1. dEFINITION
(A) In these Rules:
“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an affiliated Association under the Rules of The FA.
“AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.
“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition and “Team” means a side from a Club especially where a Club provides more than one Team in a division in accordance with the Rules.
“Competition” means the Southern Amateur Football League.
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.
“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.
“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.
“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a General Meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules.
“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules.
“Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s team(s) plays its Competition Matches.
“Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.
“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.
“Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.
“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.
“Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other Player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.
“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.
“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.
“Sanctioning Authority” means The Amateur Football Alliance Limited.
“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the Rules of The FA.
“Team Sheet” means a form provided by the Competition on which the names of the Players taking part in a Competition match are listed.
“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.
“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.
(B) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 16.
(C) The Competition will be known as the “ Southern Amateur Football League” (or such other name as the Competition may adopt). The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.
(D) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.
“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an affiliated Association under the Rules of The FA.
“AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.
“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition and “Team” means a side from a Club especially where a Club provides more than one Team in a division in accordance with the Rules.
“Competition” means the Southern Amateur Football League.
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.
“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.
“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.
“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a General Meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules.
“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules.
“Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s team(s) plays its Competition Matches.
“Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.
“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.
“Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.
“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.
“Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other Player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.
“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.
“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.
“Sanctioning Authority” means The Amateur Football Alliance Limited.
“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the Rules of The FA.
“Team Sheet” means a form provided by the Competition on which the names of the Players taking part in a Competition match are listed.
“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.
“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.
(B) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 16.
(C) The Competition will be known as the “ Southern Amateur Football League” (or such other name as the Competition may adopt). The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.
(D) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.
2. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION
(A) This Competition shall be designated the Southern Amateur Football League and shall consist of not more than 60 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs.
(B) (i) All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance (AFA) and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on F.A. Form “D” to the AFA. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be South East England.
(ii)This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the AFA and the constituent teams of Member Clubs shall be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 14 in number.
(iii) Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.
(C) This Competition shall only permit one team from a Club to participate in the same division unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries. This Competition will obtain the prior approval of the sanctioning Association in the event of a division comprising of more than one team from the same Club. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, teams from a Club operating in the same division are run in accordance with Competition Rules.
(D) Inclusivity & Non-discrimination
(i) This Competition and each Member Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination
(ii) This Competition and each Member Club does not and must not [by its rules or regulations or] in any manner whatsoever unlawfully discriminate against any person within the meaning and scope of the Equality Act 2010 or any law, enactment, order or regulation relating to discrimination (whether by age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise).
(iii) This Competition and each Member Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of the characteristics listed in (D) ii above.
(E) As an FA Charter Standard League this competition requires all of its member Clubs to achieve and maintain FA Charter Standard Club status. The League management committee may expel any club that has failed to achieve Charter Standard status by this date. New Member Clubs have one year to achieve the Charter Standard club award. The League has the right to refuse membership to a Club if it fails to demonstrate commitment to achieving the award. Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including but not limited to, Charter Standard and RESPECT programmes.
(F) Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee.
(G) At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or a Special General Meeting (SGM) called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary, this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.
(B) (i) All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance (AFA) and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on F.A. Form “D” to the AFA. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be South East England.
(ii)This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the AFA and the constituent teams of Member Clubs shall be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 14 in number.
(iii) Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.
(C) This Competition shall only permit one team from a Club to participate in the same division unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries. This Competition will obtain the prior approval of the sanctioning Association in the event of a division comprising of more than one team from the same Club. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, teams from a Club operating in the same division are run in accordance with Competition Rules.
(D) Inclusivity & Non-discrimination
(i) This Competition and each Member Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination
(ii) This Competition and each Member Club does not and must not [by its rules or regulations or] in any manner whatsoever unlawfully discriminate against any person within the meaning and scope of the Equality Act 2010 or any law, enactment, order or regulation relating to discrimination (whether by age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise).
(iii) This Competition and each Member Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of the characteristics listed in (D) ii above.
(E) As an FA Charter Standard League this competition requires all of its member Clubs to achieve and maintain FA Charter Standard Club status. The League management committee may expel any club that has failed to achieve Charter Standard status by this date. New Member Clubs have one year to achieve the Charter Standard club award. The League has the right to refuse membership to a Club if it fails to demonstrate commitment to achieving the award. Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including but not limited to, Charter Standard and RESPECT programmes.
(F) Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee.
(G) At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or a Special General Meeting (SGM) called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary, this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.
3. Entry Fee, Subscription, Deposit
(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to the Competition must be made in writing to the Secretary before 31st January in any year and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present, applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the AGM or a SGM. The entry fee shall apply.
Clubs may wish to apply for Associate Membership status ahead of becoming Full Members of the Competition and must be made in writing to the Secretary before 31st of January in any year accompanied by the entry fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
Associate Member Clubs wishing to become Full Member Clubs must make their application in writing to the Secretary before 31st of January in any year accompanied by the Entry Fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
Associate Membership clubs may, at the discretion of the Management Committee, be invited to participate in the Challenge Cup Competitions. Associate Membership clubs may not participate in League Competition until they are granted Full Member status.
(B) Exceptionally, at the discretion of the Management Committee, a Club wishing to apply for Membership or Associate Membership to the Competition but has failed to submit its application by 31st January in any year may be considered for membership provided the application is received in writing by the Secretary at least 28 days prior to the date of the AGM and is accompanied by the entry fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
(C) The Annual Subscription for each club and each team entered shall be (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) In the event of any issue concerning the membership of any Club with the Competition the Management Committee may require a Deposit to be paid by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee and Annual Subscription have been paid.
(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary, in writing by, 1st August of its AFA affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they may be fined (see Schedule of Fees Payments and Fines). Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its grounds, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.
At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present, applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the AGM or a SGM. The entry fee shall apply.
Clubs may wish to apply for Associate Membership status ahead of becoming Full Members of the Competition and must be made in writing to the Secretary before 31st of January in any year accompanied by the entry fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
Associate Member Clubs wishing to become Full Member Clubs must make their application in writing to the Secretary before 31st of January in any year accompanied by the Entry Fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
Associate Membership clubs may, at the discretion of the Management Committee, be invited to participate in the Challenge Cup Competitions. Associate Membership clubs may not participate in League Competition until they are granted Full Member status.
(B) Exceptionally, at the discretion of the Management Committee, a Club wishing to apply for Membership or Associate Membership to the Competition but has failed to submit its application by 31st January in any year may be considered for membership provided the application is received in writing by the Secretary at least 28 days prior to the date of the AGM and is accompanied by the entry fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) that shall be returned in the event of non-election.
(C) The Annual Subscription for each club and each team entered shall be (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) In the event of any issue concerning the membership of any Club with the Competition the Management Committee may require a Deposit to be paid by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee and Annual Subscription have been paid.
(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary, in writing by, 1st August of its AFA affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they may be fined (see Schedule of Fees Payments and Fines). Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its grounds, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.
4. The Management Committee
(A) The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, President Elect, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Finance Officer/Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referees’ Secretaries, Match Secretary, Results Secretaries, Team Secretary, Information Officer, Disciplinary Officer, League Co-Ordinator, Sponsorship Officer and Challenge Cup Secretary along with other Management Committee members all to be elected annually at the AGM. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).
Any elected Committee member may hold more than one elected position.
(B) All Officers of the Competition, other than those ex-officio Officers i.e. President, President Elect and Vice Presidents, are required to attend 50% of the Management Committee Meetings held between the dates of two consecutive AGMs. Officers who do not fulfil this requirement may not, at the discretion of the Management Committee, be nominated at the subsequent AGM for re-election to the Management Committee and/or be requested to resign from the Management Committee.
(C) The term of the President will consist of a fixed 3-year tenure.
Any elected Committee member may hold more than one elected position.
(B) All Officers of the Competition, other than those ex-officio Officers i.e. President, President Elect and Vice Presidents, are required to attend 50% of the Management Committee Meetings held between the dates of two consecutive AGMs. Officers who do not fulfil this requirement may not, at the discretion of the Management Committee, be nominated at the subsequent AGM for re-election to the Management Committee and/or be requested to resign from the Management Committee.
(C) The term of the President will consist of a fixed 3-year tenure.
5. Management: Nomination; election
(A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and other members, including at least representatives of 3 member clubs, who shall be elected at the AGM. All participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Football Association from time to time.
(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than May 31st in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there not being any nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the AGM.
(C) The Management Committee shall meet as often as is necessary, and at least quarterly, to deal with business as it arises.
On receiving a resolution signed by two-thirds of the Officers and other Members of the Management Committee, the Secretary shall convene a special meeting of the Committee.
(D) Except where otherwise mentioned, all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
(E) All communications received by the Secretary, or another Officer of the League, from Clubs must be conducted through the Club's nominated Officers.
(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than May 31st in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there not being any nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the AGM.
(C) The Management Committee shall meet as often as is necessary, and at least quarterly, to deal with business as it arises.
On receiving a resolution signed by two-thirds of the Officers and other Members of the Management Committee, the Secretary shall convene a special meeting of the Committee.
(D) Except where otherwise mentioned, all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
(E) All communications received by the Secretary, or another Officer of the League, from Clubs must be conducted through the Club's nominated Officers.
6. Powers of Management
(A) The Management Committee may appoint such Sub-Committees as it may consider necessary and may delegate such of its powers as it deems necessary to such Committees. The decisions of all such Committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have the power to deal with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of The Football Association or affiliated Association.
(B) Subject to the permission of the AFA having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency in the funds of the Competition at the end of the season. (see Rule 6(e)).
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee and Vice Presidents shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but a Member shall not be allowed to vote on any matters where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall apply to the procedure of any Sub-Committee). In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty, any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule, must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of the Competition rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game and the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with The Football Association Rules by the appropriate County Association.
When setting any fines the Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances. (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.
(E) All decisions of the Management Committee and duly approved Sub Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 10 days.
(F) More than fifty percent (50%) of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any Sub-Committee thereof.
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill, in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 21 days of the date of posting of the written notification.
Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.
(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or SGM called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
(L) The Management Committee shall call a Council Meeting comprising the members of the Management Committee and no more than two representatives from each Club to discuss the general working of the League whenever they deem it necessary and shall do so at least once a year, prior to the AGM. At such a Council Meeting, there shall not any formal voting nor will minutes be taken. Clubs failing to attend may be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(M) When, due to the urgent nature of the business, it is not practicable to call a special meeting of a sub-committee, a decision may be taken following consultation with senior members of the Management Committee by e-mail or conference telephone call if necessary.
(N) Where any Club appoints at the start or during the season one member to complete the duties of the Club Secretary, Match Secretary and Referees Secretary that Club shall also provide the details of two emergency contact names and their contact details, which are also to be shown within the League Handbook.
(B) Subject to the permission of the AFA having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency in the funds of the Competition at the end of the season. (see Rule 6(e)).
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee and Vice Presidents shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but a Member shall not be allowed to vote on any matters where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall apply to the procedure of any Sub-Committee). In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty, any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule, must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of the Competition rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game and the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with The Football Association Rules by the appropriate County Association.
When setting any fines the Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances. (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.
(E) All decisions of the Management Committee and duly approved Sub Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 10 days.
(F) More than fifty percent (50%) of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any Sub-Committee thereof.
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill, in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 21 days of the date of posting of the written notification.
Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.
(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or SGM called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
(L) The Management Committee shall call a Council Meeting comprising the members of the Management Committee and no more than two representatives from each Club to discuss the general working of the League whenever they deem it necessary and shall do so at least once a year, prior to the AGM. At such a Council Meeting, there shall not any formal voting nor will minutes be taken. Clubs failing to attend may be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(M) When, due to the urgent nature of the business, it is not practicable to call a special meeting of a sub-committee, a decision may be taken following consultation with senior members of the Management Committee by e-mail or conference telephone call if necessary.
(N) Where any Club appoints at the start or during the season one member to complete the duties of the Club Secretary, Match Secretary and Referees Secretary that Club shall also provide the details of two emergency contact names and their contact details, which are also to be shown within the League Handbook.
7. Annual General Meeting
(A) The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held not later than the 30th of June in each year. At this meeting, the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 20 delegates and 7 members of the League Management Committee are present and entitled to vote:-
(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
(ii) To consider any business arising there from.
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv) To consider the proposal made by the Management Committee of the Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing season.
(v) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
(vi) Election of Officers and the Management Committee.
(vii) Appointment of the Auditor.
(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which due notice has been given).
(ix) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick-off times applicable to the Competitions.
(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an AGM.
(B) The annual Statement of Accounts of the League, duly audited, shall be presented at the AGM, and an unaudited copy of such Statement of Accounts shall be sent with a notice convening the meeting at least fourteen days prior to the meeting together with any proposed change of Rules.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the AFA, within fourteen days of its adoption by the AGM.
(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send a maximum of two delegates to attend an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 days notice shall be given of any such Meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership, shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by at least 20 of the delegates qualified to vote or if the Chairman so decides.
(G) An individual shall not be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the AGM without satisfactory reason being given may be fined (See Schedule of Fees Payments and Fines.)
(I) Officers, Management Committee members and Vice Presidents shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM.
(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
(ii) To consider any business arising there from.
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv) To consider the proposal made by the Management Committee of the Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing season.
(v) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
(vi) Election of Officers and the Management Committee.
(vii) Appointment of the Auditor.
(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which due notice has been given).
(ix) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick-off times applicable to the Competitions.
(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an AGM.
(B) The annual Statement of Accounts of the League, duly audited, shall be presented at the AGM, and an unaudited copy of such Statement of Accounts shall be sent with a notice convening the meeting at least fourteen days prior to the meeting together with any proposed change of Rules.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the AFA, within fourteen days of its adoption by the AGM.
(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send a maximum of two delegates to attend an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 days notice shall be given of any such Meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership, shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by at least 20 of the delegates qualified to vote or if the Chairman so decides.
(G) An individual shall not be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the AGM without satisfactory reason being given may be fined (See Schedule of Fees Payments and Fines.)
(I) Officers, Management Committee members and Vice Presidents shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM.
8. Agreement to be Signed
The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.
"We, A,_____ _____________of _________________________(Chairman) and B________________________of _________________________(Secretary) of the _________________________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Southern Amateur Football League and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the AFA and any other County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.
(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members).
"We, A,_____ _____________of _________________________(Chairman) and B________________________of _________________________(Secretary) of the _________________________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Southern Amateur Football League and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the AFA and any other County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.
(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members).
9. Qualification Of Players
(A) (i) All players competing in matches under the jurisdiction of the League must be registered playing members of their Club.
(ii) Before the start of the season, each Club must send a list of all its players including those playing in veterans or friendly match teams to the League’s Honorary Registration Secretary. The information required for each player is: full name, address, and date of birth.
Additional players may be registered on the day of a match provided that full information is received by the Honorary Registration Secretary within 4 days of the match.
(iii)The Registration of any player leaving a Club, by way of resignation, expulsion or for any reason whatsoever, must be cancelled by notification to the Honorary Registration Secretary within 7 days of the player leaving that Club.
(iv) The Management Committee shall determine all registration disputes.
(v) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any eligible player. The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule 16).
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition.
(Note: Action under this clause shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the AFA, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an appeal to the Football Association.)
For the purpose of this rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.
(B) Clubs must keep a record of the players selected and those who actually played for each team to be available for production to the Management Committee as required.
(C) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one season only. Failure to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of registered players may result in the Club being fined (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or within a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void
(D) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players may have the points gained in the match deducted from its total, and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(i)The Management Committee reserve the right to instruct any team found guilty of fielding unregistered or ineligible players to replay the match(es) in which these players have participated.
(ii) In addition, the team may have points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be appropriate.
(E) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association, shall not be allowed to join a Club in the Competition without proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs.
In the event that a Player could be required to pay a proportion of a debt due under The FA Football Debt Recovery System then, whether or not the debt has been referred to the relevant County FA, the Competition must not affect the player’s registration in any way or refuse to register a transfer due to that debt being outstanding. The Competition cannot refuse to register a Player for an unpaid non-footballing debt.
(F) (i) A player shall not be allowed to play for more than one Club in the Competition during any one season without the consent of the Management Committee.
(ii) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the 31st March except by special permission of the Management Committee.
(G) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.
(H) Contract players, as defined in The Football Association Rules, are not permitted to play in this Competition.
A player registered with a F.A. Premier League or Football League Academy will not be permitted to play in this Competition. A player registered with a Centre of Excellence may only play in this Competition subject to the Regulations of the Programme for Excellence.
(I) (i) In all matches in which it competes, each Club shall play its strongest team in its 1st XI, its second strongest team in its 2nd XI and so on.
(ii) Sectional Strength. If on any match day a Club is not fielding all its sides the team(s) that do play must, including any substitute players, be of a relative sectional strength for each fixture.
(iii) Clubs are expected to hold regular selection meetings or a comparable electronic selection programme to select sides of relative sectional strength ( A Club shall play its strongest team in its 1st XI, its second strongest team in its 2nd XI and so on) . Any team not selected in accordance with sectional strength rules as stated above may have any championship, promotion or SAL Cup revoked by the Emergency, Discipline and General Purposes Sub Committee.
(J) Any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a match or matches shall have any points gained from that match or matches deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine. The Management Committee may also order that such match or matches be replayed on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee which may also levy penalty points against the Club in default.
The Management Committee may vary this decision in respect of the points gained only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.
In exceptional circumstances the Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(ii) Before the start of the season, each Club must send a list of all its players including those playing in veterans or friendly match teams to the League’s Honorary Registration Secretary. The information required for each player is: full name, address, and date of birth.
Additional players may be registered on the day of a match provided that full information is received by the Honorary Registration Secretary within 4 days of the match.
(iii)The Registration of any player leaving a Club, by way of resignation, expulsion or for any reason whatsoever, must be cancelled by notification to the Honorary Registration Secretary within 7 days of the player leaving that Club.
(iv) The Management Committee shall determine all registration disputes.
(v) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any eligible player. The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule 16).
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition.
(Note: Action under this clause shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the AFA, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an appeal to the Football Association.)
For the purpose of this rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.
(B) Clubs must keep a record of the players selected and those who actually played for each team to be available for production to the Management Committee as required.
(C) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one season only. Failure to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of registered players may result in the Club being fined (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or within a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void
(D) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players may have the points gained in the match deducted from its total, and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(i)The Management Committee reserve the right to instruct any team found guilty of fielding unregistered or ineligible players to replay the match(es) in which these players have participated.
(ii) In addition, the team may have points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be appropriate.
(E) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association, shall not be allowed to join a Club in the Competition without proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs.
In the event that a Player could be required to pay a proportion of a debt due under The FA Football Debt Recovery System then, whether or not the debt has been referred to the relevant County FA, the Competition must not affect the player’s registration in any way or refuse to register a transfer due to that debt being outstanding. The Competition cannot refuse to register a Player for an unpaid non-footballing debt.
(F) (i) A player shall not be allowed to play for more than one Club in the Competition during any one season without the consent of the Management Committee.
(ii) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the 31st March except by special permission of the Management Committee.
(G) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.
(H) Contract players, as defined in The Football Association Rules, are not permitted to play in this Competition.
A player registered with a F.A. Premier League or Football League Academy will not be permitted to play in this Competition. A player registered with a Centre of Excellence may only play in this Competition subject to the Regulations of the Programme for Excellence.
(I) (i) In all matches in which it competes, each Club shall play its strongest team in its 1st XI, its second strongest team in its 2nd XI and so on.
(ii) Sectional Strength. If on any match day a Club is not fielding all its sides the team(s) that do play must, including any substitute players, be of a relative sectional strength for each fixture.
(iii) Clubs are expected to hold regular selection meetings or a comparable electronic selection programme to select sides of relative sectional strength ( A Club shall play its strongest team in its 1st XI, its second strongest team in its 2nd XI and so on) . Any team not selected in accordance with sectional strength rules as stated above may have any championship, promotion or SAL Cup revoked by the Emergency, Discipline and General Purposes Sub Committee.
(J) Any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a match or matches shall have any points gained from that match or matches deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine. The Management Committee may also order that such match or matches be replayed on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee which may also levy penalty points against the Club in default.
The Management Committee may vary this decision in respect of the points gained only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.
In exceptional circumstances the Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
10. Club Colours; Club Name
(A) (i) Each Club must register the colour of its shirts, shorts and socks with the Secretary by the 1st of August who shall decide as to their suitability.
(ii) Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the Referee.
(iii) Outfield player shirts must be distinguishable by a unique number.
(iii) Any player, including the goalkeeper, shall not be permitted to wear a black or very dark coloured shirt.
(iv) Clubs must play in its registered colours. Any Club team not being able to play in its normal colours, as registered with the Competition, shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least three days before the match.
(v) When the colours of competing Clubs are similar the home Club shall change its shirts and, if required, its shorts and/or socks in order to ensure that there is not a clash of colours unless mutually agreed arrangements have been made between the Clubs to the contrary.
(vi) If, in the opinion of the Referee, a colour clash occurs with either the Referee or the opposition, and the situation cannot be remedied causing the match to be postponed, the offending team shall be liable to a fine, points deduction or both.
The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours, must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.
(ii) Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the Referee.
(iii) Outfield player shirts must be distinguishable by a unique number.
(iii) Any player, including the goalkeeper, shall not be permitted to wear a black or very dark coloured shirt.
(iv) Clubs must play in its registered colours. Any Club team not being able to play in its normal colours, as registered with the Competition, shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least three days before the match.
(v) When the colours of competing Clubs are similar the home Club shall change its shirts and, if required, its shorts and/or socks in order to ensure that there is not a clash of colours unless mutually agreed arrangements have been made between the Clubs to the contrary.
(vi) If, in the opinion of the Referee, a colour clash occurs with either the Referee or the opposition, and the situation cannot be remedied causing the match to be postponed, the offending team shall be liable to a fine, points deduction or both.
The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours, must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.
11. Playing Season; Conditions of Play; Times of Kick-off; Postponements; Substitutes; Hospitality
(A) The AGM shall determine the date for commencement of the season, which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules.
Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless objections are received by the League Match Secretary within 14 days of their issue.
Any Club failing to be represented at a fixture meeting or otherwise infringing this Rule, shall be liable for a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) and the Management Committee or the League Match Secretary may arrange that Club’s fixtures.
(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.
Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Club or team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.
The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
The dimension of all pitches shall be in accordance with the laws of The Football Association.
Artificial Football Turf pitches are allowed in this Competition providing they are new generation 3G/4G rubber crumb synthetic pitches. (To meet the criteria a Football Turf pitch must pass a test every three years as defined in the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf).
The use of 3G/4G Artificial pitches is permitted with the agreement of the League Match Secretary along with the away Club and match officials. Artificial pitches are only to be used in periods of inclement weather, otherwise grass pitches are expected to be used.
The home Club is also responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements.
All matches shall have a planned duration of 90 minutes. The Referee is empowered to reduce the duration of the match (not less than 60 minutes) according to the prevailing and/or anticipated situation or circumstances. The Referee must inform the two captains of the reduced duration of the match prior to the commencement of play and in any event the match shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.
Where the League Match Secretary has scheduled a Double Header game, this shall consist of 2 matches, each match shall have a duration of 60 minutes ( 30 minutes each way ). These matches shall be played one after the other on the same ground. The first played match will be deemed to be the "home" match of the host Club and the second played match will be deemed to be the "home" match of the visiting Club. Please refer to schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines covering the payment of any Referee or Assistant Referee match fee for any double-header game.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the AGM. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time may be fined or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. The kick-off time can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the match with written notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior.
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. In the event of a team not being ready to commence play at the appointed time the Referee shall have the power to order the game to proceed as soon after such time as he/she may think fit. Any team with a minimum of seven players shall commence play forthwith if instructed to do so by the Referee. Referees do not have the authority to award points or matches to teams under any circumstances. Should a match not take place at the appointed time, the Referee must report any such matter to the League Secretary.
The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the Referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets and 4 corner poles with flags must be used.
(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee, all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all Parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the League Match Secretary.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days notice of the match (unless mutually agreed otherwise).
(D) (i) Officials of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the Match Secretary of the opposing Club at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars. If not so provided, the away club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule may be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(ii) Officials of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule may be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(E) In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 10 players in a team they may be fined (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for each missing player. A minimum of 7 players will constitute a team for a Competition match.
(F) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition, selected in accordance with the Sectional Strength provision in Rule 8(I). Any postponement of a match by any Club will be from the bottom team upwards and will need the permission of the League Match Secretary. Any misuse of this Rule by a Club for the purpose of postponing the match(es) of other than that of a Club's bottom team may result in a fine and/or other sanctions being imposed on that Club by the Management Committee. However, there will be instances where AFA Cup ties will take precedence over the playing of League games, therefore in cases of this nature it will be left to the discretion of the League Match Secretary to decide if the League game involving that Clubs bottom team is postponed.
(Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of a lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed.)
(G) (i) Home and away matches shall be played except where the League Match Secretary has scheduled a Double Header game. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement, the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the awarding of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.
(ii) Every Club in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixtures, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team, Reserve Team, and all other Teams descending in order.
(iii) In the event of a higher side failing to fulfil a fixture on a particular date, the Management Committee shall have the power to deduct points from any lower sides which played and obtained points on the date in question. Equally, a lower XI side may be disqualified from the SAL Challenge Cup if they played and a higher XI failed to fulfil a fixture on the same date.
(iv) Notice of postponement of any match by the postponing Club must be given 48 hours prior to the match being played to the League Match Secretary, the League Referees Secretary, the Match Secretary of the opposing Club or an alternative contact if the primary contact is not available. It is the responsibility of the home Club to advise the match official(s) of the postponement of the fixture. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict a fine.
(v) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the League Match Secretary within seven days, the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.
(vi) The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s), they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action, as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.
(vii) In some cases where a fixture cannot be played the Management Committee and or a duly appointed Sub Committee will reserve the right to record a result and award the points available in the match to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(viii) The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association or Affiliated Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8(D) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void.
(H) (i) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use up to 14 participants in any SAL League or Challenge Cup match in this Competition who may be selected from 14 participants nominated on the Team Sheet given to the Referee prior to the commencement of the match. A player not so named shall not be allowed to take part in the game.
A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.
(ii) A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game, shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
(I) Every team participating in SAL League or Challenge Cup matches shall provide and deliver to the Referee 20 minutes prior to the kick off of the that match, a fully completed League Team Sheet including the names of all participants. Failure to comply with Rule 10G(iii) in any respect, will incur a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines).
(J) The half time interval shall normally be of 10 minutes duration, but shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.
(K) Hospitality
The home Club will provide after match hospitality for the away Club and the match official(s). In the unusual event of the home Club being unable to provide after match hospitality that Club should pre-advise the away Club and the match official(s). The home Club must ensure that the match official(s) are hospitably entertained and provided with an after match meal or refreshment and a drink.
The away Club is expected to stay after the game and accept the hospitality provided by the home Club, wherever the game is played. If a minimum of 6 players fail to return to the home Club's clubhouse or notified venue to accept the after match hospitality, the away Club will be required to reimburse the home Club for the hospitality costs (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
The requirement to re-imburse will be waived only if the away Club's Match Secretary informs either the home Club's Match or Club Secretary by 8.00 p.m. on the Thursday before the Saturday game, or at least 48 hours prior to kick-off time if the match is played on a day other than a Saturday, that their team will not be returning to the home Club's clubhouse to accept the hospitality provided. It is expected that any issues concerning hospitality will be resolved amicably between Clubs without the intervention of the League.
Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless objections are received by the League Match Secretary within 14 days of their issue.
Any Club failing to be represented at a fixture meeting or otherwise infringing this Rule, shall be liable for a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) and the Management Committee or the League Match Secretary may arrange that Club’s fixtures.
(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.
Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Club or team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.
The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
The dimension of all pitches shall be in accordance with the laws of The Football Association.
Artificial Football Turf pitches are allowed in this Competition providing they are new generation 3G/4G rubber crumb synthetic pitches. (To meet the criteria a Football Turf pitch must pass a test every three years as defined in the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf).
The use of 3G/4G Artificial pitches is permitted with the agreement of the League Match Secretary along with the away Club and match officials. Artificial pitches are only to be used in periods of inclement weather, otherwise grass pitches are expected to be used.
The home Club is also responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements.
All matches shall have a planned duration of 90 minutes. The Referee is empowered to reduce the duration of the match (not less than 60 minutes) according to the prevailing and/or anticipated situation or circumstances. The Referee must inform the two captains of the reduced duration of the match prior to the commencement of play and in any event the match shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.
Where the League Match Secretary has scheduled a Double Header game, this shall consist of 2 matches, each match shall have a duration of 60 minutes ( 30 minutes each way ). These matches shall be played one after the other on the same ground. The first played match will be deemed to be the "home" match of the host Club and the second played match will be deemed to be the "home" match of the visiting Club. Please refer to schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines covering the payment of any Referee or Assistant Referee match fee for any double-header game.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the AGM. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time may be fined or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. The kick-off time can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the match with written notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior.
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. In the event of a team not being ready to commence play at the appointed time the Referee shall have the power to order the game to proceed as soon after such time as he/she may think fit. Any team with a minimum of seven players shall commence play forthwith if instructed to do so by the Referee. Referees do not have the authority to award points or matches to teams under any circumstances. Should a match not take place at the appointed time, the Referee must report any such matter to the League Secretary.
The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the Referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets and 4 corner poles with flags must be used.
(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee, all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all Parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the League Match Secretary.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days notice of the match (unless mutually agreed otherwise).
(D) (i) Officials of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the Match Secretary of the opposing Club at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars. If not so provided, the away club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule may be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(ii) Officials of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule may be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(E) In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 10 players in a team they may be fined (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for each missing player. A minimum of 7 players will constitute a team for a Competition match.
(F) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition, selected in accordance with the Sectional Strength provision in Rule 8(I). Any postponement of a match by any Club will be from the bottom team upwards and will need the permission of the League Match Secretary. Any misuse of this Rule by a Club for the purpose of postponing the match(es) of other than that of a Club's bottom team may result in a fine and/or other sanctions being imposed on that Club by the Management Committee. However, there will be instances where AFA Cup ties will take precedence over the playing of League games, therefore in cases of this nature it will be left to the discretion of the League Match Secretary to decide if the League game involving that Clubs bottom team is postponed.
(Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of a lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed.)
(G) (i) Home and away matches shall be played except where the League Match Secretary has scheduled a Double Header game. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement, the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the awarding of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.
(ii) Every Club in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixtures, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team, Reserve Team, and all other Teams descending in order.
(iii) In the event of a higher side failing to fulfil a fixture on a particular date, the Management Committee shall have the power to deduct points from any lower sides which played and obtained points on the date in question. Equally, a lower XI side may be disqualified from the SAL Challenge Cup if they played and a higher XI failed to fulfil a fixture on the same date.
(iv) Notice of postponement of any match by the postponing Club must be given 48 hours prior to the match being played to the League Match Secretary, the League Referees Secretary, the Match Secretary of the opposing Club or an alternative contact if the primary contact is not available. It is the responsibility of the home Club to advise the match official(s) of the postponement of the fixture. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict a fine.
(v) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the League Match Secretary within seven days, the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.
(vi) The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s), they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action, as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.
(vii) In some cases where a fixture cannot be played the Management Committee and or a duly appointed Sub Committee will reserve the right to record a result and award the points available in the match to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(viii) The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association or Affiliated Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8(D) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void.
(H) (i) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use up to 14 participants in any SAL League or Challenge Cup match in this Competition who may be selected from 14 participants nominated on the Team Sheet given to the Referee prior to the commencement of the match. A player not so named shall not be allowed to take part in the game.
A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.
(ii) A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game, shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
(I) Every team participating in SAL League or Challenge Cup matches shall provide and deliver to the Referee 20 minutes prior to the kick off of the that match, a fully completed League Team Sheet including the names of all participants. Failure to comply with Rule 10G(iii) in any respect, will incur a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines).
(J) The half time interval shall normally be of 10 minutes duration, but shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.
(K) Hospitality
The home Club will provide after match hospitality for the away Club and the match official(s). In the unusual event of the home Club being unable to provide after match hospitality that Club should pre-advise the away Club and the match official(s). The home Club must ensure that the match official(s) are hospitably entertained and provided with an after match meal or refreshment and a drink.
The away Club is expected to stay after the game and accept the hospitality provided by the home Club, wherever the game is played. If a minimum of 6 players fail to return to the home Club's clubhouse or notified venue to accept the after match hospitality, the away Club will be required to reimburse the home Club for the hospitality costs (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
The requirement to re-imburse will be waived only if the away Club's Match Secretary informs either the home Club's Match or Club Secretary by 8.00 p.m. on the Thursday before the Saturday game, or at least 48 hours prior to kick-off time if the match is played on a day other than a Saturday, that their team will not be returning to the home Club's clubhouse to accept the hospitality provided. It is expected that any issues concerning hospitality will be resolved amicably between Clubs without the intervention of the League.
12. Match Reporting
(A) Each Club must submit within two days of the match a fully completed Result Sheet to the League web site. This must include the name of the Referee and a mark as required by Rule 13 and any other information required by the Competition.
(B) For Saturday matches the Home Club shall communicate the result of each match, in the prescribed manner, to the League web site by 18.00 on the day of the match (Senior Section only).
For Intermediate Section and below, the Home Club shall communicate the result, in the prescribed manner, to the League web site by 20.00 on the day of the match.
The Management Committee shall have power to take such action, as they deem suitable against a Club, which submits an incomplete Result Sheet or incorrect information.
Failure to comply with Rule 11 in any respect will incur a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(B) For Saturday matches the Home Club shall communicate the result of each match, in the prescribed manner, to the League web site by 18.00 on the day of the match (Senior Section only).
For Intermediate Section and below, the Home Club shall communicate the result, in the prescribed manner, to the League web site by 20.00 on the day of the match.
The Management Committee shall have power to take such action, as they deem suitable against a Club, which submits an incomplete Result Sheet or incorrect information.
Failure to comply with Rule 11 in any respect will incur a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
13. Determining Championship
(A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points being awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion of a season, shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. Double-header games maybe scheduled at the discretion of the League Match Secretary.
In circumstances where two or more teams are equal on points team rankings shall be determined by goal difference where the goals scored against by each
Club shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Club and the largest positive difference shall be placed the highest. In the event of the goal difference being equal the highest placed Club shall be the Club which has scored the most goals. In the event that two or more Clubs have the same goal difference and have scored the same number of goals then the highest placed Club shall be the Club which has won the most matches.
In the event of the two Clubs still being equal the Club which has the better playing record against the other Club in their head to head Competition matches during the Season will be the highest placed Club.
In the event of the two Clubs still being equal, a special championship match played under conditions determined by the Management Committee will be arranged. If scores remain level at the end of the game, 30 minutes extra time shall be played in two equal periods of 15 minutes. If the scores remain level at the end of extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football.
(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two
and the last two teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b). Ultimately the League Management Committee has the power to change the number of teams within any Division at their discretion.
(i) Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced, an equal number of teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated.
(ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season, may be filled on any of the following ways:-
(a) retention of otherwise relegated team(s)
(b) additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below
(c) election
(iii) At any time a Member Club shall shall not be permitted to have more than two teams playing in the same division unless agreed by the League Management Committee who will treat each case on its own merits.
(iv) The Management Committee shall have discretion to amend the above procedures to cater for withdrawals or new entries of teams and Clubs.
(C) If during a season a Club fails on five occasions to fulfil any of its teams' fixtures the bottom side of that Club may be withdrawn at the discretion of the League Management Committee.
(D) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season, all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
In circumstances where two or more teams are equal on points team rankings shall be determined by goal difference where the goals scored against by each
Club shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Club and the largest positive difference shall be placed the highest. In the event of the goal difference being equal the highest placed Club shall be the Club which has scored the most goals. In the event that two or more Clubs have the same goal difference and have scored the same number of goals then the highest placed Club shall be the Club which has won the most matches.
In the event of the two Clubs still being equal the Club which has the better playing record against the other Club in their head to head Competition matches during the Season will be the highest placed Club.
In the event of the two Clubs still being equal, a special championship match played under conditions determined by the Management Committee will be arranged. If scores remain level at the end of the game, 30 minutes extra time shall be played in two equal periods of 15 minutes. If the scores remain level at the end of extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football.
(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two
and the last two teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b). Ultimately the League Management Committee has the power to change the number of teams within any Division at their discretion.
(i) Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced, an equal number of teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated.
(ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season, may be filled on any of the following ways:-
(a) retention of otherwise relegated team(s)
(b) additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below
(c) election
(iii) At any time a Member Club shall shall not be permitted to have more than two teams playing in the same division unless agreed by the League Management Committee who will treat each case on its own merits.
(iv) The Management Committee shall have discretion to amend the above procedures to cater for withdrawals or new entries of teams and Clubs.
(C) If during a season a Club fails on five occasions to fulfil any of its teams' fixtures the bottom side of that Club may be withdrawn at the discretion of the League Management Committee.
(D) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season, all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
14. Referees
(A) egistered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).
(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee, the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing teams. In cases where there are not any officially appointed Assistant Referees, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee the home Club shall provide a Referee. In the event of a Referee not being available on the day of the match the teams will provide a Referee. The Referee for that game will have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee. Referees under the age of 16 shall not participate either as a Referee or Assistant Referee in any open age competition.
(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match.
(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a private ground. The Representative of that body will be the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted, except where the representative declares the pitch fit but the Referee states otherwise.
(E) Match Fees:-
Referee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines), subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s).
The Home Club shall pay the Match Officials their fees immediately after the match.
Where Assistant Referees are appointed the home team will still cover the cost of the Referee, with both the home and away teams sharing the cost for the Assistant Referees. In order to avoid any delay the Home team Captain/ Manager or Club Official, should pay both Assistant Referees immediately after the game is completed (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) and obtain the relevant money later from the away team.
In the event that a Double-Header game has been scheduled by the League Match Secretary both sides will share the total cost for the Referee’s Fees (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) and Assistant Referees Fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines). However, as described above, the side whose ground is hosting the games should pay the officials immediately after the games are completed and then obtain later the relevant money from the away team.
(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs do not have any control the Match Officials, if they attend the ground, shall be entitled to their full fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee.
(G) A Referee not keeping their engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may have their name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the Association with which they are registered.
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match. The name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with, as the Management Committee shall determine.
(I) Where a Club provides a mark for a referee of 60 or less out of 100, that club through either their Secretary or Referees’ Secretary must submit a report to the League Referees’ Secretary within 7 days of the match as to the reasons why they are providing a mark of 60 or less. Failure to do so will result in a standard maladministration fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(J) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association.
(K) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team, the time of kick-off along with any other requested details to the nominated League Management Committee Member within two days of the match. Failure to submit a report Form within the stipulated time scale may result in the Referee not receiving Competition appointments.
(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee, the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing teams. In cases where there are not any officially appointed Assistant Referees, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee the home Club shall provide a Referee. In the event of a Referee not being available on the day of the match the teams will provide a Referee. The Referee for that game will have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee. Referees under the age of 16 shall not participate either as a Referee or Assistant Referee in any open age competition.
(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match.
(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a private ground. The Representative of that body will be the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted, except where the representative declares the pitch fit but the Referee states otherwise.
(E) Match Fees:-
Referee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines), subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s).
The Home Club shall pay the Match Officials their fees immediately after the match.
Where Assistant Referees are appointed the home team will still cover the cost of the Referee, with both the home and away teams sharing the cost for the Assistant Referees. In order to avoid any delay the Home team Captain/ Manager or Club Official, should pay both Assistant Referees immediately after the game is completed (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) and obtain the relevant money later from the away team.
In the event that a Double-Header game has been scheduled by the League Match Secretary both sides will share the total cost for the Referee’s Fees (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) and Assistant Referees Fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines). However, as described above, the side whose ground is hosting the games should pay the officials immediately after the games are completed and then obtain later the relevant money from the away team.
(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs do not have any control the Match Officials, if they attend the ground, shall be entitled to their full fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee.
(G) A Referee not keeping their engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may have their name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the Association with which they are registered.
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match. The name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with, as the Management Committee shall determine.
(I) Where a Club provides a mark for a referee of 60 or less out of 100, that club through either their Secretary or Referees’ Secretary must submit a report to the League Referees’ Secretary within 7 days of the match as to the reasons why they are providing a mark of 60 or less. Failure to do so will result in a standard maladministration fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
(J) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association.
(K) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team, the time of kick-off along with any other requested details to the nominated League Management Committee Member within two days of the match. Failure to submit a report Form within the stipulated time scale may result in the Referee not receiving Competition appointments.
(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
15. Continuation of Membership or Withdrawal of a Club
(A) After 31st December in the current season, a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition, must notify the Secretary in writing. This intention must be confirmed or withdrawn in writing by 31st March. Failure to do so may make a Club liable to a fine decided at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the AGM for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).
(C) In the event of a Member Club, which is an unincorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding, it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition.
In the event that any such obligation remains un-discharged after a period of twenty-one days, then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full, the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.
If the debt remains unpaid after eighty four days the Competition may apply to the Club’s parent County Association for the debt to be recovered in accordance with the FA Football Debt Recovery System. Once the matter has been passed to the Club’s parent County Association the debt can only be cleared by payment to that County Association.
(D) Associate Member clubs who join the League Competition proper are subject to a probationary period to be determined by the League Management Committee. If such a club fails to adhere to the terms of their probationary period, the League Management Committee reserves the right to exclude the club from further membership.
(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the AGM for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).
(C) In the event of a Member Club, which is an unincorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding, it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition.
In the event that any such obligation remains un-discharged after a period of twenty-one days, then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full, the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.
If the debt remains unpaid after eighty four days the Competition may apply to the Club’s parent County Association for the debt to be recovered in accordance with the FA Football Debt Recovery System. Once the matter has been passed to the Club’s parent County Association the debt can only be cleared by payment to that County Association.
(D) Associate Member clubs who join the League Competition proper are subject to a probationary period to be determined by the League Management Committee. If such a club fails to adhere to the terms of their probationary period, the League Management Committee reserves the right to exclude the club from further membership.
16. Protests and Complaints
(A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it, shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination to the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.
(D) A protest of whatever kind shall not be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines). This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs be shared by the parties.
(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint, the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information, which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it, shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination to the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.
(D) A protest of whatever kind shall not be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines). This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs be shared by the parties.
(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint, the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information, which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
17. Board Of Appeal
Within fourteen days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, appointed Sub-Committee of the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the AFA (procedure to be followed is set out in the AFA handbook), including a fee of (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for adjudication of an AFA Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The AFA Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the AFA Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
An appeal can not be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.
An appeal can not be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.
18. Exclusion of Clubs or Teams Misconduct of Clubs; Teams; Officials; Players
(A) At the AGM, or SGM called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership which must be supported by more than two thirds of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
(B) At the AGM, or at a SGM called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or team of a Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by two-thirds of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(C) Any player, official or member of a Club proved guilty of either misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them, shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as an AGM, SGM or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.
(D) The Management Committee or appointed Sub-Committee shall have the power to ban or expel any Club or named individual from playing in the League, engaging in Club administration, attending any League function if it considers that the Club or individual’s participation is of undesirable conduct and detrimental to the best interests of the League.
Any decision made by the League shall be in accordance with FA Rules.
Any Club that expels a player independently of action taken by the Management Committee shall inform the Secretary of the League within 7 days of the decision.
(E) The procedure to be followed by the Management Committee or duly appointed sub-committee in pursuing Rule 5 (D), Rule 8 (A)(iv) and or Rule 17 (C) 17 (D) and Rule 24.
(i) The Management Committee has the ability to invite any Club(s) and/or their representative(s) in writing to attend before the Management Committee or appointed Sub-Committee with at least 14 days clear notice of the time, date and venue.
(ii) Full details of the offence shall be stated in the letter.
(iii) The Clubs and/or their representatives shall be given the opportunity to address the Committee, produce documents and call witnesses if the individual so desires, and may be assisted by not more than one other person to support the individual or speak on his behalf in so doing.
(iv) After the Clubs and/or their representatives has been heard by the Committee and the case has been considered, a two thirds majority of the members of the Committee present and voting in favour is required for the recommendation that the player, official or member of a Club is to be suspended or expelled.
(v) If the Committee votes to recommend the suspension or expulsion of a Member Club, player, official or member of a Club, an SGM must be called within 28 days of the Committee Meeting. A two thirds majority of the members present and voting is required to order the suspension or expulsion of player, official or member of a Club.
(vi) If the required majority of votes for suspension or expulsion have not been obtained under (iv) or (v) above, the matter is closed and may not be reopened in the same season.
(vii) Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, appointed sub committee or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the AFA (procedure to be followed is set out in the AFA handbook), including a fee of (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for adjudication of an AFA Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The AFA Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the AFA Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
(B) At the AGM, or at a SGM called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or team of a Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by two-thirds of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(C) Any player, official or member of a Club proved guilty of either misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them, shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as an AGM, SGM or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.
(D) The Management Committee or appointed Sub-Committee shall have the power to ban or expel any Club or named individual from playing in the League, engaging in Club administration, attending any League function if it considers that the Club or individual’s participation is of undesirable conduct and detrimental to the best interests of the League.
Any decision made by the League shall be in accordance with FA Rules.
Any Club that expels a player independently of action taken by the Management Committee shall inform the Secretary of the League within 7 days of the decision.
(E) The procedure to be followed by the Management Committee or duly appointed sub-committee in pursuing Rule 5 (D), Rule 8 (A)(iv) and or Rule 17 (C) 17 (D) and Rule 24.
(i) The Management Committee has the ability to invite any Club(s) and/or their representative(s) in writing to attend before the Management Committee or appointed Sub-Committee with at least 14 days clear notice of the time, date and venue.
(ii) Full details of the offence shall be stated in the letter.
(iii) The Clubs and/or their representatives shall be given the opportunity to address the Committee, produce documents and call witnesses if the individual so desires, and may be assisted by not more than one other person to support the individual or speak on his behalf in so doing.
(iv) After the Clubs and/or their representatives has been heard by the Committee and the case has been considered, a two thirds majority of the members of the Committee present and voting in favour is required for the recommendation that the player, official or member of a Club is to be suspended or expelled.
(v) If the Committee votes to recommend the suspension or expulsion of a Member Club, player, official or member of a Club, an SGM must be called within 28 days of the Committee Meeting. A two thirds majority of the members present and voting is required to order the suspension or expulsion of player, official or member of a Club.
(vi) If the required majority of votes for suspension or expulsion have not been obtained under (iv) or (v) above, the matter is closed and may not be reopened in the same season.
(vii) Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, appointed sub committee or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the AFA (procedure to be followed is set out in the AFA handbook), including a fee of (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for adjudication of an AFA Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The AFA Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the AFA Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
19. Trophy:- Legal Owners; Conditions of taking over; Agreement to be signed; Attendance at the Annual and Presentation of Awards Dinner
(A) A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition is discontinued for any reason, the Cup or Trophy shall be returned to the Donor, if the conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the Association may decide. At the close of each Competition, awards may be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.
(B)The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-
“We A_________________and B______________________, the Chairman and Secretary of ________________________FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of Southern Amateur Football League Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary or his nominee on or before 1st February the following season. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to compensate the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”
Failure to comply will result in a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines).
(C) The winners of a Southern Amateur Football League Cup or Trophy must also return the Cup or Trophy in a clean, presentable condition. Failure to comply will result in a fine (Schedule of Fees Payments and Fines).
(D) Attendance by a Club representative at the Annual and Presentation of Awards Dinner for any Club who have won a League Championship or Challenge Cup or other League Trophy will be mandatory. Any Club failing to attend this event will not have that relevant Trophy presented to them and the Management Committee will have the power to revoke the awarding of any Championship, Cup or other League Trophy at the end of that season.
(B)The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-
“We A_________________and B______________________, the Chairman and Secretary of ________________________FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of Southern Amateur Football League Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary or his nominee on or before 1st February the following season. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to compensate the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”
Failure to comply will result in a fine (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines).
(C) The winners of a Southern Amateur Football League Cup or Trophy must also return the Cup or Trophy in a clean, presentable condition. Failure to comply will result in a fine (Schedule of Fees Payments and Fines).
(D) Attendance by a Club representative at the Annual and Presentation of Awards Dinner for any Club who have won a League Championship or Challenge Cup or other League Trophy will be mandatory. Any Club failing to attend this event will not have that relevant Trophy presented to them and the Management Committee will have the power to revoke the awarding of any Championship, Cup or other League Trophy at the end of that season.
20. Special General Meetings
Upon receiving a resolution signed by two thirds of the Clubs in membership, the Secretary shall call a SGM.
The Management Committee may call a SGM at any time.
At least 14 days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.
Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all SGM's. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting. At this meeting business shall be transacted provided that at least 20 delegates and 7 members of the League Management Committee are present and entitled to vote.
Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a SGM without satisfactory reason being given may be fined (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all SGMs.
The Management Committee may call a SGM at any time.
At least 14 days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.
Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all SGM's. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting. At this meeting business shall be transacted provided that at least 20 delegates and 7 members of the League Management Committee are present and entitled to vote.
Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a SGM without satisfactory reason being given may be fined (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines)
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all SGMs.
21. Alteration to Rules
Alterations to these Rules shall be made only at the AGM or at a SGM specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 7. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by the 30th of April. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 31st of May and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by the date of the AGM. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if two thirds of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or SGM, shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 7 days prior to the date of the meeting.
Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the AFA sanctioning Committee has been obtained.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by the 30th of April. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 31st of May and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by the date of the AGM. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if two thirds of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or SGM, shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 7 days prior to the date of the meeting.
Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the AFA sanctioning Committee has been obtained.
22. Rules Binding on Clubs
Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 17. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.
23. Finance
(A) The Management Committee shall determine with which Bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.
(B) All expenditure in excess of £500 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques up to a value of £500 shall be signed by one Officer nominated by the Management Committee. Cheques over the value of £500 shall be signed by two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on the 30th of April.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet of a Competition, shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM.
(B) All expenditure in excess of £500 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques up to a value of £500 shall be signed by one Officer nominated by the Management Committee. Cheques over the value of £500 shall be signed by two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on the 30th of April.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet of a Competition, shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM.
24. Insurance
All Member Clubs must have public liability insurance cover of at least 10 million pounds (£10,000,000).
All Member Clubs must be members of a Players’ personal accident scheme which meets the minimum criteria set by the sanctioning Association.
All Member Clubs must be members of a Players’ personal accident scheme which meets the minimum criteria set by the sanctioning Association.
25. Representative Games
The Management Committee may arrange representative games and a player selected to represent the League may not play for his club on the date of any such match without the consent of the Management Committee. When a member Club has two or more players selected to play for the SAL Representative Team that Club, may with the consent of the League Match Secretary, postpone its 1st team game scheduled for the date of the Representative game.
26. Advertising
Advertising on players clothing is permitted providing that such advertising is in accordance with the Rule and appendix as set out in the current FA handbook. Details of any advertising and sponsorship must be submitted to the AFA for their approval. Players clothing shall not be permitted to carrying advertising until such time that permission for that advertising has been obtained by that Club from the AFA.
27. Emergency, Discipline & General Purposes Committee
This committee will be formed within 14 days of the receipt, by the Secretary of the Management Committee, of any reported serious offence(s) committed by any player(s) or Club(s) during any match day or over a season, as reported by any serving AFA or Southern Amateur Football League Management Committee Officer, League or Club appointed Referee or elected Officer of a Member Club.
The Committee will consist of at least 3 Senior League Management Committee Members (with a duly elected Chairman) and shall have the power to deal with any matters that they see fit to investigate, whether or not they are provided for in the rules (but shall be in accordance with FA Rules). The Committee will have the ability to require any Club and/or individual to appear before them on any nominated date. This Committee will have the power to administer any penalty or fine or any costs the League incur as deemed necessary (but shall be in accordance with FA Rules) covering the nature of an individual incident or incidents over a season committed by any player or Club. Any decision made by this Committee will need confirmation from the full Management Committee at their next Committee meeting and follow the misconduct procedures stated within Rule 17.
This Committee will have the power to revoke the awarding of any Championship or
promoted side and/or Cup at the end of that season if in their opinion that team has not been selected consistently in accordance with the relative sectional strength Rules under Rule 8.
In addition, this Committee will have the powers to deduct points from any individual team or all teams within that Club at the end of that playing season or the start of the next season if it is agreed by that Committee that any team's or Club's actions are of undesirable conduct and are detrimental to the best interests of the League.
In any hearing this Committee will have the power to make an order as to the
costs of that hearing, as it considers appropriate.
Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or appointed Sub-Committee of the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the AFA (procedure to be followed is set out in the AFA handbook), including the appropriate fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for adjudication of an AFA Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The AFA Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
The Committee will consist of at least 3 Senior League Management Committee Members (with a duly elected Chairman) and shall have the power to deal with any matters that they see fit to investigate, whether or not they are provided for in the rules (but shall be in accordance with FA Rules). The Committee will have the ability to require any Club and/or individual to appear before them on any nominated date. This Committee will have the power to administer any penalty or fine or any costs the League incur as deemed necessary (but shall be in accordance with FA Rules) covering the nature of an individual incident or incidents over a season committed by any player or Club. Any decision made by this Committee will need confirmation from the full Management Committee at their next Committee meeting and follow the misconduct procedures stated within Rule 17.
This Committee will have the power to revoke the awarding of any Championship or
promoted side and/or Cup at the end of that season if in their opinion that team has not been selected consistently in accordance with the relative sectional strength Rules under Rule 8.
In addition, this Committee will have the powers to deduct points from any individual team or all teams within that Club at the end of that playing season or the start of the next season if it is agreed by that Committee that any team's or Club's actions are of undesirable conduct and are detrimental to the best interests of the League.
In any hearing this Committee will have the power to make an order as to the
costs of that hearing, as it considers appropriate.
Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or appointed Sub-Committee of the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the AFA (procedure to be followed is set out in the AFA handbook), including the appropriate fee (see Schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines) for adjudication of an AFA Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The AFA Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
28. Schedule of Fees, Payments & Fines
| Description | Amount | Due Date/Period | |
| 1 | League Entry Fee | £100 | Within 14 days of acceptance |
| 2 | Annual Subscription per member Club (including Charter Standard discount) | £95 | Upon demand from the League |
| 2a | Annual Subscription per team including Challenge Cup entry fee | £90 | Upon demand from the League |
| 3 | Standard mal-administration fine | Up to £100 | Within 14 days of advice |
| 4 | Failure to attend an AGM, SGM or Council Meeting | £100 | Within 14 days of advice |
| 5a | Failure to report Senior Section result within prescribed time scale | £25 | Within 14 days of advice |
| 5b | Failure to report club results within prescribed time scale | £10 per late result | Within 14 days of advice |
| 5c | Failure to provide team sheet to the Referee before the match | Up to £25 | Within 14 days of advice |
| 5d | Failure to provide a match official with their match fee | £25 | Within 14 days of advice |
| 6 | Referees Match Fee | £32 | Immediately after the match |
| 6a | Referee Double Header Match Fee | £44 | ` |
| 7 | Assistant Referees Match Fee | £27 | Immediately after the match |
| 7a | Assistant Referees Double Header Match Fee | £32 | Immediately after the games |
| 8 | Deposit against a Protest | £25 | To accompany the protest, which must be made within 7 days of the incident/match |
| 9 | Appeal fee to the AFA | £75 | To the AFA Secretary within 14 days of the letter of the original SAL decision notification |
| 10 | Failure to deliver League and Cup trophies back on the nominated date and to relevant venue after demand from the League | £50 | To be increased by £50 for each week trophies are not returned after the nominated date. |
| 11 | Reimbursement to the Home Club cost of hospitality | Up to £50 | Immediately following the match |
| 12 | Failure to field a team with at least10 players. Fine for each missing player. | £5 | Within 14 days of advice |
