SAL/AFC Merger Update

As you know the SAL League Management Committee have been in discussions with the AFC to discuss all aspects of the potential merger.

These discussions have been ongoing since the start of the season and have touched a number of subjects.

1- Constitution including the number of London-wide Divisions
2- Rules 
3- Referees 
4-Cups
5-Finance 
6-Discipline 
7-England Football Accreditation 
8-Registration
9-New Committee Setup

The co-ordinating committee comprising of members from both the LMC and AFC Executive Committee have met every month since early September last year.

We have now come to a point in time where there are a number of issues where there is a difference between the two sides. This is not something new in any negotiation between 2 parties.

The points being - 

• Constitution - Number of London-wide Divisions
• Future setup of the new LMC
• England Football Accreditation

There are other points regarding the rules and how the referees are organised in which there are some differences between the two sides.

The LMC have recently held an emergency LMC to discuss this and have reached a decision to halt the discussions for the time being.

The LMC feel strongly on the points where we have a difference and feel it is the right thing to suspend discussions.

It is also worth noting that both parties have acted in good faith during these negotiations and I would like to place on record my thanks to those AFC Executive Committee Members as well as the SAL LMC members who have put in a lot of effort during these discussions.

There is an opportunity to go back to the negotiating table in the future but for the time being and next season the two leagues will remain separate entities.

As promised the Council meeting we will be looking at some regionalisation in the Intermediate Divisions. Further information on this will follow in due course.
Nick Hamilton
Chairman
Southern Amateur Football League