TVWFL Competition Rules 2025-2026
All Thames Valley Walking Football matches must follow the Thames Valley Walking League rules and policies. In situations or incidents that are not covered by these rules and policies, except where otherwise stated, the IFAB Laws of Association Football apply also The FA Rules and Regulations, including The FA Small-Sided Football Disciplinary Policy, must be adhered to.
The rules are based on the FA Walking Football Laws of the Game and where any conflict arises in interpretation, these shall take precedence.
Revised March 2025
General Principle
Current Management Committee
Chair: Ken Wroe (Oxford United)
Secretary: Malcolm Wilson (Wycombe Wanderers)
Assistant Secretary, Website Manager & Welfare Officer: Holly Lovell (Watford)
Treasurer: Danny O'Sullivan (Aylesbury United)
Registrations: Chris Evans (South Reading)
General: Steve Shiel (Slough Town)
Women's Representative: Tanya Jacobs (Bracknell Town)
Eligibility of Players
Players are not permitted to play for more than one team during the League season, unless a transfer request has been submitted and agreed. It is important to have a list of players at our league on any given fixture for health and safety reasons and should any disciplinary issues arise, any individual participating must be 50 years of age or over before being permitted to play, with the exception of the Ladies Divisions’ where participants must be 40 years of age or more. Where a club has more than one team in the same age group but in different divisions, the following rules apply, with the agreement of the committee on each occasion: A player may move from a team in a lower division to a higher division team twice in a season, at that point they must transfer to the higher team.
If a player moves down from a team in a higher division they must transfer to that team with immediate effect.
Playing Area
The playing area is marked with lines. The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines. The two shorter lines are called goal lines. A penalty area is defined at each end of the pitch. This can either be a semi-circle, or a clearly marked rectangular box.
Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from each corner and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goals may be portable but they must be securely anchored to the ground.
The Ball
All footballs used will be according to tournament rules.
Number of Players
A match is played consisting of two teams not consisting of more than 6 players per team.
There is a maximum permitted squad at any fixture of nine players.
The number of substitutions made during a game is unlimited, and any player who has been replaced may return to the pitch as a substitute for another player.
A substitute is subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee whether called upon or not.
Any of the players or substitutes, may change places with the goalkeeper.
Bringing the League into Disrepute
If the action of Managers and Players are seen to bring the TVWFL into disrepute, then the Referee will report this to the committee and may abandon the match.
Respect
All persons present at the competitions must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious belief or sexual identity.
All players and officials must respect the match referee’s and publicly accept their decisions.
All players and officials should be positive role members and treat other players and officials with the same level of respect you would expect to be shown to yourself, please use correct and proper language at all times.
Laws of the game
LAW 1 The Field of Play
Dimension’s
The playing area must be rectangular; the length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Markings
The playing area is marked with lines.
The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines.
The two shorter lines are called goal lines.
The playing area is divided into two halves by the halfway line.
All lines must be of the same width which must not be more than 12cms.
The centre mark is at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 3m is marked around it.
The penalty area
A penalty area is defined at each end of the playing area as follows:
A semi-circle of 6m radius is drawn from each upright goal post. The extremities of these semi-circles should reach the goal line, barrier or wall, regardless of whether or not the goal posts encroach onto the playing area.
A penalty mark is made 6m from the midpoint between the goal posts, 6.5 meters from the edge of the goal line.
Goals
A goal must be placed on the centre of each goal line.
A goal consists of two vertical posts equidistant from each corner and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.
The distance (inside measurement) between the posts is 5m (maximum) – 3m (minimum); the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2m (maximum) – 1.20m (minimum).
The goal posts and the crossbars have the same width and depth as the lines.
Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal; they must be properly supported and must not interfere with the goalkeeper.
Safety
The goals may be portable and must meet British Standards and be anchored securely to the ground during play as per Health and Safety requirements.
Where there are no barriers a suitable run off should be provided around the playing area.
Playing surface
Where natural turf is not used the surface must be smooth, flat and non-abrasive.
LAW2 The Ball
Qualities and measurements
The ball is: spherical
Made of leather or other suitable material
Appropriate in size to the group playing. TVWFL play with Size 4 Balls.
Replacement of a defective ball
If the ball becomes defective:
Play is stopped and restarted by dropping the replacement ball where the original ball became defective.
If the ball becomes defective at a restart, the re-start is retaken.
If the ball becomes defective during a penalty kick or kicks from the penalty mark as it moves forward and before it touches a player, crossbar or goalposts the penalty kick is retaken.
The ball may not be changed during the match without the referee’s permission.
LAW 3 The Players
Number of players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than the following number of players and substitutes for each format:
5-a-side = 5 players per team and 5 substitutes (total of 10 players)
6-a-side = 6 players per team and 5 substitutes (total of 11 players)
7-a-side = 7 players per team and 5 substitutes (total of 12 players)
A match should not be considered valid if a team is permanently reduced by:
more than two players for 5–a-side,
more than two players for 6-a-side
more than three players for 7–a-side.
However, this should only apply when players are sent off (not temporarily dismissed) and/or unable to continue through injury, illness etc.…
Number of Substitutes
The number of substitutions made during a match is unlimited.
A player who has been substituted may return as a substitute for another player.
Substitution procedure
The following conditions must be observed:
The referee must be informed before the change is made
The change may only be made during a stoppage in play
Replacement goalkeeper must wear a jersey that distinguishes him from the Referee and all other players.
The substitution procedure is as follows:
The player entering the playing area may not do so until the player leaving the playing area has passed completely over the boundary line
The player being substituted should leave by the nearest point on the boundary line.
The substitution is complete when the substitute enters the playing area from which moment the replaced player becomes a substituted player and the substitute becomes a player and can take any restart.
All substituted players and substitutes are subject to the referee’s whether they play or not.
Changing the goalkeeper
Any of the players or substitutes, may change places with the goalkeeper if:
The referee is informed before the change is made
The change is made during a stoppage in play.
Offences and sanctions
If, while a substitution is being made, a substitute enters the playing area before the player being replaced has completely left:
Play is stopped,
The player being replaced is instructed to leave the playing area,
The substitute is temporarily dismissed (BLUE CARD) for the agreed period.
Play is restarted by an indirect free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the ball was situated when the match was stopped. However, if the ball was inside the penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken 3m from the penalty area line, at the place nearest to the position of the ball when play was stopped.
LAW 4 The Players Equipment
Safety
A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is Dangerous.
All items of Jewellery (watches, necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, studs, leather bands, rubber bands etc.…) are forbidden
and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewellery is not permitted, although tape to cover smooth rings on fingers is
allowed.
Compulsory equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player is:
Captain's armbands are to be worn.
A shirt with sleeves and team numbers are required.
Shorts or track suit trousers.
Socks - If socks are taped, the tape colour must be the same as the sock colour.
Shinguards – These must be of suitable material to provide reasonable protection and covered by socks.
Footwear – Appropriate to local conditions and surface type.
It is the player’s responsibility to wear correctly Padded Shin Guards, NOT a piece of plastic.
Colours
The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and the referee, each goalkeeper wears colours which are distinguishable from the other players and the referee.
Undergarments – Must be the same predominant colour of the shirt/shorts.
Other equipment
Non-dangerous protective equipment for example headgear, facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material is permitted as are goalkeepers’ caps and sports spectacles.
Offences and sanctions
For any Offences of this Law:
The player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the playing area to correct their equipment or to obtain any missing item of equipment.
The player may not return to the playing area without first reporting to the referee, who then checks that the player’s equipment is correct.
The player is only allowed to re-enter the playing area when the ball is out of play.
Players can return to play whilst the ball is in play if a second official has checked the equipment.
If no second official is present the player must wait for play to stop in order for the referee to check the faulty equipment.
LAW 5 The Referee
All referees that are appointed to officiate within Thames Valley Walking Football will be registered with the County FA.
The authority of the referee
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match.
Decisions of the referee
Decisions will be made to the best of the referee’s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’.
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The decisions of the referee, and all other match officials, must always be respected.
Powers and duties
The referee enforces the Laws of the Game and Controls the match in cooperation with the other match officials.
Acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match and provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occur before, during or after the match.
Supervises and/or indicates the restart of play.
Advantage
Allows advantage, play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that me
Disciplinary action
Punishes the more serious offence in terms of sanction, restart, physical severity and tactical impact when more than one offence occurs at the same time,
Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable, sin-bin (temporary dismissal) and sending-off offences,
Takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at their discretion, issue a caution (Yellow Card) or a sending off (Red Card) from the playing area and its immediate surrounds, Misconduct by Team Officials & sending-off offences are reported to the TVWFL Committee and FA County Authority.
Make use of timed suspensions to exclude temporarily players guilty of offences of the Laws, in the absence of a second official, the referee should make excluded players aware of the end of their period of suspension.
Please note, sin-bin suspension starts from when the restart ball is kicked & moves, not when the player initially leaves the field of play.
Injuries
Allows play to continue until there is a stoppage in play if a player is, in their opinion, only slightly injured,
Stops the match if a player is seriously injured and ensures that the player is removed from the playing area,
Ensures any player bleeding leaves the playing area.
Allows a team penalty taker, if injured, to stay on the field of play to be treated (quickly) and then take the penalty kick.
Outside interference:
Stops, suspends or terminates the match for any offence of the Laws or due to any kind of outside interference.
Allows no unauthorised persons to enter the playing area
LAW 6 The Additional Match Official
Duties
The duties of the additional match official are to assist the referee in controlling the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game in the following areas:
Assist the referee in identifying offences in relation to Law 18, especially offences that occur off the ball Control of the substitution procedure, ensuring that the player to be replaced has left the playing area before the substitute is allowed to enter the playing area.
Check the equipment of all the substitutes entering the playing area.
Ensure that a player sent from the playing area by the referee, to replace any missing or defective equipment is checked before being allowed back on to the playing area.
If a player who is bleeding has been removed from the playing area by the referee, the match official must ensure that the bleeding has stopped before the player is allowed to re-enter the playing area.
Keep a full record of the match details.
Act as the timekeeper for any player who has been given a temporary suspension from the match
Report to the referee any misconduct by any of the team players or officials in the technical / bench / substitute area
Carry out any other duties as requested by the referee.
LAW 7 The Duration of the Match
Competition rules allow for a match to be played in its entirety without any interval or requirement to change ends. The duration of the match shall be divided into between two and four equal periods of between 5 to 30 minutes each, subject to the following:
Allowance shall be made in each period for time lost through stoppages.
The duration of any period shall be extended to enable a penalty kick to be taken.
The interval between periods shall not exceed five minutes, except with the referee’s permission.
LAW 8 The Start and Restart of Play
A kick-off starts a match and restarts play after a goal has been scored. Free kicks are all Indirect apart from the Penalty kick and Corner kick.
A dropped ball is the restart when the referee stops play and the Law does not require one of the above restarts.
If an offence occurs when the ball is not in play this does not change how the play is restarted.
Start of Play - Kick-off
The team winning the toss will have choice of kick-off or ends,
Depending on the above, their opponents take the kick-off or decide which goal to attack first.
For every kick-off:
All players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play
The opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 3m from the ball until it is in play
The ball must be stationary on the centre mark
The referee gives a signal
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.
A goal may NOT be scored directly into the opponent goal from the kick-off.
If the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponent.
If the ball directly enters the opponent’s goal, a goal kick is awarded to the opponents.
Offences and sanctions
If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition.
In the event of any other kick-off procedure offence the kick-off is retaken.
Drop ball
Procedure:
The referee drops the ball to the team that had possession, when play was stopped, unless it was in the goalkeeper’s possession, when the goalkeeper shall, at the referee’s signal return the ball into play by dropping the ball from any point within the penalty area.
No contention is allowed between teams to contest the dropped-ball, opposition players have to be 3 meters away,
Play restarts when the ball touches the ground.
Offences and sanctions
The ball is dropped again if it:
Touches a player before it touches the ground
Leaves the playing area after it touches the ground, without touching a player
If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players play is restarted with:
A goal kick if it enters the opponents’ goal
A corner kick if it enters the team’s own goal
LAW 9 The Ball in and out of Play
The ball is out of play when:
It has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or above the stipulated height in the air.
Play has been stopped by the referee.
Ball in play
If the ball rebounds off the match official and rebounds to the opposition, play is stopped, the referee drops the ball back to the last players team that had possession before referee contact.
The ball is in play at all other times including when it rebounds off the goal post, crossbar, corner flag-post and remains in the playing area.
Height of ball restrictions
A height restriction must apply, which cannot be less than the height of the crossbar and not greater than 2 metres
The Height restriction will be decided by the referee before the competition.
If a height offence occurs committed by the goalkeeper at a restart, an indirect free kick should be awarded 3 meters from the penalty area line nearest to where the offence took place.
The exception to this rule shall be when the ball rises above the designated height restriction resulting from a save or block performed by a goalkeeper, if the ball goes back onto the field of play from the goalkeeper’s high save, play is stopped and a Kick-In is awarded to the opposition, from where the ball went above the height restriction.
LAW 10 Determining the Outcome of a Match
Goal Scored
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no offence has been committed by the team scoring the goal.
The goalkeeper from the attacking side is not allowed to score, if the goalkeeper does play the ball directly into the opponents’ goal without touching another player, play is restarted with a goal kick to the opposition, the exception to this is during kicks from the penalty mark, to decide the winners of the match, if it is in the competition rules.
Winning team
The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals or if no goals are scored, the match is drawn.
LAW 11 Offside
There is no offside in Walking Football.
LAW 11 Fould & Misconduct
All TVWFL divisional matches are to be no contact.
Referees are advised that no serious contact is allowed, aside from a slight brushing against players by accident.
Referees will be asked to enforce the FA ruling of no contact, this would highlight:
- No pushing (front, side or back)
- No backing in
- No grabbing or holding
- No blocking off
- No extended arm holding off
- No going to ground or bringing someone down
- No tripping or lunging into the player
The referee will use his discretion deciding if there was any serious contact in a match situation.
A height restriction rule has been put in place with an indirect free kick being awarded for the ball going above the height of the crossbar or Referee, the indirect free kick will take place from where the ball was struck, the only exception to this rule is when the ball rises above the height restriction from a save or block performed by the goalkeeper, in this instance, the ball is awarded to the opposition with a kick-in.
Only the Goalkeeper is permitted to enter the penalty area.
If an attacker deliberately enters the penalty area, the ball will restart with the Goalkeeper.
If a defender deliberately enters the penalty area, a Direct Free-Kick (penalty) will be awarded to the opposing team, 6.5 metres from the edge of the goal line, unless the player’s momentum has taken the player into the penalty area.
The player taking a penalty kick is only allowed two meters from addressing the ball.
In all Free-Kicks, the player taking the kick is only allowed 2 metres to step back.
After a goal-kick/re-start the goalkeeper cannot receive the ball by hand or foot, passed directly back to him by one of his team-mates, the ball must touch 2 players before returning to the Goalkeeper.
This now applies throughout the match, after the goalkeeper releases the ball, the goalkeeper cannot receive the ball back until 2 players have touched the ball.
If this occurs an Indirect free kick will be awarded from where the player played the ball to back to the goalie.
Fouls and misconduct are penalised with an indirect free kick as follows:
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be: Careless, Reckless or Using Excessive Force:
Charges: Jumps at or Jumping into a tackle: Kicks or attempts to kick: Pushes: Strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt) : Tackles or challenges : Trips or attempts to trip.
An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences:
- Running
- Deliberately heading the ball,
- Holds an opponent,
- Bites or spits at someone,
- Sliding tackle by attempting to play the ball when it is being played or attempted to be played by an opponent, additionally, No playing from the floor is permitted.
- Tackles a player from behind,
- Although tackling from the side is permitted, any infringement of contact or player safety will be penalised.
- Throws an object at the ball, opponent, match official or makes contact with the ball with a held object.
- Handling the ball deliberately is an indirect free kick, except for the goalkeeper in their own penalty area.
- Deliberately kicking the ball against an opponent at a free kick in an attempt to score a goal by deflection, now classed as dangerous play, Blue Card offence.
An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper commits one of the following offences:
Although the goalkeeper may control a back-pass with his hands or feet during normal play, If the goalkeeper from a re-start of play passes the ball to an outfield player, the ball must touch more than one player before the ball is returned to him, If this does not occur, an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team from where the offending player was on returning the ball to the goal keeper.
Goalkeeper touches or controls the ball with their hands or feet, in the penalty area, for more than six seconds.
Goalkeeper allows the ball to stop in a stationary position in the penalty area without touching it for more than six seconds.
If a height offence occurs within the penalty area and is committed by the goalkeeper during a kick out or throw out, an indirect free kick to the opposition is awarded 3m from the penalty area line nearest to where the offence took place.
The only exception to this rule is when the ball rises above the height restriction from a save or block performed by the goalkeeper, in this instance the ball is awarded to the opposition with a kick-in, in line from where the goalkeeper caused the ball to go above the height restriction.
Only the Goalkeeper is permitted to enter the penalty area.
If an attacker enters the penalty area, the ball will restart with the Goalkeeper.
If a defender enters the penalty area, a penalty will be awarded to the opposing team, 6.5 meters from the edge of the goal line, adjacent to the middle of the goal posts.
The Goalkeeper is not permitted to go outside of the area, and a Direct free kick (Penalty Kick) 6.5 meters from the edge of the goal line will be awarded to the opposition, If in the opinion of the referee, the goalkeepers momentum after a save takes the keeper outside the penalty area, play continues.
An indirect free kick is also awarded if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:
- Plays in a dangerous manner.
- Impedes the progress of an opponent without any contact being made,
- Is guilty of dissent, offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures or other verbal offences.
- Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands.
- Players have to be 3 meters away from the edge of the penalty area when the goalie has a goal kick/throw out.
- A player commits any other offence, not mentioned in the Rules, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player.
DOGSO: Denies Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity by Foul Tackle or Hand Ball Offence:
This offence has now been downgraded by the FA, from a Red card offence to a Blue card offence, a player will no longer be automatically sent off, but the penalty sanction still applies.
The following will be considered by the match official before applying the DOGSO sanction:
Distance between the offence and the goal.
General direction of play.
Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball.
Location and number of defenders.
Disciplinary Sanctions by Match Officials:
The use of temporary time suspensions (sin bins) and the exclusion of a player arising from the issuing of a red card are the recommended disciplinary sanctions for use in walking football.
Match officials should employ the use of temporary timed suspensions (Blue Cards) in all cases traditionally regarded as cautionable offences by Players (Yellow Cards), Team Officials reported for Misconduct are still shown Yellow or Red Cards. The options for a match official imposing disciplinary sanctions are therefore: Player issued with a blue card and temporarily suspended from play.
Player issued with a 2nd Blue Card is excluded for the remainder of that match, indicated by a Red card shown after the 2nd Blue Card, the player is allowed to continue playing in the next match. A substitute is allowed after the 2nd timed suspension has passed.
Player issued with a straight Red card is permanently excluded from play and banned from the next month’s competition. Red Card offences are reported to the County FA and TVWFL Committee by the referee, within 48 hours of the offence (weekends not included).
A Blue Card offence should always be accompanied by a temporary suspension from play. The release of players from a temporary suspension should be at the direction of the referee or additional match official. Temporary Timed Suspensions – Procedures
A player suspended from play will be shown a Blue Card by the match official and informed that they are suspended from play for X minutes (see page 15, Timed suspensions), the players name and club must be recorded by the referee and passed onto the Referee’s Secretary at the end of the competition.
Timed suspension begins when play restarts.
The player Blue Carded is obliged to leave the playing area and remain in a designated ‘sin bin’ area for the required suspension time within sight of the referee.
If no designated ‘sin bin’ areas are provided then suspended players should remain in the area where they can be seen by the referee and adjacent to team officials and substitutes.
A player will be informed as to the end of a period of suspension by the referee or match official and invited to re-join the match (unless a 2nd Blue Card has been issued in the same match) at the next stoppage in play.
Temporary dismissals
A player is shown the blue card and temporarily excluded from play if they commit any of the following offences:
C1 – unsporting behaviour
C2 – shows dissent by word or action
C3 – persistently offends the Laws of the Game, with exception to that covered under Law 17
C4 – delays the restart of play
C5 – fails to respect the required distance (3 Meters) when play is restarted with a corner kick, kick-in, free kick, or goal clearance.
C6 – enters or re-enters the playing area without the referee’s permission or commits a substitution procedure offence.
C7 – deliberately leaves the playing area without the referee’s permission outside of a substitution.
C8 – DOGSO, Denies goal scoring opportunity by foul tackle.
C9 – DOGSO, Denies goal scoring opportunity by hand-ball offence.
Sending-off offences
A player is sent off and shown the red card if he/she commits any of the following offences:
S1 – serious foul play
S2 – violent conduct
S3 – spits at or bites someone
S4 – uses offensive, insulting or abusive language.
S5 – receives a second blue card in the same match followed by a red card & dismissed.
If play is stopped for a player to be sent from the playing area without having committed any additional offence of the Laws, the match is restarted by an indirect free kick, awarded to the opposing team, to be taken at the place where the offence occurred.
However, if the offence is committed in the penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken 3m from the penalty area line at the place nearest to where the offence occurred.
Decisions
A player Red Carded may not take any further part in the match and must move to the changing room area outside of the perimeter fencing.
The Team Manager is responsible for dealing with the player sent off, otherwise the Referee may abandon the match if the sent off player refuses to go to the stipulated area.
Sanctions on Fouls:
Careless: If a player commits a series of minor offences they may be sanctioned with a Blue Card,
A careless player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or that they acted without precaution, there is no specific number in use on careless challenges as it is down to the referee to intervene as they see necessary.
Reckless: Means that a player has acted with complete disregard to, or consequences for, his/her opponent, will be penalised with a Blue Card.
Excessive Force: A Red Card will be issued to a player who has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his/her opponent.
All Red Cards will be reported to the relevant County FA affiliated to the competition, resulting in further punishment for the player involved by the FA and the TVWFL committee organiser’s.
Red Card Protocol:
If a Player / Club Official receives a Red Card from a Referee,
- Name, Shirt Number, Offence, Club and Time of Incident that the Person received the Red Card.
- Player is to leave the Field of Play, beyond the outer fencing boundary.
- Manager of the club that the player belongs to is responsible for ensuring
The Red Carded player leaves the FOP and boundary area thereafter. - Referee informs County and Referee Secretary of the offence within 48 hours.
Non-Walking Offences:
4 non-walking offences by a team will result in a penalty awarded to the opposition team (No Blue Card), this toting up procedure only applies to non-walking offences.
Delaying the restart of Play (C4) Blue Card Offences:
- If a player delays the restart of play, by deliberately standing in front of a player taking the restart.
- If a player deliberately kicks the balls away at a free kick to the opposition.
- If a player with possession of the ball at the restart, does not restart play within 6 seconds.
- Delaying the restart of play at Kick-ins, by the opposition player standing within 3 meters of player taking kick-in.
- Stops goalkeeper releasing ball, if the goalkeeper has possession of the ball, must be 3 meters from penalty area.
Blue Cards are at the discretion of the referee.
Physicality:
The walking football game is now described by the FA as non-contact in an effort to change the mind-set and further protect participants, this does not mean that every contact becomes an offence; it is inevitable that at every level of walking football there will be some accidental and incidental contact that does not result in a free kick.
We have to consider the age groups of the players, for example a striker backing into a defender in order to maintain possession using his/her “behind” to make contact with the defender, not a problem in 11-a-side football but in walking football, when you consider the age groups and medical conditions of some of those involved then the award of a free kick could be given for a careless challenge, the situation obviously works both ways with a defender hassling too closely to a forward in possession of the ball.
These types of challenges are niggly ones which need to be eradicated from walking football to increase the enjoyment for all participants.
The Tackle from behind is a careless tackle unless the player recklessly makes contact with his opponent.
You are allowed to tackle from the side as long as the tackle does not fall into the careless or reckless category.
Timed suspensions for “Blue Card” offences:
Games of 12-minute matches will be 2 minutes suspension.
Games of 13 to 15 minutes matches will be 3 minutes suspension.
Games of 16 to 20 minutes matches will be 4 minutes suspension.
Games of 21 to 30 minutes matches will be 5 minutes suspension.
LAW 13 Free Kicks
All Free Kicks are Indirect, apart from the Penalty Kick and Corner Kick.
Types of free kicks
Indirect free kicks are awarded to the opposing team of a player, substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official guilty of an offence.
Free kicks are Indirect (apart from the Penalty kick & Corner kick), thus no goals can be scored direct from:
The Kick-Off, Free Kicks, Goal Kicks, and Kick-ins, the ball must touch a second player before a goal is allowed.
Signals
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising their straight arm above their head. They maintain their arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.
Ball enters the goal
If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal kick is awarded.
If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s goal, a corner kick is awarded.
Procedure
All free kicks are taken from the place where the offence occurred, except:
Free kicks to the attacking team for an offence by the goalkeeper/defender are taken 3m from the penalty area line at the point nearest to where the offence occurred to allow for a defender wall.
Free kicks to the defending team in their penalty area may be taken anywhere in the penalty area by the goalkeeper.
The ball
Must be stationary and the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
Is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves except for a free kick to the defending team in their penalty area where the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.
On all Free-Kicks, the player taking the kick only takes a 2-meter step back from the ball, run-ups are not allowed.
Until the ball is in play, all opponents must remain 3m from the ball, or penalty area perimeter if the goalkeeper has the ball under his control, this also applies to kick-in’s.
Offences and sanctions
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance the kick is retaken unless the advantage can be applied.
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
LAW 14 The Penalty Kick
The penalty kick
A penalty kick is awarded for the following offences:
A defending player deliberately enters their own penalty area.
A goalkeeper committing any of the seven sending off offences within their penalty area.
A goalkeeper deliberately exits their own penalty area.
Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity by hand or tackle.
A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of the match.
Procedure
The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark which is 6.5 metres from the goal line.
The player taking the penalty kick must be clearly identified to the referee.
The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts with 1 foot on the line until the ball has been kicked and moves, the goalkeeper is not allowed to distract the kicker.
The players other than the kicker and the goalkeeper must be:
At least 3m from the ball
Behind the penalty mark
Inside the playing area
Outside the penalty area
The players taking the penalty kick:
Must kick the ball forward.
Must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.
Must be a maximum of two meters before taking the penalty kick and not allowed to run up to the ball.
The penalty walk up is to be continuous with no stopping before the kick.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.
The penalty kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any offence.
Offences and sanctions
Once the referee has signalled for the penalty kick to be taken, then kick must be taken. If, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs
A player of the defending team commits an offence:
The kick is retaken if a goal is not scored
The kick is not retaken if a goal is scored
A team-mate of the player taking the kick commits an offence:
The kick is retaken if a goal is scored
The kick is not retaken if a goal is not scored
The player taking the kick commits an offence after the ball is in play an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Outcome of the Penalty Kick
Encroachment by attacking player:
Goal: Penalty is retaken
No Goal: Indirect free kick
Encroachment by defending player:
Goal: Goal
No Goal: Penalty is retaken
Offence by goalkeeper
Goal: Goal
No Goal: Penalty is retaken and caution for goalkeeper
Ball kicked backwards
Goal: Indirect free kick
No Goal: Indirect free kick
Illegal feinting
Goal: Indirect free kick and caution for kicker
No Goal: Indirect free kick and caution for kicker
Wrong kicker
Goal: Goal and caution for wrong kicker
No Goal: and caution for wrong kicker
LAW 15 The Kick-in
A kick-in is a method of restarting play.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
A kick-in is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over a touch line, either on the ground or in the air.
Position of the ball and the players
The ball: Must be stationary on the touch line or behind the line and may be kicked in any direction
The player taking the kick-in: Must have part of each foot on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line at the moment of kicking the ball;
The players of the defending team must be at least 3m from the place where the kick-in is taken
Procedure
The player taking the kick-in must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.
Offences and sanctions
The kick-in is retaken by a player of the opposing team if:
The kick-in is taken incorrectly.
The kick-in is taken from a position other than the place where the ball passed over the touch line.
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition if the player taking the kick in plays the ball again before it has touched another player.
LAW 16 The Goal Clearance
The Goal Clearance
A goal kick is a method of restarting play.
A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.
The goal kick is awarded when:
The whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10
A player enters the opposing team’s penalty area
Goal Clearance Procedure
The ball must be stationary within the penalty area before the goalkeeper kicks the ball, throw outs are exempt.
The Ball must leave the penalty area.
The opponents must remain outside the penalty area.
Opponents must be 3 meters away from the penalty area perimeter.
The goalkeeper must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.
Offences and sanctions
If the ball is not thrown or kicked directly beyond the penalty area
Sanction: The goal clearance is retaken.
If, after releasing the ball, the goalkeeper receives the ball back without the ball touching 2 players.
Sanction: Indirect free kick to the opposition, awarded from where the player passed back to the goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper receives ball directly from kick-in by teammate and picks the ball up, goalkeeper is allowed to kick the ball only.
Sanction: Indirect free kick to the opposition, awarded from where player passed ball to goalkeeper.
LAW 17 The Corner Kick
The Corner Kick
A corner kick is a method of restarting play. A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10, A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team.
Procedure
The ball is placed on the corner arc (1 Meter allowed) of the directed corner.
Opponents must remain at least 3m from the ball until it is in play.
The ball is kicked by a player of the attacking team.
The ball is in play when it is kicked or touched.
The kicker must not touch the ball again until it has been played by or touched another player
Offences and sanctions
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition team if the player taking the corner kick touches the ball again before it has been played by or touched another player.
For any other offence, the corner kick is retaken.
LAW 18 Walking
Walking is defined as ‘always having at least one foot in contact with the ground and relates to the motion of all players moving around the field of play, a goalkeeper is exempt from this rule’.
Offences and sanctions
The referee will award an indirect free kick against any player who is not walking, unless there is a clear attacking opportunity for the team in possession, where advantage can be played and the offender informed once play has stopped, or the advantage has not accrued.
Teams whose players accumulate 4 fouls:
On the 4th Offence of not walking by the same team, the referee will award a penalty to the opposition.
Please note: Running is very difficult for referees to spot, and we will be advising referees to award a free kick if there is any doubt that it may be a run
If a player receives a 2nd Blue Card in the same match, for any offence, the referee will:
- Show the 2nd Blue Card,
- Then Show the Red Card to indicate that the player can no longer play in that match,
Substitutes are allowed to replace the player of 2 Blue Cards, but only after the suspension time has ended, the suspended player is allowed to continue playing in future matches.
Players issued with a 2nd Blue Card then a Red Card, The sanction must be reported to the County and Referee Secretary by the referee as per Appendix B.
Appendix A Notes on the Laws of Walking Football
Provided the principles of these laws are maintained, the Laws may be modified in their application for matches, including for players with disabilities as outlined below.
Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:
Number of designated penalties to be taken when deciding the outcome of a match.
Appointment of an additional match official.
The process for deciding the outcome of a match, that ends in a draw.
Size of the playing area.
Size, weight, and material of the ball.
Width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground.
The durations of the periods of play.
Substitutions.
The durations of the timed suspension.
A restriction on the number of touches per player.
Reminder: Until the ball is in play all opponents must remain At least 3m from the ball or 3m from the edge of the penalty area if a goal kick is awarded.
All matches played on TVWFL will be “NO CONTACT”;
Referee discretion to decide if there is any serious contact in a match situation, (please see Law 12).
Appendix B Notes on Disciplinary Sanctions
Disciplinary Sanctions
The use of Blue Cards, temporary time suspensions (sin bins) is the sanction that will be used along with the exclusion of a player arising from the issuing of a Red Card.
The options for a match official imposing disciplinary sanctions are:
Player shown a Blue Card and temporarily suspended from play for the duration of sanctioned minutes.
Player shown a second Blue Card, and Red Card during the same match is excluded from that match but is allowed to resume play again in further matches.
Players shown a straight Red Card is permanently excluded from the remainder of the day’s matches.
Players and Team Officials guilty of Misconduct may receive a Yellow Card or Red Card and are reported to the County Football Association and reported to the Referee Secretary by the referee.
Fouls & Misconduct:
A player shall receive a blue card if he commits any of the following:
- Shows dissent by word or action.
- Unsporting Behaviour.
- Persistently Infringes the Laws of the Game.
- Persistently called up for time wasting.
- Delays the restart of play.
- Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
A player shall receive a red card if he commits any of the following:
- Serious Foul Play.
- Guilty of Violent Conduct.
- Spits at an Opponent or any other Person.
- Receives 2nd Blue Card.
- Uses Offensive, Insulting or Abusive Language towards any Player, Official or Referee.
A player issued with straight Red Card will miss the next month’s round of matches.
Disciplinary Schedule
Following a serious disciplinary incident (i.e. Red Card) during an organised fixture in an affiliated Thames Valley Walking Football match, it is essential the appointed Referee to carry out the following procedures:
It is the responsibility of the appointed referee to ensure that all details of the incident are recorded accurately; The appointed referee will record the player’s Name* and Club along with the Offence Code and Shirt number.
The players Club Manager is to assist the referee if player refuses to give his/her name.
Failing this the sanctioned league/team must submit the individual players details from records they hold on to the referee. This must include a contact address and telephone details.
A copy of this form must then be sent into the County FA and a further copy provided to the TVWFL organiser within 24 hours of the incident taking place (Not including weekends/Bank Holidays).
*A further Misconduct sanction will apply if the player refuses to give their name to the referee and reported to County.
Standard Code of Rules (SCOR)
Rule 1: Definitions
1. (A) In these Rules:
“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an Affiliated Association under the rules of The FA. “AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
“Club” means a club for the time being in membership of the Competition.
“Club Portal” means the system used by Clubs to affiliate teams as determined by The FA from time to time; “Competition” means the Thames Valley Walking Football League (TVWFL).
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.
“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.
“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.
“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.
“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.
“Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches.
“Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.
“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.
“Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.
“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.
“Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time.
“Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.
“Player Registration System” means The FA system to register players as determined by The FA from time to time.
“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.
“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.
“Sanctioning Authority” means [The FA] [the Bucks & Berks County Football Association Limited].
“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as defined in The FA rules.
“Season” means the period of time between one AGM and the next AGM
“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.
“SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
“Team” means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules.
“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.
“Virtual Meetings” means meetings held electronically
“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols
1. (B)
Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and also the other way around
Governance Rules
Rule 2: Name and Constitution
2.A The Competition will be known as Thames Valley Walking Football League. The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.
2.B This Competition shall consist of not more than 100 Clubs or Teams approved by the Sanctioning Authority.
2.C The geographical area covered by the Competition membership shall be within 75 miles diameter of Bisham
2.D The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.
2.E All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation to them subject to the provisions of Rule 7.
2.F The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.
2.G
- All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association.
- This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Sanctioning Authority and the constituent Teams of Clubs may be grouped in divisions, [each not exceeding 8 in number].
2.H Inclusivity and Non-discrimination:
- The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements (including those contained in the Equality Act 2010).
- This Competition and each Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.
- Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.
2.I Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, England Football Accredited and RESPECT programmes. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
2.J All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children and Regulations for Safeguarding Adults at Risk as determined by The FA from time to time.
2.K Not applicable
2.L At the AGM or an SGM called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary, this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 22.
2.M Only one Team from a Club shall be permitted to participate in a single division unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries in which case the Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Sanctioning Authority. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, Teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than by transfers of registration in accordance with these Rules.
Rule 3: Club Name
3.A Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority following consultation with the Competition. In the event that permission is granted, the Club must advise the Competition Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
Rule 4: Entry Fee, Subscription, Deposit
4.A Applications by Clubs for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club must be made in writing to the Secretary by 15th August and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee for each Team as set out in the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.
4.B The annual subscription shall be payable, in accordance with the Fees Tariff for each Team payable at a date agreed at the AGM or set by the Competition. This fee is £40 per team per season, payable in advance (£80 per year)
In addition, every team shall pay (in advance and by bank transfer) a session fee of £40 per team.
4.C In the event of any issue concerning the membership of any Club with the Competition the Management Committee may require a Deposit to be paid (in accordance with the Fees Tariff) by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
4.D A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee, annual subscription and deposit (if required) have been paid.
4.E Clubs must ensure that all its teams participating in the Competition are recorded as affiliated on the Club Portal for the forthcoming Playing Season by the following date 15th August. Clubs must advise the Competition Secretary in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, its Officers and any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
Rule 5: Management, Nomination, Election
5.A The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and a minimum of one member (but no more than 2 members), who shall all be elected at the AGM.
5.B Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination provided that the Officer notifies the Secretary in writing/email no later than 14 days before the AGM each year. All o t h e r candidates for election as Officers of the Competition or members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing/email, signed by the secretaries of two Clubs, no later than 14 days prior to the AGM each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there being no nomination for any vacant Officer on the Committee 14 days before the date of the AGM, nominations may still be received at the AGM.
5.C The Management Committee shall meet a minimum of twice a season or as and when required, On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Management Committee.
5.D Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
5.E All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Officers and sent to the Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
Rule 6: Powers of Management
6.A The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub- committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of The FA or Affiliated Association.
6.B Subject to the permission of the Sanctioning Authority having been obtained, the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each Season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call on each Club to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the Season.
6.C Each member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee meetings and have one vote at all such meetings but no member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly relating to that member or to the Club so represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall also apply to the procedure of any sub-committee)
6.D In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
6.E The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce these Rules and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.
With the exception of Rules 6.J, 8.H, and 9, for all alleged breaches of a Rule the Management Committee shall issue a formal written charge to the Club concerned. The Club charged shall be given 7 days from the date of notification of the charge to reply. In such reply a Club may:
- Accept the charge and /or submit in writing a case of mitigation for consideration by the Management Committee; or
- Accept the charge and notify the Competition Secretary or Chairman that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing before the Management Committee; or
- Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for consideration by the Management Committee; or
- Deny the charge and notify the Competition Secretary or Chairman that it wishes to have a hearing before the Management Committee.
Where the Club charged fails to respond within 7 days, the Management Committee shall determine the charge in such manner and upon such evidence as it considers appropriate.
Having considered the reply of the Club (whether in writing or at a hearing), the Management Committee shall make its decision and, in the event that the charge is accepted or proven, decide on the appropriate penalty (with reference to the Fines Tariff where applicable).
Where required, hearings shall take place as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the reply of the Club as more fully set out above.
With the exception of Teams playing at Regional NLS Feeder League of the National League System, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Management Committee must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence; taking into account any mitigating circumstances.
The maximum fine permitted for a breach of a Rule by a Team playing at Regional NLS Feeder League level is £500. No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined.
All breaches of the Laws of the Game, or the Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate sanctioning Association.
6.F All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.
Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days.
6.G A minimum of 50% of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any of its sub- committees
6.H The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill any vacancies that may occur in their number.
6.I A Club must comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee and must attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition to the satisfaction of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
6.J Subject to a Club’s right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7 below, all fines and charges must be paid within 14 days of the date of notification of the decision. Any Club failing to do so will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Further failure to pay the fine including the additional fine within a further 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid.
6.K A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or Competition Match may have any reasonable expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
6.L The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or SGM called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Playing Season, subject to the provisions of the National League System Regulations or Women’s Football Pyramid Regulations (which shall take precedence if applicable).
6.M The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail.
Rule 7: Protests, Claims, Complains, Appeals
7.A
- All questions of eligibility, qualification of Players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee or a sub- committee duly appointed by the Management Committee.
- Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee prior to the commencement of the Match.
7.B Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged with the Secretary within 2 days (excluding Sundays) of the Competition Match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of their Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
7.C No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum in accordance with the Fees Tariff. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the inquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.
7.D All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days before the protest or complaint being heard.
- All parties must have received a minimum of 7 days’ notice of the hearing should they be instructed to attend.
- Should a Club elect to state its case in person then it should indicate such when forwarding the written response.
7.E The Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such expenses as the Management Committee shall direct.
7.F An intention to appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning Authority, with a copy sent to the Secretary, within 7 days of the Management Committee providing written notification of its decision.
A notice of appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning Authority, with a copy sent to the Secretary, within 14 days of the Management Committee providing written notification of its decision, accompanied by the relevant fee (as set out in the Fees Tariff) which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld. The procedure for the appeal shall be determined by the Sanctioning Authority.
Any appeal shall not involve a rehearing of the evidence considered by the Management Committee.
7.G No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct
7.H All protests, claims or complaints relating to these Rules and appeals arising from a Player’s contract shall be heard and determined by the Management Committee, or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee. The Clubs or Players protesting, appealing, claiming or complaining must send a copy of such protest, appeal, claim or complaint and deposit a fee (as set out in the Fees Tariff) which shall be forfeited in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and in these circumstances may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the Management Committee.
All such protests, claims, complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Secretary within 14 days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted.
Rule 8: Annual General Meeting
8.A The AGM shall be held not later than 18th of August in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 6 members are present and entitled to vote:-
- Confirm the minutes of the last AGM.
- Adopt the annual report, balance sheet and statement of accounts from the previous season or accounting period.
- Election of Clubs to fill vacancies.
- Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing Season.
- Election of Competition Officers and Management Committee members.
- Appointment of auditors/verifiers.
- Alteration of Rules, if any (see Rule 14).
- Agree the date for the beginning of the Playing Season and kick off times applicable to the Competition.
- Agree the date for the end of the Playing Season (save for Regional NLS Feeder League which shall be determined by The FA).
- Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted by the Chair as being relevant to an AGM.
8.B A copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet, statement of accounts and agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting, together with any proposed Rule changes.
8.C A signed copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet and statement of accounts shall be sent to the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of its adoption by the AGM.
8.D Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. 14 days’ notice shall be given of any AGM.
8.E Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the Competition during the Playing Season being concluded or who are not continuing
membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the Season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 12
8.F All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands, or count of email or virtual responses (for virtual meetings), unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chair so decides.
8.G No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Club.
8.H.
- Any continuing Club must be represented at the AGM. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
- Any club that has submitted a valid application to join the Competition for the forthcoming season must have the opportunity to be put forward for membership and to have a vote taken on their membership application.
8.I Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM, but cannot also cast a vote on behalf of a club (See Rule 8.G)
8.J Where a Competition is an incorporated entity, the Officers of the Competition shall ensure that the Articles of Association of the Competition are consistent with the requirements of these Rules.
Rule 9: Special General Meetings
9.A On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call an SGM.
9B The Management Committee may call an SGM at any time
9C At least 7 days’ notice shall be given of a meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.
9D Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all SGMs. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.
9E Any Club failing to be represented at an SGM shall be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
9F Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all SGMs, but cannot also cast a vote on behalf of a club (See Rule 9.D)
Rule 10: Agreement to be Signed
10.A Each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the application for membership for the coming Season,
“We, (A) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Chair)/(Director)and (B) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Secretary)/(Director)of [ ] Football Club (Limited) have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the [ ] Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.”
The agreement shall be signed:
- where a Club is an unincorporated association, by the Club Chair and Secretary; or
- where a Club is an incorporated entity, by two directors of the Club.
Any change of Chair Secretary or Directors of the Club as named on the above agreement must be notified to the [ ] County Football Association to which the Club is sanctioned and to the Secretary of this Competition.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
Rule 11: Continuation of Membership, Withdrawal of a Club
11.A Any Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a Team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing of such intention by [date] each season. This does not apply to a Club moving in accordance with Rule 22.B. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
11.B The Management Committee shall have the discretion to deal with a Team being unable to start or complete its fixtures for a Playing Season, including, but not limited to, issuing a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
11.C Notwithstanding the powers of the Management Committee pursuant to Rule 6.I, in the event of a Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50, the Management Committee shall be empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.
Rule 12: Exclusion of Clubs, Teams. Misconduct of Clubs, Officers, Players, Management Committee
12.A At the AGM or SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, notice of motion having been duly circulated on the agenda by direction of the Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to:
- remove a member of the Management Committee from office;
- exclude any Club or Team from membership. both of which, must be supported by more than two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A member of the Management Committee or Club which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
12.B At the AGM, or at an SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, provided this is supported by more than two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
12.C Any Officer or member of a Club found guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a Player or Players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of 12.A and/or 12.B of this Rule.
Rule 13: Trophy
13.A The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the cup or trophy:
“We (A) (name) and (B) (name), the Chair and Secretary of [ ] FC (Limited), members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of cup or trophy, and the cup or trophy having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the cup or trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before [ ]. If the cup or trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”
Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
13.B At the close of each Competition awards may/shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.
Rule 14: Alteration to Rules
14.A Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Authority, shall be made to these Rules only at the AGM or at an SGM specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 9. Any alteration made during the Playing Season to these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing Season, except in exceptional circumstances and approved by Sanctioning Authority or The FA.
14.B Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by 1st August in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 5th August and any amendments to these proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary by 10th August. The proposals and proposed amendments to these proposals shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if 2/3rds [a majority] of those present and entitled to vote and voting are in favour.
14.C A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the
Rule 15: Finance
15.A The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.
15.B All expenditure in excess of £100 shall be approved by the Management Committee.
15.C The financial year of the Competition will end on 31st of July 2025
15.D The accounting records or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be [audited/verified] annually by a suitably qualified person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM.
Rule 16: Insurance
16.A All Clubs must have valid Public Liability Insurance cover for a minimum of ten million pounds (£10,000,000) at all times.
16.B All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ Personal Accident Insurance cover must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition Match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the Sanctioning Authority. In instances where The FA is the Sanctioning Authority, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.
16.C Failure to comply with Rule 16.A or 16.B will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
Rule 17: Dissolution
17.A Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at an SGM by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the relevant SGM.
17.B In the event of the dissolution of the Competition, the members of the Management Committee are responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Competition.
17.C The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:
- Any surplus assets (save for a trophy or any other presentation), remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Competition shall be transferred only to another Competition or Affiliated Association or The Football Association Benevolent Fund or to such other charitable or benevolent object in the locality of the Competition as determined by resolution at or before the time of winding up, and approved in writing by the Sanctioning Authority.
- If a Competition is discontinued for any reason atrophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the Sanctioning Authority may decide.
Match Related Rules
Rule 18: Qualification of Players
18.A A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:
- Registered through the Player Registration System and received approval from the Competition. except in the case of a Player who has been registered on the day of a match. For any players registered on the day of a match, a Club Officer must email the Competition with details of the registration 12 hours prior to the scheduled kick off time in order for the player to be eligible to play in that match. The Player shall not play again in any subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the player through The FA Player Registration system and is in possession of the approval from the Competition. A maximum of 3 Players may be registered in this manner.
- Or signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing which is countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the Competition within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the Competition Match. The Player shall not play again on a in a subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the player through The FA Player Registration System and is in possession of the approval from the Competition. A maximum of 3 Players may be registered in this manner
Any registration that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed and the player classed as unregistered. If a Club attempts to register a player via the Player Registration System but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via the Player Registration System the registration will not be processed.
For Clubs registering Players under Rule 18.A.2. registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition. For Clubs registering Players by the Player Registration System, Clubs must access the Player Registration System in order to complete the registration process.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
18.B
- Contract players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception of those Players who are registered under Contract with the same Club who have a team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System. or Tiers 1-4 of the Women Pyramid System.
- It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
- Each team must have at least 8 Players registered 2 days before the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
- In the event of a Non-Contract Player changing their status to that of a Contract Player with the same Club, or with a Club in another Competition their registration as a Non Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 18.B.1.
18.C A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) shall be permitted to register for a Club but will be suspended from football activities if the Player does not comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.
18.D A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered.
18.E The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.
In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club in the Competition the valid registration submitted first shall take precedence. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.
18.F It shall be a breach of Rule for a Player to:
- Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred.
- Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season except for the purpose of a transfer, or where the Competition adopts rule 18.P
- Submit a signed registration form as per Rule 18 A.2 or submit a registration through the Player Registration System that the Player had willfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
18.G
- The Management Committee shall accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of Rules 18.G.2 and 18.G.3 below.
- The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player, at their discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7).
- The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any Player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with.
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition. - A Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule 18.G.3 but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the Player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition may consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.
(Note: Action under Rule 18.G.3 shall not be taken against a Player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the Player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the Player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match-based discipline, in any competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)
18.H Subject to compliance with FA Rule C when a Club wishes to register a player who is already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer notification to the Competition via the Player Registration System. A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff may be required.
Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition to the club for which the player is registered. Should this club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Competition and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or 3 days after receipt of such transfer.
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.
18.I A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after [date] except by special permission of the Management Committee
18.J Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only.
18.K Not applicable
18.L. Not applicable
18.M
- Subject to Rule 18.M.2 any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that Competition Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).
- The Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18.M.1 only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.
- Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with Rule 18.M.1 above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion order one or more of the following (if appropriate):
- Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed; or
- Levy penalty points against the Club in default; or
- Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee).
18.N Not applicable
18.O A Player who has played for a Team in a higher division 3 times or more shall not in that Playing Season be eligible to play in a lower division except by permission of the Management Committee.
18.P If a Club wishes to cancel a Player’s registration within the Competition, it must make a request via The FA’s electronic player registration system giving the reasons for the request. The Competition may either approve or decline the request.
If a Player’s registration is cancelled, they will not normally be eligible to re-register in the Competition for a period of 90 days from the date of cancellation (special exemption can be requested from the TVWFL Committee for a shorter period).
Rule 19: Club Colours
19.A Every team must register the colour and design of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 1st August and the Competition Secretary shall decide as to their suitability.
19.B Any team wishing to change the colour(s) and/or design(s) of its shirt(s) and short(s) during the Playing Season must obtain permission from the Competition Secretary in advance of making that change.
19.C Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials.
19.D No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
19.E Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents of the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeepers jersey) at least 2 days before the Competition Match. Teams may be able to use bibs/tabards of an acceptable colour to replace their usual kit when the need arises, if approved by the referee.
19.F If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours, they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
19.G Shirts must all be numbered and no two shirts shall have the same number, failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff
Rule 20: Playing Season, Conditions of Play, Times of Kick-Off, Postponements, Substitutes
20.A Not applicable
20.B Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must be played on the dates originally agreed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a Competition match with the consent of the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).
20.C Not applicable
20.D In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players which will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 6. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
20.E Not applicable
20.F A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to unlimited substitute Players of whom not more than 5 may be used(maximum squad size of 11 at any event).
20.G Not applicable
20.H The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who shall wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of their teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
20.I Where a suspension imposed in relation to a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) upon a Club by The FA or Affiliated Association is not lifted, and/or the Club does not provide confirmation from The FA or Affiliated Association that such suspension is lifted to the Competition Secretary by 1 days before a fixture, that fixture will be treated as an unfulfilled fixture and dealt with in accordance with Rule 20(E).
Rule 21: Reporting Results
21.A The Competition Committee must receive within 1 days of the date played, the result of each Competition Match in the prescribed manner. This must include the Team Names [and also the referee markings required by Rule 23, or any other information required by the Competition]. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
21.B The Lead Referee will report the match results to the Committee members for reporting on the Whole Game System
21.C Not applicable
Rule 22: Determining Championship
22.A Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn Competition Match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points.
In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season, rankings shall be determined by the following criteria, in the order of priority in which they appear:
(NB: for Regional NLS Feeder Leagues criteria 1 & 2 are mandatory; for all other Competitions they are optional):
- [Goal difference (where the goals scored against each Team shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Team and the Team with the most favourable goal difference shall be placed highest).
- In the event of two or more Teams being equal, the Team which has scored the most goals during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.]
- In the event of two or more Teams being equal, the Team that has won the most matches during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.
- In the event of two or more Teams being equal, the Team which has the better playing record against the other Team in their head to head Competition Matches during the Playing Season will be placed highest.
- One-off fixture or play-off games as determined by the League management committee.
22.B Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first 2 Teams and automatic relegation shall be applied for the last 2 Teams in each division except as provided for below subject to the provisions of Rule 2.L.
- Should one or more Teams withdraw from any one division after the Playing Season has commenced an equal number of Teams to those withdrawing in that division shall not be automatically relegated.
- Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the Playing Season may be filled in any of the following ways:
- retention of otherwise relegated Team(s); or
- additional promotion of the next ranked Team(s) from the division below; or
- election.
- The last 0 Teams in the lowest division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of Rule22.B.1 above.
- Save for where Rule 2(M) applies, When a senior Team is relegated to a lower division of which the reserve (or other less senior) Team of the same Club is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve (or other less senior) Team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower division. Should the senior Team be relegated to the lowest division, the reserve (or other less senior) Team of the same Club automatically retires from the Competition.
- Should either or both leading Teams in any of the divisions have its senior Team in the next higher division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest Team or Teams in the division concerned.
22.C Not applicable
22.D In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule 22.D a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the Management Committee.
22.E Not applicable
Rule 23: Match Officials
Registered referees (and assistant referees, where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.
23.B
- In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed referee the appointed senior assistant referee shall take charge and a substitute assistant referee appointed by the competing Teams.
- In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match.
23.C Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
23.D Not applicable
23.E Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff [and travel expenses of [ ] per mile/ or inclusive of travel expenses].
23.F In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to expenses only. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee and expenses. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
23.G A referee not keeping their engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which they are registered.
23.H Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each Competition Match and the name of the referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.
23.i The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the form provided by the prescribed date each Season, shall submit a summary to the Sanctioning Authority.
23.J
The referee shall submit a report form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the Competition Match, the number of Players in each Team and the time of kick-off to the (Registration) Secretary within two days of the Competition Match.
23.K
Match Officials shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
23.L
Match Officials shall comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA and/or Sanctioning Authority adopted by the Competition
Schedule A
Fees and Fines Tariff
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