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| 1. |
This amalgamation of Clubs shall be
called the Mid-Ulster Football League. |
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| 2. |
(a) The Annual
General meeting shall be held not later than the 30th June each year.
Each Club shall be entitled to have 2 representatives attending. The
representatives attending this meeting shall appoint for the season, the
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon.Treasurer, Hon. Secretary and the
Registration Secretary.The Hon Officials shall have a vote. The
Chairman, in the case of a tie, is entitled to a casting vote. The Hon.
Officials shall be ex-officio members of any Sub- Committee. |
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(b) The business of the
league shall be conducted by a Management Committee elected annually at
the AGM. Where possible thereafter, members can be co-opted. The
Management Committee may appoint from within its members any number of
sub-committees-the sub committee shall be responsible to the Management
Committee. The Management Committee shall be made up as follows. Office
bearers and 2 representatives from each Division of the League. Six to
form a quorum. |
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3. |
(a) Applications for membership of the league shall be
made on the forms provided. |
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(b)
No applications for membership shall be accepted after July 1st. |
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(c)
Clubs currently in membership must pay all League and guarantee fees by
September 1st. |
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(d)
All Subscriptions and guarantee fees will be determined annually. |
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(e) Applications from new
Clubs must be accompanied by all relevant League and guarantee fees.
Failure to provide such fees will render any such application invalid.
In the event of any such application being unsuccessful, all monies will
be returned. |
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(f) Any Clubs with fees
outstanding after September 1st will be suspended from all matches under
the jurisdiction of this League until all monies owing have been paid in
full. |
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(g)
Any Club remaining suspended after 12.00 noon on the Thursday prior to a
Saturday fixture or 48 hours prior to the Kick-off of a midweek fixture
will forfeit the points or Cup-Tie to their opponents. |
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(h)
The Management Committee reserve the right to fine any Club deemed to be
in contravention of League Rules. |
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(j) The minimum fine will be determined
annually. |
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(k)
Any Club fined under (h) above, will be notified in writing of: |
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NB. No Club will be given less than 7
days in which to pay any fine imposed by this League. |
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(I) The Management
Committee reserve the right to increase the fine for any Clubs who
contravene the same Rule on more than one occasion during anyone season. |
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(m) Clubs who fail to pay fines by the
due date will be suspended in accordance with (g) above. |
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| 4. |
(a)
The Clubs comprising the League will be divided in Divisions and number
as the Management Committee decide. At the end of the Competition, the
Club attaining the highest number of points shall be declared the
Champion Club of that Division. In the case of a Club having played in
the League during the current season failing to fulfil its fixtures due
to resignation, suspension or dismissal, all record of matches played
will be deleted from the current seasons' record of the League. At the
end of the season for the purposes of relegation, such Clubs will be
considered as bottom Club of their section, but will not exist in the
next lower section in the ensuing season. In the case of a Club having
failed to play any matches in the League during the current season
either through resignation, suspension or dismissal, it will be
considered for the purposes of Promotion and Relegation that such Clubs
have not existed in the League during the current season. |
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Should two or more Clubs be equal on
points, goal difference will be used to determine their finishing
position. If the Clubs are still equal on goal difference, then the
goals scored for shall be used to determine finishing position. Should
Clubs still be equal, then they must 'play-off' on a ground decided by
the Management Committee to decide the winner. The proceeds of such a
game to be divided between the two competing Clubs and the League in the
following proportions, 50% (net) to the League and 25% (net) to each of
the Clubs. |
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(b) All issues regarding
promotion and Relegation will be determined annually by the Management
Committee. NB. As a guideline, the Management will look to promote 2
teams from each Division per season. |
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(c)
A Club wishing to resign from the League at the end of the season must
do so, in writing, on or before the date of the AGM. Otherwise, it will
be deemed a member of the League for the ensuing season. In the event of
this Rule not being complied with, the guarantee fee will be forfeited. |
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| 5. |
The Management shall have the power to
fine, suspend or expel any Cub, any member Committee of a Club, or any
player of a Club whose conduct shall be deemed or in connection
objectionable with any match or fixture. Complaints under this rule must
be received by the League Secretary per Special Delivery bearing
postmark within 4 days of the cause ( Sundays not included) and
enclosing a deposit to be fixed annually which shall be forfeited in all
cases where the complaint has not been sustained. An exact copy of the
complaint must also be sent, at the same time, by Special Delivery
service to the Secretary of the Club concerned The Management Committee
shall have the power to deal with offending Club or Clubs, Player or
Players, Official or Officials as they may think fit, and to deal with
any other matter not provided for in these Rules. |
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| 6. |
(a) All communications
must be addressed to the Secretary at his address who shall conduct the
correspondence of the competition. |
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(b) Clubs must answer
correspondence when required to do so. The Management Committee reserves
the right to fine any Club who fail to answer Correspondence when
directed so to do. |
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(c)
All Subscriptions and Guarantees must be paid to the Treasurer. A
banking account shall be opened in the name of the Mid-Ulster Football
League and all funds shall be lodged to the credit of this account.
Cheques to be signed by the Chairman and the Hon. Treasurer. |
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| 7. |
(a) All matches shall be
played under the jurisdiction of the Irish Football Association Limited
and subject to the Laws of the Game. A bona-fide member of a Club is one
who has signed a League Registration form to be witnessed (such
signature by a second person) and has been Registered with the League
Registration Secretary two days before playing. In the event of a player
signing two or more forms for two or more Clubs, priority of
Registration shall decide to which Club the Player belongs and it shall
be the duty of the League Registration Secretary to notify the Committee
of the League. From Mid Ulster Division 1 downwards, no player shall be
eligible. who, during the current season has played more than 6 matches
in the Irish League Senior Division. A Club inducing a player to sign
more than one Registration form or violating
this portion of the Rule shall be fined the sum of œ12. A player signing
a Registration form while already a signed player for another Club shall
be automatically suspended for 6 matches by the League. Players shall be
registered each season as and from the date of the Annual General
Meeting. For this purpose of this Rule, computerised bulk forms to be
signed. After October, forms must be posted singly. The League
Registration Secretary will date stamp each form on the day he receives
the form and that of the computerised bulk form Secretary. The
Registration shall keep a full record of all Registrations and in the
case of a protest shall produce the Registered forms at the meeting. No
Club shall be allowed to register a player after the 31st March in each
season. |
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(b)
A players registration may be transferred any number of times during the
season. Applications for the transfer of a players registration must be
made on the Official form provided and accompanied by a fee to be
decided. |
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(c)
No Player shall play for more than one Club in the same Cup competition
in the same season annually. No transfer shall be granted after the 31st
December. |
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| 8. |
(a)
A Club may, at its discretion, nominate up to 5 Substitute players, of
which any 3 may be used in any time in any match, except to replace a
player who has been suspended from the game by the Referee. The
substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and
the Referee has given permission. Only 3 substitutions by each side will
be permitted in any match and the substitute players shall be nominated
prior to the commencement of the game. |
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(b) The Secretary or
Representative of a Club can receive information from the League
Registration Secretary regarding the Registration of any player,
accompanied by a œ2 fee for each player. |
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| 9. |
Any team playing an ineligible player or
players( whether through non-registration or otherwise) will be fined
œ20 for each ineligible player and shall forfeit the points won in such
a match. In the case of a protest being upheld against a Club which has
won a match by any violation of Rule, points so won will be deducted
from them and may be awarded to their opponents. Protests under this
Rule, giving particulars of protest must be received by the League
Secretary bearing Post Mark within 2 days (Sundays not included) from
date of the match enclosing a deposit of œ30 which shall be forfeited in
the event of protest not being sustained. A copy of the protest must be
sent to the Club protested against at the same time. All protest and
copies under this Rule must be sent by Special Delivery .Post Office
Registration receipts shall be conclusive evidence as to time of
posting. |
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| 10. |
(a)
Objections as to ground, goal posts or ball must be lodged by the
Captain with the Referee, in writing before the game is started and the
Referee shall have the power to have such objections made right before
the game starts. |
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(b) Protests must be
received by Special Delivery service, bearing Post Mark within 2 days
(Sundays not included) enclosing a deposit of œ30- such fee will be
forfeited in all cases where the protest has not been sustained. A copy
of the protest must be sent to the Club protested against, at the same
time by Special Delivery service. |
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| 11. |
(a) The Fixtures
Secretary, or any appointed assistant will be responsible for arranging
all matches- League and Cup- that come within the jurisdiction of this
League. Clubs must play fixtures as directed and may not amend, alter or
postpone any matches without prior agreement from the Fixtures Secretary
or any appointed assistant. No fixture may be arranged, altered or
amended, later than12.00 noon on the Thursday prior to a Saturday
fixture or 48 hours prior to a midweek fixture without prior agreement
between both Clubs and the Fixtures Secretary or any appointed
assistant. In the event of any Club attempting to amend or alter
fixtures as above, the Fixtures Secretary or any appointed assistant
shall make a decision by which both Clubs shall abide. Clubs must play
fixtures on these dates arranged by the League except the ground be
covered with snow or declared unplayable by the Referee or is taken by
Senior or Parent Associations. A Referee shall inspect the ground prior
to the kick-off and shall immediately give his decision as to fitness of
ground for play. In case of ground or grounds being covered with snow
the League Officials shall have the power to postpone such fixtures
provided that sufficient proof is put before them that the ground is
snow-bound. Clubs must play on all available Saturdays except in the
case of exceptional circumstances when the permission Secretary of the
Fixtures must be obtained. Clubs wishing to apply for a free date must
do so in writing at least 2 weeks in advance signifying same to the
League Secretary and the sanction of Committee or Emergency Committee
obtained. |
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(b) If for any reason a
match has been terminated by a Referee, due to circumstances over which
neither competing team has control, the result at the termination of
play shall stand provided that the duration of the match has not been
less than an hour. Any dispute regarding the outcome of the match shall
be referred to the Management Committee for a decision. |
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(c) All Cup matches will
be scheduled to be played as two equal periods of 45 minutes. In the
event of any cup match being terminated by the Referee, Rule (b) above
will apply. |
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(d)
Clubs must not arrange fixtures on the date on which Representative
matches or the Semi-Final or Final ties are to be played except by
express permission from the League. |
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| 12. |
Should a team not turn up in reasonable
time or fail to fulfil their fixture as arranged by the League, they
will be dealt with by the Management Committee as per Appendix (a). A
team failing to fulfil a fixture for a second time in the current season
will be dismissed from the League and their record expunged. Reasonable
time shall be understood to mean that the Kick-Off should not be delayed
for more than 20 minutes after the Official time for starting. |
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| 13. |
(a) Each team in the
League shall register its colours with the Secretary. No two Clubs shall
play in the same colour. In the event of two teams having the same, the
home team must change their colours. A Goalkeeper must wear a shirt or
jersey of a distinctive colour from that of his own team and also his
opponents. |
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(b) All Shirts must be
clearly numbered and all Players and Substitutes shall wear the numbered
shirt that corresponds with their name on the Match Card. |
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(c) Clubs must append the
full names (Surnames and Christian names) of Players on the Match Card.
Where necessary, further initials must be used to identify Players with
the same names. |
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| 14. |
(a)
The home Club shall pay the Referee his fee and travelling expenses as
agreed by the League annually. Where no play is possible owing to cases
over which neither Club has control, the Referee, if present, shall be
only entitled to half his match fee and travelling expenses. When the
Referee declares that the Ground is unplayable due to causes over which
neither Club has control, the Clubs may mutually agree to play and the
match shall be considered a League fixture. |
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(b)
Any Club paying a Referee more than his just fee or expenses shall be
deemed guilty of misconduct and fined. |
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| 15. |
(a) Match cards are the
property of the Mid Ulster Football League and must be returned to any
appointed addressee when completed. |
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(b)
Prior to the commencement of the season, all Teams will be given 20
Match cards. Further cards can be supplied on request-free of charge. |
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(c)
Prior to the commencement of the match, both teams must be afforded the
opportunity to view their opponents' team sheet. Failure to do so shall
be reported in the first instance to any Official Referee who shall note
this fact on the Mach card. |
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(d)
In all cases, where Teams have been denied the opportunity to view their
opponents' team sheet, they should report this fact, in writing, to the
Hon. Secretary within Three (3) days-Sundays not included. |
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(e)
Teams reported under (c) and (d) above will be dealt with by the
Management Committee. |
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(f)
Any team making a spurious complaint under (c) and (d) above shall be
deemed guilty of Misconduct and dealt with accordingly. |
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(g)
All match cards shall be handed to the Referee prior to the commencement
of the match and kept in his possession for the duration of the match. |
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(h)
In the event of the official Referee failing to appear, the Home team
shall ensure that the completed match card is forwarded to the appointed
addressee within 72 hours of the completion of the match ( Sundays not
included). Competing teams must agree the final score of the match with
the Referee before leaving the ground. The Referee must append the final
score on the match card in the presence of both teams. |
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(i)
The match card must not be altered, amended defaced or falsified in any
way. Any Club found guilty of altering, amending, defacing or falsifying
any match card, once completed, will be charged with misconduct and
dealt with by the Management Committee. |
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(j)
The home team shall be responsible for overseeing that all sections of
the match card are completed. |
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(k)
The Management Committee reserve the right to fine ant Team who fail to
comply with any sections of this Rule. |
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| 16. |
In the case of Reserve Teams, no Club
shall be allowed to play more than 4 recognised First Eleven players in
anyone match. A recognised First Eleven Player is one who has taken part
in more than 6 games in the First Eleven during the current season. A
Club who has 3 teams shall not play any player for their 3rd Team who,
during the current season has played for their 1st Eleven in any
Association Football. First Eleven shall also refer to a team competing
outside the jurisdiction of this League at a greater or equal standing.
Where Clubs play a recognised First team Player or Players in the
Reserve team, Clubs must denote this by placing a circle around the
number of the Player or Players concerned on the Match Card. |
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| 17. |
(a) A minimum of 8 member
Clubs may sign a requisition calling on the Hon. Secretary to hold a
Special General meeting within 28 days. On receiving such a requisition,
the Hon. Secretary shall notify, in writing, all Member Clubs of the
agenda for such a meeting. |
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(b)
The agenda for any Special meeting shall accompany any such requisition. |
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(c)
No items, saving those on the specified agenda shall be discussed at the
Special General Meeting. |
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(d)
All proposals for Rule Changes from Member Clubs shall be made in
writing and forwarded to the Hon. Secretary. |
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(e)
No changes of Rules shall be made unless at the Annual General Meetingor
at a Special General Meeting called for such a purpose. |
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(f)
Proposals for changes to Rules to be considered at the Annual General
Meeting must be placed, in writing, with the Hon. Secretary before April
3rd each year. |
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(g)
The Management Committeeshall have the power to call a Special
GeneralMeetingwhich must be convened as in (a) (b) and (c) above. |
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(h)
The Management Committeemay collectively put forward proposals to be
considered at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting
called for such a purpose. |
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(i)
The Hon. Secretary will be responsible for circulating a copy of all
proposed changes to Rules at least 7 days before the date of any Annual
General Meeting or Special General Meeting. |
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(j)
A three quarters majority of those Clubs present and voting is required
before any proposed changes to Rules can be implemented. |
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| 18. |
(a)
For all Matches under the jurisdiction of this League, (League and Cup),
the Home Team shall be responsible for notifying results (telephone or
e-mail) to their appointed Divisional Representative |
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(b) Results should be notified no later
than the times indicated below |
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(c)
Where Clubs/Teams are playing in matches outside the jurisdiction of
this League (Friendly matches excepted) then Divisional must be notified
Representatives whether your team are home or away. |
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(d) In the event of 2 Clubs from this
League competing against each other in match outside the jurisdiction of
this League, then the Home Team shall be responsible for notifying the
result. |
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(e)
In the event of your appointed Divisional Representative being non
contactable the result should be notified to either the Hon. Secretary
or an alternative Divisional Representative. |
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(f)
Clubs/Teams failing to notify the result by the required time
will be fined. Latest time for Notifying Results All matches involving
Intermediate Clubs-Immediately after the fixture has finished. All other
Clubs/Teams -No later than 6.30 on the Saturday or 6.00pm the day
following a midweek fixture. NB. Clubs should notify the Press of their
Results. The details for such will be given to Clubs on an annual basis. |
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| 19. |
(a) The Management Committee will meet with the Clubs
on a regular basis for the imparting of up to date information and
distribution of Fixtures. Unless otherwise notified, these meetings
(hereinafter known as League Meetings) will take place on the last
Monday of the Month at a venue to be determined by the Management
Committee. |
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(b) In the event of a meeting called on
any other day than determined in (a) above, all Clubs should receive at
least 14 days notice of the change of date. |
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(c) All Clubs must attend League meetings
and must sign the attendance registers provided by the League. Clubs who
fail to sign the Attendance Registers will be deemed to be absent and
dealt with accordingly. |
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(d) At the Commencement of the next
Management Committee subsequent to any League meeting, the names of all
Clubs who have failed to sign the attendance registers will be read to
the Committee. The Committee shall fine all Clubs deemed absent from any
League meeting. |
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(e) The Management Committee shall have
the right to fine a Club deemed to be absent from League meetings on
more than One occasion throughout the course of any one season under
League Rule 3(k). |
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(f) The Management Committee shall have
the right to charge any Club with misconduct should the said Club fail
to attend League meetings on 3 consecutive occasions during the course
of any one season. |
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(g) Any Club dealt with under (f) above
will be required to be interviewed by the Management Committee as to its
suitability to continue in membership of the League for any ensuing
season. |
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| 20 |
(a) In the event of the non appearance of an Official Referee or injury
to an Official Referee which prevents them from continuing, unless an
individual can be agreed by both teams, the competing teams must toss a
coin and the team winning the toss shall have choice of Referee. |
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(b) Once chosen, the individual concerned
should officiate for the duration of the entire fixture unless injury
prevents them from doing so. In the event of such injury, the Club who
initially won the toss of coin shall continue to have choice of Referee. |
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(c) The person chosen to Officiate under
(a) and (b) above shall have full powers under the Laws of the Game as
distributed annually by the Irish Football Association. |
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(d) No team should seek to impose a match
official upon their opponents. Any Club found to have attempted to act
in this manner will be charged with misconduct and dealt with by the
Management Committee. |
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| 21 |
The above Rules cover League and Cup Competitions. |
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Appendix A
(appertaining to Rule 12)
The Secretary
XXX FC
Date
Re: YYY FC v XXX FC
Res Div Z –Sat 12th Never
Dear Secretary
Your Club is charged with failing to fulfil the above fixture.
Consequently your are required to choose one of the two options
available as listed below. Please indicate your choice by placing an X
against either option A or B.
Option A
Our Club accept the charge and do not require a personal hearing with
the Management Committee. We understand that the above named fixture
will be awarded to our opponents and that we will be fined œ60.
No Interview will take place.
Option B
Our Club wish to challenge the charge and request a personal hearing
with the Management Committee to outline extenuating circumstances.
We understand that if the charge is proven we will forfeit the above
named fixture to our opponents and our Club will be fined œ60.
WE ENCLOSE A DEPOSIT OF œ20 WHICH SHALL BE FORFEITED IN THE EVENT OF THE
CHARGE BEING SUSTAINED.
Should your Club accept option B, you will receive at least 7 days
written notice of the date of any interview
Please note that your Club are required to respond to this
correspondence by return, indicating which option you are accepting.
Should your Club fail to return this correspondence within 7 days, the
League will assume that you accept the charge as per option A.
Please note also that shortage of players will not normally be regarded
as extenuating circumstances.
Yours in Sport
PJ Suckling
Hon Sec
Mid Ulster Football League |
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