media or similar technology (now known or hereinafter devised) (“the Radio Rights”).
(iii) to use, sell, publish, distribute and otherwise exploit the Copyright Materials in any manner whatsoever including, without limitation, clip licensing, videos, videograms, CD Rom, CDI, internet or other on line media (“the Footage Rights”).
(h) The Association shall be exclusively entitled, either by itself or to authorise others, to use sell or otherwise exploit all commercial and other marketing rights associated with the Competition including, without limitation, fixture list copyright, sponsorship, supplier rights, licences or other commercial arrangements (“the Marketing Rights”).
(i) County Associations shall be bound by and comply with the terms of all contracts entered into by The Association from time to time in relation to Access Rights, the Television Rights, the Radio Rights, the Footage Rights and the Marketing Rights (collectively “the Commercial Contracts”) in relation to the Competition.
(j) County Associations shall provide access to grounds and provide all other rights, facilities and services as may be necessary to enable The Association to fulfil the Commercial Contracts.
(k) Each County Association undertakes to indemnify and keep indemnified The Association and its officers, directors, employees and authorised representatives from and against any claims for direct or consequential loss or damage by any party to a Commercial Contract caused or otherwise attributable to any failure or any breach by the County Association fully to perform or observe its obligations and responsibilities under these provisions.
(l) Nothing in the above shall be construed or interpreted so as to prevent or restrict County Associations, subject to applicable FIFA, UEFA or other rules or regulations or decisions of The Association, from entering into commercial arrangements in relation to matches in the Competition which do not in any way conflict with the Commercial Contracts and duties of County Associations as set out herein.
(m) The Association shall make provision for payments to County Associations as it shall from time to time consider appropriate.
5. ELIGIBLE COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS
(a) Participation in the Competition shall be open to all Affiliated Associations.
(b) The Competition shall be on a knock-out basis and shall be confined to matches between teams representative of County Football Associations.
(c) Entries from off-shore County Associations will be considered on an annual basis and if accepted, special provisions may apply to such County Associations as stated in Appendix 2.
6. ENTRY DATE
A County Association wishing to participate in the Competition shall complete and return an entry form together with the prescribed entrance fee to be received at The Association on or before 1st June in the season previous to the season in which such County Association proposes to compete in the Competition.
7. ORGANISATION OF THE COMPETITION
(a) The Organisation of the Competition shall be at the discretion of the Council.
(b) The First and Second Round draws shall be made on a geographical basis.
8. DRAWS FOR ROUNDS
(a) The County Associations competing in each Round of the Competition shall be drawn in couples. The couples shall play a match subject to the Laws of the Game and the winners compete in the next Round and be drawn in the same manner. This shall be continued until the Final of the Competition.
(b) All matches in each Round shall be played on such a date and at such a time as the Council shall determine. The time of kick-off shall be mutually agreed between both County Associations. When a County Association has received permission to arrive the night before a match in accordance with Competition Rule 23(c)(i) the County Association drawn at home must arrange the time of kick-off to ensure that their opponents arrive back at its headquarters before midnight. The Council shall have the power to order the kick-off to be changed, as it deems appropriate.
(c) County Associations first drawn must advise the agreed date and all other match details by completing the Match Arrangement Form which must be received by The Association within seven days of receipt of the Draw except in the First Round when notification must be received by The Association by 1st September.
(d) The County Association drawn at home must give its opponents the choice of two dates of when the match is to be played. If the County Associations fail to agree on the dates offered then the County Association drawn at home has the choice of date and must give its opponents at least 14 days notice in writing of the date selected.
(e) All matches are to be played on a Saturday unless mutually agreed otherwise.
(f) The County Association drawn at home shall arrange for the ground and other match requirements.
(g) Any dispute in choice of date and kick-off time shall be referred to the Council, whose decision is final.
9. VENUE FOR MATCHES
(a) Venue
(i) The County Association first drawn shall be entitled to have the match played on the ground of its choice, subject to that ground fulfilling the requirements of the Competition Rules and the consent of Council obtained.
(ii) The Council shall have the power to order that any match be played on an alternative ground or date, including a Sunday, if it is considered appropriate and necessary.
(b) Dimensions of Field of Play and Ground Facilities
(i) All matches shall be played on a natural grass pitch.
(ii) The dimensions of the field of play for matches shall be as follows:
Maximum length: 120 yards (110 metres)
Minimum length: 110 yards (100 metres)
Maximum breadth: 80 yards (75 metres)
Minimum breadth: 70 yards (64 metres)
(iii) A County Association must have use of an enclosed ground where charge for admission must be made and the attendance must be taken in all matches in the Competition.
(iv) Goal nets must be used in all matches.
(v) The playing area must be enclosed by a permanent fixed barrier, the only exception being those areas and spaces excluded from spectator viewing. Wire may not be used, in rope form, to connect the posts.
(vi) Dressing and washing accommodation must be separate for each team and Match Officials. Dressing Rooms must have heating and hot water.
(vii) Separate toilets must be provided for dressing rooms used by players and Match Officials, which must not be available for spectator use.
(viii) Floodlights, if available, must be provided to a standard set out by the Council in Appendix 1, and in accordance with Competition Rule 13.
(ix) Entrances and exits must be provided to cater for the anticipated attendance. Access for emergency services must be provided.
(x) Each County Association shall provide separate areas adjacent to the pitch for the sole use of team officials, medical staff and substitutes. Such designated areas shall be clearly marked “home” and “away”, have direct access to the pitch, be located as near as possible equidistant from the halfway line and be under cover. The team benches should also comply with Competition Rule 26.
(xi) Public Liability Insurance must be in place.
(xii) Hospitality for Visiting County Association Officials must be provided in a designated area.
(xiii) Ladies and Gentlemen’s toilets, other than those used by players and Match Officials, must be provided for spectators throughout the duration of matches.
(xiv) Refreshment facilities for spectators must be provided in all areas.
(xv) Covered accommodation for spectator use must be provided.
(xvi) Hard standing (concrete/paving slabs or other suitable approved material) must be provided to a minimum width of one metre on at least the entire length of one touch-line. If the rules of the League competed in state that a width of one yard is acceptable, this measurement will be accepted.
(xvii) A technical area is to be provided. The technical area extends one metre on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward up to a distance of one metre from the touch-line. Markings are to be used to define this area.
(c) Protests Regarding the Suitability of Ground
(i) A County Association may protest to the Council that the home venue is unsuitable for the match. Such protest must be made to the Council within two days of the notification of the ground (Sundays not included) and must be accompanied by a fee of £250, which may be forfeited if the protest is not sustained.
(ii) The Council shall have the power to consider the protest in such manner and following such procedures as it considers appropriate. The Council may amongst other things order the match to be played on the ground of the protesting County Association, or on a neutral ground. The payment of the costs incurred by either County Association and The Association incidental to the protest shall be at the discretion of the Council.
(d) Playing Condition of the Ground
(i) Each County Association must take every precaution to ensure that the ground they are using is in a fit playing condition.
(ii) A County Association may protest to the Council in relation to the playing condition of a ground as in Competition Rule 9(c).
(iii) A Referee shall whenever possible examine the ground and decide as to its fitness for play in sufficient time to save the expense of unnecessary journeys being incurred by County Associations. The pitch inspection must be made by the Match Referee or a Referee appointed by The Football Association or a County Football Association who must immediately contact The Football Association with details of an inspection (and the Match Referee if relevant).
(iv) Subject to this Rule, the Referee shall have the power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches.
(v) The Referee must report to the ground 90 minutes before the time of kick-off. If necessary, the Home County Association or The Association may, by notice, require the Referee to visit the ground more than 90 minutes before the time of kick-off any time during the season.
10. COUNTY ASSOCIATION COLOURS
(a) Where the colours (shirts, shorts or stockings) of the two competing County Associations are similar, both County Associations must change unless alternative arrangements are mutually agreed by the competing County Associations.
(b) In the event of the County Associations not agreeing upon the colours to be worn, the Council shall decide. Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from the other players, and the Match Officials.
(c) County Association’s colours must not clash with the black and white outfit worn by the Match Officials.
(d) Players’ shirts shall be clearly numbered on the back in accordance with the Official Team Sheet. No change of numbers during the match shall be allowed except on a change of Goalkeeper. The Captain of each team shall wear a distinguishing armband to indicate his status.
(e) Advertising may be worn on players’ clothing in accordance with the Rules of The Association.
(f) The inclusion of any reference whatsoever in or on clothing or equipment of a County Association team to a product or service or other activity which is detrimental to the welfare, health or general interest of young persons, or is otherwise considered inappropriate having regard to the age of the players, is prohibited.
11. DURATION OF MATCHES
(a) The duration of each match shall be 90 minutes, except in special cases, provided for in these Competition Rules, where an extra 30 minutes must be played. The Referee shall allow for time wasted or lost through accident or other cause. The Referee is the sole judge of allowance of time whether lost through accident or other cause and his decision on this matter is not subject to appeal.
(b) The half-time interval shall be 10 minutes, except for the Semi-Final and Final when the half-time interval shall be 15 minutes.
(c) Both teams shall enter the field of play together five minutes prior to the kick-off time, along with the Match Officials.
12. PROVISION FOR MATCHES PRECEDING THE FINAL
(a) County Associations shall not mutually arrange to play a match in lieu of a Cup match.
(b) Any late kick-off shall be reported by the Referee to The Association and the Council shall have power to impose a fine.
Extra Time and Kicks from the Penalty Mark
(c) (i) If a match is drawn after 90 minutes, an extra 30 minutes shall be played and 15 minutes shall be played in each half.
(ii) If the score is still level at the end of extra time, kicks from the penalty mark shall be taken to determine the winner, in accordance with the procedure adopted by The International Football Association Board.
Matches which are Abandoned or Postponed
(d) (i) When a match has been postponed or abandoned before the completion of 90 minutes and neither County being at fault, it must be played within 14 days of the date fixed for the first match on a ground of the first drawn County Association.
(ii) If extra time has not been commenced or a match is abandoned during extra time and neither County being at fault the result at 90m minutes will stand and the match replayed within 14 days of the date fixed for the first match on the ground of the second drawn County Association.
(iii) All matches including any replays shall be completed by the closing date fixed for the Round.
(iv) Matches abandoned through the fault of the County Associations shall be dealt with by the Council.
(e) The Council shall have the power to vary these arrangements if it is deemed necessary.
13. FLOODLIGHTING
(a) Where floodlights are available, matches may be played either partly or wholly under floodlight conditions, provided that the installation meets with the approval of The Association.
(b) All floodlighting installations must conform to the requirements laid down by the Council in the Floodlighting Criteria in Appendix 1.
(c) The Referee will decide at what point in the game the floodlights shall be switched on. This will necessitate a discussion with responsible Officials of the competing County Associations before the game, when an agreed a signal must be agreed.
(d) The cost for floodlighting must not exceed £50, and this cost may be charged as match expenses, if incurred.
14. REPORTING RESULTS
(a) Each County Association shall send the result of the match, with the names of the players competing and goalscorers, together with the marking of the Referee’s performance to be received at The Association within six days of the match.
(b) The Home County Association shall telephone the result to The Association and designated press agencies immediately after the end of the match, according to the instructions issued prior to the match.
15. LAWS OF THE GAME
Except as is provided for in these Rules, the Laws of the Game shall apply.
16. PROVISIONS FOR THE FINAL
(a) The Association shall fix the ground for the Final and shall have direct control of the arrangements.
(b) If the match is drawn after 90 minutes, an extra 30 minutes shall be played and 15 minutes shall be played in each half.
(c) If the score is still level at the end of extra time, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the procedure adopted by The International Football Association Board.
17. PROVISIONS FOR WITHDRAWING FROM THE COMPETITION
(a) Any County Association intending to withdraw from the Competition must notify its intention to do so to The Association and the opposing County Association, not less than eight days before the date fixed for playing the match.
(b) A County Association failing to comply with this shall be reported to the Council, who shall have power to compel such offending County Association to pay the expenses incurred and to take such other action as the Council considers appropriate.
(c) A County Association failing to give satisfactory reason for withdrawing from the Competition shall in addition to any other action considered appropriate not be allowed to enter the Competition in the following season and shall be liable to such fine as the Council considers appropriate.
18. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PLAYERS
(a) Each team participating in a match shall represent the full available strength of each competing County Association.
(b) A County Association may at its discretion use three substitute players at any time in a match. Substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. A maximum of five substitutes may be nominated and they must be included on the Official Team Sheet handed to the Referee before the match.
(c) All players shall be qualified as players according to the Rules of The Association.
(d) A player shall not play for more than one County Association in the Competition in the same season.
(e) A player who has been suspended according to the disciplinary procedures under the Rules of The Association may play in a postponed or replayed match after the term of his suspension has expired.
(f) A substitute who does not play in a match is entitled to play for another County Association in the Competition in the same season.
(g) (i) Each County Association shall provide a list of names of players taking part in the game (including the names of substitutes) to the Referee and a representative of their opponents in the presence of the Referee at least 30 minutes in matches prior to the Final and 60 minutes in the Final before the time of kick-off (the “Official Team Sheet”). Each player’s date of birth must be indicated on the Official Team Sheet. Any County Association failing to do so will be liable to be fined by the Council a sum not exceeding £100. Any objection to the age qualification of a player should be made to a representative of their opponents before kick-off.
(ii) Should any nominated player or substitute sustain an injury after the submission of the Official Team Sheet to the Referee and before the kick-off, he may be replaced, provided the Referee and opponents are informed before the commencement of the match.
(h) In the case of postponed matches only these players shall be allowed to play who were eligible on the date fixed for the playing of the round, except under the provisions of Competition Rule 18(e).
(i) Only those players are eligible to take part who have not reached the age of 18 years as at midnight on 31st August of the current season.
(j) A player under written contract including Trainee/scholarship players, or those registered at Academies licensed by The Association or Centres of Excellence licensed by The Football League shall not be eligible to compete.
(k) The Secretary of each County Association shall be the person held responsible for ensuring that each player taking part in his County team in any match in the Competition is qualified to do so.
(l) Birth Certificates or other satisfactory proof of date of birth must be produced for scrutiny by a representative of the opposing Association if requested providing that such requests be made at least five days prior to the match.
(m) A player shall be eligible to play for the County of his birth, or he must be a recognised playing member of a Club in membership with the County Association for which he is selected to play by midnight at least seven days prior to the date fixed for playing the match. Providing he is qualified as above, a player shall have the choice of the County Association for which he wishes to play.
All Clubs in current membership with a County Youth Association are considered to be in membership with their County Association.
19. VALIDITY OF PLAYERS’ QUALIFICATIONS
(a) The Council shall have power to call upon a Player, and/or the County Association to which he is registered, or for which he played, to prove that the Player is qualified according to the Competition Rules.
(b) Failing satisfactory proof, The Council may disqualify such Player, and may remove the County Association from the Competition, and impose such other penalty as it considers appropriate. The Council shall also have the power to impose penalties against County Associations already knocked out of the Competition.
20. DISQUALIFICATION
In addition to any other action or penalty, the Council shall have the power to disqualify any competing County Association, or Player for any competing County Association(s), which it determines to have breached the Rules of The Association or the Competition Rules, and the decision of The Council shall be final and binding.
21. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MATCH OFFICIALS
(a) (i) Match Officials shall be appointed by The Association. Neither past nor present members of either of the contending County Associations shall be eligible.
(ii) In the event of any of the Match Officials failing to arrive or being incapacitated, the two County Associations shall agree to a substitute.
(b) The fees and expenses of all Match Officials appointed by The Association to officiate in any match prior to the Final shall be paid by the Home County Association unless otherwise instructed by Council.
(c) Scale of Expenses to be Paid to Match Officials
(i) In all rounds of the Competitions standard class railway fares operating on the day of the match will be allowed.
(ii) An allowance of £0.27 per mile will be allowed to all Match Officials officiating in the competition who travel by private car.
(iii) In Rounds prior to the Semi-Final, Match Officials shall be entitled to claim meal allowances where the travelling time exceeds six hours £4.00.
(iv) In the Semi-Finals and Final, Match Officials shall be entitled to claim meal allowances as under:
Where the travelling time exceeds eight hours £6.00
Where the travelling time exceeds six hours £4.00
Where the travelling time exceeds four hours £3.00
(d) Scale of Fees to be Paid to Match Officials
(i) First and Second Rounds:
Referee £25.00; Assistant Referees £12.50 each
(ii) Third and Fourth Rounds:
Referee £30.00; Assistant Referees £15.00 each
(iii) Semi-Finals:
Referee £40.00; Assistant Referees £20.00 each; Fourth Official £20.00
(iv) Final:
Referee £80.00; Assistant Referees £40.00; each Fourth Official £40.00 and a Souvenir Medal each.
(v) The above fees, prior to the Final, shall be paid by the Home County Association. The fees for the Final will be paid by The Association.
(e) Match Officials are entitled to their travelling expenses if incurred. Half their fees will be paid if the match to which they are appointed is postponed after they have arrived at the ground.
(f) In the event of a Match Official being unable to reach their destination going to or returning from a match without staying at an hotel, they shall be entitled to charge £40.00 for each night to cover their hotel expenses. A receipted hotel account must be provided.
(g) Match Officials shall acknowledge acceptance of appointments for all matches in the Competition to The Association.
(h) The Home County Association must notify the Match Officials of the precise details of the match, this is to include a map with the location of the ground indicated, kick-off time, colours of both teams and other necessary details to be received by the Match Officials not later than five days prior to the match who shall acknowledge receipt.
(i) The duties of the Match Officials shall be as defined in the Laws of the Game.
22. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PROTESTS
(a) All issues relating to the interpretation of the Competition Rules, shall be referred to the Council, whose decision shall be final and binding. The Council shall consider any such matter in such manner and following such procedures as it considers appropriate. The Council shall not be bound by any enactment of Rule or Law relating to the admissibility of evidence in proceedings before a Court of Law.
(b) Where a County Association wishes to protest that there has been a breach of the Competition Rules, such protest must be made in writing and must contain the particulars of the grounds upon which it is made. The protest must be received by The Association, accompanied by a fee of £100, within two days of the match to which it relates (Sundays not included). The fee may be forfeited to The Association in the event of the protest not being sustained.
(c) The Council may make such orders as it considers appropriate in relation to any issue or protest referred to it. The Council may make such orders as it considers appropriate as to the costs incurred by the parties or The Association.
(d) Any protest relating to the ground, goal posts or bars or other appurtenances of the game shall not be considered by the Council unless an objection has been lodged with the Referee and the Home County Association at least one hour before the official time of the kick-off. The Referee shall require the Home County Association to correct the cause of the objection, if this is possible without unduly delaying the progress of the match.
(e) Where an objection has been lodged with the Referee and Home County Association as above, a protest must be made to The Association and neither objection nor protest may be withdrawn, except by leave of the Council.
(f) The Association shall send a copy of any protest to the County Association protested against, which shall lodge a defence to the protest with particulars of the defence within two days of receipt of the protest.
(g) Members of the Council directly connected with a County Association concerned in a protest shall not have any involvement in the consideration of the matter.
(h) A County Association, or player or any person directly connected with the management of the County Association may be summoned to attend at a hearing of a protest. A County Association may be represented by one or more persons. A Barrister or Solicitor may represent a County Association only with the prior written consent of the Council. Any person summoned to attend a hearing of a protest must attend personally and shall not be legally represented except with the prior written consent of the Council.
23. PROCEEDS OF MATCHES PRIOR TO THE FINAL
(a) Proceeds of Matches
In all matches, The Association shall take the receipts from all matches and shall pay the expenses.
(b) Payments of Travelling Expenses
(i) In all Rounds, match expenses shall include travelling expenses, actually incurred, which must not exceed £2.75 per coach mile.
(ii) The travelling expenses for the visiting County Association are to be calculated on a direct route from the County Association’s Headquarters, to the ground where the match is being played.
(iii) Where travelling by rail, the cost of 25 standard class fares at the cheapest available rate may be claimed.
(c) Hotel Expenses
(i) Where it is necessary for County Associations to arrive the night before a match, application for hotel expenses must be submitted in writing to The Association within 14 days of receipt of the Draw.
(ii) The grounds for making such an application are that it would be necessary or desirable for the visiting County Association to leave its Headquarters before 8.00am on the day of the match, alternatively, not possible to arrive back at its Headquarters before midnight. Expenses, which may be claimed, if actually incurred, shall not exceed £30 per person per night for no more than 25 persons.
The grounds for making an application are that if the travelling time exceeds five hours which includes a stop of not more than 45 minutes then expenses can be allowed with travelling time based on AutoRoute details, as determined by the Competitions Department.
(iii) A County Association that has been granted hotel expenses by The Association must stay within a 20 mile radius of the ground where the match will be played.
(d) Other Allowable Expenses
(i) A sum not exceeding £100 (where incurred) may be charged for the use of a ground.
(ii) Lunch allowance for the visiting County Association only (where necessary) shall not exceed £4 per person for 25 persons. Gratuities and/or service charges cannot be claimed.
(iii) For meals after the match each County Association may claim an allowance which shall not exceed £7 per persons for 25 persons. Gratuities and/or service charges cannot be claimed.
(e) The following items must not be charged as match expenses:
(i) Telephone calls
(ii) Printing of Programmes
(iii) Stewards
(iv) Groundsmen
(v) Dressing Room Attendants
(vi) Light Refreshments before, during and after a match
(vii) Gratuities
(viii) Footballs
(ix) Cost of Dressing Rooms
(x) Expenses of advertising, printing and postage
(xi) Police and gatemen
(f) County Secretaries are asked to note that travelling expenses and meals must not be overcharged and that the travelling expenses of their players should be itemised.
(g) All payments must be supported by vouchers or signed receipts. The Home County Association must submit to The Association within 14 days of the match, together with the balance of the receipts, a match statement made out on the approved form.
(h) The Visiting County Association must submit to The Association, all accounts connected with the match, and allowed by Rule against the gate, within seven days of the match being played, otherwise the claim shall be considered invalid (unless a satisfactory explanation be given).
(i) The Home County Association shall clear all such accounts and comply with the other requirements of this Competition Rule. The profits of matches be placed in a pool to be administered by The Association.
(j) If the receipts are not sufficient to cover the entire expenses of the match the Home County Association shall pay the accounts in excess of the receipts.
(l) Where the match results in a loss, the County Association bearing such loss may apply for a refund of this loss within 28 days after the date on which the match was played.
(m) When a match is postponed through causes over which neither County Association has control, the expenses shall be paid out of the receipts of the second match.
(n) In any match ordered to be replayed in consequence of a breach of Competition Rule, the County Association in default shall only receive the approved travelling costs in accordance with this Competition Rule, except with the consent of the Council which will only be given under special circumstances.
(n) After the conclusion of the competition the Council shall distribute the balance in hand, on a basis proportionate to the number of matches played, to the competing County Association or to the County Minor or Youth Association concerned who shall place such amount to the credit of the County Association or its equivalent within the County FA organisation. (In no case shall the money concerned be granted except to the Committee authorised by the County FA).
24. FIRST AID
The Home County Association or Host Club to ensure that First Aid facilities, equipment and a stretcher are available for all ties and a fully qualified person is available to administer First Aid.
25. PROGRAMME
A Programme or Team Sheet must be produced for spectators with details of both teams.
26. TEAM BENCHES
(a) In all Rounds of the Competition, the number of County Association players and Officials seated on the team benches, in the designated technical area, must not exceed 11 unless the team bench facility provides more than 11 individual seats.
(b) Only one person has the authority to convey tactical instructions to the players during the match. This person shall be the Team Manager or the Team Coach. He is allowed to move to the edge of the technical area to issue instructions to his team but then must return to his position on the bench immediately after giving these instructions.
(c) All team Officials and substitutes seated on the bench shall be listed on the Official Team Sheet when it is submitted to the Match Officials. Only those persons listed on the Official Team Sheet shall be permitted in the technical area.
(d) The occupants of the technical area must behave in a responsible manner at all times. Misconduct by occupants of this area will be reported by the Referee to The Association, who shall have the power to impose sanctions as deemed fit.
(e) With the exception of the team manager, the team coach and any substitutes who are warming up or warming down, all other personnel are to remain seated on the trainers bench.
The team manager or team coach is allowed to move to the edge of the technical area to issue instructions to his team, but must then return to the trainers bench.
(f) In the Final, County Associations will be advised by The Association of the number of technical staff and substitutes who may occupy the team benches and a list of the permitted number of authorised personnel must be provided by each County Association to the Referee at least one hour before kick-off.
27. NOTICES
All notices required to be given to The Association by any of these Competition Rules shall be addressed to The Competitions Manager, at the offices of The Association, 25 Soho Square, London, W1D 4FA.