Constitution

SCOTTISH AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

STANDARD CONSTITUTION

Note that any approved local rule is printed in red italics within the Constitution

1 Name and Objects

(a) The League/Association shall be known as the Midlands Amateur Football Association, and shall be affiliated to the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(b) To promote, foster and develop, throughout its membership without discrimination against any organisation or person for reason of race, religion or politics, the game of Association Football, and to take all such steps as may be deemed necessary or advisable for preventing infringements of the rules of the game or other improper methods or practices in the game and for protecting it from abuses.

2 Membership

(a) Amateur Clubs shall alone be members of the League/Association.

No Club is eligible for membership unless they have the use of a suitable ground and can provide changing facilities for themselves, opponents and match officials.

(b) No Club which is run for the pecuniary gain of a person or persons, whether or not such person or persons are members of the said Club, shall be considered Amateur.

(c) Clubs making application for membership shall be interviewed by the Executive Committee, and upon recommendation of the Executive Committee shall be admitted to membership at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose, and the decision of the meeting shall be final and binding. All new clubs admitted will enter at the lowest division.

(d) All Clubs must be in playing membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(e) The composition of the league shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for that purpose.

(f) All matches shall be played on grass or third/fourth generation synthetic turf with a rubber infill as approved by the Association/League.

(g) All Clubs in membership must submit a complete list of all Committee Members giving full name and address. Failure to submit the form by the due date, shall result in the defaulting Club being fined a sum not greater than £50.00. Any subsequent alterations to the club committee list during the current season must be notified to the Association/League with such alterations also submitted to the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Failure to pay fines imposed under this Rule by the due date, may result in Clubs being Debt Suspended.

(h) All Clubs in membership shall submit the official Handbook Form no later than the Annual General Meeting. Failure to submit the form by the due date, shall result in the defaulting Club being fined sum not greater than £50.00. Failure to pay fines imposed under this Rule by the due date, may result in Clubs being debt Suspended.

(i) At least one member of the Club shall have a current Sports Injuries Certificate or First Aid Certificate, this being compulsory on all Clubs in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association. Should clubs fail to comply with the requirements of this rule, they will be reported to the relevant committee of the Scottish Amateur Football Association, which may result in disciplinary action being taken against those clubs, with the exception of new Clubs who shall have their first Season to secure a current Sports Injuries Certificate or First Aid Certificate.

(j) All clubs must keep proper records of all their financial transactions, and such records, along with relevant vouchers, must be handed to the Executive Committee for inspection within seven days of request, if at any time required. Failure to comply, or discrepancies in such records, shall be dealt with as considered appropriate and may lead to membership being withdrawn at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

3 Continuation of Membership

Clubs in membership must submit to the Secretary not later than a date to be agreed by the Executive Committee in the current Season, the Continuation of Membership Form. Failure to return the form by the due date will result in the Club being fined a sum not greater than £50.00.

Clubs in default will be give a further seven days to return the Continuation of Membership form, and thereafter any Club failing to comply, shall be deemed to have resigned, and shall be excluded from membership at the Annual General Meeting.

Clubs submitting the Continuation of Membership form on or before the agreed date, and subsequently withdrawing from the League / Association before commencement of the ensuing Season will be liable for Annual Subscription for that Season. Clubs failing to comply, shall be liable to Debt Suspension.

4 Transfer of Membership

(a) Clubs in membership who wish to transfer to any other League or Association must notify the League / Association not later than 31st March in the current Season of their intention to resign their membership.

(b) Notify the Scottish Amateur Football Association no later than 31st March in the current Season that they have informed their League / Association of their decision to resign membership, and that they have been accepted into membership of another League or Association affiliated to the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(c) Receive in writing the approval of the Scottish Amateur Football Association to transfer membership to another League or Association affiliated to the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(d) No Association/ League official, member or club shall solicit, entice, encourage or otherwise seek to induce or procure a club to withdraw from participation in an existing League or Association in order to participate in another Association or League. Such conduct shall be regarded as not being in accord with the objects of the Association/League and not in the best spirit of the game and may result in expulsion from the Association/League.

(e) Should the Association/League wish to accept into membership any club currently in membership of another Association/League affiliated to the Scottish Amateur Football Association they must on or before 28th February in the current season hold a Special General Meeting to admit such clubs into membership.

5 Annual Subscription and Deposit Fee, Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance

(a) The Annual Subscription of each Club shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting. A subscription amounting to not less than the current fee will be paid at the Annual General Meeting for the following season. Should the subscription be increased at the Annual General Meeting then any additional sum to be paid no later than the first General Meeting of that season. Clubs admitted later may be given 14 days to meet obligations. Any club failing to comply with this rule will be excluded from the ensuing season’s competitions. Fine to be as decided by Executive Committee.

(b) Each Club on gaining membership of the Association/League may in addition to the payment of the Annual Subscription, be required to deposit the sum of £50.00, which deposit shall be liable to forfeiture, if such Club has failed to meet its obligations to the Association/League, or has failed to satisfy the Executive Committee of its endeavours to do so.

Forfeiture of such deposit shall result in the club being liable to renew such deposit on acceptance of membership for the forthcoming season.

(c) Subscription and any deposit required shall be paid on a date not later than that as decided by the Association/League. Any Clubs failing to pay by the due date will be liable to a fine not greater than £50.00, and may be excluded from the ensuing Seasons competitions.

(d) Each Club shall be liable for Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance as determined by the Scottish Amateur Football Association. Personal Accident Insurance Premiums shall be paid directly to the relevant Insurance Broker by the due date on receipt of invoice. Clubs with more than one team are responsible for ensuring that the Personal Accident Insurance premium for each team is paid to the relevant Insurance Broker.

Public Liability Insurance premiums will be paid to the Association or League to the Scottish Amateur Football Association on a date to be determined by that body.

6 Meetings

(a) The Annual General Meeting of the League / Association shall be held not later than 24th June in each year.

(b) General Meetings shall be held on a regular basis at intervals decided by the Association/League, the Secretary or Executive Committee shall have the power to convene meetings when necessary. The quorum for General Meetings shall be determined by the Association/League.

The General Meetings will be held bi-monthly starting in September each year but excluding July and August. A majority of clubs in membership shall constitute a quorum. Clubs failing to pay monies due at a General Meeting shall, if not paid by the Monday following, be Debt Suspended.

The Executive Committee Meetings will be held monthly starting in September each year but excluding July and August. A majority of Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum.

Clubs failing to attend the General Meetings shall be liable to a fine of £20.00 for a first offence and £50.00 thereafter for each further offence.

(c) On a requisition signed by the requisite number of clubs as determined by the Association/
League, and stating the business to be considered and accompanied by a deposit of £100 sterling inc VAT which shall be non-refundable, the Secretary shall within 28 days convene a Special General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall at any time, and for any special purpose have the power to call a Special General Meeting. Notice of such meeting and the business to be transacted thereat, shall be sent to each member of the League/Association and to all Office Bearers and no other business except of a formal nature shall be dealt with at such a meeting.

(d) At all Meetings of the League/Association, the President or in his absence the Chairman appointed by those members in attendance shall preside. The Chairperson shall have both a deliberate and casting vote at all meetings, and that ruling shall be final.

(e) At all meetings of the Leagues/Associations, a full and complete minute must be created and kept for future reference.

7 Annual General Meeting

The order of business at the Annual General Meeting shall be:

1 Minutes of Previous AGM

2 Matters Arising

3 Secretary's Report

4 Treasurer's Report

5 Match Secretary’s Report

6 Annual Subscription

7 Referee's Fee

8 Alteration to Constitution

9 Election of Office Bearers

10 Election of Patrons / Life Members

11 Admission of Clubs

12 Formation of League

13 Election of Executive Committee

14 Election of Delegates to Scottish Amateur Football Association

15 Appointment of Auditor(s)

16 Any other competent business

17 Submission of list of referee’s for approval.

8 Office Bearers

The number of Office Bearers of the League/Association shall be determined by the Association/League and shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All Office Bearers may be either neutral or connected with a Club in membership of the League/Association.

The office bearers of the MAFA shall be President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Match Secretary, Honorary Disciplinary Secretary and Honorary Registration Secretary all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The President must be connected with a club in membership but the others may be neutral.

Should a vacancy occur the General Committee shall have powers to fill such a vacancy. All retiring office bearers shall be eligible for re-election.

A President Elect to be elected with the approval of the General Committee no earlier than one year prior to the President intimating that he would not be standing for re-election at the following Annual General Meeting. The President Elect would be assumed to be an Office Bearer of MAFA

9 Delegates to S.A.F.A.

Two Delegates to the Scottish Amateur Football Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting convened for that purpose.

Any Office Bearer, Life Member or Club Member shall be eligible for election.

10 Management

Management of the League/Association shall be vested in the General Committee consisting of the Office Bearers, Life Members and one representative of each Club in the League/Association, except where a Club is represented by an Office Bearer. Each Club shall be entitled to send two representatives to each meeting but shall have only one vote.

The management of the Association shall be vested in a General Committee consisting of the office bearers and 1 representative from each club in membership.

The General Committee shall have power as occasion shall arise to appoint from its members such subcommittees as it may deem expedient and to delegate to them such of its powers and duties as it may from time to time determine.

11 Executive Committee

(a)The Office Bearers together with a number of representatives as agreed and appointed by the General Committee, will form the Executive Committee of the League/Association. The quorum shall be determined by the Association/League.

(b) The Executive Committee shall have power to deal with business affecting or pertaining to the League / Association and matters relating to disciplinary offences, except in so far as specially provided for by any of these rules. All such findings and decisions of the Executive Committee shall be final, except as provided for under Rule 21. The Executive Committee shall have the power to deal with any Club, Club Official or player for any misconduct reported to it as it sees fit.

Clubs failing to appear to answer a citation for an Executive Committee Meeting shall be liable to a fine of £ 25.00.

(c) The Executive Committee in dealing with matters relating to disciplinary matters, shall consist of no more than eight members, which when possible shall include the Office Bearers. The quorum shall be five.

(d) The Executive Committee shall have power, as occasion shall require to appoint from its own members and or co-opt from the General Committee such Sub-Committees as it may deem expedient, and to depute or refer to them such of its powers and duties as may from time to time determine.

12 Retiral from Meetings

A member of Committee must retire from the meeting during consideration and while decision is being made on any case involving their Club, or Officials, or players connected with their Club, or in a case in which they have presented evidence to the Committee or there is a conflict of interest arising from the matter under consideration.

13 Finance

(a) The Treasurer shall effect all money transactions and shall submit at each monthly/bimonthly meeting a financial statement of the League/Association accounts, and at the Annual General Meeting a Statement of Account duly audited by the Auditor(s) appointed at the Annual General Meeting. Financial Records of all money transactions must be kept, and must be open to inspection by the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(b) All fines imposed by the General or Executive Committee must be paid by the due date as notified to the Clubs concerned. Failure to do so may result in the defaulting Club being Debt Suspended. Any fines paid by cheque, and cheque not being honoured, Clubs will be liable for any charges incurred by the League/ Association, and may result in the defaulting Club being liable to such penalty as deemed appropriate.

(c) All accounts must be passed by the General Meeting and all cheques drawn on the bank of the Association/League shall bear a minimum of two signatures with those signatories being determined by the Association/League.

At all General Meetings the bank statements of the Association/League shall be on the table for inspection.

14 Recognition of Service to League / Association

The League/Association may grant Life Membership or Honorary Life Membership of the League/Association to any retiring Office Bearer or any person considered to have rendered valuable service to the League/Association.

15 Alteration to Constitution and Rules

No alteration shall be made in the Constitution and Rules of the League/Association except at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for that purpose. Twenty-one days notice must be given to the Secretary in writing of any proposed alteration in Constitution, a copy of which shall be sent to Clubs seven days before Annual or Special General Meeting for the consideration thereof. No alteration shall be made in the Constitution unless two thirds of the members present and qualified to vote, have voted in favour of the motion. Such alterations must subsequently be confirmed at a Special General Meeting duly convened for the purpose.

Any proposed alteration to the Constitution shall, before coming into force, be submitted to and approved by the Council of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

16 International Clearance

An amateur or non-amateur player who had become eligible to play for a club affiliated to a National Association may not be registered with a club affiliated to another National Association unless the latter has received an International Transfer Certificate issued by the National Association that the player wishes to leave.

17 Unauthorised Football

Any player participating in unauthorised football shall not be eligible to participate in football played under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Any player participating in unauthorised football who plays for a club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association shall leave that club open to protest and disciplinary action.

Unauthorised football shall be considered to be football played under the jurisdiction of an Association or League not affiliated to a recognised National Association.

ASSOCIATION/LEAGUE RULES

Executive Committee as referred to in this Constitution is deemed to refer to local level and is not an intended reference to National or District level.

1 Laws of the Game

All competitions under the League/Association control shall be according to the Laws of the Game as adopted by the Scottish Football Association Limited except under Rule 7.

2 Playing Season

The playing Season of the League/Association shall commence on a date to be agreed by the Association/League and end on a date not later than the Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Amateur Football Association. No football shall be played by any Club in membership after the date of the Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Amateur Football Association in any Season unless permission has been granted by the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

3 Composition of League / Association

The composition of the Association/League shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting or any other meeting called for that purpose.

The composition of the League or Leagues shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. The number of clubs in the Premier League and the Alliance League Division 1 not to exceed 12, the League Division 1 not to exceed 14 and any subsequent League not to exceed 16.

Each club shall play home and away fixtures with each other club in the relative league. Three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Goal difference shall determine the position in the league tables where clubs have equal points except for the winning of league championships, promotion and relegation. In these situations teams shall play-off with the date and location decided by the Executive Committee.

A system of promotion and relegation may operate in the Senior and Alliance Leagues. In that event the bottom club or clubs, but not more than three in all, in the Premier and First Division shall be relegated and of the top clubs not more than three in all in the First or other leagues shall be promoted.

In some circumstances the number of clubs promoted and relegated between any 2 Divisions need not be the same, this to be determined by the Annual General Meeting.

Should a club withdraw from the MAFA during the season or at the Annual General Meeting an additional club can be promoted in order that the Premier, First Division and Alliance League Division 1 have a full complement of clubs for the ensuing season.

In the event of a club defaulting in the course of the season without having fulfilled all of its fixtures then the number of clubs relegated from the relevant division will be reduced by the corresponding number of defaulting clubs in that division and if appropriate any further club or clubs to be promoted so the ultimate vacancy occurs in the lowest division of the league structure.

The Alliance leagues shall comprise only of reserve teams of clubs in membership of the MAFA.

The Bremner Challenge Cup, the Buckman/Mackie Cup, the Marquee Trophy, Carne Trophy, Gray Trophy, Ferrari’s Shield and Tay Valley Shields shall be competed for by clubs in the Senior League or Leagues.

The Alliance Challenge Cup, Wallace Trophy and Lunan Trophy shall be competed for by clubs in the Alliance Leagues.

The Mel Ross Trophy to be played for as decided each season by the Executive Committee.

4 Fixtures

(a) Clubs shall receive from the Match Secretary, their League/Association fixtures which must be played on the dates stipulated unless otherwise sanctioned by the Match Secretary. Clubs not complying in this respect may be fined.

The Match Secretary may re-arrange fixtures up and until no later than 7.00pm, the day before a game.

Where clubs have not met in a League fixture and if the scheduled home teams ground is unplayable, clubs must reverse the fixture provided the opponents ground is fit for play. Any pitch inspection to be carried out no later than two hours before kick off.

(b) The reason for non-fulfilment of any fixture shall be investigated by the Executive Committee, and if the reasons are deemed to be unsatisfactory, the defaulting Club shall forfeit the points or cup-tie, and may be liable for Referee's Fee, Ground Fee and any other costs incurred by the aggrieved club. In addition a fine as determined by the Executive Committee may be imposed on the defaulting club.

In the case of Alliance teams failing to fulfill a fixture then the Secretary of the defaulting club will be cited to appear before the Executive Committee.

The Secretary of the home club will be responsible for giving reasons not later than 24 hours after the postponement to the Match Secretary.

Clubs failing to fulfill a Senior fixture will be liable to have their Alliance fixture played on the same day, subject to investigation

Clubs failing to fulfil a fixture (Alliance teams excluded) shall be liable to a fine of £25.00 for a first offence and £50.00 thereafter for each offence.

(c) Notice of all unfinished matches shall be investigated by the Executive Committee, who shall decide the status of such matches, and impose any penalty as deemed appropriate.

(d) Any Club wishing a Free date, must do so in writing to the Secretary or Match Secretary giving notice as determined by the Executive Committee, and stating the reason, and such application shall be decided by the General Committee or Match/Fixture Secretary. The number
of free dates granted in any one season shall be determined by the Leagues and Associations.

Any free date approved under this rule shall have no effect in respect of matches cast by the Scottish Amateur Football Association

If a Senior or Alliance team within a club wishes to be excused from playing a game on any particular date throughout the season, such team must make written application to the Match Secretary not less than fourteen days beforehand stating the reasons why.

The Executive Committee shall decide upon the application. Where a Senior team is granted a free date all Alliance teams within the club will automatically be given a free date. Exceptions will be made in the event of Alliance teams when their first team is engaged in a Scottish Cup tie and for Senior and Alliance teams at the April, October and any local holiday. Only seven days notice is required in either event and this may be by telephone.

5 Tournament and Friendly Matches

Clubs wishing to participate in a tournament or friendly match must apply for the appropriate

permission as follows: -

Friendly Match against Club in own League / Association

Permission of own League / Association

Friendly Match against Club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Permission of own League / Association and Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Friendly Match against Club not in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association

Permission of own League / Association, the Scottish Amateur Football Association and where appropriate the S.F.A. Ltd. which will be obtained by the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Tournaments within and outwith Scotland

Permission of own League / Association, the Scottish Amateur Football Association and where appropriate the S.F.A. Ltd. which will be obtained by the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Any match which takes place without the necessary permission will be deemed to be unauthorised football and will be referred to the relevant Committee which may result in disciplinary action being taken against the Club involved.

The reasons for any member club failing to adhere to the requirements of this rule will be investigated by the Executive Committee and if deemed unsatisfactory the defaulting club will be fined a sum not greater than £50.00

6 Cup-Ties

Cup-Ties of the Scottish Football Association Ltd, or the Scottish Amateur Football Association shall have precedence over League/Association domestic fixtures.

7 Duration of play

All matches shall be played in accordance to the Laws of the Game as adopted by the Scottish Football Association Ltd., but with this one exception, that prior to the start of the match, Club Officials may mutually agree to play two equal periods of 35 minutes duration, a statement to such effect being signed on the back of the team lines by the respective Club Officials, cup-ties excepted.

All cup ties to be played to a finish, 90 minutes followed by 30 minutes extra time and then penalty kicks if necessary.

The winner of the first semi-final in the draw becomes the home team in the final. Competing teams must use facilities provided or may have sanctions taken against them.

8 Ground Directions etc.

(a) The Match/Fixture Secretary will advise the official kick-off time in all matches to the clubs and matches must commence at the kick-off time.

If a kick off is delayed by more than 30 minutes the match will be deemed to have been unplayed and will become subject to the requirements of Rule 4 – Fixtures.

The clubs involved may mutually agree to vary the kick off time with the approval of the Match/Fixture Secretary. If the clubs are unable to agree on a variation from the official kick off time, the Match/Fixture Secretary after considering all circumstances, shall have the authority to vary the kick off time by giving a minimum of 24 hours notice to the clubs involved.

(b) The Secretary of the HOME Club must confirm with the Referee and the Visiting Club no later than 3 days prior to the listed fixture, as to time of kick-off, colours and directions. In the event of matches being played mid-week, the Secretary of the HOME Club to confirm with the Referee and the Visiting Club no later than 3 days prior to the listed fixture, the time of kick-off, colours and directions.

(c) All matches to be played on the registered ground of the Home Club except where Clubs have mutually agreed to an alternative ground, which has been approved by the relevant Office Bearer appointed by the Association/League.

(d) The Home Club is responsible for the condition of the ground, and Laws of the Game being complied with. On points of fact connected with the game and fitness of the ground for play, the decision of the Referee shall be final. When ground conditions are uncertain, or at the request of their opponents, the HOME club must call in an official referee to inspect the ground on the day of the match.

Where Clubs have an appointed groundsman in charge of the ground, such groundsman's decision shall be final.

(e) In the event of a ground being unplayable, the HOME Club must immediately notify the Visiting Club, Referee, and League Match Secretary of the postponement.

(f) Both Clubs shall be responsible for the provision of two serviceable footballs each at all matches.

(g) Goal Nets and Corner Flags must be used in all matches.

(h) Results of all matches should be notified to the Match Secretary by the Home Club no later than a time to, be determined by the Executive Committee and where appropriate the National and/or District Match Secretary in relation to National and District cup ties. Failure to do so, the Executive Committee shall have the right to impose a fine as agreed by the Executive Committee.

The secretary of the home team will be responsible for telephoning or texting the result of fixtures played or postponements having taken place to the Match Secretary and Webmaster not later than 6.30pm after a Saturday fixture, or 9.30pm during the evening on which a mid week fixture takes place.

Clubs failing to telephone or text result shall be liable to a fine of £ 10.00 for up to 3 offences and £20.00 thereafter for each offence.

9 Teamlines

(a) In all matches including friendly fixtures, Clubs must not later than the commencement of the match submit to the Referee the official Team lines, in duplicate, containing the names, addresses or I.D. Numbers or photographs of players with ID Numbers attached in the respective teams, this to exclude national and district cup competitions. The Referee shall after signature, exchange one copy with the respective Clubs, and forward the remaining copies together with the result of the game to the Secretary / Match Secretary, within 48 hours, together with any caution or ordering off reports. No form other than the official Team lines shall be acceptable. Where team lines are incorrectly completed. The Executive Committee shall have the right to impose a fine not exceeding £10.00.

(b) In all matches played under the auspices of the League/Association, up to a maximum of five substitutes may be listed, five of which may be used. Such substitutes must be listed on the official team lines in accordance with Rule 9(a). In cup ties, players listed as substitutes will only be considered cup-tied, if they actually play in the match.

10 Late Kick-offs

When a late kick-off is reported, Club or Clubs being responsible without good reason shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £10.00.

11 Colours

(a) In the event of a similarity of colours, the Home Club shall change, unless mutually agreed.

(b) Numbers must be worn on jerseys, and must correspond with the numbers on the team lines. Failure to comply shall result in the defaulting Club being liable to a fine not exceeding £10.00.

12 Status of Players

(a) All players must be registered on a Recreational Form to be eligible to play for Clubs in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association (excepting where trialists are permitted). Players not so registered will be ineligible and subject to protest in any match they participate in. Players MUST be registered to play in any Cup Competitions whether National, District or Domestic which are played under the auspices of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(b) A player registered with the Scottish Football Association Ltd. by means of a Recreational Form through any other Affiliated National Association may not play for any Club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association while so registered, with the exception of Scottish Football Association Member Clubs and Futsal Clubs, 5-a-side and 6-a-side, who are also in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association and Under 21 age limit Clubs who are in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

(c) Before playing for a Club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association, the player’s Recreational Form registered through any other Affiliated National Association with the Scottish Football Association Ltd. must be cancelled either by the registering Club or by personal application of the player under the terms of registration procedure 12.6(iii) of the Scottish Football Association Ltd.

(d) A player playing within the jurisdiction of the Scottish Amateur Football Association and registered with the Scottish Football Association Ltd. by means of a Recreational Form may only play for his registered Club or any other Club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association provided he is eligible to do so and does not infringe the requirements of Rule 44 (registration rules under age football).

13 Registration

A player to be eligible to play must be registered on a Recreational Form for the relevant Club. A player may not register for more than one Club who play on the same fixture day, this being defined by the Affiliation Form submitted to the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

A player to be eligible to play in any cup competition played under the auspices of the Scottish Amateur Football Association and its affiliated bodies (Associations and Leagues) must sign a recreational form and be registered on the Scottish FA Registration system for the relevant club(s) prior to the commencement of all cup ties

All Clubs can only register their players on the form supplied by the Scottish Football Association appropriate to the said Season. Completed forms must be returned to the League / Association within 3 days of the date of signing (Sunday excluded). Players will only be considered as registered, once form has been received and accepted by the League / Association.

The Recreational Form as posted must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope to the sender. After being endorsed by the League / Association, the Club shall receive back a copy of the completed registration form.

Failure to complete the full postal address, including village, town, district or postcode as required on the form, will result in the registration being rejected.

Players must be registered on a Recreational Form to be eligible to participate in all Cup ties played under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Trialists who are eligible to participate in League matches will be subject to the registration rules of the League/Association.

Changes of address of registered players must be intimated in writing to the Scottish Amateur Football Association and to the Secretary of the League/Association in which the player plays by the Secretary of the Club for which he plays within 14 days of such change.

The registration of a player on a Recreational Form will lapse automatically at the end of the Season (30th June each year), in which he signed the form, and the player will be free to sign for the Club of his choice thereafter, (excepting Summer Football, where the forms will automatically cancel on 30th September each year.

A player can be registered from 1st May each Season for the same Club for the forthcoming Season.

A player can be registered from 15th May each Season for another Club for the forthcoming Season, provided he is otherwise eligible to do so.

Before a player signs a Recreational Form, the Club should ensure that all details have been fully inserted. The player at the time of signing must personally insert the date of signing. The player's signature and that of the Secretary or other accredited Club Official shall be attested by a responsible third party.

A player who is suspended (dated or games) may not sign a Recreational Form unless in the case of a games suspension, his registration has automatically ended in terms of this Rule.

Players of Clubs which fold or cease to exist during the currency of a player's match suspension, shall be eligible to register for a new Club. The Club, for which the player registers, should send the Recreational Form to the League/Association Secretary accompanied by a letter from the player indicating the number of matches of his suspension he has still to serve. The matches played by that new Club from the date of receipt, will be counted towards serving of suspension.

Should a player have his registration cancelled prior to the commencement of a game(s) suspension, he shall be eligible to register for another Club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association, and must complete his suspension prior to playing for that Club.

Players, who play without having been registered in accordance with this Rule, will be grounds for protest in the Season in which such offence has occurred.

Failure to adhere to the registration procedure will result in the responsible parties being dealt with by the relevant Committee.

A player may have his registration cancelled or transferred to another Club in membership of the League / Association. All transfers or cancellations must be submitted on the appropriate form, and sent to the League / Association by the Club. Any dispute over the cancellation or transfer between a player and his Club shall be referred to the Executive Committee for settlement, who shall sanction the cancellation or transfer on agreement of any outstanding issues. The cancellation or transfer of any player shall be effective upon receipt of the completed form by the League / Association.

Players of a defunct Club shall be eligible to register for another Club, subject to the registration Rules.

When a request to have a registration cancelled has been lodged, the player shall neither play nor sign for any other Club until his registration has been cancelled by the Secretary of the League/ Association.

No cancellation or transfer of registration will be sanctioned after 31st March each Season to allow a player to register or play as a trialist for another club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association with the exception of that of a goalkeeper with such registration form to be clearly marked that it applied to the position of goalkeeper.

The Association/League shall decide if registrations of eligible players will be accepted after 31st March in the current year Players registered with a Club in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association which operate more than one team, shall have freedom of movement within that Club, subject to the Constitution and Cup Competition Rules of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

The League / Association shall keep a register of all players registered, and the register shall be open to any Club in membership for a search fee of up to a maximum of £10.00.

No charge shall be made in relation to the cancellation of a player’s registration.

A player to be eligible to play in league games, played under the auspices of Associations and Leagues must sign a Recreation Form, and be registered on the Scottish FA Registration System for the relevant Club prior to the commencement of all league games(excepting where trialists are permitted by affiliated Associations and Leagues) An unregistered player can play 2 league fixtures for a club as a trialist before being registered.

14 Conduct of Spectators

Where it can be proved that spectators at a League or Cup match, by using obscene language or words of intimidation, or conduct themselves in such a manner as to interfere with the players or stop a game, the Executive Committee shall have power to order the game to be replayed on another ground or to award the match to either Club and take such further action as may be deemed necessary.

Each club is responsible to the MAFA for the action of its players, officials and spectators. Clubs are further required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spectators threatening or insulting players and officials during or at the conclusion of a fixture.

The drinking of alcohol at fixtures is strictly forbidden.

15 Representative Games

(a) In all representative games, the League shall have the power to select players from any Club connected with the League/Association, and any players so selected who may decline to play, shall not be eligible to play for their own Club on that date without special permission from the Executive Committee or the Secretary / Match Secretary.

(b) A Club may apply for a postponement of fixture should two or more players be selected to play in a representative game on the same day, or one player in the case of a goalkeeper.

16 Disciplinary Procedures

Any player or official ordered off or reported for misconduct may participate in subsequent matches until they have been advised in writing of their suspension, or in serious cases until they are cited to appear before the Executive Committee.

Player or official cited to attend on specific charge(s) relating to the content of the referees report with a copy of the referees report accompanying the citation and advised that he may submit any written statements from witnesses which he/she would consider relevant to the matter.

The player or official should also be advised in writing of the possible sanctions which may be placed on him.

A copy of the citation to be forwarded to the Secretary of the player’s or official’s club.

Referees must be invited in writing to attend to assist the Committee. The referee maybe accompanied by his/her referee supervisor or a member of his/her referees association if they so wish but that person must take no part in the meeting in any capacity.

The referee and player or club official must be heard together in order that they can respond (in the proper manner) to the evidence led.

The player or club official must be given the opportunity to state his case and to hear all evidence or submissions made against him.

If cited to appear before the Executive Committee, players, officials or club members may submit their defence in writing, and if they do not appear or submit their defence in writing, the case may be dealt with in their absence.

The Committee should hear all letters submitted in relation to the case and then exercise their discretion as to the relevancy, creditability and quality of such evidence.

If it is decided that the charge has been established the player must be allowed to make a plea in mitigation of sentence before he is sentenced. Any decision reached must be supported by the evidence heard.

Any sanction imposed must be appropriate to the offence committed.

The player or club official will be advised of their right of appeal to the appropriate body.

The player or club official and the club must be notified in writing of any suspensions imposed accompanied by the player’s or club official’s right of appeal to the appropriate authority.

In all cases, the Club will be held responsible for ensuring that all suspensions are implemented and served. In addition the Club will be fined a sum as agreed by the Executive Committee.

All Club Officials reported will be cited to appear before the Executive Committee on specific charges arising from the misconduct report in question, and if found guilty of a standard offence,

the appropriate fixed penalty suspension shall be applied. Should the Official be found guilty of a serious offence, the Executive Committee shall have discretion to apply any sanction considered appropriate. In addition, the Official's Club shall be fined a sum of not less than £25.00 and not greater than £100.00, if the Official is found guilty of any offence.

Standard Offences

Player or Club member does not require to attend a meeting.

Suspension for a number of matches (Match Suspensions) will be imposed based on the fixed penalties as approved by the Scottish Amateur F.A. and detailed in Appendix 1 of these Rules.

In addition a club will be fined a sum as agreed by the Executive Committee with such sum not exceeding £10.00 when a player has been ordered off for a Standard Offence.

The club of a player shall be liable to a fine of £ 3.00 for each offence.

Serious Offence of Exceptional Misconduct

1 Referee assault.

2 Physically threatening the Referee.

3 Verbally threatening the Referee.

4 Physical assault on or by a Club Official.

5 Headbutting

6 Spitting

All misconduct reports relating to offences of the above nature must be forwarded to the Scottish Amateur F.A. in order that they may be dealt with by the appropriate Committee.

Suspensions would be for a period of time (Dated Suspensions) and would be imposed based on the guidelines of the Scottish Amateur F.A. as detailed in Appendix 11 of these Rules.

Serious Offences

Suspensions would be for a period of time (Dated Suspensions) and would be imposed based

on the guidelines of the Scottish Amateur F.A. as detailed in Appendix 11 of these Rules.

Cautions

Any player reported as being cautioned, will have the caution recorded. In addition the club will be fined a sum not greater than £5.00 for each caution or alternatively the relevant number of disciplinary points as determined by the Executive Committee added to the club’s disciplinary record in the current season.

Clubs in membership shall have their Disciplinary Records subject to review, and Clubsexceeding the Penalty Points threshold as determined by the Executive Committee, shall be subject to disciplinary action as agreed by the Executive Committee.

Cautions received in matches in the Scottish and District Cups to be recorded and club’s fined as decided by Executive Committee.

The club of a player shall be liable to a fine of £ 1.00 for each caution.

APPENDIX 1

Fixed Penalties for Standard Offences

(players do not have to attend a meeting)

OFFENCE SUSPENSION

Serious foul play - 2 games

Violent Conduct

Adopting a threatening or aggressive attitude - 3 games

Punching an opponent - 4 games

Kicking an opponent - 4 games

Striking an opponent - 4 games

Head to head confrontation - 4 games

Attempting to punch an opponent - 3 games

Attempting to kick an opponent - 3 games

Attempting to strike an opponent - 3 games

Eyeball to eyeball confrontation - 3 games

Pushing head into opponent’s head - 6 games

Pushing an opponent - 3 games

Elbowing opponent in face - 8 games

Elbowing opponent on body - 4 games

Kicking and punching opponent - 8 games

Grabbing opponent by throat - 6 games

Stamping on an opponent's body - 8 games

Denies a goal or goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball - 1 game

Denies a goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal punishable by a free kick or penalty kick - 1 game

Offensive, insulting or abusive language - 2 games

Offensive, insulting or abusive language towards Referee - 3 games

Receiving a second caution in the same match - 1 game

Accumulation of Cautions 1st set of 5 Cautions - 1 game

2nd set of 5 Cautions - 3 games

3rd set of 5 Cautions - 6 games

Should a player be cited to appear before the Executive Committee, the Committee shall have the authority to impose a sanction in terms of a fixed penalty or dated suspension whichever is considered appropriate to the offence of which the player has been found guilty.

Any player who amasses a total suspension of 10 games or more in any one Season will be cited to appear before the Executive Committee for any subsequent misconduct reports, the Committee shall add a 3 games penalty if a game(s) has been imposed or a 3 week penalty if a dated suspension has been imposed to any sanction applied in relation to the offence reported.

APPENDIX 11

Guidelines for Serious Offences

Referee assault.

Must be a dated suspension with a maximum suspension of 10 years – not ‘Sine Die’

Physically threatening Referee – attempting to lay hands on the Referee

Maximum suspension of 5 years.

Verbally threatening Referee.

Maximum suspension of 3 years.

Physical assault on Club Officials.

Maximum suspension of 5 years.

Serious violent conduct - e.g. deliberately kicking opponent on head

Maximum suspension of 5 years.

Headbutting

Maximum suspension of 18 months.

Spitting

Maximum suspension of 5 years.

Deliberately and knowingly playing a suspended player under an assumed name

Maximum suspension of 2 years.

Deliberately playing while under suspension under an assumed name.

Maximum suspension of 2 years.

Deliberately and knowingly playing a suspended player

Maximum suspension of 2 years.

Deliberately playing or participating while under suspension.

Maximum suspension of 1 year.

17 Suspensions

The League/ Association will recognise and give effect to all suspensions, censures etc, passed on players, Clubs and Officials by the Scottish Football Association Ltd., and Associations and Leagues affiliated thereto.

Notice of decision of any suspension imposed, must be confirmed in writing to the player or official and their registered Club.

Fixed Penalty Suspensions

A player while serving a fixed penalty suspension cannot play for any team within his Club until the team which he committed the offence has played the requisite number of matches.

Any match suspension or part thereof which remains outstanding at the end of a Season or any extension thereof, must be served at the commencement of the following Season, regardless of which Club the player joins, with the same principle being applied should a player be transferred to another Club prior to the suspension commencing,

Serving a match suspension, does not prevent a player transferring to another Club during the term of suspension.

A match which has been abandoned or which has been forfeited as a consequence of a club being debt suspended does not count as a completed match in terms of a player serving a game(s) suspension.

Suspensions to commence on the Friday which is at least 14 days after the date of postmark on the written notification of the suspension to the player, official and their Club.

There is no right of appeal against a fixed penalty suspension

Dated Suspensions

During the serving of a dated suspension, a player may not transfer to another Club.

A player or official suspended for a period of time (dated suspensions) shall be eligible to participate from 12 noon on the last date of their suspension.

A player or official has the right of appeal to the Scottish Amateur Football Association against a dated suspension or to the Scottish Football Association should the suspension been applied by the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Terms of dated suspensions

When a dated suspension has been confirmed by the Scottish Amateur Football Association and the Scottish Football Association a person who is suspended cannot play, participate as an official, act as linesman, act as trainer, sign any papers, registration of transfer forms, be in a club dressing room or formally travel in the club transport to games.

A person who is suspended can attend matches played on a public park as a spectator but if in attendance at a private park he can be asked to leave.

Terms of game(s) suspensions.

During a period of game(s) suspension the terms of suspension as outlined in dated suspensions only applies to the match day(s) of a game(s) suspension.

Any dated suspension imposed by the Scottish Amateur Football Association or an Association/League shall take preference over any game(s) suspension imposed by those bodies with any outstanding part of the game suspension to be served on completion of the dated suspension.

18 Debt Suspension

The Executive Committee or any sub committee of the Association/League shall have the power if a member club fails to make any payment of any fine, levy or monetary penalty imposed on them or any monies due to the Association/League to debt suspend such club and their listed officials on the date. Such suspension will only be raised at 12 noon on the Monday following payment of the monies due.

Terms of Debt Suspension.

A person who is debt suspended cannot play, participate as an official, act as linesman, act as trainer, sign any papers relating to the business of his/her club including registration of transfer forms, be in a club dressing room or formally travel in the club transport to games.

A person who is debt suspended can attend matches played on a public park as a spectator but if in attendance at a private park he/she can be asked to leave.

A club which has been debt suspended cannot participate in any fixture being played under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Amateur Football Association or any member affiliated to that body.

A club which has been debt suspended will forfeit the points for any league fixture(s) and will forfeit any cup tie(s) allocated to the club during the period of debt suspension.

The terms of this rule are not exhaustive.

19 Resignation from League

(a) When a Club intimates its resignation from the League/Association during the Season, such Club must notify the Secretary in writing. Should any club resign its membership or cease to function after the start of the playing season, any points won by the club or its opponents in league matches will be forfeited and any goals scored by the club or its opponents in league matches will be disregarded in the relevant league table. The club will no longer be considered to be a member of its particular division or be eligible for promotion or relegation from that division at the end of the season. The club will not be replaced in its particular division and its remaining league fixtures will be declared null and void. The results of any cup ties played by the club shall stand."

(b) When a Club intimates it's resignation from the League/ Association after completion of it's League programme, all League matches involving that Club shall not be declared null and void.

20 Expulsion from League

When a Club is expelled from membership, all League matches involving that Club shall be declared null and void, excepting where that Club has completed it's League programme.

21 Appeals

Any Club, player or Club Member may appeal to the Scottish Amateur Football Association against any decision of this League/Association affecting the Club or member of the Club. Such Appeals to be lodged by recorded or registered delivery and in duplicate, within seven days of receipt of the notice of the decision, and accompanied by a deposit of £50.00. The deposit may be forfeited if the Scottish Amateur Football Association so decide. The grounds of the appeal must be specifically stated and if the Scottish Amateur Football Association consider the appeal frivolous or trivial, the appellant may be liable to a levy of a sum of money which shall be fixed annually by the Appeals Committee. The decision against which any appeal is made will only be set aside when the appeal is received by the Scottish Amateur Football Association and agreed to be in order and confirmation is received in writing by the parties concerned.

22 Playing an Ineligible Player

(a) Where a Club is proved to have played a player currently registered with the Scottish Football Association in a League match the committee shall have the discretion to impose any sanction as deemed appropriate.

(b) Where a Club is proved to have played a player currently registered with the Scottish Football Association in a Cup-tie, such Club shall be dismissed from the competition upon investigation by the Executive Committee, together with such other penalty as such Committee may decide.

(c) Where a Club is proved to have played an ineligible player, such Club will be dealt with by the Executive Committee, and upon investigation a penalty deemed appropriate may be imposed.

(d) Where a Club is proved to have played an unregistered player in a League match, such Club shall have three points deducted for each infringement upon investigation by the Executive Committee, together with such other penalty as such Committee may decide.

(e) Where a Club is proved to have played an unregistered player in a Cup-tie, such Club shall be dismissed from the competition upon investigation by the Executive Committee, together with such other penalty as such Committee may decide.

23 Referees

(a) The Match Secretary shall appoint neutral Referees for all matches, who must be on the list of Registered Referees of the Scottish Football Association Ltd. Should the official Referee fail to appear, Clubs may by mutual agreement appoint a deputy who must be on the list of Referees of the Scottish Football Association Ltd. A statement to that effect should be written on the back of the team lines, and signed by both Club officials.

The Match Secretary shall have the authority, if he deems it necessary, to appoint Assistant Referees to games where he is of the opinion that this facility is required. Where this decision is taken the costs will be paid by the Association/League

The Scottish Football Association Referees shall submit a List of Referees available for the forthcoming season at the Annual General Meeting of the MAFA

(b) The responsibility for payment of the referee’s fee shall be determined by the Executive Committee. The fee not to exceed £40.00.

The referee’s tariff shall be £34.00 inclusive of travelling expenses which is to be shared equally between clubs.

(c) In the event of non-fulfilment of any fixture the HOME Club should pay the Referee his fee, which shall be recoverable from the defaulting Club.

(d) Should a ground be considered unplayable, the Referee shall after inspection, receive halffee, the responsibility for which will be determined by the Executive Committee.

If a referee after inspecting a ground deems it unfit for play he shall receive half tariff inclusive of travelling expenses which is to be shared equally between the clubs.

If the appointed referee is unable to inspect a ground the home club to contact the Match Secretary who will appoint another referee to carry out an inspection.

24 Protests, Claims and Complaints

(a) A Protest or Claim by any Club must be forwarded to the Secretary by Recorded or Special Delivery within 3 days after the game in question (Sunday excluded), and no Protest shall be accepted bearing a postmark later than the third day. A deposit as agreed by the Executive Committee should accompany same, and may be forfeited if the protesting Club fails to prove its case. A verbatim copy of Protest or Claim must in all cases be forwarded to the Club protested or claimed against by Recorded or Special Delivery.

Protest deposit of £5.00 to be lodged with Claim.

(b) Protests, appeals or objections relative to ground, goalposts or other appurtenances of the game, must be formally intimated to the Referee and to the Captain of the opposing team, before the commencement of the game. Such protests must be made in writing on the reverse side of the team lines, witnessed and signed by all parties.

(c) Other protests (excepting those concerning the alleged ineligibility of players), must where practicable, be formally intimated to the Referee and the captain of the opposing team, at the time the alleged violation of the rules takes place. Such protests must be made in writing on the reverse side of the team lines, witnessed and signed by all parties.

(d) Any complaint by one Club against another Club, out with the scope of protests must be lodged with the Secretary of the Association or League with a photostat copy to the Club complained against, both intimations by Special or Recorded Delivery.

(e) All protest, Claims and Complaints shall be investigated by the Executive Committee, who will deal with the matters, and take such further action as may be deemed appropriate. If any Protest, Claim or Complaint is found to be trivial or frivolous or groundless, a further levy may be imposed on the Club concerned at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

25 Custody of League Trophies

Clubs presented with any league trophy will be required to sign a form agreeing to return in good order any trophies won during the Season. Failure to return trophies in good condition or by the due date may result in such Clubs being liable to the cost of replacement or repair of such trophies, and such other penalty as deemed appropriate. Such trophies must be returned to the Association/League no later than a date as agreed by the Executive Committee in the current year

26 Change of Secretary

Any Club changing their Secretary / Registered Officials must notify the Secretary of the League / Association, and all Clubs in membership of that change.

27 Breach of Rules

(a) For breach of any rule of the League/Association, the General or Executive Committee may suspend a Club until the Annual General Meeting, and matches played by the Club shall be declared null and void. The retention of that Club in the League/Association shall be considered at the Annual General Meeting and any decision arrived at under this rule shall not be the subject of a revision at a Special General Meeting convened under the terms of Rule 6c of the Constitution.

(b) The Executive Committee (any Sub-Committee thereof), may, in its absolute discretion, relieve any party from the consequences of failure to comply with any provision of the rules, breach of, or failure to comply with rules, on good cause shown, on such conditions as it (or any Sub-Committee) thinks fit.

(c) The General or Executive Committee shall have the power to fine, suspend or expel any Club, Official, Player or other person under it’s jurisdiction who in it’s opinion, in any way brings the game into disrepute or on any other grounds it considers sufficient and of which, subject to any right of appeal, it shall be the sole judge.

28 Media

(a) Any Club or person associated with any Club which publishes, distributes, sells or authorises a third party to publish, distribute, issue or sell a match programme or any other publication or audio/visual material of any description in any media now existing or hereafter invented, shall be held responsible for all matters contained therein.

(b) Any Club or person associated with any Club which publishes, distributes, sells or authorises a third party to publish, distribute, issue or sell a match programme or any other publication or audio/visual material of any description in any media now existing or hereafter invented, shall ensure that any such publications or audio/visual material shall not contain any criticism of any match official calculated to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official or to impinge on his/her character.

29 Local Rules

All Local Rules as agreed at the Annual General Meeting of the Association/League must be submitted to the Scottish Amateur Football Association no later than 1st August in the current season for approval.

CUP COMPETITION RULES

Cup Competition Rules shall be subject to the Association/League local rules as determined by the Executive Committee.

Such local rules must be submitted to the Scottish Amateur Football Association for approval no later than 1st July in the current year,

1 Any Club failing to fulfil a cup-tie will be cited to appear before the Executive Committee, and the matter investigated, and if the explanation is deemed unsatisfactory, that Club shall be disqualified from the competition, and any other penalty deemed appropriate may be imposed.

2 Any Club intending to withdraw from a competition, must notify in writing the Secretary of the opposing Club and the League Match secretary at least 3 days prior to the date of the tie.

Defaulting Clubs may be dealt with by the Executive Committee as they deem expedient.

3 (a) When gate money or collection is taken at any match (excepting Semi- Final or Final ties), such monies shall be equally divided between competing Clubs after deduction of Referee's Fee, Advertising or Police charges. When the receipts do not cover expenses, or no gate money or collection is taken, the Referee's Fee, which shall be the first charge on the receipts, shall be shared equally by competing Clubs.

In Semi-Final and Final ties, the Executive Committee shall fix the grounds, and shall have direct control of all arrangements, receipts and disbursements in connection therewith.

(b) When played on a Home and Home principle, the Home Club shall pay all expenses, and retain all gate money and collections.

4 Entry Fee shall be fixed by the General Committee and must be paid to the Treasurer before Clubs take part in the competition.

5 No player may play for more than one Club in a competition in any one Season.

If any Club has more than one team in the League, and for the benefit of this Rule, each team shall be considered as a separate Club.

6 A player listed on the team lines as a substitute, shall only be considered cup-tied if he actually plays in the match.

Notes for Guidance removed as now covered by Rule 2, Membership.