|
|
|
MSFL handbook: Constitution and Rules - August 2003
NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION
1(a) This competition shall be designated the MACCABI (SOUTHERN) FOOTBALL LEAGUE and known as the JEWISH CHRONICLE or JC MACCABI (SOUTHERN) FOOTBALL LEAGUE and shall consist of not more than 100 Clubs.
All such clubs must be affiliated to the county football association, and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the LONDON County Football Association.
This competition shall apply annually for sanction to the LONDON Football Association and the constituent teams of member clubs may be grouped in divisions.
1(b) The league shall be administered for the member clubs by a management committee as referred to at Rule 5(a). The league shall be affiliated to the Union of Maccabi Associations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland whose honorary sports director shall report the leagues activities.
1(c) The annual general meeting shall have the power to appoint any number of Vice-Presidents for services rendered to the league. Vice-Presidents shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the league, (except sub-committee meetings) but not entitled to vote thereat.
ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTIONS, DEPOSIT
2(a) The annual subscription shall be £30.00 for each team entered. Each new team shall initially pay a deposit of £30.00. This deposit shall be returnable to teams withdrawing from the league at the end of the season, providing such teams have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the council or management committee. Claims for return of deposits by each team withdrawing from the league must be received in writing by 1st September in the season following resignation; no claims shall be considered after that date. The management committee shall determine by agreement with Maccabi GB from time to time, the affiliation fee to be paid by the league to Maccabi GB to effect membership of the league as an affiliated club of Maccabi GB. This fee shall be collected from clubs and teams who are not deemed to be in full affiliation to Maccabi GB. No such affiliation fee shall be paid to Maccabi GB by the league until after the amount has been approved by the league council.
2(b) Applications from existing and new teams to play in the league shall be made on the prescribed application form, obtainable from the general secretary. All application Forms must be returned completed, together with the appropriate fees, to the general secretary not later than 30th June prior to the commencement of the season, after which date no application will be accepted, except at the discretion of the management committee. All late applications may be subjected to a £10.00 surcharge. The management committee or sub-committee thereof shall scrutinise the applications and if it so decides shall interview the applicants (new applicants shall always be interviewed). They shall have full powers on behalf of the league council to accept or refuse applicants.
2(c) Subscription fees and deposits shall be returned to teams subsequently failing to participate in the Competition for any reason only at the discretion of the management committee. No club will be allowed to play in any M. (S). F.L. competition until the fees set out in Rule 2 (a) are duly paid.
2(d) Clubs must advise annually to the secretary in writing by 30th June of its county football association affiliation number for the forthcoming season unless received after this date. Clubs must advise the secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, officers and any other information required by the competition. All clubs are asked to provide two e-mail addresses in order to receive fixture updates and other league correspondence throughout the season.
OFFICERS
3 The officers of the competition shall be the chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, General Secretary, Registration Secretary, Fines Secretary, Referees Secretary and Publicity Liaison Officer to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).
MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTIONS
4(a) The league shall be governed in accordance with the rules, regulations and bye-laws of the Football Association, by the ‘League Council’, which shall consist of 2 delegates from each competing team, together with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Maccabi GB Sports Director (or his nominee), General Secretary, Registration Secretary, Fines Secretary, Referees’ Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Treasurer and Publicity Liaison Officer.
4(b) Each delegate together with the officers referred to in Rule 3 attending a council meeting or annual general meeting shall have one vote thereat. All interested parties shall retire before voting takes place. In the event of the voting being equal, the chairman shall have a casting vote.
4(c) 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 General Secretary by the secretary of a member team, or incumbent members of the management committee, not later than 21 days prior to the annual general meeting in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the annual general meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the annual general meeting. The management committee shall have the power to fill any casual vacancy that may occur during the year, which shall be confirmed at the next Council meeting.
4(d) The management committee shall meet at least three times during the season to deal with business as it arises. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the members of the management committee the secretary shall convene a meeting of the committee.
4(e) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the general secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the competition and keep a records of its proceedings.
4(f) All communications received from clubs must be conducted through their nominated officers.
4(g) 12 members of the council shall form a quorum for council meetings.
4(h) Referees and other league officials are entitled to attend council meetings, but shall not be entitled to vote.
4(i) The council shall meet prior to the start of the season (see Rule 10(d)), also approximately halfway through the season, and at any time by request of the management committee. Fourteen days notice shall be given for all council meetings.
4(j) Any club failing to be represented in person at an annual general geeting and the league council meeting shall be fined £30.00 for each such absence. All representatives shall be expected to remain for the full duration of the meeting. Clubs failing to meet this condition without reasonable excuse shall be liable to be dealt with by the management committee.
POWERS OF MANAGEMENT
5(a) There shall be a ‘Management Committee’ consisting of the officers as referred to at Rule 3, Maccabi GB Sports Director or his nominee and one elected delegate from each division. The management committee shall also have power to co-opt two additional members during their term of office. The duties of this committee shall be to transact such business as may be required by the council and to settle any matter that may arise during the time intervening between council meetings. It shall adjudicate on all appeals lodged in respect of fines incurred from the breach of these rules and shall set the amount of the fines where, under these rules, discretion is allowed and there is no fixed fine. 5 members of the management committee shall form a quorum for meetings. The management committee shall meet at least three times during the season and each member shall have one vote thereat. All interested parties shall retire before discussion and voting takes place. In the event of the vote being equal the chairman shall have the casting vote. Seven days notice shall be given for all management committee meetings.
5(b) Members of the management committee shall be entitled to claim for all reasonable out-ofpocket expenses. Such expenses to include travelling to and from management committee meetings.
5(c) Any member of the management committee failing to attend three consecutive meetings without suitable explanation being received, shall forfeit his seat on the committee.
5(d) The council or management committee shall have the power to appoint sub-committees as it may consider necessary, and may delegate any or all of its powers to such sub-committees. All decisions of the council or management committee shall be final, subject to the right of appeal to the association to which the league is affiliated.
5(e) The council or management committee may, if necessary, call upon each team (including any team that may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally to meet any deficiency at the end of the season.
5(f) The council or management committee may organise some function for the benefit of the league funds and each team shall be responsible as the management committee decide.
5(g) The Council or Management Committee may call upon each team to contribute towards the cost of printing the handbook.
5(h) All teams are obliged to take at least fifteen handbooks at a cost to be decided by the management committee.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
6(a) The annual general meeting shall be held during the months of May or June for the transaction of ordinary business. A copy of the duly audited balance sheet and agenda shall be forwarded to each club at least four days prior to this meeting. The delegates attending shall elect the following officers of the League: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Referees’ Secretary, Registration Secretary, Fines Secretary, Treasurer, Fixtures Secretary and Publicity Liaison Officer, together with the Honorary Auditors, who shall have power to attend the annual general meetings and vote thereat. They shall also elect one delegate from each division to serve on the management committee for the ensuing year.
6(b) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the London County Football Association within fourteen days of its adoption by the annual general meeting. 5
6(c) Nominations of candidates for election to the Management Committee shall be submitted so as to reach the general secretary not less than 21 days prior to the annual general meeting, candidates may be nominated by incumbent members of the management committee and by each team in the league. The management committee shall have power to fill any casual-vacancy that may occur during the year, which shall be confirmed at the next Council Meeting.
6(d) Each member team shall be empowered to send two delegates to an annual general meeting. Each team shall be entitled to two votes only provided two delegates are in attendance. Not less than twenty one days’ notice shall be given of any meeting.
6(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.
6(f) All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
6(g) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one member club.
6(h) Any continuing member club failing to be represented at the annual general meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £30.
6(i) Officers and management committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an annual general meeting.
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
7 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 indication 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 competition 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(a). Any alteration of the chairman and/or secretary on the above agreement must be notified to the 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 the officers and members).
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
8(a) Contract players shall not be eligible to play in the competition.
8(b) Any bona fide member of a team shall be allowed to play in the competition provided that he has not taken part in a league match for another club in the same season or is not registered for another league club. If he has played, or remains on the League register of players, permission for his transfer must be obtained from the club to which he is attached; such permission is not to be unreasonably withheld (see rule 8(g)). A bona fide member of a team is one of the Jewish faith who has completed an official player registration form. This form has to be received by the Registration Secretary at least three days prior to the member playing. The team is responsible for ascertaining the eligibility of a player to register at the time that the signing takes place. The management committee reserves the right to refuse or cancel the registration of any player who cannot prove he is of the Jewish faith to their satisfaction. Any player whose registration is disputed must appear before the management committee and answer any questions that are raised and provide proof to the satisfaction of the management committee that the player is a member of the Jewish faith. Any player failing or refusing to attend such meeting will have to his registration refused or cancelled until he does so. All players must also complete the official team registration form as directed by the registration secretary.
8(c) A player may not register or be transferred in the league after 16th March in each season without permission of the management committee or sub-committee, such permission to be given only by a quorum of members of the committee at an actual meeting. If a team completes its game on or before the 16th March, then the players of this team cannot be transferred to another club in the current season.
8(d) All players in junior division teams shall be under the stipulated age limit as at 1st August in the season. The age limit for all junior divisions shall be set by the management committee at its earliest convenient meeting after 30th June in each year.
8(e) In the event of a player signing a registration form for more than one team, priority of registrations will decide as to which team he belongs, and the registration secretary shall notify the team last registering such a player of the previous registration, Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player may forfeit the points in a league match, or in the event of a cup-tie may forfeit the match to its opponents, and may be fined up to £20.00 for each ineligible player, In addition, if the ineligible player is registered with another club, the management committee shall have the power to charge that player under Rule 17(b). The management committee shall also have the power to order a league or cup match to be replayed.
8(f) The management committee or Council shall have the power to cancel or refuse any players registration.
8(g) A player desiring a transfer from one club to another must obtain written permission for his transfer from the club to which he is attached; such permission is not to be unreasonably withheld. A new registration form shall be completed, and a re-registration Fee of £2.00 shall be paid by the player; in addition, the club to which the player has been transferred shall pay a nominal transfer fee of £2.00 to the registration secretary. A transfer shall not be deemed complete until the registration secretary has been notified of the same by both clubs, the two fees have been paid and it (the transfer) has been approved by the registration secretary. In the event of any dispute with reference to the transfer of a player, the matter shall be referred to the council or management committee. A transferred player shall be eligible to play for his new club three days after the completion of his transfer and an acknowledgement has been received from the registration secretary.
8(h) A register containing the names of all players registered with teams, together with the dates of registration, shall be kept by the registration secretary and be open to inspection by any representative.
8(i) Where a club fields more than one team in differing divisions, the team or teams from the lower division(s) may consist of no more than one player who played any part in the previous match of a team in a higher division. Any player who did not play any part in the previous match of a team in a higher division shall be deemed to be a floating player and shall be eligible for any team on his return. This applies to league and cup matches. The management committee may exercise their discretion and vary this rule in extreme circumstances.
8(j) Where one club has more than one team in any one division only one player shall be allowed to move between teams from one game to the next. Any player who did not play in the last match shall be deemed to be a floating player and be eligible for any team on his return. This applies to league and cup matches. The management committee may exercise their discretion and vary the rule in extreme circumstances.
CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME
9(a) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the general secretary by 30th June who shall decide as to their suitability. Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the referee. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts. All players must turn out in their team’s registered colours (shirts and shorts). Any infringement of the above shall make the team liable to a £5 fine.
9(b) Any 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. If, in the opinion of the referee, two clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick off by not having a change will be fined £5.
9(c) The secretary of the competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to the lack of distinguishing colours, and the management committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.
9(d) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the general secretary by 30th June who shall decide as to their suitability. Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the referee. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts. Any 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. If, in the opinion of the referee, two clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £5. 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.
9(e) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.
PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES
10(a) All matches shall be played according to the laws of the game, and shall be played on grounds deemed suitable by the council or management committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the management committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed. The home team shall be liable for the cost of the venue in all league competitions. In all cup competitions the cost of the pitch shall be shared by both competing teams.
10(b) The duration of all league and cup games shall be 90 minutes (Junior Under 16 games 80 minutes) only in exceptional circumstance can a shorter time be played and this at the referees discretion. The minimum duration of any league or cup game shall be 60 minutes (30 minutes each way).
10(c) The recognised times of kick-offs, unless otherwise decided by the Management Committee or previously agreed between the two teams and match official, excluding Rule 10(p), shall be as follows: - Morning games: League 10.30am. Cup 10.30am. Double header fixtures shall kick off at 10.00am If a game starts between 1 and 15 minutes after the above times, the defaulting team(s) shall be fined £5.00. If a game starts between 16 and 30 minutes after the above time, the defaulting team(s) shall be fined £10.00. No game shall be started 15 minutes after the above times unless both teams and the Referee agree. If the game starts more than 30 minutes late, then the defaulting team(s) shall be fined £15.00. In the event of a game not being played, a defaulting team may be fined £20.00 and may forfeit the match and the points or cup-tie may be awarded to the opposition. The half-time interval shall not exceed 15 minutes. This may only be altered with the consent of the match referee. Teams who are late on consecutive occasions shall have a fine levied against them that is double the previous equivalent fine.
10(d) The fixture-list shall be drawn up by the fixtures secretary and shall be confirmed at a meeting of the council to be held in August annually. No fixture shall be played in Jewish Holy Days as directed by the council or management committee.
10(e) All matches shall be played on the dates originally fixed. Should a team require a postponement or a ‘closed’ week, then this request must be made in writing or by e-mail to the fixtures secretary at least 28 days before the date of the match in question(except in unforeseen circumstances) - this request will then either be ‘accepted’ or ‘rejected by the fixtures secretary’. Any team postponing or withdrawing from a fixture without permission shall reimburse its opponents with any reasonable expenses incurred and shall be dealt with by the council or management committee who may fine the defaulting team up to £30.00 and may award the points or cup tie to its opponents. The Fixtures Secretary shall have power to bring forward or put back the date of any fixture should circumstances necessitate it and may reschedule any fixture provided not less than six days notice is given to the teams of the new date on which the fixture is to be played. If a team requesting a postponement is scheduled to the ‘away’ team on the date of question, they shall reimburse their opponents for the cost of the pitch, unless the fixtures secretary is able to reschedule another home fixture for the home team. Any claim for reimbursement must be made within 30 days of the fixture.
10(f) In the event of a team failing to appear or complete the match, it may be fined up to £30.00, may forfeit the points or cup tie to its opponents and reimburse its opponents with any reasonable expenses incurred as a result.
10(g) Any team postponing or withdrawing from any one of its last three league fixtures without permission, or failing to appear in any of its last three league games may be fined up to £60.00, may forfeit the points to its opponents and reimburse its opponents with any reasonable expenses incurred as a result. Any claim from reimbursement must be made within 30 days of the fixture.
10(h) In the event of a match not being played owing to bad weather conditions, the fixtures secretary shall fix the new date for the match. No match shall be postponed owing to bad weather conditions until the home team has ensured that play is not, in fact, permitted at the pitch in question. No team shall go against the decision of the local authority or groundsman if play at the pitch is not permitted.
10(i) The home team shall confirm the game with the visiting team, and shall state the venue, directions how to reach the ground, and any meeting arrangements, etc, Such confirmation must reach the visiting team not later than the Tuesday prior to the match, in default of which a fine of £10.00 shall be imposed on the home team. The away team secretary must inform the fixtures secretary of non-receipt of notification on the Thursday prior to the game.
10(j) A minimum of eight players shall form a team, but in the event of a team playing short in any match, fines of up to £1.00 for each player short shall be imposed at the discretion of the management committee. Each team shall play at its full strength in all matches.
10(k) Both teams shall provide a fully serviceable ball at all matches, such ball to be taken to the field of play and shown to the referee. Teams defaulting shall be fined £5.00 on each occasion. Provided that both balls are fully serviceable, the referee shall select the home team’s ball for play in the match.
10(l) Both teams shall have an adequate First Aid Kit with them at all matches, and such kit shall be shown to the referee prior to the commencement of the match, brought to the pitch and be available for immediate use. Team defaulting shall be fined £3.00 on each occasion.
10(m) The home team shall provide four corner posts of standard height or over, with flag attached at the top, at each match played at the team’s normal home venue, in default of which a fine of £3.00 shall be imposed on each occasion.
10(n) Any club, may, at its discretion use three substitute players at any time in a match, except to replace a player who has been dismissed from the field of play by the referee for misconduct after the play has commenced. The substitutions can only be made when the play is stopped for any reason and the referee given permission. Up to five substitute players may be nominated to the referee prior to the commencement of the game, and the referee shall only allow substitution to be made from those nominated,
10(o) The home team shall provide goal nets for all league and cup matches played at the team’s normal venue, in default of which a fine of £3.00 shall be imposed on each occasion.
10(p) In the event of inclement weather, the management committee shall empower the fixtures secretary to arrange two matches (double header) between two teams on the same day, A double header shall be two games of one hour duration (30 minutes each way) with a maximum break in between matches of 30 minutes. If for any reason the second game is not completed this will not invalidate the result of the first game. Teams who fail to abide by a double-header fixture may lose the match(es) by default and the point(s) may be awarded to the opposition. Two separate results sheets must be submitted.
10(q) Any club entering a county cup competition shall inform the fixture secretary, in writing, at least 10 days prior to the date of their county cup match (7 days if a replay). In failing to do so the club shall be fined £10.00 and may also be charged under rule 10(e).
REPORTING RESULTS
11(a) Both team representatives or their nominee must exchange team sheets and provide the Referee with a fully completed team sheet prior to kick off. At the end of the match each team is responsible for sending their respective team sheet by First Class Post to the Registration Secretary, to be received not later than the Wednesday following the match. In default of this a £5 fine will be imposed. The League will accept a team sheet bearing the same information as the team sheet presented to the opposition team representative or their nominee using the provided email template which must be received by the Tuesday following the game. In the event of a mid week match the result card must be sent to the Registration Secretary either by First Class post within three days or by email within two days. A result sheet will be regarded as complete only if all the names of the players (including substitutes) and the team representative (who may be a player or substitute) have been entered in block capitals alongside their registration number, entered a mark for the referee and included the name of goal scorers. It is the responsibility of each respective team representative to ensure that all information required on the result sheet is completed and is sent to the Registration Secretary within the prescribed time. In the event that a result sheet is received which is either incomplete, or not received in the three days, except in matters referred to in (11c) the council or management committee shall investigate any deficiency and the team found in default , will be fined £5.00 In default of receipt of a result sheet from any one side competing in a game, the registration secretary or nominee, shall require each team to deliver within 3 days a list of players who played in the match, including substitutes, either via email or post – additionally the referee and opposing team must receive the same information. In default of this, a team will be required to appear before the management committee.
11(b) Each team MUST enter the individual player registration number alongside the players name where indicated on the form. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £1.00 per player.
11(c) Any team found to have falsified a player’s registration details will be fined a minimum of £20.00 for each falsification.
11(d) Results of all league and cup matches (including scheduled fixture that are postponed or abandoned) must be telephoned by the home team to their respective divisional Rep by no later than 1.30pm on the Sunday afternoon of the game, unless otherwise directed by a member of the management committee. Failure to do so will result in a £6.00 fine. In a double header fixture for both teams must telephone the result in to their respective divisional rep no later than 2.00pm in the Sunday afternoon of the game, unless otherwise directed by a member of the management committee. Failure to do so will result in a £6.00 fine.
DETERMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
12(a) The league competitions shall be decided by points, the team gaining the highest number of points shall be adjudged champions. 3 points shall be awarded for a win and one point for a draw. In the event of two or more teams having an equal number of points at the close of the competition, goal difference and then most goals scored for shall decide placings. In the event of teams not having completed their fixtures, the award of points (if any) for the outstanding games shall be decided by the management committee. Matches where points are awarded or lost due to default shall be considered as played.
12(b) In the event of there being more than one division the following rules shall apply for promotion and relegation: Two teams shall be relegated to the lower division and two teams promoted from the lower division. The council or management committee shall have power to increase the number of teams promoted or decrease the number relegated if circumstance necessitate, subject to rule 12(c).
12(c) No team finishing the previous season lower than the top two places in its respective division shall be compelled to be promoted to a higher division unless any possible request by the Council or management committee is subsequently accepted by the said team. Such a request shall be made in writing to the team’s representative who shall reply in writing to the general secretary within ten days. In the absence of a reply after this duration, the management committee shall have the power to decide as necessary.
12(d) In the event of a team withdrawing from the league without having completed 75% of its fixtures for the season, all points by or against such a defaulting team shall be deleted from the league table; in the case of a team having completed 75% of its fixtures, the points for outstanding games shall be awarded to it opponents.
12(e) Any club or team under suspension by the County F.A or excluded under rule 17(b) by the league will automatically forfeit any league match with the points awarded to its opponents or cup match due to have been played according to the published fixture list.
REFEREES
13(a) Whenever possible, registered referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the management committee. In the event if the non-appearance of the appointed referee, the teams may mutually agree upon a referee and, provided the game be played to a finish, the game shall rank as a competition fixture; in such case the home team shall forward the name and address of the substitute referee to the referees secretary within 48 hours of the completion of the game. Failure to do so will result in a £3.00 fine.
13(b) In all matches, except as provided by Rule 13(d), each team shall provide one sssistant referee or be liable to be dealt with by the council or management committee. Referees shall be responsible for providing two assistant referee’s flags at all matches, these flags to be brought to the field of play.
13(c) The referee shall have the power to decide as to the fitness of the ground, in cases of dispute his decision shall be final.
13(d) Neutral assistant referees shall (where possible) be appointed to any match upon application by the two competing teams or the management committee may appoint same should they deem such a course desirable.
13(e) The referee’s inclusive fee for League matches shall be £25.00 and the AWAY team shall pay the referee his fee on the day of the match, prior to the commencement of the match. The referee will not start the game until he has been paid. Assistant Referees appointed by the league in accordance with Rule 13(d) shall be entitled to a fee of £16.00 each to be shared by both teams to be paid prior to the commencement of the match. Assistant Referees appointed by the league will not take up their positions until being paid before the match. In all cup competitions referee’s and assistant referee’s fees shall be shared by both competing teams and be payable prior to the commencement of the match.
13(f) The referee’s fee for a double header fixture shall be £30.00 to be shared equally by both teams and paid prior to the commencement of the first match.
13(g) The home team shall confirm the game with the referee, and shall state the venue, directions how to reach the ground and any meeting arrangements, etc. Such confirmation must reach the referee no later than Tuesday prior to the match, in default of which a fine of £10.00 shall be imposed on the home team. Referees are advised to inform the referees’ secretary of non-receipt of notification on the Wednesday prior to the game. Should a club be in breach of rule 13(g) and as a result subsequently lose the appointed referee, the game cannot be postponed under rule 13(a), and the teams must mutually agree on a referee.
13(h) In the event of a match not being played, the referee shall be entitled to actual out of pocket expenses not exceeding £10.00 to be borne by the defaulting team, or to be shared by the two teams if neither is at fault.
13(i) A referee not keeping his engagement and failing to give a satisfactory reason for same shall have his name removed from the list of referees and the facts reported to the association with which he is registered. The home team must inform the referees’ secretary without delay of the non-appearance of an appointed referee.
13(j) Referees must forward a report sheet to the appointed Secretary within 48 hours after the completion of a match. Such report sheets to available for inspection by all members of the management committee.
13(k) In the event that any club awards a Referee a total of less than four marks, an explanation must be sent in writing to the Referees’ Secretary within seven days after the completion of the match. Failure to do so will result in a £3.00 fine.
CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
14(a) A club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its team from the competition after the council meeting to confirm the fixtures for the following season. Any team infringing this rule shall be liable for its share of any call, which may be made under rule 5(e).
14(b) In the event of a member club, which is an un-incorporated 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 undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) 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.
PROTESTS AND APPEALS
15(a) The fines secretary shall issue an ‘Imposition of Fine’ notice after having received a complaint from any of the following sources:
1. Referee report and results Sheet
2. Complaints reported by members of the management committee
3. Complaints lodged by clubs in membership
In the case of fines where a ceiling is to be fixed by the management committee the initial ‘Imposition of fine’ notice shall be sent out at a maximum amount in order to charge the club.
15(b) A club shall have the right to appeal to the management committee against fines imposed, by lodging an appeal in writing on the prescribed form so as to reach the fines secretary no later than seven days after receipt of the ‘Imposition of Fines’ notice. A club wishing to appeal against a fine in writing, shall submit a cheque for £3.00 made payable to ‘M (S) FL’ as a lodging fee, for a personal hearing the fee will be £5.00. The cheque will only be presented for payment if the club loses the appeal. Any appeal made without an accompanying cheque will be dismissed.
15(c) All appeals lodged can only be withdrawn with the permission of the management committee.
15(d) Appeals against fines imposed shall be adjudicated by the management committee, or a Sub- Committee thereof, at either a personal hearing, if requested, or without a personal hearing. In cases of appeals under 2 & 3 of 15(a) and 17(b), individuals and/or club(s) shall be entitled to request a hearing in person before the full management committee. This request to be lodged when requesting the appeal hearing. The decision of the management committee or sub-committee, shall be binding subject to Rule 16(a).
15(e) All other complaints shall be referred to the council or management committee whose decision shall be binding subject to Rule 16(a).
15(f) In the event of a team failing to be represented at a management committee meeting to which they have been summoned a fine of £10.00 will be imposed.
15(g) Notice shall be given of all fines outstanding at all council and management committee meetings.
15(h) All fines shall be paid within 14 days of date on fine notice. Any team with fines outstanding after 14 days from date of fine notice, shall incur a further automatic fine of £5.00
15(i) Any team with a fine outstanding after 21 days, from the date on the fine notice, will automatically incur a further fine of £10 and be suspended, losing all privileges, until after the fine has been paid, and the team will be reported to the association to which it is affiliated.
BOARD OF APPEAL
16(a) Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the management 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 London Football Association, including a fee of £25, for adjudication of a board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA rules. The 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 general secretary of the league shall be informed of the appeal by the club lodging the appeal.
16(b) Where a team has sent representative to hearing of an appeal and the appeal is upheld, reasonable travelling expenses shall be allowed by the Maccabi (S.) F. L. on application.
EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS, MISCONDUCT OF CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS
17(a) All cases of players having been cautioned, sent from the field of play, or matches abandoned etc, shall be reported by the referee to the association to which the league is affiliated within, 48 hours of the occurrence taking place.
17(b) The council or management committee shall at any time have the power to charge a club, team, official or player whose conduct has, in their opinion been objectionable. This action can only be taken after matters have been dealt with by the London Football Association, should this be appropriate. The party shall be required to appear before the management committee (or a subcommittee thereof) to answer the charge. The club, team, official or player can be dealt with in any one or more of the following ways:
1. A form of censure and/or warning.
2. Excluded from further participation in the competition. In which case its entire record shall be dealt with in accordance with rule 12(d).
3. Excluded from further participation in the competition for a period of time and its results dealt with at rule 12(e).
4. Relegated to a lower division of the league in the following season.
5. Suspend player’s registration for a period of time.
6. Fined a sum of money not exceeding £100.
Any party failing to appear may be dealt with in absence. No member of the management committee associated with a team in the division which the team or person plays or is associated with, shall be allowed to participate in the hearing.
17(c) Abandoned matches shall be referred to the management committee (or sub-committee thereof) after having been dealt with by the County F.A. and they shall have the power to deal with the result of the match in any one or more of the following: -
1. Order a replay or rematch
2. Award the match to one party or the other or withdraw the points altogether.
3. Confirm the result at the time of abandonment.
4. Exclude both parties from a cup competition
5. Charge a party under rule 17(b).
17(d) At the annual general meeting, or special general meeting 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 upon a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
TROPHY: LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS
18(a) The chairman and the treasurer shall be considered for the time being the trustees of all trophies, property and funds, and shall deal with the same according to the instructions of the council and management committee.
18(b) At the conclusion of the Cyril Anekstein Cup Final and the Junior Division Final, the cup and 17 trophies shall be awarded to the winners and 17 trophies shall awarded to the losing finalists. Plaques shall be awarded to the match officials. A player sent off the field of play for misconduct in a Cup Final shall not be presented with a medal for playing in that final; neither shall any player who wilfully refuses to attend the Presentation Ceremony to receive a medal be presented with such a medal, not, being the Captain, shall he be presented with the cup or other memento, but shall be received by his deputy. In all such cases the management committee shall decide subsequently whether to make any award.
18(c) At the annual general meeting subsequent to the close of the season or at another agreed time and place, the league trophies together with 17 winners trophies and 17 trophies for the runners up shall be awarded in respect of each division of the league. The management committee are also empowered to make other awards if appropriate.
18(d) The following agreement shall be signed by the winners of cups and trophies: ‘We ............................... having been declared winners of ..............................., and the same having been handed to us do hereby agree to return the same to the general secretary on or before the .................................. in accordance with the rules of the competition, and should the said trophy be lost or damaged whilst in our care we hereby agree to refund to the competition the amount of its replacement value or thorough repair’.
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS – EMERGENCY ACTIONS
19(a) The chairman (or in his absence, the vice-chairman) shall at his discretion and at any time order a special management committee meeting to be convened should the circumstances warrant such a meeting. Seven days’ notice shall be given for all such special meetings.
19(b) The chairman (or in his absence, the vice-chairman) shall at his discretion and at any time have the power to take action or make decisions on any matter needing immediate attention, there being insufficient time to permit the convention of a special or ordinary management committee for the same. Any action taken or decision made shall be reported to the management committee as soon as is possible thereafter.
19(c) An extraordinary general meeting can be convened at the written request of not less than 50% of the clubs in the league or at the request of the management committee. Notice for such meetings must be given seven days prior to the meeting together with the agenda for the meeting.
ALTERATION TO RULES
20 Alteration shall be made to these rules only at the annual general meeting or at a special general meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19c. 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 annual general meeting shall be submitted to the general secretary at least 21 days prior to the meeting in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the management committee, shall be circulated to the clubs together with the final meeting notice. The proposal to change a rule shall be carried by a single majority of those present and entitled to vote are in favour. A copy of the proposed alterations to rules to be considered at the annual general meeting or special general meeting 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 association issuing sanction shall have been obtained.
RULES BINDING ON CLUBS
21 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.
FINANCE
22(a) The management committee shall determine with which bank of other financial institution the funds of the competition will be lodged.
22(b) All expenditure in excess of £500 shall be approved by the management committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two officers nominated by the management committee.
22(c) The financial year of the competition will end on 30th April.
22(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 annual general meeting.
SPECIAL RULES FOR CUP COMPETITIONS AND REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES
23(a) Teams in the senior division shall be entitled to compete annually for the ‘Cyril Anekstein Cup’, and teams in the junior division shall similarly be entitled to compete for a divisional cup. Any club with more than one team shall be allowed to enter all teams in the ‘Cyril Anekstein Cup’. Any player playing in one cup-tie for any club shall be deemed to be cup-tied to that club. However, in the case of clubs with more than one team, players shall be allowed to move up to a higher team, but shall not be allowed to move down to a lower team in later rounds. Substitutes shall not be deemed to be cup-tied unless they actually participated in a match.
23(b) The competitions shall be played on the knock-out principle. The draw for the various rounds shall be made at council or management committee meetings or at any agreed time and place designated by the council or management committee.
23(c) Neutral assistant referees shall be appointed by the league for semi-final and final rounds.
23(d) In all rounds an extra 15 minutes each way shall be played if the scores are level after 90 minutes play. If the scores are still level after extra time, then the taking of penalties will take place to decide the result. Such penalties shall proceed in accordance with FIFA rules.
23(e) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in a cup competition unless he has been registered for the said team at least 14 days before the date of the cup tie in question. A player who signs for a club on or after 1 February will not be eligible to play in any further cup ties for the current season.
23(f) In the event if any player being selected to play in any Maccabi-sponsored representative match or trial, the player’s team shall automatically release him from all league or cup commitments on the day of the match,
23(g) If two or more players from any one team are selected to play or are required to participate in any sponsored representative match or trial, the team concerned may apply for a postponement of its league or cup games scheduled for that date by writing to the fixtures secretary not less than seven days before the day of the game in question. All players so selected are deemed to have had their registration cancelled on the day of the match, unless permission for the players release be granted by the management committee.
23(h) All rules in the constitution apply equally to league and cup matches and to any other domestic competition that the league may introduce.
23(i) The league shall have the power to combine with any other organisation or organisations in order to promote a jointly run competition governed by an independent constitution and sanctioned by a recognised Football Association.