(Amended August 2006)
1. League games
The SWF, Youth Executive Committee and Regional League Committees shall have the power to organise League and Cup competitions at all youth age groups as shall be determined from time to time. In all competitions eligibility by reason of age shall be determined in accordance with these rules.
In League competitions, teams shall play one another on two occasions, one at home and one away from home or as otherwise determined by the League Committee.
In the event of more than twelve teams being in membership at any one age group the Youth Executive Committee shall be empowered to look at a fair and reasonable method of splitting those teams into an A and a B League or agreeing that a larger league is appropriate.
Teams shall be awarded three points for each game won and one point for each game drawn.
The team with the greatest number of points shall be declared the winners of the League and all other positions shall be determined accordingly.
In the event of two or more teams finishing level in first place or finishing level for any place of significance, a play-off or play-offs shall be arranged, these to be played under the rules applicable to cup competitions.
Other than in the determination of the preceding matters, the League Committee may direct that any other criterion be taken into account in any circumstances in which it is necessary to determine a league position.
In the event that any team shall withdraw from the League prior to the completion of its programme, all its games shall be declared void save that no such withdrawal shall be accepted subsequent to 30 April in any season.
2. Cup competitions
These may be organised with regard to the following principles:
a) A knockout competition, in which teams shall be paired and the winner of the game between the teams shall qualify for the next round.
b) A league cup basis in which some part of the competition is conducted by means of a league or leagues and other parts on the knockout principle. Where such a competition is arranged, the games played in the league sections shall be treated as equivalent to league matches for the purpose of these rules.
c) A two leg basis in which teams shall be paired and shall play each other twice, once at home and once away. The team with the higher aggregate of goals scored shall qualify for the next round. Where the aggregate is level after both games have been played, extra time shall be played in accordance with the rules relating thereto and, if the aggregate is still tied, the result shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty-mark.
Entries to competitions
Entries must be made in writing or by E-Mail to the relevant Chairperson of the appropriate S.R.G.F.L. This rule applies to all tournaments and friendly matches with teams out with the S.R.G.F.L.
3. Tournaments
- Any affiliated club to the S.R.G.F.L. and participating within these leagues who wishes to organise any football competition must make a written application to the Chairperson of their appropriate S.R.G.F.L. This must include the rules of the competition at least 2 months prior to the date of the competition. The club must also include a list of clubs invited to take part. This can be done either by post or E-Mail.
The club must also confirm the clubs taking part at least two weeks prior to the competition taking place by post or E-Mail.
- Clubs intending to compete in a football tournament (home or abroad) out with the league are required to make a written application to their relevant S.R.G.F.L. chair person at least three months prior to the date of the tournament including the tournament rules by post or E-Mail.
- Teams may be given permission to take part in any of the above dependent on outstanding fixtures within the S.R.G.F.L. after following the above procedure, failure to do so will result in the club being refused permission.
- Any Club failing to inform the league of its intent to run a competition or take part in a competition could face disciplinary measures.
- All clubs must also gain permission from Scottish Women's Football.
- All games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game; except as otherwise permitted with regard to players aged less than 16 years.
- The match ball shall be size five football of a recognised playing standard at age groups of 15s and above and a size four football of a recognised playing standard at age groups of 13s and below. For all matches both clubs shall have a playable ball of appropriate size. The ball of the visiting club shall be used only if that belonging to the home club or a replacement is declared unfit for play by the referee or is lost.
- Goal-nets shall be provided and secured by the home club for all games.
It shall be the responsibility of the home club to ensure that corner-flags conforming to the Laws of the Game are provided for all matches.
- The S.R.G.F.L. Committee or Youth Executive Committee shall be entitled to approve the use of any specific equipment and to require such equipment to be used whenever possible in all specified matches played under the jurisdiction of the SWF.
The eligibility of players to participate in a match within the S.R.G.F.L. shall be determined in accordance with Article 7 of the Articles of Association of the Scottish Women’s Football. (See web page www.scottishwomensfootball.com)
Any player who has played for a team in any cup competition shall be deemed cup-tied for said competition, players are not allowed to play for any other team or at another age group in like competitions (if cup-tied in 15’S K.O. Cup ineligible to play in 17’s or 13’s K.O. Cup etc)
In exceptional circumstances consideration will be given to applications from young players with physical, sensory or learning disabilities to participate out with their own age group. The procedure is as follows:
The player registers within the age group for which she qualifies.
The parent or guardian, with support from the club should then apply to the Scottish Women's Football Administrator for dispensation for the player to participate at a younger age group. This application must be supported with a letter from a relevant professional confirming details of the player’s disability e.g. physiotherapist, school teacher, doctor etc.
The player’s parent, her club and the league will receive the decision of the Administrator in writing.
The use of trialists.
A player may play three league games for a member club as a trialist before actually signing a registration form for that team. This player will be indicated on the team lines with a “T”. A trialist cannot play in any cup-tie match. A trialist may play after 31st March, but only if that player has not been signed and released by another member club in that same football season. Teams can field up to 4 trialists in a game.
Age eligibility for season 2006/2007
· 17’s must be born on or after 1st January 1990
· 15’s must be born on or after 1st January 1992
· 13’s must be born on or after 1st January 1994
Number of Players
The maximum number of players per match is:
· 13s – 12 players
· 15s & 17s – 16 Players.
Rolling substitutes shall be allowed for all matches.
SYFA
- A player registered with the SWF can play for a team affiliated to the Scottish Youth Football Association
Any protest relating to the outcome of any league match or cup-tie must be lodged with the league Committee postmarked within three days of the game, except in cases where the protest concerns the eligibility of players, by receipted post, and accompanied by a fee of £20. A verbatim copy must be lodged with the Secretary of the club protested against, within the same time limit and also by receipted post. Any protest relating to the field of play shall not be considered unless intimation thereof has been submitted in writing to the referee prior to the match. All protests shall be heard by the Disciplinary Committee. Receipted post for the purpose of this Rule shall be taken to mean any form of post under which the addressee is obliged to give formal acknowledgement of receipt.
- All fixtures shall be notified by way of email, the press or as otherwise determined. The first named team shall be the home team for all purposes. The home club shall confirm the match and the location of the ground with the visiting club and the referee at least six days prior to the match.
In the event of the visiting team not being so notified they should contact either the home club contact or the league age group co-ordinator no later than five days prior to the scheduled kick-off. The home club contact or the league age group co-ordinator will confirm the match and the location of the game and the matter will be referred to the League Disciplinary Committee which shall impose such sanction as it considers appropriate.
· All clubs have the responsibility to ensure that team lines are completed in full clearly showing all details required with one copy going to the referee and one copy going to the away team after conclusion of the game the referee should send his copies to the league age group co-ordinator.
Team lines should clearly show the following
Players Number Players Name Trialist D.O.B SWF Registration No
(If a player is waiting to receive their SWF Registration No. ‘Still to come’ should be placed in this box)
Clubs failing to submit or submitting incorrect team lines to the referee will face disciplinary measures
Five substitutes may be listed on team lines for all league and cup games with all five being allowed to be used. Rolling substitutes can be used in all S.R.G.F.L. matches.
All games shall be played as follows:
· 17s: Two halves each of forty minutes duration.
· 15s: Two halves each of thirty five minutes duration.
· 13s: Two halves each of twenty-five minutes duration.(This may be extended to thirty minutes by mutual agreement)
In the event of a cup-tie being drawn extra time shall be played as follows:
· 15s and 17s: Two halves each of ten minutes duration.
· 13s: Two halves each of seven minutes duration.
In the event of any match in a cup competition played on a knock-out principle still being drawn after extra time has been played, the outcome shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty-mark. At the 15s and 17s age groups, five kicks shall be taken from the penalty mark and if after both teams have taken five kicks and a winner is still undetermined, and then sudden death principles shall be adopted. At the 13s age group, three kicks rather than five kicks shall be taken.
11 Team Colours
All teams must play in their first specified registered colours unless with the prior consent of their opponents. In the event of a clash of colours, the visiting team shall require to change. In the case of League Cup Finals (and play offs), the team named first shall have the choice of strip.
12 Disciplinary Procedures
It shall be the responsibility of the League Disciplinary Committee, Youth Executive Committee and SWF Executive Committee to deal with all matters relating to the conduct of clubs, officials, players and spectators. Procedures for dealing with such matters shall be laid down by the Youth and SWF Executive Committee, but always subject to the right to appeal against any decision to Scottish Women’s Football.
13 Amendments to the Rules Governing Competitions
Any amendments to the rules governing competitions must be passed by the Youth and SWF Executive Committee. A minimum of twenty-one days notice shall be given in writing to the relevant S.R.G.F.L. Chairperson by the SWF of any proposed alteration which must be proposed and seconded by representatives from different League regions, except that the Youth and SWF Executive Committee shall be empowered itself to propose any amendment. A copy of any proposed amendment shall be sent to all Regional League Committees not later than seven days prior to any meeting. No amendment shall be made to these Rules unless two-thirds of those present and qualified to vote shall have voted and a majority of members voting shall be necessary to carry the motion.
14 Field of Play
The size of the playing ground for all league matches and competitions shall be:-
15s and 17s
Length: Minimum 90m
Maximum 120m
Width: Minimum 45m
Maximum 90m
13s
Length: Minimum 55m
Maximum 65m
Width: Minimum 35m
Maximum 45m
The surface shall be grass or a Third Generation artificial surface if agreed by both teams .
15 Attendance at Scottish Regional Girls Football League Meetings
At least four meetings per season will be held.
Club representatives must be fully conversant will all aspects of the league and in a position to vote on their clubs’ behalf.
A representative of every team must attend league meetings.
Apologies must be made through the chair.
The League will impose sanctions on any club who, in their opinion, does not attend as required.
No players are allowed to attend S.R.G.F.L. meetings unless they are registered with the League as Player Coaches.
16 Trophies
All trophies won previously must be returned to League or Finals co-ordinator no later than the 31st of March or as requested by the League or Scottish Women's Football. It is the clubs responsibility to ensure this, if not a fine may be imposed and the club will be charged for any other costs incurred to get the trophies returned.
Where a club fails to return a trophy in good condition as and when requested by the SRGFL the defaulting club shall be held responsible for the cost of replacement or repair of the trophy.
17 SFA Development Dates
The S.R.G.F.L. will cancel games for teams who have players involved in the SFA Regional development squad games currently agreed as four per season.
18 Wearing Of Glasses:
Only glasses approved by the SFA may be worn.
1. Introduction
2. Reporting of offences by Match Officials
3. Cases of misconduct not reported by Match Officials
4. Serving of Suspensions
5.
Individuals, Players, Officials, Clubs, Leagues or Associations called to appear
before
the SWF
Executive Committee
or
the National Council
or any Standing Committee of the SWF with the exception of the
Appeals Committee and Appeals Board.
6. Appeals against a decision of the Executive Committee, any Standing Committee of the SWF or any League, Association or Club with the exception of the Appeals Committee and Appeals Board.
7.
Procedures for lodging an appeal against a decision of the
National Council
or the Appeals Committee or Appeals Board of the SWF.
Appendix 1 - Fixed Penalty Guidelines for Standard Offences.
Appendix 2 - Guidelines for Serious Offences
Appendix 3 - Guidelines for administration of Disciplinary Procedures
Appendix 4 - Guidelines for administration of Disciplinary Committees
1. INTRODUCTION
The following Disciplinary Procedures shall apply to all football which is played under the jurisdiction of the Association involving a member club.
Match reports received relating to the participation of any member league, association, club, player or official in any other match shall be dealt with as considered appropriate in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedures.
These procedures will apply not just to reports by match officials relating to incidents and/or acts of misconduct occurring at a match but also to investigations of such incidents and acts which may be considered liable to bring Scottish Women’s Football into disrepute.
The following principles will be applied in relation to the penalties imposed for misconduct at matches: -
A. Standard Offences:- Suspensions for a number of matches (Match Suspensions) will be imposed based on the Association’s Fixed Penalty Guidelines detailed in Appendix 1. These suspensions will apply until such times as a player’s team has completed the requisite number of matches played in competitions which are scheduled by the relevant League Secretary.
For all offences misconduct report forms will be forwarded by the relevant match official(s) in the first instance to the Association or league, which shall be determined by the competition, in order that the appropriate suspension may be determined.
Match Suspensions cover all competitive games played by the club but do not include trial matches, friendly matches, tournaments, regional or national trial matches or schools football. Matches included under this suspension must be fixtures issued by either league, regional or national match secretaries. A match that is abandoned does not count as a completed match in terms of a player serving a suspension.
All Leagues and associations must keep records of match suspensions for accumulation purposes only. Refer to Appendix 1.
B. Serious Offences:- Suspensions for a period of time (Dated Suspensions) will be imposed based on the Association’s Guidelines for Serious Offences detailed in Appendix 2. These suspensions will be forwarded to the Scottish Football Association for confirmation to all football.
For all offences misconduct report forms will be forwarded by the relevant match official(s) in the first instance to the appropriate Association or league, which shall be determined by the competition, in order that the appropriate suspension may be determined. A report of all suspensions for a period of time (Dated Suspensions) will be made to the Executive Administrator of Scottish Women’s Football. The Executive Administrator will then refer all dated suspensions to the S. F.A. for confirmation and effect to all football.
Dated Suspensions imposed are from all football including trial matches, friendly matches, tournaments, regional or national trial matches or schools football.
2. REPORTING OF OFFENCES BY MATCH OFFICIALS
a) Cautionable Offences
i) Referees will administer cautions in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
ii) Referees and, where relevant and necessary, assistant referees must submit report forms to the appropriate Association or secretary, which shall be determined by the competition, stating details of the offence, such report forms should be received not later than the fifth day following the match.
b) Sending-off Offences
i) Referees will administer sendings-off in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
ii) Referees and, where relevant and necessary, assistant referees must submit report forms to the appropriate Association or league secretary, which shall be determined by the competition, stating details of the offence, such report forms should be received not later than the fifth day following the match. In the case of a player who is sent off for receiving a second caution, the referee must report the two offences on individual report forms, which resulted in the player’s dismissal.
iii) If a referee considers that a player’s sending-off is of a nature that may warrant consideration by a committee of the appropriate league, association or the Scottish Women’s Football, which shall be determined by the competition, he must submit report forms accompanied by a letter fully detailing the incident to the Association or league secretary. A referee may also act in this regard upon the advices of an assistant referee and in such cases the assistant referee must submit report forms accompanied by a letter fully detailing the incident to the Association or league secretary.
c) Incidents Occurring Before, During or After a Match
i) Referees and, where relevant and necessary, assistant referees must submit report forms to the appropriate Association or league secretary, which shall be determined by the competition, stating details of the offence or incident, and the party or parties alleged to have committed the offence, such report forms should be received not later than the fifth day following the match.
ii) Where the incident involves a player and the offence is alleged to have been committed by a player, the referee is required to indicate whether he considers the offence to be one which would fall within the Association’s Fixed Penalty Guidelines or if it is of a more serious nature.
iii) All incidents, other than offences committed by a player or official, must be reported to the appropriate Association or league secretary, which shall be determined by the competition, by the referee and, where relevant and necessary, the assistant referee(s), by means of a letter.
3. CASES OF MISCONDUCT NOT REPORTED BY MATCH OFFICIALS.
In this section SWF shall mean the Executive Committee of the SWF, the Youth Executive Committee of the SWF, any other Standing Committee of the SWF or any Region, Association or league.
Notwithstanding anything stipulated elsewhere herein, the SWF retains discretion to investigate or delegate to an appropriate Region, Association or league for investigation, any case in which individuals, club’s, league’s or association’s act of misconduct or the circumstances pertaining to such misconduct would appear in the opinion of the SWF to bring the Association into disrepute.
The SWF or its delegated Region, Association or league’s discretion shall not be limited to incidents and acts of misconduct, which are the subjects of a report by a match official.
The SWF or its delegated Region, Association or league shall have the power (but shall not be obliged) to investigate no matter how an alleged incident and/or act of misconduct has come to its notice.
The SWF or its delegated Association or league shall determine if a case is to be investigated and the individual or club called to appear before the committee.
Any league asked to investigate any alleged incident and/or act of misconduct on behalf of the SWF, shall at the conclusion of its investigation supply all documentation to the relevant committee of SWF with a recommendation regarding any charges that they consider should be brought against any player, official, club, league, association or other individual. The relevant committee of SWF to take such action, including the imposition of any additional or other penalties, as it considers may be merited.
If the SWF or the Youth Executive Committee investigates any alleged incident and/or act of misconduct they shall at the conclusion of its investigation supply all documentation to the Executive Committee with a recommendation regarding any charges that they consider should be brought against any player, official, club, league, association or other individual. The Executive Committee to take such action, including the imposition of any additional or other penalties, as it considers may be merited.
4. SERVING OF SUSPENSIONS
The Disciplinary Committee that imposes a match suspension will also confirm to the player and the player’s registered club the details of any suspension which it has imposed on the player.
Any match suspension, or part thereof, which remains outstanding at the end of a season, or any extension of the season must be served at the commencement of the following season.
All match suspensions will commence on the earlier of:
a) the Friday, which is at least 7 days after the date of the postmark on the written notification of the suspension to the player or official and their club or
b) at the completion of any current suspension.
For disciplinary meetings that are held in either May or June any match or dated suspension imposed will commence on the last Friday in August of the following season
The Disciplinary Committee that imposes a dated suspension will also confirm to the player or official and their registered club the details of any suspension which it has imposed on the player or official.
All dated suspensions will commence on the Friday, which is at least 7 days after the sending of the electronic male giving notification of the suspension to the player or official and their club. All dated suspensions will have a start and a finish date. A player or official given a dated suspension shall be eligible to participate on the last date quoted in their period of suspension.
Appeal against a caution
A player cautioned has the right of appeal to the relevant committee of their Association or league, which shall be determined by the competition. Any appeal against a caution must be lodged with the relevant secretary not later than 5pm on the third day after the day of the match (i.e. excluding the match day itself) and also excluding Sundays from the reckoning. An appeal to the SWF must be accompanied by a deposit of £20. A cheque should be made payable to the relevant Association or league. The grounds of the appeal must be specifically set out in detail of the letter of appeal.
If an appeal is not lodged by 5pm on the relevant date, the player will be considered to have accepted the report and shall not be entitled to appeal against a suspension imposed in respect of accumulated cautions on the grounds that any of the cautions was incorrectly issued. Any appeal will be heard in accordance with the guidelines for appeal procedures and the deposit may be forfeited by the player if the Committee hearing the appeal.
5. INDIVIDUALS, PLAYERS, OFFICIALS, CLUBS, LEAGUES OR ASSOCIATIONS CALLED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SWF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR ANY STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE SWF WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE AND APPEALS BOARD.
a) The Association will
confirm in writing by electronic mail, to any player, official, club,
Association or league at their previously notified address, and in the case of a
player or official to her club that they are being called to appear before the
Executive Committee or the Youth Executive CommitteeNational
Council. They will be advised:-
i. of the reason for their citation.
ii. of the date, time and place of the committee meeting
iii. that they have the right to appear and make representations
iv. that in the case of a player he has the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and/or a registered club official who was a registered official of that club at the time of the alleged offence.
b) The Association will
confirm in writing by electronic mail, to any individual at their previously
notified address, and to their club, Association or league’s registered
secretary at their previously notified address, that they are being called to
appear before the
Executive Committee or the Youth Executive CommitteeNational
Council. They will be advised:-
i. of the reason for their citation,
ii. of the date, time and place of the committee meeting,
iii. that they have the right to appear and make representations,
c) A copy of any report(s) submitted in connection with the case will be issued to the individual or club at their previously notified address, and the individual will be given the opportunity to respond in writing prior to the meeting. All written responses will be made available to all committee members and any other person who has been cited to the meeting. All letters must be lodged not less than 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting. Any individual or club will not be allowed to refer to any item of correspondence that has not been submitted in this fashion.
The Committee will be entitled to view, at its discretion, accredited video recordings of the misconduct under investigation. The viewing of such recordings will be carried out in the presence of committee members and any other person who has been cited to the meeting. The person or committee submitting video evidence will be responsible for supplying all equipment needed to view the recording. All Video recordings must be lodged not less than 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting. Any individual or club will not be allowed to refer to any video recording that has not been submitted in this fashion.
d) In the event of an individual or club failing to attend a meeting their case may be dealt with by the committee in their absence, taking into consideration all the evidence available.
e) The committee may require the referee and/or assistant referee/assistant referees or any other witness, to be in attendance at any such hearing. Any referee/assistant referee, so required, shall be entitled to travel expenses and may be accompanied by a colleague.
f) All players may be accompanied by a registered club official, who was registered with the association at the time of the incident, and / or parent / guardian, if the player so wishes. Players participating at 17’s level or younger may have a registered club official, who was registered with the association at the time of the incident or parent / guardian speak on their behalf. Only in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the committee, will any person accompanying senior players be allowed to participate in the meeting. Club Officials shall not be entitled, except in exceptional circumstances with prior agreement with the relevant committee, to have another registered official present with them. Clubs shall be represented by a registered official and unless in exceptional circumstances by prior agreement with the relevant committee only one registered official shall represent a club and be entitled to speak on the club’s behalf.
g) The decision of the committee will normally be intimated to the individual or club at the meeting but may in certain circumstances not be so intimated. In either case, the decision will be confirmed by the Association, in writing, to the individual or club by electronic mail. In the case of an individual the decision will also be intimated to her club.
6. APPEALS AGAINST A DECISION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ANY STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE SWF OR ANY LEAGUE, ASSOCIATION OR CLUB WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE AND APPEALS BOARD.
Any individual, player, official or club who is
disciplined by
either the Executive Committee, the Youth Executive Committee o any League
r Club, except the Appeals Committee and the Appeals Board, will have the right
of appeal against the decision of that committee to the Appeals Committee of the
Scottish Women’ Football. The appellantHe
/ they will be advised of this right in the letter intimating or
confirming the decision.
An appeal from any individual, player, registered official or club must be lodged by recorded delivery to Executive Administrator of Scottish Women’s Football. Each decision appealed against must be recorded on a separate letter of appeal and covered by separate appeal fees. Appeal fees are as follows:
A player may only appeal on her own behalf. An official may only appeal on her own behalf. A club may appeal on behalf of a player, an official or the club. A deposit of £50.00 shall be lodged with each appeal.
The letter of appeal must set out fully the facts or circumstances which are the grounds of appeal. Such letters will be copied to all members of the Committee and to the registered official of the body (committee) whose decision is appealed.
Appeals, which relate to any matter affecting the result of a cup-tie or which would interrupt the playing of a competition shall not be entertained as per the Articles of Association of the Scottish Football Association.
The appeals hearing shall not be conducted as a re-hearing of the case nor shall fresh evidence be submitted or heard except with the prior permission of the Appeals Committee or Appeals Board.
An Appeal may be withdrawn by the appellant prior to the hearing of the case by notifying the Association of such in writing. The Appeal will, upon the Association’s receipt of such notification, be deemed to be abandoned and the original decision, against which the appellant initially took exception, will be regarded as final and binding. Upon the withdrawal of an Appeal, the Appeal deposit will be automatically forfeited. The Appellant may be held liable in all or part for the expenses of the
Appeal procedure subject to the discretion of the Appeals Committee/Appeals Board.
7.
PROCEDURES FOR LODGING
AN APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL OR
THE APPEALS COMMITTEE OR APPEALS BOARD OF THE SWF.
Any individual, player, official or club who
is disciplined by the National
Council or who
appears before Scottish Women’s Football Appeals Committee or Appeals
Board will have the right of appeal against the decision of that committee to
the Scottish Football Association’s Appeals Committee.
The appellantHe
/ they will be advised of this right at the meeting or, if the
decision was, for any reason, not made known to them at such meeting, by letter
intimating or confirming the decision.
An appeal from an individual or club against the decision of the Appeals Committee or Appeals Board of Scottish Women’s Football shall be conducted in accordance with the appeals procedures of the Scottish Football Association from time to time. In setting out the terms of Articles 134 and Article 134.1 of the Articles of Association of SFA, the SWF intends to assist individuals or clubs to make such appeal, but it is the responsibility of the individual or the club concerned to check the validity of these references and to ensure that they comply in all respects with the Articles of Association of SFA.
EXTRACT FROM SFA ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Appeals Procedures
134. The Association’s structure for the hearing of appeals is as set out in this Article. The following provisions and procedures provide a means for the resolution of differences or questions arising from the observance and implementation of the Association’s Articles, rules and decisions and the fact of membership of the Association shall constitute an agreement by a member that it, or any body or person interested through such member, shall submit all such differences or questions to the jurisdiction of the Association and shall not be permitted to take such differences or questions to a court of law.
The provisions for the hearing of appeals, as set out hereunder, shall also apply to any sub-committee established by the Appeals Committee from time to time. All references to Appeals Committee shall also mean a sub-committee of the Appeals Committee as the context so requires.
Appeals Committee
134.1 A player, official, referee, club, Association or league has the right to appeal to the Appeals Committee against a decision of a club or any recognised football body which is imposed upon such person or body, provided that the appellant has exhausted such appeals proceedings as were available to the appellant consequent to the decision in question, unless a satisfactory reason is given for not having done so, and provided that the appeal to the Appeals Committee is not excluded in terms of Article 65. For the avoidance of doubt, an appeal by a player must be submitted either:
a) by the player personally, in writing; or
b) by the player’s club, on the player’s behalf, in writing with the reasons of
appeal countersigned by the player.
An appeal hearing shall not be conducted as a re-hearing of the case except by way of an express submission on behalf of a party to the hearing and with the permission of the Chairman of the Appeals Committee.
Once an appeal has been validly submitted to the Secretary, the decision against which the appeal is submitted shall be set aside pending the hearing of the appeal unless the interests of justice dictate that the decision should be given effect. The original decision making body shall be entitled to make representations to the Secretary opposing such a setting aside of the decision. Such representation must be lodged in writing with the Secretary within 1 working day of the Secretary’s receipt of the appeal submission. The representations shall be considered by the Secretary and the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, whose decision thereon shall be final and binding. In the absence of either the Secretary and/or the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, the President and/or the First Vice-President shall be entitled to act as alternates in considering the representations.
134.1.1 Procedures for Lodging an Appeal
An appeal from a player, official, referee, club, Association or league must be dispatched by recorded delivery letter to the Secretary within 7 days after the date of the meeting at which the decision appealed against was taken unless for any reason it was not made known to the appellant at such meeting, in which case it must be dispatched by recorded delivery letter to the Secretary within 7 days after the date on which the decision was intimated by recorded delivery letter to the person or body concerned. A deposit shall be lodged with each appeal. In the case of a player or referee this shall be £50, (which shall also apply in the event of a player’s club lodging an appeal on the player’s behalf), and in the case of any other appellant it shall be £100. At the Appeals Committee’s discretion, the deposit will be forfeited if the appeal is dismissed.
134.1.2 Statement of Grounds for Appeal
In lodging an appeal the appellant shall state fully in writing the grounds for the appeal.
134.1.3 Composition of the Appeals Committee
The Appeals Committee shall consist of members of the Council in conformity with the Standing Orders of the Association.
134.1.4 Powers of the Appeals Committee
The Appeals Committee shall have the power to:-
(1) affirm the decision of the body whose decision is appealed against;
(2) uphold the appeal by setting aside the decision appealed against and quashing any penalty imposed;
(3) uphold the appeal in part by setting aside part only of the decision appealed against;
(4) substitute for the decision appealed against a decision to find the appellant guilty of a lesser offence and/or to impose a lesser penalty or penalties in respect thereof;
(5) refer the case, or any part of it, back to the body whose decision is appealed against;
(6) take any step which, in the exercise of its discretion, the Appeals Committee considers it would be appropriate to take in order to deal justly with the case in question.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, the appellant may be held liable in all or part of the expenses of the meeting, or of the other party (parties), subject to the discretion of the Appeals Committee.
An appeal may be withdrawn by an appellant prior to the hearing of the case by notifying the Association of such in writing. The appeal will, upon the Association’s receipt of such notification, be deemed to be abandoned and the original decision, against which the appellant initially took exception, will be regarded as final and binding. Upon the withdrawal of an appeal, the appeal deposit will be automatically forfeited. The appellant may be held liable in all or part for the expenses of the appeal procedure subject to the discretion of the Appeals Committee.
134.1.5 Decisions of the Appeals Committee
The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.
134.1.6 Secretariat
The Association’s administration shall provide the secretariat of the Appeals Committee.
APPENDIX 1
FIXED PENALTY GUIDELINES FOR STANDARD OFFENCES
Code Offence Suspension
A1 Serious Foul Play 3 Games
A2 Violent Conduct
Adopting a threatening or aggressive attitude 3 Games
Punching an opponent / attempting to punch 4 Games
Kicking an opponent / attempting to kick 4 Games