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RegulationsFair Play Regulations
1. PREAMBLE
Where the context so requires, capitalised and defined words or phrases used in this Regulation have the same definition and meaning set out in the FAW’s Rules. The Fair Play Regulations only apply to Clubs participating in the FAW’s National Leagues.
2. Aim
The aim of the FAW Fair Play Regulations is to encourage good behaviour and raise awareness of the ‘Fair Play’ message.
The objective of the FAW Fair Play Regulations is to inspire Players, team officials, Clubs and supporters to take an active role in promoting this message for the benefit of football at every level in Wales, as we all have a collective responsibility for the image of the game.
3. Points
The points total for the FAW Fair Play Tables are calculated as follows:
(i) 12 points for:
(a) A Player sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:
- Violent Conduct;
- Serious Foul Play;
- Spitting; or
- Using offensive, insulting or abusive language/gestures.
(b) A team official sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:
- deliberately leaving the technical area to:
(i) show dissent towards, or remonstrate with, a match official; and/or
(ii) act in a provocative or inflammatory manner; and/or
(iii) enter the opposing technical area in an aggressive or confrontational manner. - using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures;
- entering the field of play to confront a match official (including at half-time and full-time);
- entering the video operation room (VOR);
- entering the field of play to interfere with play, an opposing player or match official;
- deliberately throwing/kicking an object onto the field of play;
- physical or aggressive behaviour (including spitting or biting) towards an opposing player, substitute, team official, match official, spectator or any other person (e.g. ball boy/girl, security or competition official etc.); or
- violent conduct.
(ii) 10 points for:
(a) A Player sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:
- Two cautionable offences;
- denying a goal; or
- for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick.
(b) A team official sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:
- delaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g. holding onto the ball, kicking the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player;
- receiving a second caution in the same match; or
- using unauthorised electronic or communication equipment and/or behaving in an inappropriate manner as the result of using electronic or communication equipment.
(iii) 4 points for any Player or team official who receives a caution in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.
Each Clubs’ points will be based on their league matches only. For the avoidance of doubt, they will not include any play-off matches, cup competitions or friendlies.
If a Player or team officials’ registration is terminated, or a Player or team official is transferred to another Club during the same season, then the points accumulated will remain with the club at which the individual committed the offence.
4. Reduction of Points
During the season, each Club has an opportunity to reduce the number of points to their overall total where Clubs have evidenced the promotion of the FAW Fair Play message. The table below outlines all possible points deductions that will be considered:
|
Fair Play Promotion |
Total Number of Points Deducted |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Programme Articles – Clubs displaying FAW Fair Play logo, FAW Fair Play Code and FAW Fair Play Tables in at least 3 (three) different Matchday Programmes in the same season.
|
4
2
4
6
4
6 |
All of the above evidence must be submitted by post or email to the FAW Discipline Department (discipline@faw.co.uk) no later than 2 (two) days after the completion of the last match of the season in the Clubs respective league. All evidence that has been submitted will be reviewed at the end of the season and any deduction in points will be represented in the final tables only. It shall be to the absolute discretion of the FAW when determining if a reduction of points should be awarded.
A Club can gain a points deduction for each individual reason listed in the table above, the points deduction is only available for each individual reason once per season. Therefore, a Club cannot have two points deductions for the same reason during a single season. For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum number of points that can be deducted from a Clubs record for a single season is twenty-six (26).
5. Rankings
(i) At the end of each season, the FAW will produce a final table detailing each Clubs position in the FAW Fair Play Table. The final table will include the total number of points received by each Club and the total number of points deducted (as calculated in accordance with sections 3 & 4 of these Regulations). The team that is the winner of their league in respect of the Fair Play table will be the one with the least number of points.
(ii) Where two or more Clubs possess the same number of points, the following criteria will be applied in the order given to determine their rankings:
(a) Each Club will have their reduction of points (as set out under section 4 of these Regulations) reinstated;
(b) The Club with the fewest sending’s off for Players and team officials;
(c) The Club with the fewest sending’s off for team officials;
(d) The Club with the fewest sending’s off for Players;
(e) The Club with the fewest cautions for Players and team officials;
(f) The Club with the fewest cautions for team officials;
(g) The Club with the fewest cautions for Players;
(h) The Club with the fewest number of misconduct reports in that season in accordance with Section E of the FAW Rules;
If the following has been applied and there is no winner, then it will be a tie for first position.
6. Prize
(i) The Club that finishes first in their respective National League division shall be entitled to £1000.00 prize money. Save for where a single winner cannot be identified, and the £1000.00 prize money is split equally between the Clubs who finished first. (The FAW reserve the right to withhold the prize money where the Club has any outstanding debts with the FAW, where the debt is subsequently cleared, the FAW shall pay the prize money to the Club, if the debt is not cleared, the prize money shall be used against the debt owed, any leftover sums shall be paid to the Club.)
(ii) This prize money must be reinvested back into the Club and must be evidenced to the FAW. The prize money can be spent on equipment, ground improvements or anything else that would be of direct benefit to the Club and can be clearly evidenced to the FAW.
(iii) The prize money must not be spent on the following (please note this list is not exhaustive):
(a) Players, team officials or any member of staff at the club’s salaries and/or expenses;
(b) A transfer fee;
(c) Match Officials fees;
(d) Towards any bank loan; and
(e) For any utility bill;
(iv) Each Club who wins the FAW Fair Play Table in their National League will also be presented with an FAW Fair Play award trophy at a ceremony set by the FAW.
7. FAW Fair Play Branding
When publishing the FAW Fair Play brand, Clubs must use the current FAW Fair Play logo set by the Association from time to time.
8. Disputes
The decision of the FAW in relation to these Regulations is final and binding on all parties and not subject to appeal.
AS APPROVED BY THE DISCIPLINARY CHAIRS COMMITTEE - JUN 2022