National League – Rules and Regulations

 

1. Rules & Regulations

a) The affairs and administration of National League shall be administered by the National League Board consisting of one member from each Super Premier District Association participating in the National League Competition, a member of the Fiji Football Referee Association, 3 zone coordinators, a Chairman and a Secretary to be appointed by the Board of Control.

b) The Chairman of National league presides at all meetings of the National League Board. In his absence, the Board shall select one of its members present to Chair that meeting.

c) The Secretary of the National League shall be required to keep all records of the day-to-day administrative functions from time to time prescribed by the Board.

d) The Zone co-coordinators representing Premier/Senior Divisions shall be responsible for the conduct of the matches in their respective zones.

e) The Chairman of the National League Board shall appoint match inspectors for National League matches and the inspectors shall within seven (7) days of each match make a report to the Board. National League representative not attending two consecutive meetings shall automatically cease to be a member and the district concerned shall be asked to replace the member.

 

2. Meeting of the Board

All meetings of the Board shall be held at the discretion of the Chairman at a place, date and time nominated by him. Provided always that if the seventy five (75%) percent of the members of the Board entitled to vote so required then the Chairman and in his absence the Secretary shall convene a meeting.

 

3. Notice of Meeting

The Secretary shall give at least 3 clear days notice to each member of the Board together with agenda of business.

 

4. Quorum

For Board meetings a simple majority of members of the Board eligible to vote shall form a quorum.

 

5. Procedure of the Meeting

Unless otherwise stated under these rules the standing orders of the Fiji FA Council as prescribed in the Constitution shall be applicable. The Chairman of the Board shall report to the BOC after each meeting of its activities.

 

6. Levy

Fifteen percent (15%) of all the gross gate takings less only the approved charges including the ground hire charges of all the National League games shall be paid to the National league Board. All monies credited to the National League Board shall be used for the following purpose : for the administration of the National League competition: from the balance at the end of the season 50% of the funds shall be immediately transferred to the general account of the association and other 50% retained for the administration of the National League Board and its activities.

 

7. Insurance Levy

In addition to the 15% levy two and half (2.5%) of the gross net sum to the Fiji FA insurance fund to cover for compensation of injury sustained during the National League matches.

 

8. Competition

The Competition shall run in grades as may be determined by the National League Board at the close of each season for the ensuring year. Only one team from each district shall be eligible to participate except that Premier/Senior Division and Youth League competition shall run in zones, Northern, Southern and Western unless the National League Board with the approval of the BOC decide otherwise.

 

9. Mode of Competition

a) The competition shall be played on a league system on a home and away basis with two round of competition the team with the highest point at the end of the league will be declared the winner.

Provided always the National League Board shall have the right to amalgamate the Premier and Senior division teams into one grade.

 

10. Form of Competition

b) The competition shall only be run on a League basis with each team playing every other team both home and away. And from 2013/2014 season the bottom placed team in the Super Premier Division will get automatically demoted to Premier Division and the top team in the Premier Division will get automatically promoted to Super Premier division. The Premier division and National Youth League shall be played in their respective zones and shall play on a home and away basis or on a tournament basis with the approval of the Association.

Provided always that the Board with the approval of the Association shall be entitled to approve any other format of the game.

a) For Senior Division and National Youth League the teams shall be divided into zones, representing Northern, Southern and Western zones.

b) The scoring of points shall be:

- Three (3) points for a win

- One (1) point for a draw

- Zero (0) for a loss

c) The zone winners in the premier division and the National Youth League competition shall play a further round of tournaments on a League system to decide the placing. The tournament venue will be decided by the National League Board.

d) In the event of two or more teams ending up in a tie of points then the position shall be decided by:

- Goal difference if that fails to resolve then goals for to resolve on (a) and (b) above then by a toss of coin as in the tournament.

e) The Secretary shall keep proper records of all games which may be inspected by the members of the National League Board or by the Fiji Football Association at any time, on request,

f) District Associations participating in any years shall be deemed to have been agreed to participate in the National League competition in the following year unless any such District Association shall have given its intention in writing by 15th August in the previous year not to so participate in the following year except the National Youth League competition shall be through application.

 

11. Fixtures

a) All league games shall be played in accordance with fixtures to be determined by the National League Board in presence of the District representatives and made public by the middle of November in each year.

b) Each game shall be of 90 minutes duration with two spells of 45 minutes.

c) The National League Board shall approve the ground on which the matches shall be played, having due regard to the condition of such playing field.

d) In the event of the playing field in a certain district is declared unfit to play or for any other reason unsuitable and/or unavailable such District Association shall nominate an alternative ground and subject to the approval of the Board, all home fixtures shall be played on that ground. In the event of the nominated alternative ground being unsuitable or unavailable, the Chairman of the National League Board shall nominate another ground.

e) All fixtures shall be strictly adhered to and no changes in set fixtures shall be allowed save in exceptional circumstances first having obtained and approval from the National League Board.

f) Any District Association on account of forced nature giving proper reason for its inability to comply with the set fixtures being unable to play any fixtures shall notify the Secretary 72 hours before the match in writing. Provided always in the case of adverse weather condition shorter notice may be given. The Secretary shall immediately convene a meeting of the Emergency Committee of the Board comprising of Chairman, Secretary and either one of zone coordinators or FFRA representative. If reasons so advanced appear to be unsatisfactory or misleading, the Committee shall refer the matter to the National League Board for an appropriate action.

g) All Postponed matches shall, as far as possible, be played before the next full set of games unless the National League Board decides otherwise.

 

12. Default

a) In any situation if a match is awarded to a District on default by the opponents, then the provisions of Fiji FA general IDC rules in respect of number of goals to be awarded shall apply.

b) Save for reason and compliance of obligations stated in above rules any District Association that defaults in playing as outlined in the fixtures set out by the Board shall be automatically be fined five thousand dollars ($5,000) per game, and such fine, when received shall be paid into the funds of the National League account. The defaulting team shall also forfeit the point and be subjected to further disciplinary action. The fifty percent (50%) of fund collected shall be allocated to the home district (less 12.5%) if it is the travelling team that defaults.

 

13. Kick off time

a) District Associations must take all reasonable steps to arrive at a match venue on time. If they fail to do so, they may be fined and amount not exceeding five hundred ($500) dollars. This only applies in the event of a district arriving late at a set fixture. The Board shall not normally accept breakdown of a transport as a reasonable excuse.

b) Any district team shall not be entitled to refuse a match on the grounds that the match scheduled to be played under floodlight.

c) The result of the match shall be conveyed to the Secretary National league Board on the:

Match report form (annexure 1) within 1 hour of the game, by the referee of the match.

d) Home team shall provide Fiji Football Association approved soccer balls and of proper match standard and failing to do so will incur a fine not exceeding two hundred ($200) dollars and any other penalties the National league Board may deem necessary.

e) Referees shall be appointed by the Referees Committee of the Fiji Football Association.

f) In the event the appointed referee and/or assistant referee fails to report for the match the National League Board members representing the district involved and/or district presidents or

secretaries shall appoint a substitute referee/assistant referee. The National League Board shall not normally accept excuses of non-neutrality or non-membership of FFRA as reasonable excuse.

g) No team shall be allowed to walk out of field during the duration of the playing time as a protest or otherwise and any team failing to observe these rules shall incur a fine of minimum of five thousand ($5,000) dollars and shall forfeit the points in favour of the opposing team.

 

14. Withdrawal from the League

Any district withdraws after the start of the League season shall be liable for a fine of a minimum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) and forfeit all points.

 

15. Forfeiture of Points

a) Unless otherwise provided when any district association has failed to attend and play at an appointed venue and time without prior approval of the National League Board, shall forfeit 3 points in favour of the opposing team and shall be liable for further disciplinary action.

b) Any association contravening rules, regulations and by laws of the National league shall be liable for disciplinary action and fines up to and not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000).

 

16. Registration of players

a) District Associations shall every year register their players by completing the registration form as at annexure 2 and submitting the same to the Secretary of the National League Board at least three (3) clear days before participating in the National league match.

The Secretary of the Board shall file all registrations forms to compile a directory of registered players in the respective districts, which shall be made available for inspection as required. Only bonafied member of a district associations is eligible to play for that district, provided the player fulfils the requirements in (16.a) above.

b) Any team allowing an ineligible player to participate in a league match shall be fined $100 dollars (plus vat), lose points in favour of the opposing team and the Board may institute further disciplinary action against the district and/or the player.

c) Any player suspended by any affiliate of Fiji Football Association shall be disqualified to play in the league competition for the duration of his suspension in the respective grade.

d) Each team shall present to the referee of the match a team list of players with names of not more than 7 substitutes, on a prescribed form at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the match.

e) Transfers of players from one district to another shall be in accordance with rules, regulations and by-laws provided in the Constitution of the association and FIFA Regulations.

f) Player registration fee for player in excess of 35 are as follows:

- Super Premier $5 plus vat

- Premier $3 plus vat

- Youth Free

 

17. Finance

a) The National League Board shall have powers to regulate ground entry charges to the National league matches.

b) All proceeds of the National league matches, will come to Fiji Football Association from which after deducting all expenses and FFA share, it will be divided equally among districts concerned.

c) All teams shall travel at their own expenses and meet their own accommodations cost.

d) All funds received from the Sponsors of the league shall be divided in the proportion as decided by the National League Board.

e) The Secretary of the National League Board shall be responsible for maintaining the accounts of the National league Board. All payments shall be made by cheque. All cheques to be signed by

the Secretary and counter signed by the Chairman or the CEO and in their absence by a member authorised by the Board.

f) The National League Board shall pay two and half percent (2.5%) of fifteen percent (15%) levy received from the host association to the National Youth Board, as it is contribution of youth development work.

g) The participating districts shall be required to pay the entry fee seven days (7) before the commencement of the National League as follows:

- Super Premier $300.00 (VIP)

- Premier $120.00 (VIP)

- Youth Division Free

 

18. Protest

a) All District Association (whether directly involved in the match or not) may protest against any game within seventy two (72) hour of such game to the Chief Executive Officer of Fiji FA in writing and shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed by this Association payable to the Association and shall not be refundable.

b) Not withstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders of the Association the Board of Control shall deal with all protests and for the purposes of the Standing Orders and the Constitution of the Association, The Board of Control shall be deemed to be the Protest Committee and the decision of the Board of Control shall be final and binding and to remove all doubts there shall not be any further appeal from the decision of the Board of Control.

c) The Board of Control shall determine its own procedure relating to protests.

d) Protest once lodged shall not be allowed to be withdrawn and all protests shall be heard and determined within 14 days of its lodgement.

e) When a protest is allowed the result of that particular match shall be quashed and the protesting team in the match shall be awarded three (3) points and two (2) (2-0) goals. However, if the protesting team had scored more than two (2) goals, it shall be allowed to count the actual goals scored. Provided always that if that protest is allowed against both the teams involved in the match than neither teams shall be allowed any point or goal.

 

19. Appeal

a) Appeal procedure adopted shall be as that provided for appeals in the Constitution provided always all appeals shall be heard by the Appeals Committee of the Fiji Football Association and the decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding and to remove all doubts there shall not be any further appeal from the decision of the Appeals Committee.

b) All appeals shall be forwarded directly to the CEO of Fiji Football Association accompanied with a requisite fee.

c) The Appeals Committee shall determine its own procedure relating to appeals.

 

20. Host Responsibilities

a) Host Association shall be responsible for the behaviour of their officials, players, supporters and any other person fulfilling his mission at the National League match on behalf of the Host Association.

b) All fines shall be paid into the Fiji FA account before hosting the next league match.

c) Host districts are required to provide Ball Boys (Minimum 6), Sound System, Security/Police, Qualified Medics, ground arrangements etc. at their own expense.

 

21. Players from Overseas

No foreign players are allowed to play in the National League

 

22. Misconduct

a) The National League Board shall formulate and adopt a code of conduct and standard punishment for breach of the same and shall also strictly adhere to the provisions of the Constitution of Fiji Football Association. The annexure to these rules shall serve as a guide on code of conduct, provided such rules shall not be contrary to the rules, regulations and by-laws of the Association.

b) Referee shall submit his written report to the Secretary of the National League Board against any misconduct or other infringement of the rules within 24 hours of such incident and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to forth with refer such report to the Secretary of Fiji Football Association Disciplinary Committee for Disciplinary proceedings.

c) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders of Fiji Football Association all disciplinary action and matters shall be dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee under the Rules and Constitution of the Association for the purpose of all matters pertaining to National League games and matters.

d) The Disciplinary Committee shall determine its own relating to disciplinary action.

 

23. Referees

a). Fiji Football Referees Association shall submit to the Referees Committee, a list of referees available to officiate in the National League games, and in the event of the appointed referee not being available, the Chairman of the National League Board shall appoint a replacement.

b) Referees should not wear uniform conflicting with the colours of the competing teams.

c) No referees who is the member of the competing Association shall be eligible to act as a referee except in rare cases when the appointed officials are not available.

d) No referee or Assistant Referee shall be playing or a suspended member.

e) Where the colours of two teams competing are similar the host team must change.

Laws of the Game

a) The National League shall be played in accordance with the rules laid by International Football Association.

b) The Board may from time to time differ in its adopting on the International requirements in concurrence with the practice of Fiji Football Association and all districts shall abide by such changes adopted by the Board and make own to the District Association.

24. Insurance

a) The Board may require each participating districts to contribute a certain sum of money towards an insurance fund.

b) The Association shall formulate a table of payments for injury compensation to the players and circulate it to the participating districts.

 

25. General

a) No live or ball-to-ball description or telecast of the game shall be permitted without the written consent of the National League Board. However, the Board may approve such

broadcast on payment of a levy to be made by the broadcasting agency. All such fees received shall be paid to the funds of the Fiji Football Association.

b) When a permission is granted for ay broadcast, the National League Board shall direct no prior announcement be made of which match is to be protested.

c) It shall be the prerogative of the National League Board to decide which of the several matches scheduled for the day may have live broadcast.

d) The Board shall require an undertaking from the broadcasting agent that the sponsors of the National league shall be given adequate recognition than the sponsors of the broadcast. On the programme provided always the National league sponsor shall have the first right of refusal to sponsor any live broadcast.

 

26. Conflict of Rules

In the case of any conflict between the rules herein and any other rules, regulations or standing orders, the provisions herein shall prevail.

 

27. Rules

In respect of the Senior division and Youth National League competitions the rules in respect of the fines shall be same, except that effective amount shall be fifty percent (50%) of all stipulated amounts in the forgoing rules, regulations and by-laws.

Annexure

In this memorandum the words “the Board” shall mean the National League Board and the word the “Board Secretary” shall mean and include all persons nominated to discharge any part of the administrative work of the Board as well as its annual Secretary.

These regulations details the procedure to be followed after a player has been cautioned or dismissed from the field of play.

In the case where the referee has reported that he has dismissed a player and the Disciplinary Committee is satisfied that for the incident for which the player is dismissed from the field of play, it may substitute a charge alleging misconduct justifying a caution and not one justifying a dismissal from the field of play.

Subject to the provision in the last paragraph, upon receiving a report from the referee that he has cautioned a player for violation of the Laws of the Game, the Board Secretary shall send to the secretary of the players district written notification that the caution has been administered and recorded.

The referees report shall constitute a charge alleging that the player has been guilty of misconduct as reported.

Where two (2) cautions are recorded against a player in any one season he shall be deemed to have committed the offence.

Which will necessitate suspension for a match following a second caution provided always that the player shall not automatically be suspended unless notice is given to the player and his association at least 2 clear days prior to the match for which the player is suspended shall be one following the said 2 days notice. Where a player has been sent off after a caution in a match that caution shall not be recorded against the player.

Subject to provision in clause 1 of this annexure, upon receiving a report from the referee that he has dismissed the player (sent off) from the field of play for misconduct, The Boards Secretary shall send written

notification to the Secretary of the players association together with a copy of referees report, which shall constitute a charge alleging that the player has been found guilty of misconduct. A player charged for using his fist or using abusive language to the referee or when sent off the field shall not be entitled to further games until his case has been heard and determined by the Board.

Upon receiving the notification of caution or dismissal from the Board Secretary the player shall be entitled to ask in writing that his explanation of the circumstances which gave rise to the incident reported by the referee and any other mitigating circumstances to be taken into account in determining whether and if so, to what extent he be punished. The correspondence shall be forwarded through the Secretary of the player’s District Association