RULES OF THE
IPSWICH SUNDAY
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
2016-17
These are Your Rules as
Adopted by the Member
Clubs and Administered by
the Management Committee
on your Behalf.
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................................. 2
NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION ......................................................................................... 3
ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT ............................................................................................ 4
MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION ................................................................................... 4
5.
6.
POWERS OF MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................... 5
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ........................................................................................................ 7
7.
8.
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED .......................................................................................................... 7
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS ......................................................................................................... 8
9. CLUB COLOURS AND CLUB NAME ............................................................................................... 13
10. PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS &
SUBSTITUTES ............................................................................................................................... 13
11. REPORTING RESULTS ................................................................................................................... 18
12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP .................................................................................................. 19
13. REFEREES ..................................................................................................................................... 21
14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB .............................................. 24
15. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS ...................................................................................................... 25
16. BOARD OF APPEAL ...................................................................................................................... 25
17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS .......................... 26
18. TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED,
AWARDS ...................................................................................................................................... 26
19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS ...................................................................................................... 27
20. ALTERATION TO RULES................................................................................................................ 27
21. FINANCE ...................................................................................................................................... 27
22. INSURANCE.................................................................................................................................. 28
23. DISSOLUTION............................................................................................................................... 28
24. FEES TARIFF ............................................................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX A – SENIOR AND JUNIOR CUP RULES ................................................................................. 30
APPENDIX B - CHILD PROTECTION POLICY .......................................................................................... 31
APPENDIX C - EQUALITY POLICY AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE ...................................................... 32
APPENDIX D – CLUB COMMITTEES ..................................................................................................... 33
APPENDIX E - PLAYER STATUS ............................................................................................................. 34
RULES OF THE
IPSWICH SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
1. DEFINITIONS
(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.
“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of
membership of the Competition.
“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition and “Team” means a side
from a Club especially where a Club provides more than one Team in a division in accordance with
the Rules.
“Competition” means the Ipswich Sunday Football League.
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the
Competition.
“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other Player who plays or who is eligible
to play for a Club.
“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.
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“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.
“Sanctioning Authority” means [The FA] [the Competition][The Suffolk County Football
Association Limited].
“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the Rules of The FA.
“Team Sheet” means a form provided by the Competition on which the names of the Players taking
part in a Competition match are listed.
“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.
“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other
information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in
electronic form or otherwise.
(B) 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 thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 16.
(C) The Competition will be known as The Ipswich Sunday Football League (or such other name as the
Competition may adopt). 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 thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.
(D) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting
(save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the Management Committee in
accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.
2. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION
(A) This Competition shall consist of not more than 144 (one hundred and forty-four) Clubs approved
by the Sanctioning Authority.
(B) All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be
returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the Suffolk County Football Association.
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Suffolk County Football League and the
constituent Member Clubs may be grouped into divisions, each not exceeding 16 in number.
(C) Only one team shall be permitted from a Club to participate in the same division unless there is no
viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical
boundaries. This Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Sanctioning Authority in the event
of a division comprising of more than one team from the same Club. 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 via transfers of registration in accordance with
these Rules.
(D) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination
(i) This Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to
eliminating all forms of discrimination.
(ii) Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate
Sanctioning Association for investigation.
(E) Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the
Competition including but not limited to, Charter Standard and RESPECT programmes.
(F) Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with
the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the
Management Committee.
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(G) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting 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 12.
3. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT
(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must
be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £0.00 which shall
be returned in the event of non-election.
At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due
notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
When Rule 12(B) is applied, or a team seeks a transfer, or is compulsorily transferred to another
division, no Entry Fee shall be payable.
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £130.00 per team payable on or before the AGM in each year.
Alternately for the 2016/2017 season clubs will be able to pay the annual subscription in three
instalments consisting of first payment of £60:00 along with their completed registration online
before the AGM with two (2) further payments of £35:00 to be completed before 28th August, to
allow the club/team to continue in the competition.
(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 by or on behalf of the Club on such terms
and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit
and any outstanding debts have been paid using the facility to transfer funds between banks (Rule
21).
(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 15th July of its Sanctioning Authority
affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £20.00 for poor
administration. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the Club application & Directory
form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.
(F) A non-refundable club vetting charge of £30.00 will be payable at the time of application by any
New Club seeking to join the competition. The Vetting Sub-Committee will validate the suitability
of the clubs officers, financial position etc. to ensure as far as possible the club will fulfil its
obligations for the season ahead should they be accepted. The Management Committee on the
recommendation of the Vetting Sub-Committee have the final decision on whether or not a club’s
application to join the league is accepted.
(G) The Annual Subscription fee will be set by the Management Committee at its April meeting, and
shall be payable together with a completed League affiliation form for the coming season.
(H) Each Club shall within 14 (fourteen) days of election pay a Deposit of £50.00 which shall be
returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and
complied with all orders of the Management Committee
4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION
The officers shall be the President, Vice-Presidents, Life Members, Chairman, Vice-Chairman,
Treasurer, General Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referees Secretary, Fixtures Secretary,
Disciplinary Secretary and I.T. Officer to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
Life Members and Vice Presidents are non-executive positions.
(A) The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and 4 (four) ordinary
members who shall all be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
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(B) All candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be
nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than
1st March in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the
Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing
for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.
(C) The Management Committee shall meet as and when required with no more than three calendar
months between each meeting. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the members of
the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.
(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.
(E) The Club Secretary will act as a single point of contact for all League Business between the league’s
officers and the club.
(F) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers using
the appropriate officers ISFL e-mail address e.g. matters relating to fixtures must be sent to
[email protected] failure to comply will result in a charge of poor administration for the Club.
Abusive or inappropriate comments used in any communication with League Officers as deemed by
the management committee will result in a charge of bringing the Competition into Disrepute being
brought and a fine of £50.00 levied.
(G) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football
Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and 4 (four) members who shall
be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Members who shall be elected to serve for three years,
with two retiring at the Annual General Meeting. All Participants shall abide by The Football
Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Association from time to
time.
(H) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other
candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated
to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 1st March
in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual
General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any
office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.
(I) Candidates wishing to sit on the Management Committee will be required to give a presentation on
the attributes, experience and what they feel they will bring to the League if appointed.
5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT
(A) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they
deem necessary. The decisions of all such 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
Football Association or affiliated Association.
(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 upon each Club (including any Club which
may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet
any deficiency at the end of the season.
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all
Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to
vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented or where
there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).
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In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting
vote.
(D) 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 of the Competition must
be taken within 28 (twenty eight) days of the Competition being notified.
With the exception of Rules 5(I), 6(H), 10(A), 11 and 19, for all breaches of Rule a formal written
charge must be issued to the Club concerned. The Club charged shall be given 7 (seven) days from
the date of notification of the charge to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:i)
ii)
iii)
Accept or deny the charge
Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or
Put their case before the Management Committee at a personal hearing.
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 Association.
Any fines levied shall be in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
The maximum fine permitted for any breach of a rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the
Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any
mitigating circumstances.
(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in
accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to
those concerned within 10 (ten) days.
(F) More than fifty (50) percent of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
of the Management Committee or any sub-committee thereof.
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting
capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(H) 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. A club failing to comply shall be liable to a fine or otherwise penalised at the discretion
of the Management Committee.
(I) All fines and charges are payable forthwith and must be paid within 21 (twenty-one) days of the date
of notification of the decision. Any Club failing to do so will be fined £50.00 for poor administration.
Further failure to pay the fine including the additional fine within 14 (fourteen) days will result in
fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid. Any outstanding debts
owed by a club including an administration fee will be passed to the registered players of the club.
The management committee reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary to
recovery any debts owed to the Competition.
(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or
match may have any reasonable expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the
membership of the Committee between the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting
called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
(L) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee will be transacted by
electronic mail.
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6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June in each year. At this meeting the
following business shall be transacted provided that at least 75% of the Members are present and
entitled to vote:(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
Election of Officers and Management Committee (and the League’s Sanctioning Authority
Council member).
(vi) Appointment of Auditors.
(vii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(viii) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick off times applicable to the
Competition.
(ix) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant
to an Annual General Meeting.
(B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be
forwarded to each Club at least 14 (fourteen) days prior to the meeting, together with any proposed
change of Rules.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to
the Sanctioning Authority within 14 (fourteen) days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
(D) Each Member Club shall be empowered to send 2 (two) delegates only, to an Annual General
Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any
Meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the 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 17.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50
(fifty) percent of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Club must be represented at the Annual General Meeting. Failure to do so without a
satisfactory explanation being provided shall be result in a fine of £50.00.
(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual
General Meeting.
7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club which is an unincorporated Association and two
directors of each Club which is an incorporated entity shall complete and sign the following agreement
which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the
coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.
"We, (A) (name) ___________________ of (address)_ ____________________ (Chairman/Director)
and (B) (name)___________________ of (address) ______________________(Secretary/Director)
of the ____________________ Football Club (Limited) have been provided with a copy of the Rules
and Regulations of the Ipswich Sunday Football league Competition and do hereby agree for and on
behalf of the said Club to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
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implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of
appeal in accordance with Rule 16."
Any alteration of the Chairman and/or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the
Suffolk County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the
Competition.
The above form must be signed, scanned and returned (e-mailed) to the league secretary
([email protected]) before the commencement of the season. Failure to return the form will be
deemed poor administration and a fine of £20.00 liable. Until such times as payment is made the club
will not be able to partake in the Competition.
8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
(A) (i) 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.
It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player signing a registration form for that Club
has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any
Player aged 10 (ten) and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
(ii) Each Club must have at least 12 players registered 7 days before the start of each Playing Season.
Failure to register the require minimum number of players will be deemed Poor Administration and a
fine of £20.00 liable
(B) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has signed a fully and correctly completed
Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club and either (a) submitted
to the Competition 7 days prior to playing and whose registration has been confirmed by the
Competition prior to that Player playing in a Competition Match, or (b) signed a fully and correctly
completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing, countersigned by an
Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the
Competition within two days of the match. The Player shall not again play until the Club is in
possession of the approval of the Competition. A maximum of 0 (zero) players may be registered in
accordance with sub paragraph (b).
(i) The registration form will contain provision for a passport photograph of the player to be
registered to be uploaded. It is essential that the photograph is sharp, clear and in colour and
conforms to H.M. Government passport requirements. Once completed on line, the form
should be printed, signed by player and the secretary for the club.
(ii) The printed copy duly signed and completed should be scanned and sent by electronic mail
to the Registration Secretary without delay, only scanned copies will be processed. Upon
receipt of the scanned copy the Registration Secretary will confirm/decline the registration.
The secretary of the club must retain the original signed copy of the registration form until
31st May 2017.
(iii) The signing of the form not only confirms the details are correct, but also confirms that the
photograph is a true likeness of the player. It is the responsibility of the club, to ensure the
validity and that the signing player in all other respects is eligible.
(iv) In order to ensure the eligibility of a player, a check of the Suffolk County Football
Association website (www.suffolkfa.com) is required to be carried out by the club’s
secretary to ensure the player is available to play and not currently suspended.
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Once eligibility is confirmed the secretary needs to check if the player has previously been
registered with the ISFL, using free player list provided on their dashboard. Producing a
duplicate registration of player will result in a poor administration fine being levied.
(v) It is also the responsibility of the club to ensure that the League Registration Secretary is
advised of any player’s details that change during the season from those submitted on the
original registration form. Failure to do so will be deemed Poor Administration and a fine of
£20.00 liable.
(vi) Confirmation will allow the players name to appear on the list of available players for their
team’s next fixture on the website.
(vii) A declined registration form will not be processed, until all problems have been resolved to
the satisfaction of the Registration Secretary.
(viii) A club may suspend/cancel the registration of a player by informing the league Registration
Secretary in writing or via email and asking for the player’s name to be removed from their
lists.
(ix) Normal transfer rules shall apply should a player subsequently require a transfer after his
registration has been cancelled. A club may also cancel the registration of a player by
informing the League Registration Secretary in writing. The player cannot again play for
that club or any other member club during that season without first submitting a transfer
request and providing evidence that no debts remain outstanding.
(x) Players registrations with a club which withdraws from the League during the season will
automatically be cancelled and transfer rules will apply should a player wish to join another
league club.
(xi) Players registered with a club which has completed all of its fixtures for the season will not
be permitted to transfer to another club
(xii) A blank registration form is available online via the League website (www.isfl.co.uk) and
should be completed as required.
(C) A team shall not include any player who has taken part in any senior competition match during the
current season. For the purpose of this Competition all senior competitions are listed in Appendix E
(D) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association
shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first
proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial
liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player's signature
without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club,
or Clubs, for which the player last played. In the event that a Player could be required to pay a
proportion of a debt due under The FA Football Debt Recovery System then, whether or not the debt
has been referred to the relevant County FA, the Competition must not affect the player’s registration
in any way or refuse to register a transfer due to that debt being outstanding. The Competition cannot
refuse to register a Player for an unpaid non-footballing debt.
(i) Approach to players – Suffolk County FA Rule must be observed. Subject to FA Rule C2
(a) dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club
the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a request via electronic mail through the clubs
dashboard with a transfer fee of £10.00 via a Bank Transfer which is non-refundable and
non-transferable. Such transfer shall be referred by the (Registrations) Secretary for which
the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections
to the player concerned and on the electronic form provided within 3 (three) days of receipt
of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Club's consent, or upon its failure to give written
objection within seven days, the (Registrations) 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 or14 days after receipt of such transfer.
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(ii) No player shall be transferred more than twice in a single season.
(iii) No more than two players from a club can transfer to the same club within 28 days, in
addition no more than three players shall be allowed to transfer from one club to same club
in the same season.
(iv) In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management
Committee for a decision.
(E) A zero charge shall be paid by each club/team for each player registered.
(F) 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 priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The
(Registrations) Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the
previous registration.
(G) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being
transferred.
(ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in
that season except for the purpose of a transfer.
(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to
accurately or fully complete.
(H)
(i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player subject
to the provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) below
(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of
any player or may fine any player, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of
registration irregularities (subject to Rule 16).
(iii) 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 16)
subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association. Undesirable
conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a participant
from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of
the Club the player is registered with or intending to be registered with.
(iv) For a player who has had a registration removed in accordance with clause (iii) but has a
registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary
period of 12 (twelve) 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 would be empowered to consider a further charge of bringing the
competition into disrepute.
(Note:- Action under Clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the
matter has been dealt with by the appropriate League, and then only in cases of the player
bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the
Football Association. 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 (one hundred and twelve) days’ suspension, or 10 (ten) matches in
match based discipline, in a period of 2 (two) years or less from the date of the first offence.
(v) Loan Players, FA Rule regarding approach to players must be observed.
(vi) A player without a parent club can apply to the league to be registered as a ‘pool’ player.
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
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(vii) A pool player will be loaned out for a maximum of two fixtures after which time the player will
return to the pool and cannot be loaned to same club that season, but is eligible to be loaned to
another club.
(viii) Player status shall apply, and in all other respects be eligible to play, any County suspensions
shall be applied. Following the completion of the loan period with a club, if the player and club
agree to the retention of his services, the normal transfer process including fee shall apply and
must be completed before he can play in any further fixtures for the club.
(ix) Should a player wish to continue his registration with the pool he will have to re-register with
the league like any other club player at the start of each new season.
(I)
Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2(a) when a Club wishes to register a Player who is already
registered with another Club it shall submit a transfer form to the Competition accompanied by a
£10.00 transfer fee. 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 three days of receipt of the notification.
Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within three days,
the Competition 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 7 (seven) 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
(J)
A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after
31st March except by special permission of the Management Committee.
(K)
A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the games in which they have
played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.
(L)
A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration,
shall be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly
appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times
mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Season only. In the event of a player without a
written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club
in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a
written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the club conforms to the
exception in Rule 8(A) (i).
(M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or
relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played 3 (three) games
for that team in this Competition in the current season.
(N)
A player who has played for a team in the Premier Division 3 (three) times or more shall not in that
season be eligible to play in a lower Division except by permission of the Management Committee.
All players for registration and re-instatement purposes will be divided into 3 (three) groups
 Group A will consist of Premier and Division One status players
 Group B will consist of Division Two status players.
 Group C will consist of Division Three to lowest available players
A player who has not previously registered for a member club of the ISFL and has played
previously in another Saturday or Sunday League will have his status assigned based on the League
and Division that club currently plays in. (see Appendix D).
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Each team in-group B will be automatically allowed the registration of 2 (two) players from group
A per season. Likewise group C will automatically be allowed the registration of 2 (two) players
from group B. This rule does not apply to reserves and A/B teams.
i) Recognised players of Premier Division to second lowest available shall be eligible to play
for their bona fide reserves teams in Division One to lowest available. No team may play
more than 3 (three) first team players in a reserves match in one league or Knockout cup
game. A first team player is defined as one who has played 3 (three) first team matches in
the current season. Likewise, any A team is only allowed 3 (three) higher status players, a
mixture of first and reserve team players. It follows that any B team is only allowed 3
(three) higher status players, a mixture of first, reserve and A team players to be eligible to
play in any one match.
ii) Players of teams relegated will automatically be given the status of the Division their team
is relegated to. Provided they continue to play for that same team.
iii) A player who doesn’t sign for a club for the coming season, shall retain his current player
status indefinitely.
iv) Players debarred under any of the above clauses may ask permission to re-instate, such
cases to be considered by the League Management Committee.
v) A player can apply for his current status to be reviewed by e-mailing the league secretary
([email protected]) requesting it to be review by the Management Committee. The
decision of the management committee will be final and binding.
(O)
Any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a match or matches shall have any points
gained from that match or matches deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and
have levied upon it a fine. The Management Committee may also order that such match or matches
be replayed on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee which may also levy
penalty points against the Club in default.
The Management Committee may vary this decision in respect of the points gained 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.
In exceptional circumstances the Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points
available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be
replayed
(P)
i)
Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have the
points gained in the match deducted from its total and shall be fined £100.00 for each
occurrence and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
ii)
The Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points available in the match
in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(The following clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary
education):i)
ii)
Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.
The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday
Leagues).
iii) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16 (sixteen).
(Q)
A retained players list which is downloadable from the Club’s dashboard, needs to be printed,
signed by all the players wishing to remain with club for the coming season, scanned and e-mailed
to the Registration Secretary by July 1st of each year/season. Failure to do so will be deemed Poor
Administration and a fine of £20.00 liable.
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(R)
A player who has previously played for Club in the ISFL cannot register for another club in the
ISFL without first providing confirmation from his previous Club’s secretary or in the event that
the club no no-longer exist from the League’s Registration Secretary that no monies are owed by
him to that club.
(S)
Clubs are required to send in a list of any debtors to the Players’ Registration Secretary by the end
of May to assist with the registration process. In the cases where a player questions the debt amount
owed, the club shall provide evidence of how the debt has been accrued. Failure to produce the
required breakdown within 7 (seven) days of the request shall result in the debt being nullified as
unsubstantiated and the registration process can proceed. Kit will only be considered part of a
player's debt if the club provides a signed acknowledgement from the player accepting his
responsibility to return the kit upon leaving the club.
9. CLUB COLOURS AND CLUB NAME
(A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 1st July who shall
decide as to their suitability.
Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the match officials.
No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify
its opponents the colours in which they will play (including the colour of the goalkeepers jersey) at
least 6 (six) clear days before the match (Sunday prior to the match).
If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall
make the change. A club must not delay the scheduled time of kick off for a completion match by
not having a change of colours. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by
not having a change shall be fined £20.00.
All shirts must be numbered and the captain distinguished by an arm band.
The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to
lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or
shorts as they think fit. Failure to comply will result in the Club being fined £50.00 for each game
that the kit is worn.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority and
from the Management Committee. Any Club wishing to change its colours during the Playing Season
must obtain permission from the Management Committee.
(C) Shirts must not carry motives, advertisements etc. which the management committee deem to be
offensive.
10. PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF,
POSTPONEMENTS & SUBSTITUTES
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the date for the commencement of the season.
The commencement of the ISFL Playing Season shall be the penultimate Sunday in August.
Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless objections are received by the Fixtures Secretary within
14 (fourteen) days of their issue.
The Fixtures Secretary has the power to re-arrange matches or arrange matches for teams with a free
date. This will be done unless any Club involved has notified the Fixtures Secretary 14 (fourteen)
days in advance that a free date is required. Teams can close a maximum of 2 (two) dates during the
course of the season on which a league fixture is scheduled, 1 date can be used between 1st September
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and 14th December the other date between 1st January and season end. Closed dates cannot be used
by clubs on dates when League Cup and County Cup fixtures have been scheduled.
In normal circumstances, the end of the competition shall be the penultimate Sunday in May, with
the finals of the League Knock-out Cup Competitions. All League matches shall be concluded on or
before the second Sunday in May, but should unforeseen circumstances arise the Management
Committee have the right to order an extension of the season.
(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the
International Football Association Board.
Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches
shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of
the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order
the venue to be changed.
The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable
for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
Where a venue is regarded as being unsuitable details of an alternative venue must be supplied by
the club.
Clubs using Council facilities will be expected to adhere to the Terms and Conditions of Hire of the
facilities as published and displayed by the leasing authority.
Football Turf pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition providing they meet the required
performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf pitches. For clubs playing
at Step 7 and below a pitch must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every 3 (three) years
and the results passed to the FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the
pitch to the Register.
The home club is also responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when
confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 10(D).
All matches shall have duration of 90 (ninety) minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 60 (sixty)
minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the
commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the
same two teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120
minutes.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the
two competing clubs prior to the scheduled date of the match with written notification given to the
Competition at least 7 days prior.
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the
Competition. Any delay to the kick off time must be reported by the referee using the comments
facility provided on the match report.
The home team must provide goal nets and corner flags. Match balls shall be presented to the Referee
10 (ten) minutes prior to kick off, any club failing to comply with this rule shall be fined.
Any Club failing to commence a fixture at the appointed time shall be fined £20.00.
Goal posts, etc. must NOT have metal cup hooks attached. Portable goals must be securely fixed to
the ground as stated in FIFA’s Laws of the Game (Field of Play) ‘Goals must be anchored securely
to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement’. Referees must report
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
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any breaches to Suffolk County FA and the Competition, the fixture must not proceed until the
referee is satisfied that this Law has been met.
(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates
originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and parent County
Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may
mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the (Fixtures) Secretary.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the clubs must be given by the competition 5 (five) clear days’
notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).
(D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to,
the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least
6 (six) clear days (previous Sunday) prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away
club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the competition. Failure to do so will be
deemed Poor Administration and a fine of £20.00 levied.
The away Club and the appointed match referee will acknowledge receipt no later than 3 full days
prior to the fixture. Failure to do so will be deemed Poor Administration and a fine of £20.00 levied.
All notifications and acknowledgements relating to matches are to be made using the notification
facility provide on the club’s dashboard. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to
a fine of £20.00 for Poor Administration.
Any referee not complying will be reported to their sanctioning authority (Suffolk County FA).
(E)
A minimum of 7 (seven) players will constitute a team for a Competition match. In the event of a
team playing in any match with less than 9 (nine) players the Club shall be fined £20.00.
(F)
i)
Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement
the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the
defaulting Club, and award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the
defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them
except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the
Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground
or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the
circumstances.
ii)
Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within
the Competition, in the following order of precedence; First Team, Reserve Team, ‘A’ Team,
etc. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding £100.00 or
otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.
iii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a fixture has been postponed for any reason must,
without delay, give notice to the (Fixtures) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments
Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to
comply shall be fined £20.00 for Poor Administration.
Clubs found guilty of failing to play a fixture for any reason without providing a satisfactory
explanation and obtaining approval in writing (e-mail) prior to the scheduled fixture date, will
have the fixture treated as a non-fulfilment and the appropriate sanctions applied.
In addition to paying any fine and having points deducted the offending team will also be
liable to pay the opponent club and match official(s) such compensation as the Management
Committee shall approve to cover costs incurred e.g. non-refundable pitch hire costs, fees etc.
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Any such detailed claim from a club seeking recompense should reach the General Secretary
within 3 (three) days of the match date. Any compensation order must be paid within 14
(fourteen) days of the order being placed.
Non fulfilment match fines are as follows:
 1st Occurrence for team £80.00 fine with 3 (three) points deducted. Non-offending team
awarded 3 (three) points. Match recorded as a 0-0 win to the Non-offending team.
 2nd Occurrence for team £100.00 with 3 (three) points deducted. Non-offending team
awarded 3 (three) points. Match recorded as a 0-0 win to the Non-offending team
 3rd Occurrence for team £120.00 with 3 (three) points deducted. Non-offending team
awarded 3 (three) points. Match recorded as a 0-0 win to the Non-offending team
Any Club which is guilty of four non-fulfilments may be suspended or dealt with by the
Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable along with possible
recommendation to the Annual General Meeting that the Club may not be accepted in the
League for the following season.
When a club has been informed that their home pitch is unavailable prior to the day of the
fixture being played, the home club must contact the fixtures secretary and referee
appointments secretary by telephone immediately and follow up the call with a confirmation
e-mail. The fixture secretary will allocate an alternative pitch (subject to availability) so that
the fixture can go ahead. The fixture secretary’s decision on where the fixture is to be played
will be binding.
A club that fails to accept an alternative venue will be deemed to be guilty of a non-fulfilment
and liable to the sanctions detailed in Rule 10F(iii).
A club failing to seek confirmation from the fixture secretary that a fixture can be postponed
will have the non-playing of that fixture treated as a non-fulfilment and the appropriate
sanctions applied.
The match can only be called off after 18:00 on the day prior to the fixture being played by
the referee following the completion of a full pitch inspection. The referee will be entitled to
a reduced fee of £22.00 should the fixture be called off following a full pitch inspection.
iv) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither
Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two
Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification
to the (Fixtures) Secretary within 3 (three) days the Management Committee shall have power
to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. Providing gate
money is taken and retained the visiting Club shall receive their actual standard class rail or
bus fares or the equivalent for 15 (fifteen) persons, or car allowance at 36p per mile for
transporting 15 (fifteen) persons, or hire charge of a coach (receipt to be submitted). The
residue (if any) to be equally divided between the two Clubs after deducting the cost of
advertising, printing, posting, police and match officials charges. The home Club shall take
the whole of the proceeds of the second match.
v)
The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is
consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the
Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be
empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the
Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of
one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to
the opponent. In the event of a round of a League Cup competition being abandoned owing to
the conduct of one club or its members, the Management Committee shall be empowered to
award the match to their opponents. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the
conduct of both teams and/or their Club member(s) and supporters the Management
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
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Committee shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the
Management Committee for an abandoned match.
vi) The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both
teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association or Affiliated
Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same
manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8 (O) above.
Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 (five) substitute
players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 (five) players.
The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 10 (ten) minutes before
the start of the match and a Player not so named may not take part in that match
A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but
does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within
the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
Each team shall submit a team sheet containing the names and photographs of the players intending
to be played to their opponents and to the appointed/agreed match referee in the referees’ dressing
room 10 (ten) minutes before the stated Kick Off time. The two forms shall be signed by a recognised
Club Official.
Team Sheets must be in colour, legible and accurately completed, e.g. if the Team Sheet shows John
Smith wearing shirt number 10 (ten), then John Smith must wear the number 10 (ten) shirt in the
match.
No Black and White, handwritten, SIL, SCFA or any other league’s team sheets will be accepted.
Failure to supply team sheets in compliance with the rules will prevent the match being played and
deemed a non-fulfilment by the offending club and treated accordingly.
Team Sheets will be made available by the League, for downloading from the club’s dashboard via
the ISFL website.
Clubs must retain a copy of all of their opponents’ team sheets provided during the season until a
month after the end of the season (30th June) and made available to the Competition upon request.
(H) The half time interval shall be of 10 (ten) minutes duration, but it shall not exceed 15 (fifteen)
minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
(I) The Clubs taking part in fixture Competition Match shall identify a team captain (designated with a
captain’s armband ) who has a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field
discipline of his/her team mates
Any club failing to comply with this rule shall be fined £20.00 for Poor Administration.
(J) Should a team’s average Fair Play mark fall below 66 at any time during the season, the club
secretary will be requested to provide a written explanation (e-mail to be sent to
[email protected]) as to the reason for the unacceptable behaviour including details of what
remedial actions are being taken to address the situation. If the management committee are not
satisfied with the explanation, the club’s officers will be requested to attend a disciplinary hearing.
(K) It is the responsibility of the secretary of any team which is successful in making it through to the
next round of any Sunday County Cup fixture if drawn at home to ensure that their home pitch is
available for the cup fixture and to notify the secretary of any team which shares the same ground
and facilities.
In the event that both teams sharing the same home pitch are drawn at home in a Cup competition
they must contact the fixtures secretary who will endeavour to find an alternative venue for the
fixture. Precedence will be in given to the team playing in the more senior cup competition, were
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
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both teams are entered in the same Cup Competition the fixture secretary will draw lots to decide
who will play on their normal home pitch
(L) In the case of shared facilities all Cup and League fixtures take precedence over friendlies. Clubs
requiring the use of facilities for friendlies during the season at either Gainsborough or Whitton
Sports Centres must submit a request to the fixtures secretary 14 (fourteen) days in advance of the
proposed fixture date, the fixtures secretary will endeavour to allocate a pitch subject to availability.
(M) Clubs who have not been allocated a referee seven days prior to a fixture who then manage to secure
their own official for the fixture must immediately inform the Referee Appointments Secretary.
(N) Clubs without an assigned referee or unable to find their own should check their dashboard on the
Saturday evening (no later than 8:00pm) for referees who have become available during the week.
They should then contact the referee directly by phone to secure his/her services. Once a referee has
been secured the club must contact the referee appointments secretary immediately by phone so that
he/she can be officially appointed to the fixture.
(Note:- It still remains the responsibility of the home team to provide a referee and to ensure the
fixture goes ahead, failure to do so will be treated as a non-fulfilment by the home team and the
appropriate sanctions under Rule 10F(iii) will applied.)
11. REPORTING RESULTS
(A) The Fixture Secretary/Competition MUST receive the result of any match (League or Cup) by
9.00pm Sunday or by 11.00pm (for mid-week fixtures) on the day of the match in the prescribed
manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players and also the referee
markings required by Rule 13, and all information required by the Competition.
When entering the required match results details via the dashboard it is the sole responsibility of the
club secretary to ensure that the equipment (PC/Laptop/tablet/ mobile phone) that is used is fully
compatible with the ISFL website, inaccurate entries will be deemed poor administration
(B) The Home Club shall telephone/SMS/email/notify the result of County Cup matches to the
Sanctioning Authority by 9.00pm on the day of the fixture.
(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the
Club.
(Note: the on-line completion of the match result notification by an authorised member of a club will
be deemed as having been signed).
(D) Should the Club Secretary not be available to enter the results and associated details on-line via the
club’s dashboard, he/she must delegate the task to another responsible member of the club, the same
timescales apply as in Rule 11A.
(E) A club failing to enter the details required in Rule 11(A) will incur a fine of £20.00 for Poor
Administration. Multiple occurrences of a breach of Rule 11A may lead to a charge of Bringing the
Competition into Disrepute and/or a request for the clubs officers to appear before the league’s
disciplinary committee to explain the reason for the persistence failure to comply with Rule 11A.
(F) Any red and/or yellow cards issued in a fixture against one or more individuals must be recorded in
the match day report, failure to do so will result in a £20.00 poor administration fine.
(G) A Referee mark entered of 65 (sixty-five) or below will require a full and detail report (e-mail) to be
sent to the referee appointments secretary ([email protected]) by 9.00pm Sunday or by 11.00pm
(for mid-week fixtures) on the day of the match
(H) The final average mark at the end of the season will be decided upon League games played by that
team. Cup games, postponed or abandoned games do not count. The winner of the Competitions Fair
Play award will receive free entry into the Competition for the coming season.
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(I) If a team withdraws from the league following the commencement of the current season all fair play
marks awarded to that team and to their opponents in those fixtures will be removed.
(J) Inappropriate or abusive comments entered on the ISFL website as deemed by the management
committee could result in a club’s on-line ISFL dashboard account being suspended and/or a charge
of bringing the competition in Disrepute and a fine of £50.00 being levied.
12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
(A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with 3 (three) points to be awarded
for a win and 1 point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their
respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played
for double points.
In circumstances where two or more teams are equal on points team rankings shall be determined by
goal difference where the goals scored against by each team shall be deducted from the goals scored
by that team and the largest positive difference shall be placed the highest. In the event of the goal
difference being equal the highest placed team shall be the team which has scored the most goals. In
the event that two or more teams have the same goal difference and have scored the same number of
goals then the highest placed team shall be the team which has won the most matches.
In the event of the two teams still being equal the team which has the better playing record against
the other team in their head to head Competition matches during the Season will be the highest placed
team.
If the records of two or more teams are still equal and it is necessary for any reason to determine the
position of each then the teams affected shall play a deciding match or matches as determined by the
Management Committee on a neutral venue if available the management committees decision will
be binding in all matters regarding venues.
(B) The actual divisional make up will only be decided when the number of teams registering for each
season is known, with the exception of the Premier (12 teams) and RM3 divisions (6-12 teams) all
the other divisions will be made up of 6 teams. The remaining teams will be group together in groups
of 18 or 24 teams and will operate as described below
Premier Division
The top 12 teams will make up the Premier Division playing 22 games. The winners of the league
will be the Ipswich Sunday Football League Premier Division Champions while the 2 (two) teams
finishing bottom will be relegated. The other divisions will be re-structured as follows, with 24 or
18 teams depending on the overall number of teams participating in the competition
Twenty-Four (24) Team Divisions
The next 24 ranked teams (determined by their finishing position in Season 2015/16) will be put into
an 'Electronic Hat' (radomised list generator) and 4 sub-divisions making up Division 1 consisting
of 6 teams each drawn:Teams 1 to 6 (inclusive) - RM1A,
Teams 7 to 12 (inclusive) - RM1B,
Teams 13 to 18 (inclusive) - MB1A,
Teams 19 to 24 (inclusive) - MB1B.
Each team will play 5 home and 5 away fixtures, on completion of the 10 fixtures the top 3 teams in
RM1A and RM1B will come together in a revised RM1A division the bottom 3 in each will make
up the revised RM1B. The six teams in RM1A will play for the RM1 title and promotion while the
six teams in RM1B will play each other home and away to avoid relegation. Similarly the top three
teams in MB1A & MB1B will play for the MB1 title and promotion while the bottom three teams in
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
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MB1A & MB1B will come together in the revised MB1B division and play each other home and
away to avoid relegation.
The highest finishing team in RM1A & MB1A will automatically be promoted to the Premier league.
The two teams finishing bottom of RM1B & MB1B will both be relegated.
The next 24 ranked teams (determined by their finishing position in Season 2015/16) will be put into
an 'Electronic Hat' (radomised list generator) and 4 sub-divisions making up Division 2 consisting
of 6 teams each drawn:Teams 1 to 6 (inclusive) - RM2A,
Teams 7 to 12 (inclusive) - RM2B,
Teams 13 to 18 (inclusive) - MB2A,
Teams 19 to 24 (inclusive) - MB2B.
Each team will play 5 home and 5 away fixtures, on completion of the 10 fixtures the top 3 teams in
RM2A and RM2B will come together in a revised RM2A division the bottom 3 in each will make
up the revised RM2B. The six teams in RM2A will play for the RM2 title and promotion while the
six teams in RM2B will play each other home and away to avoid relegation. Similarly the top three
teams in MB2A & MB2B will play for the MB2 title and promotion while the bottom three teams in
MB2A & MB2B will come together in the revised MB2B division and play each other home and
away to avoid relegation.
The highest finishing team in RM2A & MB2A will automatically be promoted to the Division 1 the
following season. The two teams finishing bottom of RM2B & MB2B will both be relegated.
Eighteen (18) Team Divisions
(Note:- This will only be required if 61 to 66 inclusive teams register for 2016/17Season)
The next 18 ranked teams determined by their finishing position in Season 2015/16) will be put into
an 'Electronic Hat' (radomised list generator) and 3 sub-divisions making up Division 2 consisting
of 6 teams each drawn:Teams 1 to 6 (inclusive) - RM2A,
Teams 7 to 12 (inclusive) - RM2B,
Teams 13 to 18 (inclusive) - MB2A.
Each team will play 5 home and 5 away fixtures, on completion of the 10 fixtures the top 2 teams in
RM2A, RM2B & MB2A will come together in a revised RM2A division the middle 2 in each will
make up the revised RM2B division and the bottom 2 in each will make up MB2A. The six teams in
RM2A will play for the RM2 title and promotion, the six teams in RM2B will play each other home
and away to see who finishes top (no promotion/relegation at stake) while the 6 teams in MB2A will
play each other home and away to avoid relegation.
The top two finishing team in RM2A will automatically promoted to the Division 1, the two teams
finishing bottom of MB2A will both be relegated.
RM3 Divisions (6 - 12 teams)
Depending on the actual number of teams making up the divisions the number of home and away
fixtures may differ
Determining of Final Finishing Position
In the event that two or more teams finish with an identical number of points, their actual finishing
position will be decided by the order of precedence set out in Rule 12 (A)
This will also be applied at the end of each half season for those divisions requiring a final/definitive
outcome.
When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve team is a member, or entitled
to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 20 | 34
Division; and should the senior team be relegated to the lowest Division its reserve team
automatically retires from the Competition.
Should either or both of the top placed 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.
Trophies & Medals
The winners of the Premier and RM3 divisions will receive trophies and medals at end of the season
For those playing in the 6 team divisions (excluding the Premier & Feeder divisions) trophies &
medals will be awarded on completion of first half of the season to the winners of each division,
similarly trophies & medals will be awarded to the winners of each division in the second half of the
season.
Loss of Team(s) During Season
Should a team withdraw from either the Premier or RM3 Divisions the remaining teams will continue
to play out the rest of the season. All points won and goals scored (for & against) in fixtures involving
the withdrawn team will be null and void, and removed from the records.
Should a team withdraw from any off the 6 team divisions i.e. RM1A, RM2A, MB1A, MB2B etc.,
in the first half of the season, the management committee will have the discretion of filling the gap
left with another team to play in the second half of the season. All points won and goals scored (for
& against) in fixtures involving the withdrawn team will be null and void, and removed from the
records. Teams withdrawing from a 6 team division in the second half of the season will not be
replaced.
Following the issuing of the proposed divisions for the coming season, clubs/teams can
appeal/request by e-mail ([email protected]) a change to the division they are in. All such requests
must be received within 7 (seven) days to have them considered by the Management Committee.
Electronic Hat:- https://www.random.org/lists/
(C) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or
recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
(D) This Clause is Not Applicable to this competition.
(E) The Management Committee reserved the option to promoted additional teams to fill vacancies left
by teams withdrawing from the completion and also to consider requests from clubs in writing prior
to the AGM to be promoted, relegated, not promoted or not relegated from their current division.
13. REFEREES
(A) Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees where approved by the FA or County FA) for all
matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the
Sanctioning Association.
(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 Assistant Referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee who
must be named and marked accordingly on the match report submitted on the website.
An Individual thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a
registered Referee. Individuals under the age of 16 (sixteen) must not participate either as a Referee
or Assistant Referee in any open age competition.
Where agreement cannot be reached the ultimate responsibility for providing an individual to referee
the fixture will be that of the home club, as the match cannot be postponed. The referee duties for a
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 21 | 34
match cannot be shared by two or more persons but must be carried out by the single appointed
official.
Failure to provide a referee and as a result the fixture not being played will result in the home team
being charged with a non-fulfilment and the appropriate sanctions applied.
(C) Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee.
Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10.00 being imposed on the defaulting team(s).
(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and
the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners
of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted.
(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Association, Match Officials
Appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee of £35.00 for referees and £25.00 for Assistant
Referees respectively and is inclusive of any travel costs incurred.
The Home Club shall pay the Officials their match fees, before/immediately after the match, failure
to do so will be considered as poor administration, and the club will be fined £20.00.
(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no
control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to a fee of £22.00. Where a match is not
played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they
attend the ground, their full fee.
The home club shall be responsible for paying the referee in all circumstances, if it is deemed that
the away team is at fault the home team can recover the fee by e-mailing the league treasurer.
([email protected]).
(G) A Referee having accepted his/her appointment and not keeping his/her engagement shall provide a
written explanation as to the reason for their non-appearance (e-mail) to the fixtures secretary and
referees appointment secretary. Failing to provide a satisfactory explanation as to their nonappearance to the referee appointments secretary ([email protected]) , will be reported to the County
Association with which they are registered.
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association award marks
to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted
to the Competition. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £20.00 and/or
dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.
A Referee mark entered of 65 (sixty-five) or below will require a separate written report to be
produced and e-mailed to the referee’s appointment secretary ([email protected]) and disciplinary
secretary ([email protected]) to support the on line match day marking. The report must provide
a detailed explanation and justification for the mark awarded.
(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 Football Association/County Association.
(J) The Referee shall submit an electronic report form, supplied by the Competition on their dashboard,
giving the result, the number of players in each team, the time of kick-off, match balls etc. before
9.00 pm on the day of the match for all ISFL League and ISFL Cup fixtures (including finals). Failure
to do so will be reported to Suffolk FA
N.B. The full report form will include:i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
Match Result.
Fair play marks.
Number of players in each team
Time of kick-off if delay is caused by either team.
Linesmen.
Report any irregularity.
Received match notification
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 22 | 34
viii) Details of any cautions and dismissals issued
ix) The comments field must only be used to highlight misconduct incidents or poor
behaviour by teams, club officials and spectators
The management committee may request written justification of the fair marks awarded, when
marking clubs the referee must take into account any cards issued, dissent and any other unsporting
behaviour on and off the field of play.
Details of Cautions, Dismissals and Misconduct incidents must also be reported by the referee to the
Sanctioning Authority (SCFA) in the prescribed manner.
The commencement of a fixture can be delayed by up to 30 minutes by the referee, if he/she feels
that playing conditions will improve sufficiently in the interim period to allow the fixture to proceed
or for enough players (minimum of seven per team) to turn up to allow the fixture to proceed.
(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition
Rules free of charge. A copy of the IFSL rules will be provided on line and available for downloading
via their dashboard (www.ipswichsundayfootball.co.uk)
(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall have undertaken a Respect briefing offered by the FA/County
FA or the League.
(M) The Referee shall receive from both teams 10 minutes prior to kick off a duly completed colour
printed team sheet which he/she will retain until 30th June and which shall be made available to the
Competition upon request. Failure to supply a team sheet in compliance with the rules to the match
official prior to kick off will prevent the match being played and deemed a non-fulfilment by the
offending club and treated accordingly
No Black and White, handwritten, SIL, SCFA or any other league’s team sheets will be accepted.
The referee will notify the fixture secretary and referee appointments secretary immediately by
phone and follow up with an e-mail that the game has not been played due to no team sheet or a noncompliant team sheet being provided.
The referee will be entitled to his full match day fee which will be the paid by the home team, who
if not the offending party will be entitled to reimbursement as per Rule 10F(iii).
(N) A referee failing to accept or decline an appointment at least 3 clear days before the date of the fixture
via the electronic club match notification on their dashboard may not be considered for further
fixtures until such times as he/she provides a written (e-mail) explanation as to why they failed to do
so to the referee appointments secretary.
(O) All referees are required to close dates via the ISFL website dashboard, all dates on which a referee
has received a SCFA appointment must be closed. Once a fixture has been assigned the date can nolonger be closed, should the date need to be closed after the appointment has been made the referee
appointments secretary and fixture secretary must be contacted immediately by phone followed up
with a confirmation e-mail.
Referees who are unable to attend a fixture due circumstances beyond their control such as illness,
injury etc., must contact the home team secretary, referee appointment secretary and fixture secretary
by phone immediately. The Referee Appointments secretary will endeavour to find and appoint an
alternative referee to the fixture should a referee be available on the list of ISFL referees.
(P) If you are not appointed to a fixture for a particular Sunday you will automatically be added to the
standby list for clubs/the league to call on if their appointed referee is not able to officiate. Should
you not wish to be added to the standby list for a particular Sunday the date must be closed in the
normal way via your personal ISFL Referee’s dashboard.
If contacted by a club directly you are expected to accept the fixture and to notify the referee
appointment secretary immediately so that the fixture can be assigned to you on your dashboard
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 23 | 34
(Q) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be provided with an ISFL Website account (Referee
dashboard) and access to an on-line copy of the Competition Rules. ISFL registered referees will be
required to have a working knowledge of the League’s Rules.
Prior to the commencement of each season all referees wishing to be assigned fixtures in the
Competition will be required to download, sign and send a scanned copy of the ISFL referee’s
registration form to the referee’s appointment secretary ([email protected]) declaring that they have
read and understood what is required of them under Rule 13.
It is the responsible of the referee to ensure as far as possible player safety on the field of play by
carrying out a full and comprehensive pitch inspection prior to Kick Off. In particular Goal Posts
must NOT have metal cup hooks attached, portable goals must be securely fixed to the ground as
stated in FIFA’s Laws of the Game (Law 1- Field of Play) ‘Goals must be anchored securely to the
ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement’. Referees must report any
breaches to Suffolk County FA and the Competition, the fixture must not proceed until the referee
is satisfied that this Law has been met.
(R) Teams playing in the ISFL League and ISFL Cup Competitions are permitted to name and play up
to five substitutes. Rolling Substitutions are not permitted.
(S) Referees should make every effort to collect their match fees before leaving the ground.
(T) The ISFL Management Committee recommends that all referees should become members of their
local Referee’s Association.
14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
(A) A 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 by 31st March each season, or be liable to a fine not exceeding £250.00.
(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.
(C) In the event of a Member Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in
excess of £50, the Management Committee are empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football
Debt Recovery provisions.
(D) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual
General Meeting/arrangement of fixtures for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule
shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £250.00 per team payable within 14 (fourteen) days and shall
also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(D).
(E) The Membership for the coming season having been decided/approved at the Annual General
Meeting held not later than 30th June. The Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other
provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another
Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements
(F) In the event of a Member Club withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to
discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition. In the event that any such
obligation remains un-discharged after a period of 14 (fourteen) days, then such obligation shall be
met by the then current Club Members, (excluding those under the statutory school leaving age).
Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to
participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a
suspension order. In the event of a Member Club withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be
immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition
(G) A club withdrawing from the league during the season is required to give a minimum of 14 (fourteen)
days’ notice in writing (e-mail to [email protected]). Any scheduled fixtures not played during
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 24 | 34
the notice period will be deemed non-fulfilments and may at the discretion of the Management
Committee incur the appropriate sanctions as detailed in Rule 10F(iii).
15. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS
(A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be
referred to the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the
venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with
the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such a protest and not
proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by
the Management Committee.
(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 7 (seven) days (excluding Sundays) of the 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 his Club)
when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the
complaining Club shall have deposited (via Bank Transfer) with the Secretary a sum in accordance
with the Fees Tariff of £35.00 .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 enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.
(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 (seven) days prior to the protest or complaint being heard.
(i) All parties must have received 7 (seven) days’ notice of the Hearing should they be
instructed to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then they should indicate such when forwarding
the written response.
(E) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the
Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.
16. BOARD OF APPEAL
(A) 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 which shall be forfeited
in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and the party not succeeding
may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the Management Committee.
(B) All such protests claims complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Secretary within
fourteen days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted.
(C) The Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such
expenses as the Management Committee shall direct.
(D) Any appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning
Authority within 14 (fourteen) days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 25 | 34
the appeal, accompanied by a fee which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld.
A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the Secretary.
(E) If so requested the Management Committee may arbitrate on any disputes, protests, appeals, claims or
complaints between two Clubs in which event both Clubs shall send a non-returnable fee. Such
arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties to the arbitration.
17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS,
PLAYERS
(A) At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion
having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to
exclude any Club or Team from further membership. Which must be supported by (more than) 2/3rds
(two thirds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A club
which is subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 19, 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, which must be supported by (more than) 2/3rds (two thirds) 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.
(C) Any official or member of a Club proved 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 expulsion or 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
Clauses (A) of this Rule.
(D) Any Club or Team failing to complete all of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions
are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a
Specially Convened General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast)
be debarred from membership the following season.
18. TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT
TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS
(A) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:“We A______________________ and B______________________, the Chairman and Secretary of
______________________ FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared
winners of ______________________Cup or Trophy, and it 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 1st March. 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.”
(B) At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to the winners if the funds of the Competition
permit.
(C) The Winning team shall receive 16 (sixteen mementos) and the divisional trophy to be returned
subject to Rule18 (B) above.
(D) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy 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 League
may decide.
(E) Failure to return Cups and Trophies in good condition is £35.00 plus costs. Failure to have Cup or
Trophy engraved before return is £35.00
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 26 | 34
19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall
call a Special General Meeting.
The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.
At least 7 (seven) days’ notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an
agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Member Club shall be empowered to
send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only, as
will members of the Management Committee.
Any continuing Member Club must be represented at a Special General Meeting. Failure to attend
without a satisfactory reason shall result in fine of £50.00 being levied.
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special
General Meetings.
20. ALTERATION TO RULES
Alterations, for which consent has been given by the sanctioning Association, shall be made to these
Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for
the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to
these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing Season.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by
1st March in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee,
shall be circulated to the Clubs by 13th June and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the
Secretary by 20th June. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs
with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if a majority of those
present, entitled to vote and voting are in favour.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or Special General Meeting
shall be submitted to the Sanctioning Authority 35 days prior to the date of the meeting.
21. FINANCE
(A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds
of the Competition will be lodged.
(B) All expenditure in excess of £1,000 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall
be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 30th April.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be
audited/verified annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General
Meeting.
(E) The Ipswich Sunday Football League preferred method of receiving payment from clubs for fees
and fines is by Bank Transfer.
Account Number:
Sort Code:
91454404
40-25-46
Please use the club name and the associated fee/fine number as the payment reference. Clubs
should confirm details of payment to the League Treasurer ([email protected]) by e-mail. Failure
to provide the correct reference details will result in a Poor Administration fine of £20.00.
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 27 | 34
22. INSURANCE
All Clubs must have public liability insurance cover of at least 10 million pounds (£10,000,000).
All Clubs shall be members of a Players’ personal accident scheme. The policy cover shall be at least
equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the sanctioning
Association. In instances where The Football Association is the sanctioning Association, the
minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a
Club affiliates.
Public Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance is compulsory for all adult teams. Clubs
are required to purchase this on line using the Football Association’s Whole Game System Portal as
part of the Sanctioning Authority’s Affiliation process.
23. DISSOLUTION
(A) Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at a Special General Meeting by a
majority of 3/4 (three quarters) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the
relevant Special General Meeting.
(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.
(C) The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:
(i) 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 Association.
(ii) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy 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 Association may decide.
24.
FEES TARIFF
RULE NUMBER
3 (A)
3 (B)
3 (C)
8 (E)
8 (I)
13 (E)
13 (E)
15 (C),16(A),16(G)
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
DESCRIPTION
ENTRY FEE
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
DEPOSIT
REGISTRATION FORM
TRANSFER FORM
REFEREE FEES
ASSISTANT REFEREE FEES
PROTEST/APPEAL FEES
MAXIMUM FEE
N/A
£130.00
£50.00
£ NIL
£10.00
£32.00
£22.00
£35.00
Page 28 | 34
The following is a summary but not necessary a complete list of the fines applicable to the Competition,
please refer to individual rules if in doubt of as to whether or not a fine is applicable.
RULE NUMBER
2 (B)
2 (E)
2 (F)
3 (C)
3 (E)
4 (D)
5 (H)
5 (I)
6 (H)
7
8 (A) (ii)
8 (B)
8 (C)
8 (G)
8 (H) (ii)
8 (O)
8 (P)
9 (A),10 (B)
9 (B)
10 (C)
10 (D)
10 (E)
10 (F) (i) & (iii)
10 (I)
11 (A) & 11 (C)
11 (B)
13 (C)
13 (E)
13 (F)
13 (H)
14 (A)
14 (B)
18 (A)
22
DESCRIPTION
FAILURE TO AFFILIATE
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FA INITIATIVES
UNAUTHORISED ENTRY OF TEAMS INTO COMPETITIONS
FAILURE TO PAY A DEPOSIT
FAILURE TO PROVIDE AFFILIATION NUMBER/DETAILS
FORM
COMMUNICATIONS CONDUCTED BY PERSONS OTHER
THAN NOMINATED OFFICERS
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN INSTRUCTION OF THE
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FAILURE TO PAY A FINE WITHIN 21 DAYS OF NOTICE
FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT AGM
FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN
AGREEMENT OR TO NOTIFY CHANGES TO SIGNATORIES
FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF
REGISTERED PLAYERS PRIOR TO THE SEASON
COMMENCING
FAILURE TO CORRECTLY REGISTER A PLAYER
FIELDING MORE THAN THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF
PLAYERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SENIOR
COMPETITIONS MATCHES
SIGNING OR PLAYING FOR MULTIPLE CLUBS, OR
INACCURATE COMPLETION OF A REGISTRATION FORM
REGISTRATION IRREGULARITIES
PLAYING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER
FAILURE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
DELAYING KICK OFF/NO NETS/ NO CORNER FLAGS
FAILURE TO OBTAIN CONSENT FOR A CHANGE OF CLUB
NAME
FAILURE TO PLAY MATCHES ON THE DATE FIXED
FAILURE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF A FIXTURE
PLAYING MATCH WITH LESS THAN NINE PLAYERS
FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE (FIRST, SECOND & THIRD
NON-FULFILMENT OCCURENCE)
NO CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND
LATE TEAM SHEET
FAILURE TO PROVIDE RESULT
FAILURE TO PROVIDE CLUB ASSISTANT REFEREE
FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS’ FEES AND
EXPENSES
FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS WHERE A MATCH IS
NOT PLAYED
FAILURE TO PROVIDE REFEREE’S MARK
WITHDRAWAL FROM LEAGUE AFTER 31ST MARCH
FAILURE TO START/COMPLETE FIXTURES
FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN
AGREEMENT REGARDING THE TROPHY
FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
MAXIMUM FINE
£ N/A
£ N/A
£ N/A
£ N/A
£20.00
£20.00
£20.00
£20.00
£50.00
£20.00
£20.00
£ N/A
£20.00
£20.00
£20.00
£100.00
£ N/A
£20.00
£20.00
£ N/A
£20.00
£20.00
£80.00 (1st)
£100.00(2nd)
£120.00 (3rd)
£10.00
£20.00
£20.00
£10.00
£20.00
£20.00
£20.00
£250.00
£250.00
£20.00
£ N/A
Page 29 | 34
APPENDIX A – PETER COCKER SENIOR AND JUNIOR CUP RULES
League Senior and Junior Cup Knock Out competitions will be held each season. All teams will be entered
into a League Cup competition to suit their divisional status.
Premier
RM1 & MB1
RM2 & MB2
RM3 & MB3
Feeder Division
ISFL (League)
SCFA (County)
Peter Cocker Senior Cup
Peter Cocker Senior Cup
Junior Cup
Junior Cup
Junior Cup
Sunday Cup
Sunday Cup / Sunday Shield
Sunday Shield
Sunday Trophy
Sunday Trophy
Note:- that player qualification for County Cup competitions depends on players Saturday status, if the
player plays Saturday football. If in doubt you should contact Suffolk FA for advice
The Peter Cocker Senior Cup and Junior Cup competitions will be subject to League Rules, with the one
exception that Clubs are not permitted to close any League Cup fixtures dates, Rule 10A, teams failing to
play a cup fixture on the designated date will forfeit the fixture, the fixture will be treated as a non-fulfilment
and the non-fulfilment fines as detailed in Rule 10F(iii) will become liable.
A draw for each round of all Knock-Out Cup competitions will be conducted using an on-line random
number generator (https://www.random.org/lists/).
A player cannot play for a club in the semi-final or final of any of the Knock-out Cup competitions, unless
he has played 3 (three) Sunday League/League Cup games for that club in the current season. No player
may play for more than one club in these competitions in any one season. All other competition rules shall
apply. All cup matches up to the semi-final shall kick off at 10.30 am, and finals shall be arranged by the
Management Committee.
In all rounds in the event of a draw, extra time must be played, if still no result, the match will be decided
by penalties according to International Board Decisions. Semi-finals will be played on the pitch of the first
team drawn. The home club shall pay the appointed match officials and be reimbursed by the League upon
receipt of a completed claim form, which must be returned within 2 days of the match. Proof of pitch hire
costs must accompany any claim. Finals shall be organised and financed by the League and shall be played
on neutral pitches. Both teams must supply 2 suitable match balls, and in the event of a colour clash, the
second named team must change. The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases
where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the
Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order
the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are
satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) the
Management Committee shall be empowered to award the match to their opponents. In cases where a
match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams and their Club member(s), the Management
Committee shall order the re-instatement of the losing teams in the previous round to take the place
defaulting teams.
The management Committee with the advice of the referee appointment secretary appoint the officials for
the semi-finals and finals of the two cup competitions. The decision on who is appointed will be based on
their marks, the number of fixtures he/she has officiated and completing the match reporting tasks required
of them in a timely manner via his/her dashboard (match reports). The competition will pay all of the match
officials their match day fees for both the semi-finals and finals.
The designated host team for each of the semi-finals will invoice the Competition using the form provided
for use of their facilities and reimbursement of the match officials match day fees.
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 30 | 34
Mementos shall be presented to the winners (16), runners-up (16), Referee and Assistant Referees at each
Cup Final. Any team not fulfilling its fixtures on the scheduled date in the Knock-Out Cup competitions
match shall forfeit the game to its opponents and shall be fined £100.00 for a no-fulfilment, unless the
fixture was postponed by the Referee due to adverse weather or ground conditions OR because the team
was involved in a Football League or Suffolk County F.A. Cup competition.
APPENDIX B - CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk
of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into
disrepute.
2. In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences which
reasonably causes The League to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk
of harm to a child or children.
3. Upon receipt by The League of:
3.1. notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
3.2. notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Social Services or
any other authority relating to an Offence; or
3.3. any other information which causes The League reasonably to believe that a person poses or
may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The League Shall have the power to order
that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on
such terms and conditions as it deems fit.
4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The League
shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:
4.1. Whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
4.2. Whether the matters are of a serious nature;
4.3. Whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by The
League or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded.
5. The period of an order referred to in Appendix B subsection 3 (above), shall not be capable of lasting
beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of the League or any Offence is decided or
brought to an end.
6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under regulation Appendix B subsection 3 (above), The
League shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The League against the person
relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
7. Where a person in convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, the shall
constitute a breach of the Rules of the League and The League shall have the power to order the
suspension of the person from all or any specific football activity for such a period (including
indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it deems fit.
8. For the purposes of these Regulations, the League shall act through its Council or any committee or subcommittee thereof, including the Board.
9. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any
club with which he is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 31 | 34
APPENDIX C - EQUALITY POLICY AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
The aim of this policy is to ensure that all members of the community are treated fairly and with respect
and that The Ipswich Sunday Football League is equally accessible to them all.
The Ipswich Sunday Football League is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout
the League at every level.
The Ipswich Sunday Football League belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. Our
commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation,
marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability and to encourage
equal opportunities.
This policy is fully supported by the League Officers. Robert Friend who holds the post of General
Secretary at The Ipswich Sunday Football League is responsible for the implementation of this policy.
Equality at The Ipswich Sunday Football League means that in all our activities we will not discriminate,
or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race,
nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability. It means that we will ensure that
we treat people fairly and with respect and that we will provide access and opportunities for all members
of the community to take part in, and enjoy, our activities. And it means that we will not sanction any
action, or lack of action, which might disadvantage a member compared to other people for any reason
related to the list above.
The Ipswich Sunday Football League will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an
individual (which for the purposes of this policy and the actions and sanction applicable is regarded as
discrimination). This includes sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour,
whether physical or verbal.
The Ipswich Sunday Football League will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action
in whatever context it occurs.
We are committed to the development of a programme of on-going training and awareness raising events
and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within The Ipswich Sunday Football
League and in the wider context, within football as a whole.
We are also committed to circulating this policy to all our members.
The Ipswich Sunday Football League is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and
requires all members to abide and adhere to these policies and the requirements of the following (but not
limited to) equalities legislation - Equality Act 2006, Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act
1975 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as well as any amendments to these acts.
The Ipswich Sunday Football League commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of
discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice
stop and sanctions be imposed, as appropriate.
LEAGUE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way or that the League’s
Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct has been broken they should report the matter to the League Secretary
or another member of the Committee.
If the complaint is with regard to the Leagues’ Management Committee the member has the right to report
the discrimination direct to the relevant County Football Association or to The Football League.
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 32 | 34
APPENDIX D – CLUB COMMITTEES
Each club will have a committee which will consist as a minimum of a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
No single person can hold more than one of these club positions.
All new club secretaries are required to attend a mandatory induction course prior to the start of the season,
failure to do so will result in a fine of £20.00.
Should a secretary be replaced after the start of the season, the new secretary will contact the league’s IT
Officer ([email protected]) to arrange for an overview training session of the League’s On-line system and
what is expected of them as a secretary
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 33 | 34
APPENDIX E - PLAYER STATUS
SIL
Lowestoft
Bury St
Edmunds
Premier /
Senior Division
A
Division One / 1
A
A
A
Division Two / 2
A
A
A
Intermediate A
A
Intermediate B
A
Intermediate C
A
Division Three / 3
A
Division Four /4
A
Division Five / 5
A
Division Six / 6
A
Thurlow
Nunn
Essex &
Suffolk
Border
League
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
Sudbury &
District
(Sunday)
C
Division Seven / 7
Division Eight / 8
Division Nine / 9
Division Ten / 10
Reserve League
Premier Division
Reserve League
Division 1
B
B
Players signing for a member club of ISFL will be required to have a status assigned based on his Previous
/Current Saturday or Sunday League as detailed in the table above.
A player wishing to sign for an Ipswich Sunday Football League member club and his previous League
and Division are not listed in the table above, should apply in writing (by e-mail) to the League Secretary
([email protected] ) requesting that the Management Committee considering his application and to
assign him a player status within the Competition.
The Management Committee have the right to reject any request based on the National Level he has
previously played at if they feel this will have a detrimental impact on the Competition, this decision will
be binding.
Date of Issue – 4th June 2016
Page 34 | 34