FAW Youth Leagues

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1. In these Rules, the following words and expressions have the following meanings:

1.1.1.  ‘Authorised Kit’ means each Match playing kit approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 16 below;

1.1.2.  ‘Board’ means the committee of the FAW constituted in accordance with the FAW Rules and FAW Regulations in order to administer the League from time to time.

1.1.3.  ‘Business Day’ means a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a public or bank holiday in Wales.

1.1.4.  ‘Clear Days’ in relation to the period of notice means that period excluding the day when notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect.

1.1.5.  ‘Club’ means an association football club which is for the time being a member of the League or (where the context requires) a prospective member or a former member of the League.

1.1.6.  ‘Chairman’ means the Chairman of the Board who shall be appointed by the FAW Council.

1.1.7.   ‘Division’ means each of the two (2) divisions of the League, currently known as ‘FAW Youth League North-East and West' and ‘FAW Youth League', as such names may be amended from time to time by the Board with the approval of the FAW directors (for example) to include the name of a title sponsor.

1.1.8.  ‘FAW’ means the Football Association of Wales Ltd.

1.1.9.  ‘FAW Regulations’ means the regulations, standing orders, byelaws, orders, codes, policies, procedures, directives and instructions for the time being of the FAW.

1.1.10.  ‘FAW Rules’ means the Rules for the time being of the FAW.

1.1.11.  ‘General Manager’ means the general manager of the League or any other person appointed by the FAW to perform the duties of the general manager from time to time.

1.1.12.  ‘General Meeting’ means any meeting of the Clubs and shall include the Annual General Meeting and any Extraordinary General Meetings called in accordance with Rule 4 below.

1.1.13.  ‘Home Club’ means the Club on whose ground any Match should be or should have been played and where ground sharing is in operation the Club whose name first appears on the relevant Match details issued by the Board and ‘Visiting Club’ means the other Club due to play in the relevant Match.

1.1.14.  ‘League’ means the  Tier 1, 2, and 3 ‘Youth League’ league in the FAW’s Pyramid League System, as such name may be amended from time to time by the Board with the approval of the FAW directors (for example) to include the name of a title sponsor.

1.1.15.  ‘Match’ means any association football match played in the League.

1.1.16.  ‘Match Officials’ means the Referee, Assistant Referees and any Fourth Official for a Match.

1.1.17.  ‘Official’ means any director, secretary or other duly authorised representative of a Club.

1.1.18.  'Player Eligibility'. A Player must be male and must not have attained the age of 19 years before 1^st September in the relevant year in order to play in the League for that season, unless he is designated 'over age' player.  

A player must have reached the age of 16 years on the day a match is played. 

In any match day squad of 16 members - up to 5 over age players shall be permitted with 3 over age players allowed on the field of play at the same time. 

1.1.19.  ‘Rules’ means these Rus of the League as amended from time to time.

1.1.20.  ‘Scale of Fines’ means the scale of fines referred to in Rule 35 below.

1.1.21.  ‘Sponsorship Rights’ means any and all sponsorship rights worldwide in perpetuity relating to the League, including rights to use League designations (such as title sponsor, official sponsor, official partner and/or official supplier of the League), League advertising rights, rights to use League logos, rights to League press and other public relations campaigns, rights to League licensing, merchandising and promotions but excluding Transmission Rights.

1.1.22.  ‘Sponsorship Contracts’ means any and all contracts entered into by the FAW and/or its agents and licensees in or ancillary to the exercise of the Sponsorship Rights.

1.1.23.  ‘Team Sheet’ means the sheet as provided by the League from time to time listing the numbers, surnames and first names of the Players in the relevant Club team’s Match day squad, together with the surnames and first names of Officials to be seated on the substitutes’ bench for a Match.

1.1.24.  ‘Tier 1, 2, 3  Club Licensing Regulations ’ has the meaning given in Rule 4 below.

1.1.25.  ‘Transmission Rights’ means the sole and exclusive worldwide right in perpetuity to record (a) television or other moving pictures of any League match; (b) sounds of and/or commentary upon any Match and (c) data relating to any Match (and, in each case, have sole and exclusive access to the ground of each Club to do so) and transmit and/or exploit and/or otherwise make available the whole or any part of such recordings in any language and whether live and/or delayed by any and all manner and means in all current and future media including by terrestrial, cable and satellite television, radio, internet and mobile networks and whether to the public or closed groups, and to authorise others to do so.

1.1.26.  ‘Transmission Contracts’ means any and all contracts entered into by the FAW and/or its agents and licensees in or ancillary to the exercise of the Transmission Rights.

1.1.27.  ‘Welsh Cup’ means the FAW Challenge Cup.

1.2. A reference to a person includes a body corporate and an unincorporated body of persons.

1.3. Referring to natural persons include both genders. The singular case applies to the plural and vice versa.

1.4. The headings in these Rules are inserted for ease of reference and do not affect the interpretation of these Rules.

1.5. The terms ‘include’, ‘including’, ‘for example’, ‘such as’ and ‘in particular’ or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative, without limiting the sense or scope of the words preceding them.

2. GENERAL

2.1. These Rules have been prepared in accordance with FAW Rule 28.

2.2. Acceptance of membership of the League shall constitute an agreement between the Club concerned and the FAW, to be bound by and comply with these Rules, such agreement to be effective from the date of the Club’s admission to the League and to terminate from the date a Club ceases to be a member of the League.

2.3. In addition to these Rules, all Clubs shall be bound by and comply with:

2.3.1.  The FAW Rules and FAW Regulations; and

2.3.2.  The Laws of the Game.

In the event that any of these Rules conflict with the FAW Rules or FAW Regulations the FAW Rules or FAW Regulations shall prevail.

3. THE BOARD

3.1. The business of the League shall be conducted by the Board which, subject to the FAW Rules and FAW Regulations, shall have jurisdiction over all matters relating to the administration of the League and the conduct of Clubs.

3.2. The Board shall consist of members as decided by the FAW Council from time to time.

3.3. The President of the League shall be the President of the FAW for the time being.

3.4. The Board may from its own number, appoint and elect such sub-committees as it deems necessary for the efficient management of the business of the League and may delegate to such sub-committees such of its powers as the Board deems appropriate.

3.5. In the event of the voting at any meeting of the Board being equal, the Chairman of such meeting shall have a second casting vote.

3.6. The Board shall defray out of the funds of the League all expenses in respect of the administration of the League. A member of the Board may be paid out of League funds such expenses incurred through attendance at meetings of, or in connection with, the League, as the Board may approve.

3.7. The Board may do all such acts and exercise all such powers as may be required to give effect to the provisions of these Rules. Save for those matters which in the first instance are to be dealt with or determined by other bodies of the FAW in accordance with the FAW Rules or FAW Regulations, the Board shall in the first instance determine all breaches of these Rules or other matters of misconduct or dispute by or between Clubs, Players, Officials or other personnel directly or indirectly involved with the League. The Board shall have the power to impose fines not exceeding £10,000 and any other sanctions (including deduction of points or suspension from the League) as the Board shall consider appropriate, subject always to the rights of appeal and (if applicable) the Scale of Fines hereinafter mentioned.

3.8. The Board shall normally meet in each month except July, but the General Manager shall either of his own volition, or otherwise on the requisition of any three (3) members of the Board, summon a meeting of the Board at any other time.

3.9. The Board shall cause minutes to be retained:

3.9.1.  of the names of the members of the Board present at each meeting thereof and of any sub-committees; and

3.9.2.  of all proceedings and decisions at General Meetings and at all meetings of the Board.

The General Manager shall cause such minutes to be circulated to members of the Board, the FAW Council and to the Clubs following ratification by the directors of the FAW.

3.10. The Board may act notwithstanding any temporary vacancy of any member.

3.11. All acts done by any meeting of the Board or by any person acting as representative of the Board shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any person so acting or that any person so acting was disqualified, be as valid as if such a person had been duly appointed and qualified.

3.12. Each member of the Board shall be furnished with a pass (which shall not be transferable) and all Clubs shall admit the holder to their grounds and stands to all matches under the jurisdiction of the League and to all Welsh Cup matches.

3.13. In relation to any matter not specifically addressed in these Rules the Board shall, subject to the FAW Rules and FAW Regulations, have the power to take such action and make such decisions, orders and impose such penalties as it deems necessary and to follow such procedure as it considers appropriate.

3.14. All decisions made by the Board shall be subject to the approval of the directors of the FAW.

4. FAW TIER 1, 2 AND 3 CLUB LICENSING REGULATIONS

4.1. Only those Clubs and prospective Clubs which attain FAW Tier 1, 2 and 3  Licence (‘Tier 1, 2 and 3  Club Compliance Certification') under the FAW’s Tier 1, 2 and 3  Club Licensing Regulations shall be eligible for membership of the League in the season which next commences after the grant of such Tier 1, 2 and 3  Club Licensing Regulations.

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS

5.1. The League joining fee for each Club shall be £500 or such other sum as shall be determined by the Board from time to time. The League joining fee shall be paid to the General Manager and in advance on or before 31^st July immediately before the start of the Club’s first season in membership. Any Club whose subscription has not been paid by 31st July shall not be entitled to be represented at any General Meeting until the same shall have been paid. Rule 6.1 will be suspended for the 2021-2022 Season.

5.2. The annual subscription of each Club to the League shall be £250 or such other sum as shall be determined by the Board from time to time. All annual subscriptions shall be paid in advance on or before 31st July in each year to the General Manager. Any Club whose subscription has not been paid by 31st July shall not be entitled to be represented at any General Meeting until the same shall have been paid.

6. ACCOUNTS

6.1. The FAW shall cause proper annual accounts to be kept of all income and expenditure of the League to 30th June in each year and shall lay the said accounts before the Annual General Meeting of the League for the information of the Clubs. The FAW shall be solely responsible for the manner in which the income of the League is expended.

7. NOTICES

7.1. Any notice or other communication to be given in accordance with these Rules shall be delivered in accordance with Rule 144 of the FAW Rules. All notices sent to the Clubs shall be sent to the secretary of the Club whose name and address shall be notified by the Club to the General Manager. Any notice or other communication to be served on the League shall be addressed to the General Manager, FAW Youth Leagues, the Football Association of Wales, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan CF72 8JY or via email on info@faw.co.uk. Proof of service shall be in accordance with Rule 144 of the FAW Rules.

8. INDEMNITY

8.1. Any member of the Board who is not a director of the FAW shall be indemnified out of the assets of the FAW in identical form to the indemnity contained in article 47 of the Articles of Association of the FAW.

9. ALTERATIONS TO THESE RULES

9.1. No alteration in these Rules shall be made until they have been approved by the FAW in accordance with Rule 30 of the FAW Rules. Alterations to these Rules shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting or at Extraordinary General Meeting convened under Rule 4 above for that purpose. Any alteration to these Rules must be supported by at least two thirds (2/3rds) of those present and eligible to vote at such meeting.

9.2. Club proposals for alterations to these Rules together with the name of their Club proposers and seconders shall be received by the General Manager no later than the 1^st March prior to the date fixed for the Annual General Meeting in any year. The Board may also propose alterations to these Rules to be considered at an appropriate Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting.

10. DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, DISPUTES, APPEALS, INDEPENDENT ARBITRATION AND SANCTIONS

10.1. Provisions relating to disciplinary procedures, disputes, appeals, independent arbitration, penalties, sanctions and other powers shall be dealt with in accordance with the FAW Rules and FAW Regulations including Rules 37-54(A) and 146 of the FAW Rules.

11. REGISTRATIONS, CONTRACTS AND TRANSFERS

11.1. Provisions relating to Player registrations, contracts and transfers shall (if as so far as applicable) be dealt with in accordance with these Rules and the FAW Rules and FAW Regulations including Rules 55-91 of the FAW Rules.

11.2. All Player registration and transfer forms and any other applicable documents must be received by the FAW (in each case, using the systems and procedures set by the FAW from time to time) by 5pm on the last Business Day prior to the Match in which the Club wishes the Player to participate.

12. SUSTITUTES

12.1. A Club at its discretion may use up to five (5) substitutes during a Match except to replace a Player or Players who have been sent off or suspended from the Match by the Referee. Substitutions can only be made when the play has been stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission.

During the match, each team:

- may use a maximum of five substitutes

- has a maximum of three substitution opportunities

- may additionally make substitutions at half-time

where both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as a substitution opportunity for each team.

12.2. The name(s) and numbers of the substitute(s) must be nominated to the Referee on the Team Sheet in accordance with Rule 24 below. When making substitutions, Clubs and Match Officials must ensure that the appropriate substitution boards supplied by the League are used. Clubs may nominate up to seven (7) substitutes.

12.3. No Club may play an ineligible Player in any Match. Any Club which plays an ineligible player in a Match will have three (3) points deducted from its record for that season and will also be liable to a fine. If the Player is a nominated but unused substitute for a Match, he shall be deemed as not having played for the Club in that Match.

12.4. A Club must not nominate a Player as a substitute for a Match unless he is a duly registered Player for the Club with the FAW who is eligible to play in the Match.

13. AUTHORISED KITS

13.1. By 24^th June, each Club shall submit to the General Manager, in writing, in PDF format full details of their proposed Match kit colours (comprising shirts, shorts and socks for outfield players in both home and change kit versions, and including any proposed sponsor logos) for the forthcoming season and, once approved by the Board (each such kit then being an “Authorised Kit”), such details shall be published in the League Handbook for that season. The Authorised Kits shall be worn during the relevant season and no changes of either colours or combination of colours shall be permitted during the course of the season except: (a) when the colours of two competing Clubs are alike or similar the Visiting Club shall change to another kit approved in writing by the Board (or, in an emergency, approved by the Referee) that does not include any of the basic colour of the Authorised Kits of the Home Club; and (b) Club may submit a request in writing to the General Manager at least fourteen (14) days before a Match to wear an alternative special kit (for example, a charity kit or a new season launch kit) and may wear such a kit if it obtains prior written approval from the General Manager.

13.2. Each goalkeeper shall play each Match in a kit clearly distinguishable from the colours of the shirts worn by all outfield players and Match Officials and the other goalkeeper.

13.3. If undershorts or tights or undersocks or undershirts are to be worn by a Player in a Match, they must be of a colour approved by the Board in relation to the applicable Authorised Kit prior to the relevant season.

13.4. No Club shall be permitted to register or play a Match in shirts the colour of which is likely to cause confusion with the outfits worn by Referees and Assistant Referees.

13.5. The Players’ shirts for each Match must be clearly numbered in accordance with the Team Sheet handed to the Referee before the Match and there must be no change of numbers during the Match except if there is a change of goalkeeper. The captain of each team shall wear a distinguishing arm band to indicate his status.

13.6. An unmarked blood shirt is also required by every team at every Match.

13.7. Clubs wishing to make alterations to their Authorised Kits after the date set by the Board under Rule 13.1 above, must make an application to the Board. The Board may require all Players participating in Matches to carry the League’s and/or a League sponsor’s logo on both sleeves of their shirts.

13.8. All kits for Matches must comply with FAW Kit Regulations.

14. LEAGUE FORMAT

14.1. The League will comprise the two (2) Divisions. Each Division will compromise a maximum of sixteen-(16) member Clubs in each season, unless expressly directed by the FAW.  Each Club will be allocated to the more geographically appropriate Division, as determined by the Board and approved by the FAW directors prior to the start of the relevant season. The Board shall determine annually the date on which Matches shall commence. The Board shall fix the date in the following year on which the normal playing season of the League shall terminate.

14.2. A Club may not enter its Youth team in any other competition except any invitational competition approved in writing in advance by the Board. The General Manager must be promptly informed by the relevant Club in advance of all proposed fixtures to be played (and afterwards all results of fixtures played) by its reserve team in any competition other than the League.

14.3. In each season, the Clubs in each Division will play Matches against each other on a home and away basis, giving a maximum total of thirty-two (32) Matches per Club.

14.4. All Matches shall be of ninety (90) minutes’ duration. Three (3) points will be awarded to a Club for a win in a Match at home or away, and one (1) point for a drawn Match at home or away.  At the end of each season’s League competition, the Club scoring the largest number of total points in a Division shall be declared the Division champion Club for that season.

14.5. Where two or more Clubs in a Division possess the same number of points, the following criteria will be applied in the order given to determine their rankings:

14.5.1.  Superior goal difference obtained in all League matches;

14.5.2.  higher or highest number of goals scored in all League matches;

14.5.3.  higher or highest number of points obtained in all League matches  played among the Clubs in question;

14.5.4.  superior goal difference obtained in all League matches played among the Clubs in question;

14.5.5.  higher or highest number of goals scored in all League matches played among the teams in question;

14.5.6.  higher or highest number of goals scored away from home in all League matches played among the teams in question;

14.5.7.  higher or highest number of wins in all League matches;

14.5.8.  higher or highest number of away wins in all League matches;

14.5.9.  lower or lowest disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received in all League matches; and

14.5.10.  the Clubs concerned shall play-off, in a format as directed by the Board.

14.6. The Division champion Club shall hold the Division trophy for approximately one year and will be responsible for the engraving of the trophy prior to its return to the FAW. The Cup must be returned not later than 1^st March in the following season. In addition to the Division trophy, the FAW shall present twenty-five (25) souvenirs to the Division champion Club, twenty (20) for the Players and five (5) for the Officials of the Club.

14.7. If any Club ceases to operate between the Annual General Meeting and the commencement of the following season, no adjustments to the number of Clubs in membership of the League will be made. The remaining Clubs shall constitute the members of the League for that season.

14.8. A Club which for any reason ceases to operate at any time during the season shall have its playing record expunged. Any monies due to it from the FAW funds shall be withheld and from the date of the withdrawal no further payments shall become due to it.

14.9. A Club that enters into administration at any time during the playing season shall have ten (10) points deducted from its record, and any monies due to it from FAW funds shall be withheld. A Club that enters into administration outside of the playing season shall have ten (10) points deducted from its record in the season following the date on which it entered administration, and any monies due to it from the FAW funds shall be withheld unless and until the Club exits administration on a solvent basis. 

15. SCHEDULING OF MATCHES AND KICK-OFF TIMES

15.1. The Board shall determine how the Matches shall be arranged and rearranged over the playing season. The Board may change the schedule of Matches during the season to suit the overall interests of the League. The Matches shall take precedence over all competitions in which a Club may engage, with the exception of the Welsh Cup, the Welsh Premier League Cup, UEFA club competitions and any invitational competition as agreed by the Board. 

15.2. The schedule of Matches shall be issued by the General Manager after consultation with the Clubs. The Home Club for each Match shall have the right to determine whether a weekend Match is to be played on a Friday evening or a Saturday or Sunday save that all weekday (Monday to Friday) evening fixtures when the distance between the Home Club and the Visiting Club is more than forty (40) miles shall only take place with the consent of both Clubs.

15.3. At least two (2) weeks’ prior notice is required from Clubs wishing to re-arrange a Saturday Match to weekday (Monday to Friday) evening . A request made in less than this period of time will only be considered by the Board in exceptional circumstances.

15.4. Clubs shall not be required to play a Match within seventy (72) hours prior to, or within seventy (72) hours after playing a UEFA club competition match.

15.5. Unless mutually agreed by the Clubs concerned, the time of kick-off shall be: Saturday and Sunday matches: 2.30pm or as directed by the Board. Evening matches: 7.30pm for Clubs with floodlights or as mutually agreed between the two Clubs; and for Clubs without floodlights as mutually agreed between the two Clubs. If Clubs are unable to mutually agree, the General Manager shall have the discretion to fix the kick-off time.

15.6. In all Matches, the half-time interval shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes.

15.7. All agreed changes to time of kick-off shall be notified to the General Manager by the Home Club immediately for confirmation at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the Match.

15.8. Clubs shall adhere to any additional requirements agreed by the Board and contained in the League broadcasters’ protocol to be provided to the Clubs by the General Manager at least two (2) weeks prior to the commencement of the playing season.

15.9. Each Home Club shall confirm full kit colours (including goalkeeper) on COMET at least five (5) days prior to the Match. The Visiting Club, Referee The Match Referee must confirm approval of both Clubs’ proposed kits with both Clubs and the General Manager via COMET at least forty eight (48) hours prior to kick off.

15.10. Visiting Clubs shall also confirm in such match correspondence to Home Clubs if they will be attending post-Match hospitality or not.

15.11. Where a Match is re-arranged or cancelled after the Match Officials have been appointed, it is the duty of the Home Club to notify the Match Officials of the cancellation of their appointments immediately.

16. GATE RECEIPTS

16.1. Save as expressly stated in these Rules, the Home Club shall retain all gate receipts generated from each Match.

17. CONDITION OF GROUNDS AND POSTPONEMNETS

17.1. Any Match not completed may be ordered to stand as a completed Match or replayed for the full period of ninety (90) minutes, as the Board may direct. In the event of a Match not being played to a finish owing to fog or other causes over which neither Club has control, the Home Club shall take its own gate receipts of such uncompleted Match and the gate receipts of the replayed Match shall be divided on Welsh Cup tie terms, except that season ticket holders of the Home Club shall be admitted on producing their cards of membership.

17.2. In the event of a Match having to be postponed for any reason due to problems arising from one of the Clubs involved, their prospective opponents shall be compensated by them/or the League at the discretion of the Board.

17.3. In the case of the Visiting Club, should it have undertaken all or part of the journey, travelling expenses and meal allowance may be claimed based on the total mileage on the whole journey. The allowance will be as assessed by the Board up to a maximum of £150 .

17.4. Details of the compensation claim by either/both Clubs shall be placed before the Board, with all the details clearly itemised.

17.5. When a Match is postponed, both Clubs are to agree an alternative date and notify the General Manager within fourteen (14) days of the revised date. If the Clubs fail to agree, the General Manager is to impose a date without right of appeal by either Club.

17.6. The postponement of a Match due to ground conditions must be carried out in accordance with this Rule. No Club shall postpone the playing of a Match on account of apparent unfitness of its ground, the Referee being the sole person to decide as to the fitness after inspection. In bad weather, or where it seems apparent that there is not a possibility of the Match being played, it shall be obligatory for the Home Club to call in the most senior FAW qualified referee available or designated person as deemed competent by the FAW Referee’s Manager, to give a ruling as to the fitness after consultation with the General Manager. The time of any inspection shall be by mutual agreement between the two Clubs taking into account the travelling time of the visiting Club. In case of dispute, the General Manager shall decide the time of any inspection.

17.7. In the event of the available referee declaring the ground unfit, the Home Club shall notify the Visiting Club and the Match Officials forthwith by email and telephone call to avoid all unnecessary expense in travelling. The Visiting Club shall forthwith acknowledge receipt of such notice. If the Home Club does not receive an acknowledgement promptly, the Home Club shall forthwith notify the General Manager.

17.8. If the available referee or designated person as deemed competent by the FAW Referee’s Manager does not declare the ground unfit, a final decision shall be made by the Match Referee upon his arrival at the ground (each such Referee taking into account that Referees should not hastily postpone or abandon Matches).

17.9. When a Club obtains the approval of the Board  to postpone a Match because of an epidemic or similar affecting the availability of its Players, that Club shall be liable to pay any direct expenses (if any) incurred by the opposing Club as a result of the postponement.

17.10. Requests for the postponement of a Match for any reason will not be considered more than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled time of kick-off.

17.11. Medical Certificates for those Players affected sent signed by the Player’s own doctor must be forwarded to the General Manager within fourteen (14) days of the postponement, along with the full list of Professional Players and Amateur Players currently engaged by the Club during the season, giving full reasons against each name for that Player’s unavailability.

18. TEAM SHEETS AND STRENGTHS OF TEAMS

18.1. Both Match Team Sheets must be completed and  entered on COMET, at least sixty (60) minutes before kick-off of each Match (except at least ninety (90) minutes before kick-off of any Match to be transmitted “live” on terrestrial television). The Home Club shall ensure that both Team Sheets are on COMET at least forty five minutes (45) minutes before kick-off. 

18.2. Any Club altering its team selection or numbering after Team Sheets have been exchanged will be subject to any action decided upon by the Board. After the validated Team Sheets have been submitted by both Clubs, and if the Match has not yet kicked off, no replacement is allowed except in the following cases:

18.2.1.  If any of the 11 Players indicated on the Team Sheet as forming the starting 11 are not able to start the match due to physical incapacity, they may only be replaced by any of the substitutes listed on the initial Team Sheet. The substitute(s) in question may then only be replaced by a registered player (players) not listed on the initial Team Sheet, so that the quota of substitutes is not reduced. During the match, three (3) Players may still be substituted.

18.2.2.  If any of the substitutes listed on the Team Sheet are not able to be fielded due to physical incapacity, they may only be replaced by a registered Player not listed on the initial Team Sheet.

18.2.3.  If none of the goalkeepers listed on the Team Sheet are able to be fielded due to physical incapacity, they may be replaced by registered goalkeeper Player not listed on the initial Team Sheet.

18.2.4.  The Club concerned must, upon request, provide the Board with the necessary medical certificates.

18.3. The League’s COMET Team Sheet shall be used by each Club, using the systems and procedures set by the FAW from time to time.

18.4. Each Club shall play its full strength team in all Matches and shall be prepared to kick off at the advertised time unless an explanation is offered which is deemed satisfactory by the Board. 

19. MATCH-DAY PASSES

19.1. Each Home Club will issue to the Visiting Club:

19.1.1.  A pass to cover eighteen (18) Players plus up to eight (8) Officials (including team manager, assistant coach and First Aid Officer) with access to the relevant changing room, pitch, substitutes bench and technical area and other relevant areas within the ground on Match day, and

19.1.2.  Passes to give access to the ground and directors’ boardroom for six (6) directors on Match day.

19.2. Additional passes or tickets to give access to the ground for the Match must be issued upon request from the Visiting Club, up to a maximum of six (6), provided it is understood that such requests must be restricted to bona-fide Club directors.

19.3. Ten (10) League passes will be issued to each Club. The passes are for ground admission and stand for all Matches (subject to availability) but will not guarantee admittance in to the Club boardroom or directors box. The passes are transferable.

20. SUSTITUTES BENCHES AND TECHNICAL AREAS

20.1. At each Match:

20.1.1.  up to thirteen (13) Players and Officials in total (of which no more than seven (7) may be the substitutes nominated in accordance with Rule 12.1 above, or the Players they have replaced on the field of play) may sit on the substitutes’ bench of the relevant Club in the designated technical area. The full name of each person and their function must be listed on the Team Sheet. If the designated technical area has less than eleven seats, the Home Club must provide additional technical seats, which must be located at least 5 metres to the outside of the marked technical area.

20.1.2.  Only one (1) person at a time from the relevant Club may stand in the designated technical area.  Only one (1) person at a time from the relevant Club may convey tactic instructions from the designated technical area.

20.1.3.  The person on duty as Emergency Aid Officer shall be either the Club’s incumbent First Aid Officer who holds a valid FASE 1 or FAW First Aid course, in exceptional circumstances, a replacement who holds a valid FASE 1 or FAW First Aid course  is appropriately qualified in accordance with the FAW’s Tier 2 Compliance Regulations.

20.1.4.  During the Match, substitutes are allowed to leave the designed technical area to warm up. The Referee may determine exactly where they may warm up (behind the first Assistant Referee or behind the goal) and how many substitutes are allowed to warm up simultaneously but in any event, no more than three (3) in total from each Club. A Club Official (as indicated on the Team Sheet) may join the substitutes warming up and, if so, is responsible for compliance with the Referee’s instructions.  Each Club participating in a Match must have two (2) sets of warm up bibs available to present to the Referee before the Match.  The Referee will decide which bibs the substitutes must wear during their warmups.

20.1.5.  Smoking (including the use of e-cigarettes) is not allowed in the technical area during Matches.

20.1.6.  Three home and three away bibs to be placed opposite the technical areas in preparation for substitutions (as players are now expected to leave the field at the nearest point after being substituted).  

21. RESULT / REPORT FORMS

21.1. Each Club competing in a Match shall send the completed standard electronic Result Form to the General Manager within thirty (30) minutes of the final whistle, using the systems and procedures set by the FAW from time to time. The Referee shall send the completed standard Referee’s Report Form to the General Manager within sixty (60) minutes of the final whistle, using the systems and procedures set by the FAW from time to time. The Referee’s Report Form must be complete in all details, including the result of the Match, the full names of the Players taking part in the Match, the names of the substitutes and details of any substitutions made (including the Match time when the substitution was made), and details of any yellow cards and red cards issued (including the Match time when the card was issued).

22. MATCH OFFICIALS

22.1. The FAW shall decide on the appointments of Match Officials.

22.2. In the event of the Match Officials not being in attendance at the Match in accordance with Rule 22.3 below, the two (2) Clubs must agree to a substitute on the ground and such substitute shall be considered a Match Official for the time being.

22.3. Match Officials should be present at the appointment at least seventy-five (75) minutes prior to the advertised time of kick-off. The appointed Referee may be required to visit the ground earlier if requested to do so by the Home Club.  If any Match Official becomes aware that they are likely to arrive late, they must immediately notify the participating Clubs, other Match Officials and the General Manager via telephone calls.

22.4. In cases where it is considered necessary to stop playing a Match owing to adverse weather or another cause, the Referee must wait a reasonable length of time before deciding on abandonment.

22.5. Should the appointed Referee fail to appear, the senior Assistant Referee shall take charge. The senior Assistant Referee is the Assistant Referee with the longer service on the League.

22.6. Referees must report to the General Manager all cases where Clubs commence a Match late, or without eleven (11) Players on the field and also in case of their own or any Assistant Referee’s or the Fourth Official’s late arrival for any Match as soon as possible after the Match. Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials must also send an explanation of their late arrival to the General Manager as soon as possible after the Match.

22.7. The Home Club must pay the Match Officials their fee and/or expenses on the date of the Match, in their dressing room, within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the Match.

22.8. The football(s) proposed to be used in a Match must be the applicable official Match ball type as determined by the Board and notified to the Clubs by the General Manager from time to time. The Home Club must ensure that the proposed Match balls are in good condition and without any writing or extra marking on them. The proposed Match ball(s) (comprising a minimum number of eight (8)) shall be submitted by the Home Club to the Referee for his approval before commencement of the Match.

22.9. The scale of payments for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials shall be determined by the FAW and notified to the Clubs by the General Manager prior to the commencement of the playing season.

22.10. All Match Officials shall be entitled to claim the cheapest form of rail travel available on the day of the Match or motoring expenses determined from time to time by the FAW when travelling by car.

22.11. Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials must travel together when instructed to do so by the FAW.

22.12. Home Clubs must provide adequate refreshments to the Match Officials in their dressing room at least sixty (60) minutes prior to kick-off.

22.13. In the case of postponed Matches where gate money is not taken, the Match Officials shall be paid their travelling expenses and half their ordinary fee.

22.14. Referees must report any late presentation or non-presentation of Team Sheets or alteration of teams after presentation of Team Sheets in accordance with Rule 24 above.

22.15. Referees must ensure that Clubs play Matches in the correct Authorised Kit as defined in Rule 16 above.  Any breach of this Rule must be reported to the General Manager.

22.16. The kit worn by Match Officials at Matches shall be approved by the FAW Referees Committee.

22.17. Any comments, questions or complaints regarding the decisions of a given Match Official shall be directed to the FAW Referees Manager (initially via email), not to any individual Match Official. Under no circumstances are conversations between club personnel and match officials to be recorded with any device without the knowledge and permission of all parties.

23. WITHDRAWAL OF CLUBS

23.1. A Club shall not resign from the League after being accepted at the Annual General Meeting and before completing all of its Matches in the relevant season.

23.2. If a Club wishes to resign from the League at the end of the season, it must do so by giving notice by 1st April.

24. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS - MISCONDUCT BY CLUB, THEIR OFFICIALS, PLAYERS OR OTHERS

24.1. At the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 above, a seventy-five per cent (75%) majority of the accredited Club representatives present and eligible to vote shall have power to exclude from further participation in the League any Club whose conduct has in their opinion been objectionable and detrimental to the good conduct of the name of the League.

24.2. It is the responsibility of all Clubs to ensure that their Officials, Players or other members of the Club do not, by their written or spoken words or actions, bring the League or any other Club into disrepute.

25. PUBLIC LIABILITY AND PLAYERS INSURANCE

25.1. All Clubs must have and maintain Public Liability Insurance in the minimum sum determined from time to time by the Board, evidence of such cover having to be provided to the General Manager at least fourteen (14) days before the start of the season and as otherwise requested by the Board. In the event of the FAW arranging block cover for Public Liability Insurance, all Clubs will be required to participate on such terms as the Board shall decide.

26. REGISTRATION OF GROUND SHARING

26.1. Each Club must register its ground for Home Matches with the General Manager by 30^th June prior to the start of each season and the Club may not use any other ground for Home Matches without the Board’s prior written approval. 

26.2. Any Club which intends entering a ground sharing agreement either by sharing its own ground with another club, irrespective of whether the other club is from within or outside the League must initially submit in writing to the General Manager full details of the agreement which must then be approved by the Board before it can be accepted. Details of ground sharing agreements must be submitted to the General Manager by 1st March to be effective for the following season.  In all cases where grounds are shared, the Club is to have priority of use at all times unless there are exceptional circumstances approved in writing in advance by the Board. Failure to maintain priority use will render the ground unacceptable under these Rules and in addition not capable of obtaining Tiers 1, 2 and 3 Club Licensing Regulations.

26.3..If a club wishes to play at any Ground other than their Registered Ground, the alternative ground should meet at least Tier 3 ground criteria. If any alternative ground doesn’t meet the Tier 3 ground criteria, the club concerned may submit a request for an exception(s) which will be considered by the National League Board in their ultimate discretion.

27. TRANSMISSION OF LEAGUE MATCHES

27.1. The FAW shall have the sole and exclusive right to exercise the Transmission Rights and enter into Transmission Contracts and/or authorise others to do so. The Clubs shall do nothing to infringe such rights and shall at their own cost do all such things and sign all such documents as are necessary to facilitate the exercise of the Transmission Rights and enable the FAW, its agents and licensees to comply with the terms of Transmission Contracts, including the provision of access, facilities and services and the right to use Club, Official and Player names, logos, images and biographies.

28. SPONSORSHIP

28.1. The FAW shall have the sole and exclusive right to exercise the Sponsorship Rights and to enter into Sponsorship Contracts and/or authorise others to do so.  The Clubs shall do nothing to infringe such rights and shall at their own cost do all such things and sign all such documents as are necessary to facilitate the exercise of the Sponsorship Rights and enable the FAW, its agents and licensees to comply with the terms of Sponsorship Contracts, including the provision of access, facilities and services and the right to use Club, Official and Player names, logos, images and biographies.

29. MEDICAL COVER

29.1. At all Matches, medical cover to at least FAW approved  level must be provided by the Home Club for Players, Officials, Match Officials and spectators.

30. SCALE OF FINES AND PAYMENT OF FINES

30.1. The Scale of Fines to be imposed by the Board for a failure to comply with specified Rules (assuming the relevant failure is a first offence) shall be determined by the Panel from time to time and notified to the Clubs by the General Manager at least two (2) weeks prior to the commencement of the League playing season.

30.2. All fines imposed by the Board under these Rules must be paid to the FAW within fourteen (14) days of notice being given by the Board.

 

As approved by the NLB - Jun 2022