1. NAME OF CUP
The Cup shall be called “The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup”.
2. CUP OWNERSHIP
The Cup is the property of The Association. When the winning Club has been ascertained, The Association shall deliver the Cup to such Club, which shall be responsible for its return to The Association on or before the first day in 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 Club 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 of both Clubs 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 the 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 Clubs 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 Club 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 Club 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 Club (“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) Clubs 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) Clubs 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 Club 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 Club 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 Clubs, 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 Clubs as set out herein.
(m) The Association shall make provision for payments to Clubs as it shall from time to time consider appropriate.
5. ELIGIBLE CLUBS
(a) The Competition shall be open to Clubs being Full or Associate Members of The Association and to such other Clubs as the Council may approve.
(b) Youth Teams must play in Youth/Academy Leagues or an equivalent Competition. Youth Teams applying to enter must be currently competing in a League. Youth Teams must be properly integrated within the main structure of the Senior Club.
(c) A Club which has been allowed to participate in the Competition may not assign or otherwise transfer the ability/right to participate without the prior written approval of the Council. A request for transfer must be in writing, setting out the details of the intended transferee and the reason for the transfer. The decision whether or not to approve a transfer shall be made by the Council in its absolute discretion. A transfer shall be granted only on condition that the transferee shall be treated for the purposes of these Competition Rules and the Rules of The Association as being the same entity as the transferor.
(d) If a Club is removed from the League in which it is playing, once it has been accepted into the Competition, The Association has the power to remove the Club from the Competition.
(e) The Council may reject the application of any Club to participate in the Competition at its entire discretion.
6. ENTRY DATE
A Club 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 April in the season previous to the season in which such Club proposes to compete in the Competition.
7. ORGANISATION OF THE COMPETITION
(a) There shall be a Qualifying Competition and a Competition Proper.
(b) The Competition Proper shall consist of the following numbers of Clubs:
(i) 92 Clubs selected by the Council and exempted from playing in the Qualifying Competition;
(ii) 32 Clubs from the Qualifying Competition.
(c) The Qualifying Competition shall consist of all Clubs admitted to participate in the Competition in accordance with Rule 5 except the 92 Clubs referred to in Rule 7(b) (i)
(d) Exemption from Rounds of Competition:
(i) 44 Clubs shall be exempted until the Third Round of the Competition Proper;
(ii) 48 Clubs shall be exempted until the First Round of the Competition Proper.
(e) The Qualifying Competition shall consist of all other Clubs entered in accordance with Competition Rule 5.
(f) The Qualifying Competition and the First and Second Rounds Proper shall be played on a geographical basis.
8. DRAWS FOR ROUNDS
(a) The Clubs 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 shall be played under floodlight conditions on dates other than Saturdays and Sundays, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
(c) After the Draw for each Round is made, notice shall be given to each Club of the name of its opponent Club, and the date of the week when the match is to be played in the Qualifying Competition and the date by which it is to be played in the Competition Proper. All matches in each Round shall be played on such date and at such time as the Council shall determine. The time of the kick-off shall be 7.45pm for all matches unless mutually agreed otherwise, subject to the approval of the Council. The Council shall have the power to order that a kick-off is changed, as it deems appropriate. Clubs 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. The Match Arrangement Form is to be signed by a Director or the Football Club Secretary.
9. VENUE FOR MATCHES
(a) Venue
(i) The Club first drawn shall be entitled to have the match played on its home ground. Such match shall be played on that ground unless the consent of the Council has been obtained to any change of venue.
(ii) No monetary or other consideration shall be asked for, offered or paid in connection with negotiations for a change of venue.
(iii) A match shall not be played on a neutral ground without the consent of the Council.
(iv) 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 all 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)
The playing surface should be prepared and maintained to a reasonable standard. No Club shall alter the dimensions of its pitch during the season from those previously indicated on the entry form.
(iii) A Club must have regular 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 must be provided to a standard set out 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 Club 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 29.
(xi) Public Liability Insurance must be in place.
(xii) Hospitality for visiting Club 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 three sides of the ground. 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 Club may protest to the Council that the ground of the Home Club is unsuitable for the match. Such protest must be made to the Council within two days of the receipt of the draw (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 Club, or on a neutral ground. The payment of the costs incurred by either Club and The Association incidental to the protest shall be at the discretion of the Council.
(d) Playing Condition of the Ground
(i) Each Club must take every precaution to ensure that its ground is in a fit playing condition.
(ii) A Club may protest to the Council in relation to the playing condition of a ground as in Rule Competition 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 Clubs. The pitch inspection must be made by the Match Referee or a Referee appointed by The Football Association who must immediately contact The 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 Club 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. CLUB COLOURS
(a) Where the colours (shirts, shorts or stockings) of the two competing Clubs are similar, both Clubs must change unless alternative arrangements are mutually agreed by the competing Clubs.
(b) In the event of the Clubs 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) Clubs’ 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 Youth 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 shall 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 SEMI-FINALS
(a) For all matches preceding the Semi-Final, the following provisions shall apply;
(i) Clubs shall not mutually arrange to play a match in lieu of a Cup match.
(ii) Any late kick-off shall be reported by the Referee to The Association and the Council shall have power to impose a fine.
(iii) Ties in the FA Youth Challenge Cup Competition shall take precedence over other matches with the exception of ties in other FA Competitions and First Team League fixtures.
(b) Extra Time and Kicks from the Penalty Mark
(i) When 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.
(c) Matches which are Postponed or Abandoned
(i) When a match has been postponed, or is abandoned before the completion of 90 minutes and neither Club being at fault, it shall be played on the same ground.
(ii) If extra time has not been commenced or a match has been abandoned during extra time and neither Club being at fault, the result at 90 minutes will stand and the match shall be replayed on the ground of the Club second drawn.
(iii) If the match be again postponed or abandoned it shall be played as directed by the Council.
(iv) Matches abandoned through the fault of the Clubs shall be dealt with by the Council.
(d) The Council shall have the power to vary these arrangements if it is deemed necessary.
(e) Any Club failing to fulfil a fixture shall be dealt with by the Council.
13. FLOODLIGHTING
(a) All matches must be played on grounds enabling matches to 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) A Club may protest to the Council that they consider the floodlights of the Club on whose ground the match is to be played to be below the required standard. Such protest must be made to the Council within two days of the receipt of the draw (Sundays not included) and must be accompanied by a fee of £75, which may be forfeited if the protest is not sustained.
(d) 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 Clubs before the game, when a signal must be agreed.
(e) The cost for floodlighting must not exceed £75, and this cost may be charged as match expenses, if incurred.
14. REPORTING RESULTS
(a) Each Club 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 Club 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. PROVISIONS FOR THE SEMI-FINALS
(a) The Semi-Finals shall be played on a “Home and Home” basis. The Clubs second drawn shall play the second match at home.
(b) The first match shall be of 90 minutes duration.
(c) If the aggregate score is level at the end of the second match, extra time of 30 minutes shall be played, with 15 minutes in each half.
(d) 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.
(e) If a Semi-Final is postponed or abandoned, it shall be played as directed by the Council.
(f) The Association will require each host Club to deliver to the Competition Sponsor for each Semi-Final;
· 6 fixed in camera perimeter signage boards;
· 10 complimentary tickets and match-day programmes;
· The ability to purchase 50 match tickets at face value.
16. PROVISIONS FOR THE FINAL
(a) The Final shall be played on a “Home and Home” basis. The Club second drawn shall play the second match at home.
(b) The first match shall be of 90 minutes duration.
(c) If the aggregate score is level at the end of the second match, extra time of 30 minutes shall be played, with 15 minutes in each half, and 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.
(d) Unless otherwise mutually agreed, the Club first drawn shall play the first match at home and the Club second drawn shall play the second match at home.
(e) If either leg of the Final is postponed or abandoned, it shall be played as directed by the Council.
(f) The Association will require each host Club to deliver to the Competition Sponsor for each leg of the Final;
· 10 fixed in camera perimeter signage boards;
· 50 complimentary tickets and match-day programmes;
· The ability to purchase 100 match tickets at face value.
17. PROVISIONS FOR WITHDRAWING FROM THE COMPETITION
(a) Any Club intending to withdraw from the Competition must notify its intention to do so to The Association and the opposing Club, not less than eight days before the date fixed for playing the match.
(b) A Club failing to comply with this shall be reported to the Council, who shall have power to compel such offending Club to pay the expenses incurred and to take such other action as the Council considers appropriate.
(c) A Club 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. PROVISION CONCERNING PLAYERS
(a) Each team participating in a match shall represent the full available strength of each competing Club.
(b) A Club 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 Club 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 drawn 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 Club in the Competition in the same season.
(g) (i) Each Club 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 45 minutes, in all matches prior to the Final, and 60 minutes in the Final, before the time of kick-off (the “Official Team Sheet”). In any live televised match prior to the Final, it shall be provided 45 minutes before the time of kick-off. Any Club failing to do so will be liable to be fined by the Council a sum not exceeding £100.
(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 is informed before the commencement of the match.
(h) In all Rounds of the Competition a player shall be a “registered player” of his Club under the Rules. In the case of postponed matches only those players shall be allowed to play who were eligible to play at the time fixed for playing the original match, except for under the provisions of Competition Rule 18 (e).
(i) (i) A “registered player” is one who is either, in the case of a player under written contract, registered with The Association or, in the case of a player without a written contract, registered with a League in which his Club competes in the current season. Any such registration must have been received and accepted by The Association or League by 12 Noon on the day previous to the date fixed for playing the match, and the registration must be continuous through to the date of the match. In order to be eligible for the Final, the players must have been correctly registered and eligible for the Semi-Final Round of the Competition.
(ii) An International Transfer Certificate for Players coming from overseas associations (including Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) takes precedence over a Player’s registration. Therefore, this is also required by 12 noon on the day previous to the date fixed for playing the match for the Player’s registration to be valid.
(j) Temporary (loan) Transfers
(i) A player on temporary (loan) transfer is ineligible to compete unless permission is given by the lending Club in writing and a copy is received by The Association 12 noon on the day previous to the date fixed for playing the match. A registered Trainee or a player who is registered on a Scholarship may play for another Club subject to written permission being given by the Club he is registered to which must be received by The Association by 12 noon on the day previous to the date fixed for playing the match. The Association will not give permission for players on loan to play against the lending Club.
(ii) A player on temporary (loan) transfer is eligible to compete if transferred by the lending Club to the loaning Club after the date and time for player qualification for a round.
(k) 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.
(l) Only those players who were qualified to play in the Semi-Final in the current season shall be eligible to play in the Final.
19. VALIDITY OF PLAYERS’ QUALIFICATIONS
(a) The Council shall have power to call upon a Player, and/or the Club 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 Club from the Competition, and impose such other penalty as it considers appropriate. The Council shall also have the power to impose penalties against Clubs 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 Club, or Player for any competing Club(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 Clubs shall be eligible.
(ii) In the event of any of the Match Officials failing to arrive or being incapacitated, the two Clubs shall agree to a substitute, providing one is available who is currently eligible to officiate in a League equivalent to the lowest level of football in which either of the two teams participate.
(b) The fees and expenses of all Match Officials appointed by The Association to shall be paid by the Club upon whose ground the match takes place unless otherwise instructed by the Council.
(c) Scale of Expenses to be Paid to Match Officials:
(i) An allowance of £0.27 per mile will be allowed to all Match Officials officiating who travel by private car. Match Officials will be allowed to claim standard class railway fares operating on the day of the match.
(ii) 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 £60.00 for each night to cover their hotel expenses. A receipted hotel account must be provided to the Home Club.
(iii) In the Semi-Finals and Final Match Officials shall be entitled to claim meal allowances as under:
Where the travelling time exceeds 8 hours; £6.00
Where the travelling time exceeds 6 hours; £4.00
Where the travelling time exceeds 4 hours; £3.00
(d) Scale of Fees to be Paid to Match Officials:
(i) Qualifying Competition:
Referee, £25.00; Assistant Referees, £12.50 each.
(ii) Competition Proper:
All rounds prior to the Semi-Final:
Referee £40.00; Assistant Referees £20.00each. Fourth Official £20.00 (where FA appointed);
(iii) Semi-Finals:
Referee £85.00; Assistant Referees £45.00 each; Fourth Official £45.00;
(iv) Final:
Referee £150.00; Assistant Referees £75.00 each; Fourth Official £75.00 and a Souvenir Medal in each case.
(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) The Home Club 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.
(g) Match Officials shall acknowledge acceptance of appointments for all matches in the Competition to the Secretary of The Association. Such details must be sent to be received by the Match Officials not later than five days prior to the match who must acknowledge receipt.
(h) 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 Club 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 Club at least one hour before the official time of the kick-off. The Referee shall require the Home Club 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 Club 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 Club 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 Club concerned in a protest shall not have any involvement in the consideration of the matter.
(h) A Club, or player or any person connected with the management of the Club may be summoned to attend at a hearing of a protest. A Club may be represented by one or more persons. A Barrister or Solicitor may represent a Club 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
(a) The net gate receipts due from a match (except replayed matches in consequence of a breach of the Rules) shall be the total ticket sales for the match less VAT, the travelling expenses of the Visiting Club, the fees and expenses of the Match Officials, and other match expenses allowed under the Rules (which includes costs relating to gate attendants, turnstile operators, stewards, police charges, floodlighting in accordance with the Rules, contributions to the costs of First Aid Helpers, and any costs relating to clearing the ground of snow and water provided the Visiting Club is consulted beforehand on the approximate costs). The Council shall have the power from time to time to issue instructions as to what shall and shall not be allowed as a match expense.
(b) In all matches the net proceeds of each match shall be divided equally between the competing Clubs.
(c) The net gate receipts shall be approximately divided immediately after the match. A full statement of account for the match shall be prepared by the Club playing at its home ground, on the prescribed Statement of Receipts and Payments Form, and payment shall be made in full to the Visiting Club and The Association within 14 days of the match. A Club failing to comply with this clause may be ordered to pay a fine and any other punishment, including non-admission in the future to the Competition, may be imposed as determined by the Council.
(d) When a match is postponed through causes over which neither Club has any control, the expenses shall be paid out of the receipts, of the match when played.
(e) In any match ordered to be replayed in consequence of a breach of Competition Rule, the Club in default shall not receive any share of the proceeds of such replayed match (except the approved travelling costs in accordance with Competition Rule 24) without the consent of the Council, and such consent shall only be given under special circumstances. If consent be not given any such share will be remitted to The Association.
(f) A Club may at its own expense erect temporary stands and take the proceeds in cases where the opposing Club declines to join in the expense of the erection. A temporary stand becomes a permanent one if used after the match for which it was erected.
(g) In cases where the receipts are not sufficient to cover the entire expenses of the match, the deficit shall be shared by the two competing Clubs.
24. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
(a) Travelling Expenses
(i) In all Rounds, match expenses shall include travelling expenses, actually incurred, which must not exceed £2.75 per coach mile. If private cars are used, then the expenses which can be claimed will be for a maximum of 5 cars at £0.27 per mile. For ties involving travel to/from the Isle of Wight, boat fares at the cheapest rate are allowed to be claimed.
(ii) The travelling expenses for the Visiting Club are to be calculated on a direct route from the Club’s headquarters, the total mileage must be agreed between both Clubs prior to the first match.
(iii) When travelling by rail, the cost of 20 standard class fares at the cheapest available rate may be claimed.
(b) Hotel Expenses
(i) Where agreement concerning hotel accommodation has been reached, Clubs must confirm the agreement in writing and send a copy to The Association.
(ii) Where mutual agreement concerning hotel accommodation cannot be reached, and the visiting Club considers it necessary or desirable to claim hotel expenses, written application must be made to The Association with a copy to the home Club at least seven days in advance of the first match. The Council shall have the power at its absolute discretion whether or not to grant permission.
(iii) The grounds for making such an application are that it would be necessary or desirable for the Visiting Club to leave its Headquarters before 8.00am on the day of the match. Expenses, which may be claimed, if actually incurred, shall not exceed £50 per person for up to 20 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 Auto Route details, as determined by the Competitions Office.
(iv) A Club 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.
25. ADMISSION TO MATCHES - SALE OF TICKETS
(a) All persons must be charged admission to the ground, enclosure and stands in all matches subject to the following conditions: