Adult Cup Competition Rules
2016-17
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Contents
Control and Management ................................................................................................................... 3
Eligibility of Clubs ................................................................................................................................ 3
Notice of Entry – Entrance Fee ............................................................................................................4
Qualification of Players ....................................................................................................................... 4
Eligibility of Players in Semi-Finals and Finals...................................................................................... 5
Substitutes .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Dates of Matches ................................................................................................................................ 5
The Draw ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Colours of Competing Teams ..............................................................................................................8
Duration of Matches ............................................................................................................................ 8
Dimensions of Field of Play .................................................................................................................9
Fitness of Ground ................................................................................................................................9
Match Officials .................................................................................................................................. 10
Results of Matches ............................................................................................................................ 10
Disqualification of a Team or Player .................................................................................................. 10
Protests ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Senior Challenge Cup – Breach of Rule .............................................................................................. 11
Gate Money – County Cup & Senior Challenge Cup Ties .................................................................... 12
Semi-Final and Final Ties ................................................................................................................... 13
Cup and Mementos ........................................................................................................................... 13
Winners of Cup to Sign Agreement ................................................................................................... 14
Precedence ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Alteration to Rules............................................................................................................................. 14
Contact ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Useful Links .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1. Control and Management
The jurisdiction and management of the competitions listed below from 2(c)(i) to
2(c)(v) shall be vested in the Open-Age Committee, on behalf of the Council, in
conjunction with the Association, whose decisions shall be final and binding on all
parties. The only exception shall be the Women’s Challenge Cup – 2(c)(vi) – which will
be under the control and management of the Girls’ and Women’s Committee.
2. Eligibility of Clubs
a. Each affiliated Club must enter their senior team in one of the Association’s Cup
Competitions according to their status. Entry to the competitions listed below from
2(c)(i) to 2(c)(iv) is mandatory. Entry to the competitions listed in 2(c)(v) is optional.
Clubs are encouraged to enter one team only. However, exceptionally, Clubs with
more than one team may also enter lower status competitions.
b. All cups shall be competed for annually by players who will represent the full
strength of each competing Club.
c. Teams accepted in the various competitions will be as follows:i.
Senior Challenge Cup – Saturday teams whose ground and facilities are
approved by the Council and restricted to a maximum entry of 34. Ten teams
will be seeded and will be exempt from the competition until the Third Round;
seeding is based on the 8 quarter-finalists from the previous season plus the
two most senior teams in the Football Pyramid not included in the 8
quarter-finalists. From the Third Round onwards the competition must be
played in mid-week, under floodlights, unless both teams mutually agree to
do otherwise. The first-drawn team will have the choice of ground which need
not be their regular home ground.
ii.
Intermediate Challenge Cup – determined by Saturday league status and
normally applying to teams in the senior divisions of leagues and restricted to
a maximum entry of 64.
iii.
Junior Challenge Cup – determined by Saturday league status and restricted
to a maximum entry of 64.
iv.
Minor Challenge Cup – remaining Saturday teams (which do not qualify for
the above competitions).
v.
vi.
Sunday Senior Challenge Trophy, Sunday Intermediate Challenge Cup,
Sunday Junior Challenge Cup and Sunday Minor Challenge Cup – teams of
the relevant standards as determined by the organising Committee.
Women’s Challenge Cup – all teams playing in adult competitions together
with applications from junior teams which may be considered by the relevant
organising committee. All players must be aged 16 or over on the day of the
match.
d. With the exception of the Women's Challenge Cup, only one team per Club can be
entered for any particular competition.
e. County Cup Competition – Mansfield Town, Nottingham Forest and Notts County,
played annually unless mutually agreed otherwise by the three Clubs and the Notts.
F.A. Board of Directors. In the event of the competition not being played each Club
must pay an exemption fee as determined by the Board of Directors. Should two of
the three Clubs choose to pay this fee rather than contest the trophy, the third Club
must then also pay the said fee. A Club wishing to opt for exemption must advise the
Chief Executive, with the appropriate fee, before 21 July in any season.
3. Notice of Entry – Entrance Fee
a. Application for entry to any cup competition must be made to the Association by 1st
August accompanied by the cup entry fee as printed on Form “A”.
b. The Open-Age Committee reserves the right to reject the entry of any team if they
deem such a course of action desirable.
c. The Open-Age Committee reserves the right to place a club in a competition of
different status to that for which the Club may apply or is recommended by
respective leagues.
4. Qualification of Players
a. Competing teams shall number 11 players each.
b. All players must have been registered by the Club for at least seven full days prior to
the original match date.
c. No player shall play for more than one team in the same competition during the
same season.
d. A player may be permitted to play in a more senior competition in the same season
but, having done so, will not then be eligible to play in any lower competition.
e. Contract players, as defined by The Football Association Rules, shall only be
permitted to play in the County Cup and Senior Challenge Cup Competitions.
f. A player who has been suspended may play in postponed or replayed matches after
the term of suspension has expired.
g. A named substitute who does not play is not cup-tied.
5. Eligibility of Players in Semi-Finals and Finals
Semi-Final and Final Ties are restricted to players who have played at least three
bona-fide matches for the competing Clubs. A player previously being named as a
substitute (but not being used during a game) is deemed to have not played in the
game.
6. Substitutes
Up to five substitutes may be nominated to the referee prior to the match, up to three
of whom may be used at any time subject to the referee’s permission. Substitutes not
so named may not take part.
7. Dates of Matches
a. The Open-Age Committee shall determine the date or dates upon which the
matches shall be played.
b. The Competitions Officer shall, after each draw is made, advise each team of the
name of its opponent and the date and time when the tie shall be played.
c. If the ground of the first-drawn team is unavailable it will be their responsibility to
provide an alternative venue so that the tie can be played on the date as advised;
this is to include the opposition facility if available.
d. No game may be postponed for more than two weeks due to an unfit pitch – in
these circumstances the first-drawn team will be required to provide an alternative
venue after this period of time. Failure to do so may result in their expulsion from
the competition.
e. First-drawn teams with floodlights which have been approved by the Association
have the right to re-arrange the tie to a mid-week date. This must be the mid-week
preceding or the mid-week following the original scheduled date. The day/date on
which the mid-week tie is to be played must be mutually agreed by both teams and
the Association notified of such in writing.
f. Exceptionally, there may be occasions where teams are unable to fulfil a fixture in
accordance with the terms of Rule 7(e) above. This will usually be where a team has
a commitment to participate in a more senior competition. (See also Rule 22). On
such occasions the Association has no objection to teams mutually agreeing a prior
date as soon as they are notified of the fixture. Teams agreeing a date after the
scheduled date are required to take due cognisance of the date of the next round of
the competition. If mutual agreement cannot be reached the Association will decide
the date which will then become final and binding on both parties. The first-drawn
team has the option to play the fixture on their normal mid-week fixture night if all
parties are in agreement.
g. The home team must advise their opponents and the Match Official(s) of the exact
location of their ground (including post-code), dressing rooms and colours at least
five days prior to the date of the match. These details must then be acknowledged
by both parties. Teams are advised that although the electronic interchange of
information is deemed an acceptable means of notification, receipt of such
communications is not always guaranteed. It is recommended that all e-mails are
accompanied by a request for a "read receipt".
h. A number of teams have the use of a facility with a “3G Playing Surface”. Whilst the
first drawn team must inform their opponents of this surface, the second drawn
team cannot refuse to play the fixture on such a surface. A game may be allowed to
play on a 3G surface providing they meet the required performance standards and
are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf pitches.
8. The Draw
a. The Association shall be responsible for making the draws for all the competitions
under the jurisdiction of the Open-Age Committee.
b. The teams shall be drawn in pairs constituting the Cup Ties. The first-drawn team
shall have the choice of ground.
c. The venue and date for the Final Tie of each competition will be arranged by the
Open-Age Committee.
d. All draws will be published on the web-site of the Association
http://www.nottinghamshirefa.com/cups and be confirmed by e-mail notification
through FA Full Time within 72 hours. Following such notification, any team
withdrawing from their competition, without showing a good and sufficient cause,
shall be removed from the competition and be subject to the following fines:- Saturday Senior Cup - Final £750, Semi-Final £500, Quarter-Final £200, all
earlier rounds £100
- Sunday Senior Trophy - Final £300, Semi-Final £150, Quarter-Final £75, all
earlier rounds £60
- Saturday & Sunday Intermediate Cup - Final £300, Semi-Final £150,
Quarter-Final £75, all earlier rounds £60
- Saturday & Sunday Junior & Minor Cups - Final £200, Semi-Final £100,
Quarter-Final £60, all earlier rounds £40
e. Any team failing to play in any tie, without showing a good and sufficient cause for
such failure to play, may be adjudged by the Open-Age Committee to have been
guilty of serious misconduct, removed from the competition and charged
accordingly.
9. Colours of Competing Teams
a. When the colours (shirts, shorts and socks) of competing teams are similar the
visiting team must change, except in the Final Tie when both teams must change.
These arrangements may be amended by mutual agreement. Goalkeepers must
wear colours which distinguish them from the other players and Match Official(s).
b. Teams are not permitted to play in black or very dark shirts. The final decision on the
suitability of such attire rests solely with the referee. Any team causing a fixture to
be unfulfilled for this reason shall be expelled from the competition.
c. All shirts of competing teams must be numbered and clearly highlighted on the
team sheet before the game.
10. Duration of Matches
a. The duration of each match shall be 90 minutes.
b. The half-time interval shall be 15 minutes which may be altered only with the
consent of the Referee.
c. If the scores are level after 90 minutes then extra-time of 30 minutes (15 minutes
each way) must be played, save for the County Cup where no extra-time shall be
played. Following a draw after extra-time, a result shall be obtained by the taking of
kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with current F.I.F.A. regulations (see
pages 92-93).
d. When a match has been postponed or is abandoned before the completion of 90
minutes with neither team being at fault, it must be played on the same ground
within 7 days.
e. If extra-time has not commenced or a match has been abandoned during
extra-time, it must be played on the ground of the second-drawn team within 7
days.
f. Where a match is abandoned due to misconduct by one of the competing teams or
its supporters, that team will be removed from the competition and will be liable to
further sanctions. Where a match is abandoned due to a late kick-off caused by one
of the teams, the tie will be played on a ground chosen by the team deemed to be
the innocent party. Should both teams be deemed equally responsible for the late
kick-off then the tie must be played, within 7 days, on the same ground or at a
ground chosen by the home team.
g. Where agreement cannot be reached as to who is responsible for an abandonment,
an emergency meeting of the organising Committee will be arranged at the earliest
opportunity to resolve the outcome.
11. Dimensions of Field of Play
a. Dimensions of the field of play shall be in accordance with The Laws of Association
Football.
b. Goal nets and corner posts must be used in all ties. Teams failing to comply with
either element of this rule shall be subject to a fine as determined by the Open-Age
Committee.
12. Fitness of Ground
The Referee, as part of his Duty of Care, shall have the power to decide as to the fitness
of the ground unless it has already been declared unfit by the owners or the Local
Authority.
13. Match Officials
a. The Association, in conjunction with the Referees' Development Officer and/or
Referees' Committee, shall appoint the Match Officials. However, should an
officially appointed referee be unavailable then the competing teams must
themselves appoint a referee whose decisions shall be binding and not subject to
revision. Rule 8(e) will be applied in the event of the game not being completed on
the official date of the tie.
b. The fees and expenses, as shown on the official notification of the draw, of all
appointed Officials shall be offered by the home team prior to the kick-off.
c. Match Officials are required to notify the Association of any irregularities, including
late notification, late kick-off etc. within 72 hours of the match date.
14. Results of Matches
a. The result and Referee’s marks form shall be completed by both teams and must be
received by the Association, either by e-mail or by post, within 72 hours of the match
being played.
b. Teams failing to comply with this rule or submitting incomplete, incorrect or
inaccurate details may be subject to a £20 fine.
15. Disqualification of a Team or Player
The Open-Age Committee reserves the right to disqualify any competing team or
player proven guilty of any breaches of the Rules of the Association.
16. Protests
a. All questions relating to the qualification of players, or interpretation of the Rules, or
any dispute or protest whatsoever, shall be referred to the Open-Age Committee
whose decision is final and binding and not subject to appeal.
b. Any protest must be in writing and contain the grounds upon which it is founded.
Only correspondence originating through the Club Secretary will be considered. The
protest must be received by the Association within three days of the match being
played accompanied by the protest fee of £30.
c. The fee shall be usually forfeited to the Association in the event of the protest not
being sustained.
d. The Open-Age Committee may order any team engaged in a dispute or protest to
pay such sum as may be considered necessary towards defraying the expenses
incurred.
e. Any protest relating to the suitability of the playing area will not be entertained
unless an objection has been lodged with the Referee prior to the commencement
of the match.
f. The Association shall send a copy of the protest and particulars to the team
protested against.
g. If the organising Committee deems it necessary to summon either or both teams to
a hearing to resolve the outcome, witnesses may be called by either or both parties.
17. Senior Challenge Cup – Breach of Rule
If a Senior Challenge Cup tie is ordered to be replayed arising from a breach of rule(s),
the defaulting team shall not receive expenses or a share of the proceeds unless
exceptionally sanctioned by the Open-Age Committee. In such circumstances, details
of receipts and expenditure must be forwarded to the Association within seven days of
the tie together with the defaulting team’s share of any proceeds.
18. Gate Money – County Cup & Senior Challenge Cup Ties
a. In all County Cup and Senior Challenge Cup ties an admission charge determined by
the Council shall be levied.
b. Net profits or losses arising from the Senior Challenge Cup (except for the Final Tie)
must be divided equally between the two competing teams. The home team is
responsible for providing a receipts and expenditure account for the tie and
settlement must be made to the visiting team within seven days of the date of the
tie.
c. Competing teams will be permitted to claim reasonable expenses. Details of
permitted expenses are shown on the form accompanying the draw.
d. A maximum of 22 players and officials from each competing team will be allowed
entry to the ground without payment.
e. Where receipts are insufficient to cover the entire expenses of the tie the order of
payment will be prioritised as follows:i.
Match Officials
ii.
Printing and Advertising (not exceeding £20.00)
iii.
Travelling expenses of visiting players and officials
iv.
Ground expenses
v.
In the event of insufficient gate receipts to cover expenses the loss is shared
equally
19. Semi-Final and Final Ties
a. It is a recommendation that, wherever possible, all Semi-Final matches should be
played on enclosed or roped-off pitches. Exceptionally, this is a compulsory
requirement for both the Senior Challenge Cup and the Sunday Senior Challenge
Trophy.
b. In all Semi-Final ties apart from the Saturday Senior Challenge Cup, match officials
fees and expenses shall be split between competing teams.
c. In all Final Ties the Association will be responsible for all gate receipts and for the
payment of expenses.
d. Match Officials shall receive a memento in addition to their expenses.
e. No alcoholic beverages, other than those purchased whilst visiting any private
facility (where licensed), be it at the semi-final or final stages, of ALL County Cup
Competitions, are permitted to be taken in to/consumed therein, at any respective
venues. Any such items, cans/bottles, will not be allowed through the turnstile. It is
the responsibility of all club secretaries (officials), to ensure the behaviour of all
those connected with their respective clubs (players/officials/supporters), is both
orderly and respectful at all times.
20. Cup and Mementos
a. The Association shall present a Cup to the winning team and mementos to all
players and nominated substitutes in the Final Tie.
b. Clubs may purchase additional mementos at the discretion of the Open-Age
Committee.
c. Should any player be dismissed from the field of play for offences involving violent
conduct, abusive or offensive language, or serious foul play, that player will not be
eligible to participate in the presentation ceremony. The player will still however
receive a memento.
d. All trophies are to be returned to the County Association no later than 1st February of
the following season. Failure to do so may incur a £20 fine.
21. Winners of Cup to Sign Agreement
The winning team will acknowledge receipt of the trophy by signing the appropriate
agreement provided by the Association. In the event of a Club becoming defunct the
trophy must be returned to the Association within 14 days.
22. Precedence
a. Football Association competitions take precedence over those organised by The
Nottinghamshire Football Association; these are: The FA Challenge Cup, FA Vase,
FA Trophy, Premier League and Football League and The FA Sunday Cup for Sunday
Competitions.
b. All Nottinghamshire Football Association competitions shall take precedence over
League or League Cup matches of competitions sanctioned by the Nottinghamshire
Football Association.
c. In the event of a Club having more than one team drawn at home, the team playing
in the more senior competition shall take precedence – see also Rule 7(c).
23. Alteration to Rules
The Open-Age Committee, on behalf of the Council, reserves the right to amend or add
to these rules at such time as the need may arise.
Contact
All Enquiries to:
Nottinghamshire FA
Tel: 0115 983 7409 (Office)
Email: [email protected]