WWFA Council Meetings

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DATES FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS SEASON 2024/25
August 28th      2024
October 2nd
November 6th
December 4th
February 5th     2025
March 5th
April 2nd
May 7th

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: June 4th 2025
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STANDARD RULES OF THE  AREA ASSOCIATIONS Season 2024/25

DEFINITIONS
Area Association: any regional football association defined under the FAW Rules.

Association: The West Wales Football Associations

Association Football: the game controlled by FIFA and organised in accordance with the Laws of the Game. 

Business Day: any day of the week except a Saturday or Sunday or public bank holiday in Wales.

Chief Executive Officer: the senior employee of The Football Association of Wales Ltd. 

Closed Friendly Match: a game of Association Football (or a modified version of the game) which is not an Official Match which is played between two (2) teams (whether or not from different Clubs) but is not made open for the public to attend. 

Club: any club admitted into membership or associate membership of the Association. 

College Team: a team of a further or higher education establishment (including, but not limited to, university teams) and during any relevant Playing Season only plays Association Football exclusively in matches organised for teams from such further or higher education establishments. 

Council: the supreme executive body of the Association.

Councillor: each member of the Council. 

Disciplinary Notice: a written notice from the Association stipulating the nature of the alleged Disciplinary Offence.    

Disciplinary Offence: any breach of a Rule or any Regulation. 

Disciplinary Panel: the panel of the Association empowered to hear disciplinary matters and disputes pursuant to these Rules. 

FAW: The Football Association of Wales Limited (company number 00213349) whose registered office is at The Pavilion, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY 

FAW Rules: the Rules and Regulations of the FAW as amended from time to time and all byelaws, orders, codes, policies, procedures
and any other directive or instruction issued by the FAW from time to time. 

FIFA: Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

FIFA Rules: the statutes of FIFA as amended from time to time and all rules, regulations, orders and other directives issued by FIFA
from time to time. 

Futsal: a game controlled by FIFA and organised in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game. 

Futsal Laws of the Game: the laws and other rules for playing Futsal prescribed by FIFA from time to time. 

IFAB: the International Football Association Board. 

Laws of the Game: the laws and other rules for playing Association Football as prescribed by IFAB from time to time. 

League: any league admitted into membership or associate membership of the Association.

Match Official: a referee, assistant referee, or fourth official for a match as prescribed in the Laws of the Game or the Futsal Laws of the Game (as applicable). 

Member: a League or Club that has been admitted into membership or associate membership of the Association.

Official Match:  a game of Association Football played within the framework of organised football under the jurisdiction of the Association, in league, cup or other format but not including Open Friendly Matches or Closed Friendly Matches or matches played under the FAW’s Mini Football Regulations or Futsal matches or Walking Football.

Open Friendly Match: a game of Association Football which is not an Official Match which is played between two (2) teams (whether or not from different Clubs) and is made open to the public to attend. 

Player: a player of Association Football registered with the FAW, the Association, an Area Association, League, Club or any other league or club.

Playing Season: the period in each year when Official Matches may be played in Wales as determined by the FAW.

Regulations: the regulations, byelaws, orders, codes, policies, procedures and any other directive or instruction issued by the Association from time to time.

Request Fee: the appropriate sum pursuant to the Rules of the Association.

Request Notice: a written notice stipulating the nature of the matter complained of and requesting that such matter be referred to the Disciplinary Panel.

Rules: these rules of the Association as amended from time to time.   

Subordinate: shall mean:-
any director, member, representative, official, employee, all coaching and technical staff and any other playing official of                                                                    a  Club or League;

  • any Match Official, match observer, match assessor or match delegate;
  • any Player;
  • every spectator at a game of Association Football in which a team of a Club plays, or in which a representative team of the Association or League plays, and any person purporting to be a supporter or follower of such League, Club or the Association PROVIDED THAT the provisions of Rules 1.3, 24.1.4, 24.1.4(A), 24.1.5(A), 24.1.6, 24.1.8, 24.1.10, 24.1.14, 46 and 47 shall not apply to such spectators, supporters or followers;
  • all other organisations, clubs, bodies, entities or persons who the Association exercises, or purports to exercise, control; 

Sunday Club:  a Club which during any relevant Playing Season only plays Association Football on a Sunday. 

Trialist: a Player who is under assessment and evaluation by a Club as to their ability and fitness to play Association Football for a Club but who is not registered with the Association to play for that Club.. 

UEFA: Union des Association Européennes de Football. 

UEFA Rules: the statutes of UEFA as amended from time to time and all rules, regulations, orders and other directives issued by UEFA from time to time. 

Veteran Club: a Club which during any relevant Playing Season only plays Association Football in matches organised exclusively for persons over thirty-five (35) years of age. 

Walking Football: a version of Association Football in which Players of all ages can participate and in which the Players must not run and/or
jog and must have one foot on the ground at all times in accordance with the guidelines set by the FAW from time to time.  

OBJECTIVES 

  1. throughout the West Wales Football Association, to improve the game of Association Football constantly and promote, regulate and control it in accordance with the FAW Rules and in the light of fair play and its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values;
  1. throughout the West Wales Football Association, to organise competitions, and authorise others to organise competitions, in Association Football in all its forms at all levels under its authority, by defining precisely, as required, the areas of authority of its various leagues and other affiliated bodies;
  1. to draw up all necessary regulations to implement its rights, powers and objectives set out under the FAW Rules and such measures and procedures as may be necessary to ensure their enforcement;
  1. to protect the interest of its Members;
  1. to comply with and prevent any infringement of the FIFA Rules, UEFA Rules and the FAW Rules and all decisions of FIFA, UEFA and the FAW as well as the Laws of the Game and ensure compliance with these by its Members;
  1. to support, promote and enforce the Football Association of Wales’ Club Accreditation Programme.
  1. throughout the West Wales Football Association, to prevent all methods or practices which might jeopardise the integrity of football matches or competitions or give rise to abuse of Association Football under its authority;
  1. to manage the sporting relations of the West Wales Football Association connected with Association Football in all its forms;
  1. to be neutral in matters of politics and religion and in discharging its functions, the West Wales Football Association will not discriminate against a private person, or group of people, or other entity, on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics, age or any other reason and will ensure compliance with these obligations by its Members;
  1. to promote friendly relations between its Members, Subordinates and in society for humanitarian objectives. 

OBLIGATIONS

  1. to comply fully with the FIFA Rules, UEFA Rules and the FAW Rules at all times and to ensure that these are also complied with fully by its Members and Subordinates;
  1. to ensure fairness in the election of its decision-making bodies;
  1. to take part in competitions and other sports activities organised by the FAW;
  1. to pay its membership subscriptions to the FAW;
  1. to respect the Laws of the Game and to ensure that these are also respected by its Members and Subordinates through an appropriate provision in its own membership rules;
  1. to adopt and enforce an appropriate provision in its own membership rules specifying that any dispute requiring resolution involving itself or one of its Members or Subordinates and relating to its Rules and Regulations or the FAW Rules and any decisions of the Association shall, at the appropriate stage in the dispute, come solely under the jurisdiction of the appropriate Disciplinary Body or the panel under FAW Rule 146, as the case may be;
  1. not to make any change or any amendment of its own membership rules without the approval of the FAW;
  1. to communicate to its own Members any amendment of its own membership rules and the FAW Rules;
  1. not to maintain any relations of a sporting nature with entities that are not recognised by FIFA, UEFA or the FAW or with Members or Subordinates that have been suspended or expelled by the FAW;
  1. to observe the principles of loyalty, integrity and good sporting behaviour as an expression of fair play through an appropriate provision in its own membership rules;
  1. to keep and update regularly a register of its Members;
  1. to comply fully with all other duties arising from the FIFA Rules, UEFA Rules and the FAW Rules, including the recommendations of the 2016 Area Associations Review Group and its Improvement Plan. 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, DISPUTES, APPEALS 

PANEL STRUCTURE, COMPOSITION AND JURISDICTION 

  1. The structure of the Association’s mechanisms for dealing with disciplinary proceedings, disputes and appeals is as follows:-

23.1    the Disciplinary Panel

  1. For the purpose of this section of the Rules:-

24.1    It shall be a breach of the Rules for any Councillor, Member or any Subordinate to do or permit or assist in the doing or permitting of any of the following whether in connection with the playing of Association Football or Futsal (or, where applicable, in connection with the playing of (a) Open Friendly Matches, (b) Closed Friendly Matches, (c) matches played under the FAW’s Mini-Football Regulations, (d) Walking Football matches or (e) matches played by College Teams, Sunday Clubs or Veteran Clubs) or otherwise (where the context so requires):-

24.1.1      violate the Laws of the Game or the Futsal Laws of the Game or the Rules or any Regulation or violate the FIFA Rules, UEFA Rules or FAW Rules;
24.1.2      violate the rules or regulations (in whatever form) of any Member or any competition, sanctioned by a Member or sanctioned by the Association;

24.1.3       play with or against any club suspended by FIFA, UEFA, the FAW, the Association, any Area Association or league or any other national football association recognised by FIFA or appoint or allow to remain in office a director or official who has been suspended by any such body;

24.1.4       in respect of matches taking place within the jurisdiction of the Association, bet in any betting activity (authorised and registered football pools excepted) or accept any bets in any way related to any match;

24.1.4(A)   in respect of matches involving any Member, Subordinate or the Association playing any match in a competition outside Wales, a Councillor, Member or Subordinate shall not bet in any betting activity (authorised and registered football pools excepted) or accept any bets in any way related to the said match or any other match in the competition in which the match involving the said Member, Subordinate or the Association takes place;

24.1.5       offer or attempt to offer, either directly or indirectly, any bribe or other reward whatsoever to a Member, Subordinate, any other club official, Player, Match Official or any other footballing body or individual with a view to influencing the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any match, or to accept any such bribe or other reward;

24.1.5(A)  whilst participating in a match, whether as a Player or Match Official, for any person (for reward) to fail to perform their duties or responsibilities to the best of their ability during the match;

24.1.5(B)  any act of commission or omission aimed at influencing the course and/or conduct of a match or competition (or any incident or event in a match) in an unlawful or undue manner;

24.1.5(C)  fail to report to the Association immediately any approach from any person, organisation or other third party in respect of activities reasonably thought to be aimed at influencing the course and/or result of a match or competition in an unlawful or undue manner;

24.1.5(D)  fail to report to the Association immediately any information or behaviour involving any person, organisation or third party in respect of activities reasonably thought to be aimed at influencing the course and/or result of a match or competition in an unlawful or undue manner;

24.1.6       allow a director, official, Match Official, or Player under suspension to act as a Match Official or to perform any duties from the execution of which that person has been suspended, or fail to take all reasonable precautions to prevent such person from entering the ground of any club;

24.1.7       sell or offer for sale, either directly or indirectly, a ticket for any football match in excess of the face value of the ticket;

24.1.8       play a match with or against a club whose ground has been closed by the Association or the FAW on any ground within a radius of twelve (12) miles of the ground closed unless such match is an away fixture for the club whose ground has been so closed and is played at the ground of the home team which is within a radius of twelve (12) miles of the closed ground;

24.1.9       commit any act or make any statement either verbally or in writing (including, without limitation, any racial or other discriminatory behaviour, conduct or language or comments made on social media), or be responsible for conduct, continuing misconduct or any other matter likely to bring the game of Association Football or the Association into disrepute including, without limitation, any incident on or around the field of play (including the changing room area) that occurs before, during or after a match; 

24.1.10     receive a caution or conviction for any of the offences listed in Schedule 4 Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, its revisions and amendments; or received any caution or conviction for any offences listed in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, its revisions and amendments; or received any caution or conviction for any of the offences listed in Schedule 1 Children and Young Persons Act 1933, its revisions and amendments; or is identified as a person presenting a risk or potential risk to children; or receive any caution or conviction for any offence against a vulnerable adult; or breach the FAW’s Safeguarding/Welfare Policies and Procedures and Regulations, or any code of conduct and/or ethics established under any of them;

24.1.11     fail to act in an orderly fashion or fail to refrain from violence, threatening, abusive, obscene or provocative behaviour, conduct or language (including, without limitation, whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs) whilst attending or taking part in a match including, without limitation, any racial or other discriminatory behaviour, conduct or language;

24.1.11(A) fail to hold a valid Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice for the supply of any alcohol at a ground where any home matches are played and comply with all conditions of the Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice (including, without limitation, any designation or restriction on where alcohol may be sold or consumed in the ground);

24.1.11(B) fail to prevent the consumption of alcohol in any outdoor area of a home ground when any form of football is being played or practised other than within an outdoor area designated as an area where alcohol supplied in accordance with Rule 24.1.11(A) may be consumed PROVIDED THAT such outdoor area must not be within three metres of the touchline of the playing area at any point irrespective of any provision to the contrary in any Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice and PROVIDED FURTHER THAT nothing in this Rule 24.1.11(B) shall alter or reduce the obligations on a person or organisation arising under the Sporting Events Act 1985, its revisions and amendments;

24.1.11(C)  bring alcohol into a ground (or fail to prevent alcohol being brought into a ground where any home matches are played) other than in respect of use to be made pursuant to any Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice;

24.1.12     encroach on the pitch area, save for authorised persons or for reasons of crowd safety;

24.1.13     whilst attending a match (a) bring into the ground any firework, flare, smoke bomb or other pyrotechnic device or (b) ignite or otherwise set-off any firework, flare, smoke bomb or other pyrotechnic device or (c) throw any firework, flare, smoke bomb, other pyrotechnic device, missile, bottle or other potentially harmful or dangerous object (including, without limitation, at or on to the pitch or at any person on the pitch or elsewhere in the ground);

24.1.14     fail to ensure that a private way is provided for players and officials from the playing ground to the dressing room whenever this is practicable at every ground within the jurisdiction of that Member; or

24.1.15     use or provide others with information which is not publicly available and which is obtained through the Councillor’s, Member’s or Subordinate’s position in football and which damages, or could damage, the integrity of a match or competition.

24.2   Every Member (including, without limitation, a Club) will be responsible for the actions of its Subordinates (including, without limitation, its Players) and the Member will also be in breach of any Rule or any Regulation, if that Rule or Regulation is breached by its Subordinate.

25.The jurisdiction of the Regulations for Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences and of the Judicial Bodies is as follows:-

25.1  any Disciplinary Offence as prescribed by the Regulations for Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences shall be dealt with under  such Regulations,

25.2    The Disciplinary Panel will hear the following matters:-

25.2.1           any charge of an alleged Disciplinary Offence brought by the Association against any Councillor, Member or any Subordinate. The Association and the said Councillor, Member or Subordinate will be the relevant “Party” or “Parties” to the proceedings for the purpose of this section of the Rules;

25.2.2           any appeal by a Subordinate or other third party against a decision of a Member, where the said decision was a decision by the Member in the first instance. The Member and the Subordinate or other third party will be the “Party” or “Parties” to the proceedings for the purpose of this section of the Rules;

25.2.3           any appeal by a Subordinate or other third party against a decision of a Member, where the said decision was a decision by the Member acting as an appellate body in hearing an appeal against a decision of a Subordinate. The said Subordinates and/ or other third party (but not the Member which acted as an appellate body) will be the relevant “Party” or “Parties” to the proceedings for the purpose of this section of the Rules;

25.2.4           any dispute or difference between two or more Members (not being an appeal covered by Rule 25.2.2) which one or more of the said Members refers to the Association for resolution. The said Members will be the relevant “Party” or “Parties” to the proceedings for the purpose of this section of the Rules; and

25.2.5           any disputes or differences between a Member and any Subordinate or other third party (not being covered by Rules 25.2.2 or 25.2.3) which one or more of the Member or the Subordinate or other third party refers to the Association for resolution. The Member of the Association and the Subordinate or other third party will be the relevant “Party” or “Parties” to the proceedings for the purpose of this section of the Rules.

  1. The composition of the Disciplinary Panel will be as follows:-

26.1    only the Councillors as defined in these Rules will sit on the Disciplinary Panel. Each Disciplinary Panel will consist of three (3) members, including one from a list of four (4) chairpersons designate nominated by the Council from time to time. On a case by case basis, the General Secretary or the Discipline Secretary will appoint the Disciplinary Panel chairperson from the said list of chairpersons designate and the other two (2) members of the Disciplinary Panel provided that any Party to the proceedings may appeal against any such appointment decision by giving written notice to the Association, and with grounds, no more  than three (3) Business Day following receipt of the notice of hearing. On receipt of such notice, the objection will be referred to the appointed Chair of the Panel to determine, except if the objection relates to the Chair, in which case the objection will be referred to one of the other chairpersons to determine.

  1. No Member or Subordinate shall commence disciplinary proceedings under its own rules or regulations against a person, club or other entity which is under the jurisdiction of the Member or Subordinate, if (in respect of the relevant facts, circumstances or event) the Association has commenced, or indicated to the Member or Subordinate its intention to commence, disciplinary proceedings under these Rules against the person, club or other entity. 

COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A PANEL – NOTICES, FEES AND PROCEDURE 

  1. The following will apply if a Party wishes to refer a matter to the Disciplinary Panel:-

28.1    Where the Association brings a charge of an alleged Disciplinary Offence under Rule 25.2.1:-

28.1.1      the Association will give a Disciplinary Notice to the other Party together with the evidence on which the charge is based.

28.1.2      the Party charged will have seven (7) Business Days after service of the Disciplinary Notice to reply stipulating whether (a) they admit or deny the charge and (b) whether they wish the case to be dealt with by a Disciplinary Panel in their absence on written submissions, or if they wish to attend a private hearing before a Disciplinary Panel. The reply must also include:

28.1.2.1   a clear explanation setting out the details of the Party’s admission or denial.

28.1.2.2   a signed written statement of each witness upon whom the Party intends to rely, setting out their evidence in full; and

28.1.2.3    copies of all the relevant evidence and material on which the party intends to rely. This includes material in mitigation where the Party charged admits the charge and requests the case is dealt with in their absence before a Disciplinary Panel.

28.1.3   Upon review of the reply, the Association may provide to the Party and the Disciplinary Panel any further relevant evidence or relevant material on which it intends to rely. The Party charged may provide the Association with such further evidence or relevant material on which they intend to rely in response, no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the hearing. A Disciplinary Chairperson may, in the interests of fairness and at his/her sole discretion, allow a Party to rely on evidence or material submitted outside the stated timescales. A Disciplinary Chairperson may also require a Party to disclose any other relevant evidence or material outside the stated timescales.

28.1.4      if the Party charged fails to reply to the Disciplinary Notice within seven (7) Business Days, they will be deemed to have denied the charge and to have waived their right to a private hearing before the Disciplinary Panel. In such circumstances the Association will, without further notice to the Party charged, convene a Disciplinary Panel who will consider the alleged Disciplinary Offence in the absence of the Party charged and the provisions of Rules 28.1.5 to 28.1.11 inclusive shall not apply.

28.1.5      if the Party charged has replied to the Disciplinary Notice and requested a private hearing the Association will give the Party charged no less than seven (7) Business Days written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing and the provisions of Rules 28.1.6 to 28.1.11 inclusive shall apply.

28.1.6      where the Party charged is an individual person, they will be required to attend the hearing in person. Where the Party charged is not an individual person, one or more duly authorised senior representatives of the Party will be required to attend the hearing in person, whether such representative are directors, officers or otherwise.

28.1.7      the Association and the Party charged will be entitled to make opening and closing remarks at the hearing and to call witnesses who will be expected to answer questions in cross-examination. Members of the Disciplinary Panel will be entitled to ask questions of any witness during the hearing. The Party charged will not be obliged to give evidence in person, but the Disciplinary Panel will be entitled to draw such inference as may be reasonably appropriate if the Party charged declines to do so. The chairman of the Disciplinary Panel will warn the Party charged of this fact.

28.1.8      the Disciplinary Panel hearing will proceed in the absence of the Party charged, unless the Party charged has requested an adjournment and the Disciplinary Panel reasonably considers that the Party charged has given an acceptable reason for such request, in which case the hearing may be adjourned.

28.1.9      the Disciplinary Panel will retire to consider its findings in private. The decision of the Disciplinary Panel shall be determined unanimously or by majority. A decision may be announced on the day or reserved to a later date, in which case, the decision will be delivered in writing.

28.1.10    if the Disciplinary Panel finds the Party charged guilty of the Disciplinary Offence at a Disciplinary Panel hearing attended by the Party charged, no penalty or sanction will be imposed until: –

28.1.10.1  the Disciplinary Panel has been informed by the Association of any previous Disciplinary Offences recorded against the guilty Party; and

28.1.10.2  the guilty Party has been given the opportunity to make representations in mitigation of the Disciplinary Offence.

28.1.11    the Association and the Party charged shall be entitled to legal or other representation at the Disciplinary Panel hearing.

28.1.12    where the Party charged has waived the right to a private hearing or is deemed to have waived such right, or where the Party charged does not attend the private hearing, the Disciplinary Panel will consider such information as it considers reasonably necessary to decide the matter including, without limitation, any written representations made for or on behalf of the Party charged and representations (whether written or verbal) made for or on behalf of the Association. The Disciplinary Panel will be entitled to seek such further information or evidence as it deems necessary. If the Disciplinary Panel finds the Party charged guilty of the Disciplinary Offence, the Association will inform the Disciplinary Panel of any other Disciplinary Offences recorded against the guilty Party but the Disciplinary Panel will not be obliged to invite the guilty Party to make further representations in mitigation of the Disciplinary Offence before imposing a penalty;

28.1.13    where the Disciplinary Panel makes a decision on the alleged Disciplinary Offence, the Disciplinary Panel will also have absolute discretion whether to make a cost order for or against the Party charged; and

28.1.14    the Association will send written confirmation of the Disciplinary Panel’s findings to the Party charged.

28.2    In the case of any other proceedings pursuant to Rule 25.2 under the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Panel: –

28.2.1      the Party wishing to commence the proceedings will give a Request Notice to the Association (marked for the attention of the General Secretary of the Association) and the other Party or Parties; and will pay the Request Fee of £50.00 to the Association’s nominated bank account by means of bank transfer.

28.2.1(A) in the case of an appeal under Rules 25.2.2 and 25.2.3, the Request Notice must be submitted within the time limits set out in Rule 28.2.2 and must:

28.2.1(A).1 identify the specific decision which is being appealed.

28.2.1(A).2 set out the grounds upon which the appeal is based; and

28.2.1(A).3 be accompanied by all evidence and material relied upon by the appellant as part of its case.

28.2.1(B)  On receipt of the Request Notice, the respondent to the appeal must submit all evidence and material relied upon as part of its case within 7 Business Days.

28.2.1(C) In the case of requests to the Association for resolution of any dispute or difference set out under Rules 28.2.4 or 28.2.5, the Request Notice should set out the nature of the dispute or difference and the resolution sought. The relevant Request Fee must be paid to the Association before the Association will take any further steps in respect of the Request Notice. The party lodging the request shall disclose to the Association, and the other party, all evidence and material relied upon in respect of their case within 7 Business Days of lodging the Request Notice. On receipt of such material, the Party against whom the dispute is lodged shall disclose to the Association and the other party, all evidence and material relied upon in response within 14 Business Days.

28.2.1(D) A Disciplinary Chairperson may, in the interests of fairness and at his/her sole discretion, allow a Party to rely on evidence or material submitted outside the stated timescales. A Disciplinary Chairperson may also require a Party to disclose any other relevant evidence or relevant material outside the stated timescales.

28.2.2      in an appeal under Rules 25.2.2 and 25.2.3 against a decision of a Member, the Request Notice and Request Fee must be submitted to the Association in accordance with the following time limits:

28.2.2.1 not more than three (3) Business Days in the case of an appeal arising out of a decision relating to a cup or play-off match; and

28.2.2.2 not more than seven (7) Business Days in the case of an appeal arising out of a decision relating to anything other than a cup or play-off match

These time limits run from the date of receipt of written notification of the decision being appealed against. In determining the date of receipt of the written notification of the decision, the provisions of the Football Association of Wales Rule 144 (as to the services or notices etc) shall apply to the said written notification issued by the Member.

28.2.3    Any Request Notice and/or Request Fee lodged outside of the specified time limit will be rejected unless the Party lodging the same can demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Association that it was not reasonably practicable to lodge the Request Notice and/or pay the Request Fee within the time limit.

28.2.4      any Request Notice for which the appropriate Request Fee is not paid within the specified time limit will be rejected by the Association and any incorrect fee will be returned and, in the case of an appeal under Rules 25.2.2 or 25.2.3, time will continue to run for the service of the Request Notice within the original period stipulated in Rule 28.2.2;

28.2.5      the Association will within twenty (20) Business Days of actual receipt of the Request Notice send a written notice to the Parties confirming the date, time and place of the Disciplinary Panel hearing. In the case of an appeal under Rules 25.2.2 or 25.2.3, the Disciplinary Panel proceedings will be a re-hearing of the case and the Disciplinary Panel will decide the matter on the basis of the evidence produced to them. At any time prior to the Disciplinary Panel hearing, any Party will have the right to waive their right to a private hearing, but a hearing will take place unless all Parties agree in writing to waive their right to a private hearing.

28.2.6      where the Party involved is an individual person, they will be required to attend a hearing in person. Where the Party involved is not an individual person, one or more duly authorised senior representatives of the Party will be required to attend the hearing in person, whether such representatives are directors, officers or otherwise.

28.2.7      the Parties will be entitled to make opening and closing remarks at the hearing and to call witnesses who will be expected to answer questions in cross examination. Members of the Disciplinary Panel will be entitled to ask questions of any witnesses during the hearing. No Party will be obliged to give evidence in person, but the Disciplinary Panel will be entitled to draw such inference as may be reasonably appropriate if the Party declines to do so. The chairman of the Disciplinary Panel will warn the Party concerned of this fact.

28.2.8      the Disciplinary Panel hearing will proceed in the absence of either Party, unless the Disciplinary Panel reasonably considers that the absent Party has given an acceptable reason for such non-attendance, in which case the hearing will be adjourned.

28.2.9      the Disciplinary Panel will retire to consider its findings in private. The decision of the Disciplinary Panel shall be determined unanimously or by majority. A decision may be announced on the day or reserved to a later date in which case the decision will be delivered in writing.

28.2.10    the Parties will be entitled to legal or other representation at the Disciplinary Panel hearing.

28.2.11    where the Parties to the appeal have all waived their rights to a private hearing, the Disciplinary Panel will consider such information as it considers reasonably necessary to decide the matter including, without limitation, any written representations made for or on behalf of the Parties. The Disciplinary Panel will be entitled to seek such further information or evidence as it deems necessary.

28.2.12    where the Disciplinary Panel makes a decision on the matter, the Disciplinary Panel will also have absolute discretion whether to make a cost order for or against a Party to the proceeding; and

28.2.13    the Association will send written confirmation of the Disciplinary Panel’s findings to the Parties.

  1. A Party has a right of appeal to the Football Association of Wales against a decision or any part of a decision of a Disciplinary Panel made under any part of Rule 25.2, except that the Association will only have the right to appeal against the penalty or sanction imposed by the Disciplinary Panel made under Rule 25.2.1 and not against a finding of not guilty.
  1. The Party wishing to commence proceedings will give a Request Notice to the Football Association of Wales, sent as an attachment to an email to the FAW’s discipline department (discipline@FAW.co.uk), and to the other party or parties; and will pay the relevant Request Fee to the FAW, as set out under FAW Rule 43.2.3, payable to the FAW’s nominated bank account, by means of a bank transfer.

30.1 The Request Notice and relevant Request Fee must be submitted to the FAW in accordance with the following time limits:

30.1.1   not more than three (3) Business Days in the case of an appeal arising out of a decision relating to a cup or play-off match.

30.1.2    not more than seven (7) Business Days in the case of an appeal arising out of a decision relating to anything other than a cup or play-off match..

A Business Day is any day of the week except a Saturday or Sunday or public bank holiday in Wales.

30.2    The Request Notice must:

30.2.1   identify the specific decision which is being appealed;

30.2.2   set out the grounds upon which the appeal is based; and

30.2.3 be accompanied by all evidence and material relied upon by the appellant as part of its case 

PENALTIES AND OTHER POWERS

  1. Where: –

31.1    under any provision of Rule 25.2.1 the Disciplinary Panel finds the Party charged guilty of a Disciplinary Offence, the Disciplinary Panel shall apply the following penalties against the Party charged (or two or more concurrently): –

31.1.1      suspension from, or any involvement in Association Football either permanently or for an indefinite period or for a specific and stated period in accordance with the Football Association of Wales’s Categories of Suspension Regulations;

31.1.2       a fine;

31.1.3       a censure;

31.1.4      the closure of a football ground either permanently or for an indefinite period or for a specific and stated period;

31.1.5      the guilty Party, if a club, to forfeit points awarded in one or more competitions;

31.1.6      the guilty Party, if a club, to be disqualified from playing in one or more competitions;

31.1.7      such other penalty as the Disciplinary Panel shall reasonably deem fit including, without limitation, (a) the forfeit of any trophy or other award under the jurisdiction of this Association or (b) a written undertaking from the guilty Party as to their future conduct;

31.1.8      the guilty Party, if a club, to make such publication in its match day programme, website or other publication medium as the Disciplinary Panel may direct;

31.1.9      a transfer embargo preventing the guilty Party, if a club, from signing new Players during such period as the Association shall stipulate; or

31.1.10     the guilty Party, if a Club, to be relegated to the league and/or division stipulated by the Disciplinary Panel,

and the Disciplinary Panel may apply any such penalty under Rules 31.1.5 and 31.1.6 to the current, next or previous Playing Season and under Rule 31.1.7(a) to the current or any previous Playing Season (in each case, as deemed appropriate).

31.2    under Rules 25.2.2 or 25.2.3 the Disciplinary Panel hears an appeal by a Subordinate or other third party against a decision of a Member, the Disciplinary Panel will have the power to grant or deny the appeal (in whole or in part) and the power to increase or decrease the penalty or sanction (if any) imposed by the Member or substitute such other penalty or sanction as the Disciplinary Panel shall deem fit; and

31.3    in the case of any other proceedings under the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Panel pursuant to Rules 25.2.4 or 25.2.5, the Disciplinary Panel will have the power to make such order or ruling as it deems reasonable to resolve the dispute or difference,

Subject to any minimum penalty or sanction specified elsewhere in these Rules or in the relevant Regulations.

  1. If a Party fails to pay or carry out any penalty, sanction, order or ruling made under the Reduced Penalty Regulations, where applicable, the Regulations for Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences or by the Disciplinary Panel, within thirty-one (31) calendar days of notification of the penalty, sanction, order or ruling, or within such other time period as ordered by the Disciplinary Panel:

32.1    the Party will automatically be suspended in relation to both Association Football and Futsal from all football related activity under the jurisdiction of the [name of AA] as defined in the Football Association of Wales’s Categories of Suspension Regulations, which for the purpose of this Rule 32 shall be read as applying to any person or other legal entity, until the penalty, sanction, order or ruling has been paid or complied with in full; and

32.2    the Association shall have the right to refer the non-compliance back to the Disciplinary Panel which made the relevant decision (or in the case of non-compliance with a penalty imposed under the Regulations for Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences, to the Disciplinary Panel) and that Panel shall have the power to impose further penalties, sanctions, orders or rulings as a result of a non-compliance. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. The law governing the Reduced Penalty Regulations, Regulations for Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences and any proceedings before the Disciplinary Panel shall be the law of England and Wales. The standard of proof applied shall be the balance of probabilities, except that under Rule 24.1.5 and 24.1.5(A) to (D) inclusive the standard of proof applied shall be whether the Disciplinary Offence has been established to the comfortable satisfaction of the Disciplinary Panel.
  1. The rules of service set out in the Football Association of Wales Rule 144 shall apply to all notices and any other communications whatsoever sent in connection with the proceedings of a Disciplinary Panel.
  1. These Rules are sufficient to enable the Association, Members and Subordinates to resolve all Disciplinary Offences and disputes or differences. The Parties must exhaust all procedures and processes of appeal in these Rules and the FAW Rules before taking legal proceedings in a court of law and then only as a last resort.
  1. Notwithstanding any rule or regulation (in whatever form) of any Member or Subordinate to the contrary, it shall be a condition of the Association sanctioning any competition organised by the Member or any Subordinate that any appellant may lodge an appeal with the Disciplinary Panel (under Rules 25.2.2 or 25.2.3) against any decision of the Member or a Subordinate.
  1. Subject to an appeal lodged with the FAW by any of the Parties, any decision of the Disciplinary Panel shall be a decision of the Association and all Members will comply with the same and will ensure that all Subordinates comply with the same.
  1. The Association shall be permitted (but not obliged) to publish summaries of the decisions of its Disciplinary Panel in whatever form and forum it considers appropriate from time to time.

REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF PLAYERS

  1. The registration and transfer of players shall be in accordance with the current Rules (Section H) and Regulations of the Football Association of Wales (as amended from time to time).

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­LEAGUES AND OTHER COMPETITIONS

  1. All Official Matches in all leagues or competitions of any description and at any level (including, without limitation, a charity or benefit league or competition) must be sanctioned by the FAW.
  1. The sanction for each league or competition must be renewed annually by the FAW.
  1. Subject to Rule 45, no league or competition will be sanctioned by the FAW unless each team taking part in such league or competition fields a side consisting of eleven (11) players, from which number there shall be no deviation, unless it be occasioned through injury or some such other and proper cause during the course of any game in such league or competition.
  1. Application for sanction of a league or competition shall be made, and thereafter renewed annually, with the FAW on or before 20th July immediately preceding the Playing Season during which Playing Season the league or competition is intended to be played. Such application must be made in every case using the systems and procedures set out by the FAW from time to time. Every such application must be accompanied by two copies of the rules of the league or competition concerned. Every such application must also be accompanied by a list of the names of all the clubs which have consented to join and take part in the league or competition. All such leagues or competitions shall observe the Rules and Regulations of the FAW. All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
  2. All applications for sanction under Rule 40 shall be made direct to the FAW. All other applications for annual renewal of the sanction under Rule 41 shall, in the first instance, be lodged with the Association. The Association will vet the application for renewal, and the supporting documents referred to in Rule 43, and will forward the application to the FAW with its recommendation for acceptance or rejection but the final decision on the application will rest solely with the FAW.
  1. Notwithstanding anything contained in Rule 42 or in any other Rule, the FAW may give permission for small-sided leagues or competitions (including, without limitation, Futsal) to be played, provided that:-

45.1    the league or competition has been sanctioned by the FAW in accordance with the requirements of Rules 40 or 41. Clubs seeking affiliation to this Association in order to participate in a small side league or competition must pay the Association an affiliation fee;

45.2    in the case of single matches, and one-day competitions (e.g. garden fetes or work’s sports’ days), they must be sanctioned by the FAW in accordance with the requirements of Rule 40;

45.3    the rules governing the eligibility and conduct of the players in the sanctioned match or competition shall be administered by the management committee of the sanctioned game or competition subject always to the authority of the Association and shall be in conformity with the FAW Rules and Regulations;

45.4    the playing of non-sanctioned matches arranged by private individuals for speculative purposes shall not be permitted;

45.5    for small side leagues or competitions played for charitable objectives a statement of accounts of the event shall be supplied to the Association (and other Area Association(s) if the league or competition falls within the geographical area of more than one Area Association) within twenty-one days (21) of the last match in the event; and

45.6    the laws applicable to the playing of small-side games shall be as set by the FAW from time to time.

  1. No Subordinate or club under the jurisdiction of the Association, nor player, nor Match Official or any other body or individual in any way within the jurisdiction of this Association, shall play in or take part in any league or competition (including, without limitation, charity or benefit league or competition) within the boundaries of Wales unless such league or competition has been sanctioned by the FAW.
  1. No Subordinate or club under the jurisdiction of the Association, nor player, nor Match Official or any other body or individual in any way within the jurisdiction of this Association, shall play, or take part in any league or competition (including, without limitation, charity or benefit league or competition) outside the boundaries of Wales unless such participation shall have first been sanctioned by the FAW. The application for such sanction shall be made, and renewed annually, on or before 1st April immediately preceding the Playing Season in which the said applicant wishes to participate in the said league or competition. Such application must be made in every case using the systems and procedures set out by the FAW from time to time.
  1. Any league or competition of whatever kind within the jurisdiction of this Association shall only be played within a geographical area approved and sanctioned by the FAW.
  1. Any club which is within the jurisdiction of the FAW and which has received sanction from the FAW to compete in a league or competition outside the boundaries of Wales, shall carry out in full its obligations to those Welsh Association Football competitions of which it may be expected reasonably to take part, as defined by the FAW from time to time.
  1. The name of any sponsor or the donor of a cup or trophy or any other person may form part of the title of a league or competition subject to the prior written approval of the FAW.
  1. All kits must comply with the Football Association of Wales’s Kit Regulations.
  1. Subject to Rule 53 and subject to any special sanction granted by the FAW in accordance with FAW Rule 106, no league or competition which has been played during the Playing Season shall be allowed extended time outside the Playing Season to play all matches in the league or competition, including, without limitation, any league or competition played for charitable purposes. The FAW may specially sanction a match to be played after the end of the Playing Season if the match is arranged between two distinct clubs, or leagues, or Area Associations or between any two of them. In granting any such sanction, the FAW shall be entitled to stipulate to whom the whole or any part of the income generated from any such match is to be paid including, without limitation, payment to a registered charity nominated by the FAW.
  1. Notwithstanding anything contained in the FAW Rules:-

53.1    semi-final or final matches of cup competitions of the FAW or this Association may be played not later than Saturday or Sunday following the end of the Playing Season in any year;

53.2    small sided leagues or competitions as specified in Rule 45 may be played at any time, including outside the Playing Season; and

53.3    matches may be played for charity, or some other object approved by the FAW, not later than the Saturday or Sunday following the end of the Playing Season and application for permission to play any such match must be made in writing and be forwarded to the FAW’s Chief Executive Officer not later than the 1st April in the year concerned. 

PRACTICE MATCHES

  1. Subject at all times to the overriding responsibility of all Clubs to fulfil their obligations to participate in Official Matches, Clubs shall be permitted to play Closed Friendly Matches at any time, whether inside or outside the Playing Season.
  1. Clubs shall not require permission to play Closed Friendly Matches; there shall be no requirement to play the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game or for the match to be officiated by a qualified and registered Match Official and the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences Regulations shall not apply to Closed Friendly Matches. The result or outcome of the Closed Friendly Match shall not be published by the Clubs.
  1. Subject at all times to the overriding responsibility of all Clubs to fulfil their obligations to participate in Official Matches, Clubs shall be permitted to play Open Friendly Matches at any time, whether inside or outside the Playing Season. If the Open Friendly Match is to be played during the Playing Season, it shall be subject to the prior permission of the FAW or the Association (as the case may be). If the Open Friendly Match is to be played outside of the Playing Season, it shall only be subject to the prior notice to the FAW or the Association (as the case may be) unless otherwise required by the FAW. For the avoidance of doubt, the prior permission of the FAW or relevant Area Association (as the case may be) must be obtained where a Club wishes to play such an Open Friendly Match as an away game at a club not under the jurisdiction of the FAW.
  1. Where the proposed Open Friendly Match is to be played at a Club under the jurisdiction of the FAW, that Club shall make the application for permission to play or give prior notice of the Open Friendly Match at least seven (7) days prior to the proposed date of the Open Friendly Match, unless a shorter period is accepted by the FAW in its absolute discretion. The application or notice must state whether a match-agent or other third party or intermediary has had, or will have, any involvement in the organisation of the match. Qualifying Clubs shall apply to the FAW for permission or give notice to the FAW, using the systems and procedures as set by the Association from time to time. All other Clubs shall apply or give notice to the Association. Any such application or notice by a Club to the Association which involves playing a team from another national football association shall be vetted by the Association and forwarded to the FAW and the FAW shall have absolute discretion to decide whether its permission is required and, if so, whether to grant permission.
  1. An Open Friendly Match must be officiated by a qualified and registered Match Official and the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences Regulations shall apply to Open Friendly Matches. The result of an Open Friendly Match shall be published by the Clubs. 

58(A) Tours outside Wales: –

112(A).1       No Member or other person or entity subject to the jurisdiction of the Association shall take Players on tour to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or to any country outside the United Kingdom under a designation that expressly or impliedly suggests such Players are representing the Association or the FAW in any way.

112(A).2       All intended tours of Players outside Wales must first receive the written permission of the FAW. All applications for such permission by clubs, leagues or Area Associations shall be made direct to the FAW. All other applications for permission shall, in the first instance, be lodged with the Association in which the organiser is situated and in these cases the Association will vet the application and will forward the application to the FAW with its recommendation for acceptance or rejection but the final decision on the application will rest solely with the FAW. 

REFEREES AND OTHER MATCH OFFICIALS

  1. On the field of play, any decision by the Match Official in charge of any match on questions of fact or the interpretation of the Laws of the Game shall be final and conclusive. The Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences Regulations shall stipulate the penalties automatically imposed on Players and team officials in consequence of any offence committed during a match, as reported by the Match Official of that match. The said Regulations shall also specify any rights of appeal which may be permitted by the Association from time to time against any such automatically imposed penalty. In addition, the Association shall always have the right to bring a charge of a Disciplinary Offence against a Player or team official where it receives evidence of misconduct during a match where the Match Official of the match confirms to the Association that he/she did not witness the said event.
  1. When a Match Official is appointed for any match by the FAW, this Association or the organisers of a competition sanctioned by the FAW, the Match Official shall using the systems and procedures set by the FAW or the Association (as the case may be) from time to time, within three (3) days of receipt by him/her of the notice of appointment, inform such appointing body whether he/she accepts or declines the appointment. Unless directed by the FAW, having accepted an appointment to officiate a match, the Match Official shall not cancel such engagement in order to officiate in some other match.  
  1. It shall be a breach of these Rules, if any Match Official fails to report any instance of misconduct during or relating to a match which comes to his/her notice, and if it is proved to the satisfaction of the Association that such instance of misconduct was of a nature that required reporting.  

62..    The promotion and demotion of Match Officials to and from leagues under the jurisdiction of the Association shall be at the discretion of the Association.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

  1. At any meeting held by the Council or any sub-committee of the Council to discuss a matter relating to any club or league, Councillors having an interest in such club or league shall declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other Councillors and shall: –

63.1    not be counted in the quorum present at the meeting to consider the matter;

63.2    have no vote on such matter; and

63.3    leave the room and take no further part in the discussion on such matter.

  1. The provisions of Rule 64 shall not apply to a conflict of interest which arises solely because the Councillor is appointed, nominated or elected a Councillor as the representative of any league.
  1. At any meeting held by the Council or any sub-committee of the Council at which a declaration of interest under Rule 64 is made, the other Councillors at that meeting may direct that the provisions of Rule 64 be suspended or relaxed in respect of that specific matter for any Councillor who has made the necessary declaration of a conflict of interest.
  1. Each Member and every Subordinate of that Member shall respond promptly to any request for information (including, without limitation, a request for the production of documentation) reasonably made by the Association from time to time.

MISCELLANEOUS 

  1. Members and Subordinates shall use such systems and procedures set by the FAW from time to time to comply with any provision of the FAW Rules or the FAW Regulations.
  1. The Association shall be entitled to publish in the public press, or in any other manner which to it shall seem fit, the reports of its proceedings, act or resolutions or any part thereof, without having any regard as to whether such publication shall or shall not reflect upon the character or conduct of any Member or any other party involved at the time in question within the jurisdiction of the Association. Every such party shall be deemed hereby to have assented to any such said publication.
    =========================================================================================                                                                               STANDING ORDERS FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS

1. Control of Meetings. The Chairman of the Council shall have control of the business of the Meeting and in case of a tie on voting for any motion or amendment, he shall have power to give a casting vote.

2. Moving of Resolutions, etc. Every motion or amendment shall be moved and seconded (and if so required, shall be reduced to writing) before it is discussed or put to the meeting.

3. Members Speaking. A Member, when speaking, shall address the Chair and the Chairman only shall have power to check or call to order a speaker.

4. Matters not before Meeting. No Member shall speak on any matter not before the Meeting.

5. Members to speak once only. No Member, except the mover of the original resolution, or of an amendment that displaces an original resolution, shall speak twice on any motion unless permission be given to explain.

6. Resolutions, etc. not to be withdrawn. A motion or amendment, once made and seconded, shall not be withdrawn without the consent of the Meeting.

7. Amendments to be relevant. Any amendment must be relevant to the motion on which it is moved.

8. Rejected Amendments. If any amendment is rejected, other amendments may be moved on the original motion.

9. Amendments carried. If any amendment be carried, the original motion as thereby amended, shall become the question upon which any further amendments may be moved.

10. Rescinding Resolutions. No motion to alter or rescind any resolution passed within the proceeding three months, and no motion or amendment to the same effect alone which has been rejected within the preceding three months, shall be proposed unless the notice thereof bears the names of at least two-thirds of the Members of Council. When any such motion or amendment has been disposed of by the Council, it shall not be open to any Member to propose a similar motion within a further period of three months.

11. Urgent Matters. Any matter of pressing importance not on the Agenda may be dealt with at once, upon a motion of ‘Urgency’ being duly moved, seconded and carried by a two-thirds majority of Members present.

12. Time limit for speeches. No Member, except the mover of a resolution, who may speak, on bringing forward his proposition, for a period not exceeding ten minutes, shall address the Council for a period longer than five minutes on any one question.

13. Priority of speaking. When two or more Members wish to speak at one time, the Chairman shall decide who shall have priority of speaking.

14. Objectionable Matters. If the Chairman shall be of the opinion that any motion proposed to be made is of an objectionable character, he may at once put it to the vote (on which there shall be no discussion) whether it shall be entertained or not, and, if two-thirds of the Members present decided not to entertain such motion, the matter is disposed of for that meeting.

15. Quorum. Ten Members shall form a quorum of the Council, and, without a quorum no business shall be transacted. Six Members shall form a quorum of Standing Committees with plenary powers.

16. No Member of Council shall sit upon the Council or any Committee or Commission when any matter is under discussion that affects the Club, League or other organisation with which he is connected.

17. Resolving into Committee. The Council may, by vote, resolve itself into a Committee, and, whilst in Committee, there shall be no restriction as to the number of times a Member may speak.

18. Privilege. The evidence of witnesses, statements of Members, general discussions and other matters within and before the Council and Committees, shall be deemed privileged and private. The Council shall have power to censure or suspend from service on the Council any Member proved to be guilty of a breach of this rule.

19. Resolutions of the Council appointing Committees or Commissions shall state whether plenary powers are granted to these bodies.

20. Minutes of Committees or Commissions having plenary powers shall be reported to the following Council Meeting.

21. Minutes of Committees or Commissions not having plenary powers when presented at the following Council meeting, shall be confirmed, rejected or referred back for further consideration by the Committee, in whole or in part.

22. Where necessary to fill one vacancy, if no Member has more than 50% of the ballot, then the vote goes to a second or third ballot, as the case may be, with the Member receiving the lowest vote dropping out at the end of each ballot, until one Member has more than 50% of the ballot.

Any Rules Revision Committee recommendation must be carried by a two-thirds majority of Council Members present, before being put to the Annual General Meeting.