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The Midlands Amateur Football Association
Constitution and Rules governing league fixtures and cup ties played under the jurisdiction of the Midlands Amateur Football Association.
Name of Association
1 The Association will be called “The Midlands Amateur Football Association” and shall be affiliated to the Scottish Amateur Football Association.
Objectives
2 The objectives of the Association shall be the regulation of a League or Leagues and any other competitions and to foster and develop the game of amateur association football.
Membership
3 Only clubs in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association (SAFA) can be members of this Association. No Club which is run for the pecuniary gain of a person or persons, whether or not such a person
or persons are members of the Club can be accepted into the Association. No Club is eligible for membership unless they have the use of a suitable ground and changing facilities. All member clubs must pay the affiliation fee to the SAFA each season.Admission to Association
4 The names of clubs applying for membership shall be first submitted to the Executive Committee and thereafter if approved, shall only be admitted to the Midlands Amateur Football Association (MAFA) on being duly proposed by two members and accepted by a majority of the members present on an open vote at the Annual General Meeting or at a General Committee meeting and subject to admission by the SAFA.
Bye Laws / Financial Records
5 All clubs which are members of the MAFA shall be under its jurisdiction and control and must conform and adhere to its Constitution and Rules, and must keep proper financial records showing all transactions. Said records along with vouchers must be handed to the Executive Committee for inspection if requested. Failure to comply with this request may lead to disqualification at the discretion of the General Committee, of the club concerned.
Annual Subscription
6 The annual subscription of clubs in membership will be £90. 00 or as fixed at the Annual General Meeting. These subscriptions shall be paid to the Honorary Treasurer at or before the Annual General Meeting and any balance to be paid at or before the September meeting of the General Committee. Clubs admitted later may be given 14 days to meet obligations. Any club failing to do so will be excluded from the ensuing seasons competitions.
Minutes
7 Each club in membership of the MAFA will receive a copy of Minutes of all appropriate meetings and where possible these Minutes to be in the hands of club secretaries 7 days before the next General Committee meeting.
Office Bearers
8 The office bearers of the MAFA shall be President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Match Secretary, Honorary Rough Play Secretary and Honorary Registration Secretary all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The President must be connected with a club in membership but the others may be neutral. Should a vacancy occur the General Committee shall have powers to fill such a vacancy. All retiring office bearers shall be eligible for re-election. A President Elect to be elected with the approval of the General Committee no earlier than one year prior to the President intimating that he would not be standing for re-election at the following Annual General Meeting. The President Elect would be assumed to be an Office Bearer of MAFA
Management
9 The management of the Association shall be vested in a General Committee consisting of the above office bearers and 1 representative from each club in membership. No paid referee shall sit on the Committee except as a delegate.
The General Committee shall have power as occasion shall arise to appoint from its members such sub-committees as it may deem expedient and to delegate to them such of its powers and duties as it may from time to time determine.Executive Committee
10 Executive Committee meetings shall be held in Dundee on the first Thursday of each month at a time prior to or after General Meetings, excepting June, July or August unless especially convened but the Secretary shall have power to convene meetings when necessary. An Executive and Rough Play Committee shall be appointed which shall be responsible to the General Committee and shall consist of the office bearers together with a maximum of six members, each member being from a different club, a quorum being not less than one-half of its members.
The Committee shall have power to deal with as they see fit any player, club official or club for any misconduct reported to it.
The Committee shall power to deal with business affecting or pertaining to the MAFA except in so far as especially provided for by any of these Rules. All such findings or decisions of the Executive Committee shall be intimated to the General Committee.
The Committee shall have power as occasion shall arise to appoint from its members such sub committee as it may feel expedient and to delegate to them such of its powers and duties as it may from time to time determine subject to the discretion of the Committee.
Clubs cited to appear before the Executive and Rough Play Committee and failing to appear will be fined £25. 00.General Committee
11 General Committee meetings shall be held bi-monthly in Dundee on the first Thursday of the month excepting June, July and August but the Secretary shall have power to convene meetings when necessary.
Each club shall be entitled to send not more than two representatives to all meetings but only one shall have a vote. The office bearers may each exercise one vote. A majority of clubs in membership will form a quorum. Clubs failing to be represented will be fined £20. 00 for a first offence and £50. 00 thereafter unless a reason is provided to the Association Secretary and accepted by the Executive Committee. Clubs failing to pay monies due at a General Meeting shall, if not paid by the Monday following, be Debt Suspended.Special General Meeting
12 On a requisition signed by not less than half of the clubs in membership or by the Executive Committee of the MAFA and stating its business to be considered, the Secretary shall convene a Special General Meeting.
Chair
13 At all meetings the President or President Elect shall preside but in their absence the Chair shall be taken by any member appointed by a majority of the representatives present. The Chairman shall have both a deliberative and a casting vote at all meetings and his ruling shall be final.Retiral from Meeting
14 Members of the General Committee and the Executive and Rough Play Committee shall retire from the meeting during the consideration of and while a decision is being taken on any case involving their clubs. The representatives of clubs concerned shall hear reports under discussion before retiring from the meeting.
Annual General Meeting
15 The Annual General Meeting of the MAFA shall be held each year not later than 30th June, when the order of business shall be as follows:
1 Minutes of the previous years AGM
2 Secretary’s Annual Report
3 Treasurer’s Annual Report and membership fee for the following season
4 Admission of Clubs
5 Alteration to Constitution
6 Election of Office Bearers
7 Election of Executive Committee
8 Formation of Leagues
9 Promotion and Relegation
10 Delegates to the SAFA
11 Appointment of Auditor
12 Presentation of Trophies
13 Submission of list of Referees
14 Any other competent businessAll clubs must be represented at the Annual General Meeting or they will not be accepted into the Association for the following season.
Audit of Financial Records
16 The financial records of the MAFA shall be audited at such time each year to permit a statement of the finances for the year ending 30th April be in the hands of each club secretary together with his notification of the Annual General Meeting.
Notice of Motions
17 Notice of Motions or Resolutions to come before a General Meeting or Annual General Meeting must be given to the Secretary in writing 14 days before the date of the meeting.
Notice of Meetings
18 Seven clear days notice of all meetings shall be given by the Secretary but non receipt of such notice will not excuse the failure of a club to be represented at the General Meetings
Breach of Rules
19 Any club repeatedly breaching any one or more of the Rules of the MAFA may result in the General Committee suspending a club until the Annual General Meeting, when the retention of that club within the MAFA shall be considered.
Expulsion of Clubs
20 Any club or members thereof whose conduct may be deemed by not less than two thirds of the General Committee present, at a duly convened meeting, to have been unsportsmanlike or not in accord with the objects of amateur football may be expelled from the MAFA.
Appeals
21 Any club, official or player may appeal to the SAFA against any decision made by the MAFA, such appeal to be lodged on the SAFA Standard Appeals Form to the SAFA by recorded or registered delivery, in duplicate, within 7 days of receipt of Notice of Decision from the MAFA and accompanied by the appropriate Appeal Fee. This Appeal Fee may be forfeited if the SAFA so decide. The grounds of appeal must be specifically stated. If the SAFA consider the Appeal frivolous or trivial, the appealing club may be liable for a levy of a sum of money which shall be fixed annually by the SAFA. The decision against which any Appeal is made will only be set aside when the Appeal is received by the SAFA and agreed to be in order and confirmation is received in writing by the parties concerned. There will be no Right of Appeal against any caution or cautions received except in the case where there may be a case of mistaken identity.
Suspensions
22 The MAFA will recognize and give effect only to such suspensions, censures etc passed on players, clubs and officials as are confirmed by the Scottish Football Association Ltd (SFA) and any suspensions, censures etc passed by bodies affiliated to and clubs in membership of the SFA which meet with the approval of the SAFA. All suspensions, censures etc passed by the MAFA on players, clubs or officials shall be submitted to the SAFA for confirmation within seven days of being passed.
All suspensions, censures etc passed by the MAFA shall be confirmed in writing within seven days after intimation of decision to the players and / or clubs or officials concerned.Representative Games
23 In all representative games the Executive Committee shall have power to select or delegate the selection of players from any club in membership of the MAFA. Any players who decline to play shall not be eligible to play for their own club or any other club affiliated to the SAFA on that date without special permission from the Executive Committee of the MAFA. A club may apply for the postponement of a fixture should three or more players be selected to play in a Representative Game on the same day. Players selected but subsequently unable to play must call off to the team manager no later than the day prior to the fixture.
Playing Season
24 The playing season of the MAFA shall run from the second Saturday of August until the 31st May in the following year. No competitive football or football for which a charge for admission is made or a collection is taken shall be played by any club in membership after 31st May in any season unless permission has been granted by the SAFA.
Finance
25 The Honorary Treasurer shall effect all financial transactions and shall submit at each monthly meeting, if requested, a financial statement of the Accounts and at the Annual General Meeting a statement of accounts for the year ending 30th April, duly vouched for by the Auditor appointed at the Annual General Meeting. A copy of the audited accounts shall be forwarded to the SAFA.
Alteration of Constitution
26 No alteration to the Constitution of the MAFA shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose. Fourteen days notice in writing must be given to the Secretary of any proposed alteration to the Constitution, a copy of which will be sent to the member clubs seven days before the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting for their consideration thereof. No alteration shall be made to the Constitution unless three-fourths of those present and qualified to vote shall have voted and a two thirds majority of the members voting shall be necessary to carry a Motion. Any proposed alteration to the Constitution shall, before coming into force, be submitted to and approved by the SAFA.
Composition of Leagues
27 The composition of the League or Leagues shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. The number clubs in the Premier League and the Alliance League Division 1 not to exceed 12, the League Division 1 not to exceed 14 and any subsequent League not to exceed 16. Each club shall play home and away fixtures with each other club in the relative league. Three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Goal difference shall determine the position in the League tables where clubs have equal points except for the winning of league championships, promotion and relegation. In these situations teams shall play-off with the date and location decided by the Executive Committee.
A system of promotion and relegation may operate in the Senior and Alliance Leagues. In that event the bottom club or clubs, but not more than three in all, in the Premier and First Division shall be relegated and of the top clubs not more than three in all in the First or other leagues shall be promoted. In some circumstances the number of clubs promoted and relegated between any 2 Divisions need not be the same, this to be determined by the Annual General Meeting. Should a club withdraw from the MAFA during the season or at the Annual General Meeting an additional club can be promoted in order that the Premier, First Division and Alliance League Division 1 have a full complement of clubs for the ensuing season.
In the event of a club defaulting in the course of a season without having fulfilled all of its fixtures then the number of clubs relegated from the relevant division will be reduced by the corresponding number of defaulting clubs in that division and if appropriate any further club or clubs to be promoted so the ultimate vacancy occurs in the lowest division of the league structure.
The Alliance Leagues shall comprise only of reserve teams of clubs in membership of the MAFA.
Composition of Cups
28 The Bremner Challenge Cup, the Buckman/Mackie Cup, the Marquee Trophy, Carne Trophy, Gray Trophy, Ferrari’s Shield and Tay Valley Shields shall be competed for by clubs in the Senior League or Leagues.
The Alliance Challenge Cup, Wallace Trophy and Lunan Trophy shall be competed for by clubs in the Alliance Leagues. The Mel Ross Trophy to be played for as decided each season by the Executive Committee.Custody of Trophies
29 The President and Honorary Treasurer for the time being of the MAFA shall be the legal owners of the Shields, Cups and Trophies competed for by member clubs, in trust for the MAFA. Clubs in possession of trophies shall be held financially liable for any damage or loss during that period of possession.
Fixtures
30 Clubs shall receive from the Match Secretary note of their fixtures which shall be played on the dates and the ground stipulated. The secretary of the home club must notify the referee and the secretary of the visiting club as to the time of kick off, venue etc and such notification shall bear a postmark not later than 48 hours prior to the time of kick off or by telephone not later than 48 hours prior to kick off.
Free Dates
31 If a club wishes to be excused from playing a game on any particular date throughout the season, such club must make written application to the Match Secretary not less than fourteen days beforehand stating the reasons why.
The Executive Committee shall decide upon the application. Exceptions will be made in the event of Alliance teams when their first team is engaged in a Scottish Cup tie and for Senior and Alliance teams at the April, October and any local holiday. Only seven days notice is required in either event and this may be by telephone.Unfulfilled and Cancelled Fixtures
32 Should a fixture under the auspices of the MAFA not be fulfilled by any club refusing or failing to play on the date and time specified by the Match Secretary or MAFA without sufficient reason, the club failing to play shall be judged to have lost the fixture. The secretary of the home team will be responsible for advising the Match Secretary. Should, however, a fixture be cancelled by the referee the home team secretary shall be solely responsible for advising the Match Secretary. Failure to provide a pitch by any club may not be accepted as a reasonable excuse. In the event of any fixture being cancelled and the name of the referee unknown, the home club secretary should advise the Match Secretary or referees reallocation contact to ascertain the referees name and then contact the referee concerned and advise them accordingly. The secretary of the home team will be responsible for telephoning the result of fixtures played or postponements having taken place to the Match Secretary not later than 6.30pm after a Saturday fixture, or 9.30pm during the evening on which a mid week fixture takes place. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a £10. 00 fine for up to three fixtures and £20. 00 thereafter on the defaulting club.
Investigation of Unfulfilled Fixtures
33 The reason for non-fulfillment of any fixture shall be investigated by the Executive Committee. If the reasons are deemed to be unsatisfactory the defaulting club shall lose the points or cup tie and shall be responsible for the full tariff and expenses of the referee. In addition they may also be responsible to their opponents for any outlays as may be fixed by the Executive Committee.
In the case of Senior teams failing to fulfill a fixture a fine of £25. 00 for a first offence and £50 for any subsequent offence will be automatically levied. In the case of Alliance teams failing to fulfill a fixture then the Secretary of the defaulting club will be cited to appear before the Executive Committee. The Secretary of the home club will be responsible for giving reasons not later than 24 hours after the postponement to the Match Secretary. Clubs failing to fulfill a Senior fixture will be liable to have their Alliance fixture played on the same day, subject to investigation.Unfinished Games
34 All unfinished games will be brought before the Executive or General Committee who will decide on the status of such fixtures.
Precedence of Scottish or District Cups
35 Cup ties of the SAFA or bodies affiliated to the SFA alone shall have precedence over MAFA league fixtures or cup ties. Clubs unable to fulfill a league fixture or cup tie of the MAFA on account of such cup ties must notify the Match Secretary, opponents and referee not later than noon on the Wednesday preceeding the fixture so affected.
Rules for Scottish and District Cups
36 The rules for Scottish and District cup ties shall be determined by the SAFA. Five substitutes may be nominated of whom three may play.
Rules for MAFA Cups37 The Executive Committee shall fix the ground for all cup finals. All cup ties will be played to a finish, 90 minutes, followed by 30 minutes extra time and then kicks from the penalty spot if required. The winner of the first semi final in the draw becomes the home team in the final.
Team Lines / Late Kick Offs
38 In all fixtures the captains of the respective teams shall not later than the kick off hand to the referee an official Team Line, in duplicate, detailing the full christian name, surname, home address including post code of each player, substitute and official acting as linesman. The numbers on the Team Lines must relate to the players jerseys and up to five substitutes may be listed with a maximum of three taking part in the fixture.
The Team Lines shall be written in ink or typewritten though carbon copies will be accepted. The referee after signature shall exchange one copy with the captains and forward the other copy together with the result of the fixture to the Match Secretary within 48 hours thereafter. The actual time of kick off must be recorded with in the event of a late start the reason for same and the offender noted.
Clubs violating this rule will be reported to the Executive Committee who will take appropriate action.Laws of the Game
39 All fixtures will be played in accordance with Laws of the Game adopted by the SAFA.
Resignation from the MAFA
40 When a club intimates its resignation from the MAFA, such club must notify its opponents and if they are the home club, the referee until such time as their resignation has been accepted by the General Committee. Clubs failing to carry out this procedure will be assumed to be in default. In the event of a club withdrawing from the MAFA during the season, the record of their fixtures in respective League and Cup competitions per Rule 28 shall be declared null and void.
Referees
41 The Match Secretary shall appoint referees for all fixtures from the List of Referees approved by the Executive or General Committee. No club can refuse to accept the referee appointed by the Match Secretary. A paid referee shall not be eligible to play as an amateur player or serve on any amateur Club, Association or League Committee during the same season as he has acted as a paid referee. Should any club wish to report a referee in connection with any fixture within the MAFA on the grounds of his inefficiency in his handling of the fixture, such report must be corroborated by a report from the opposing club, these reports to be submitted to the Match Secretary within seven days of the fixture. The Scottish Football Association Referees shall submit a List of Referees available for the forthcoming season at the Annual General Meeting of the MAFA.
Time of Kick Off
42 The time of kick off in all fixtures will be determined by the Executive or General Committee and all fixtures should commence at the official time. Defaulting clubs will be dealt with by the Executive or General Committee. Referees failing to appear for the official kick off should be reported to the Match Secretary by the home club secretary. Referees must not travel to and from the ground on which the game is to take place in the company of either of the clubs except under circumstances agreed upon by the MAFA.
Colours
43 Where there is a similarity of club colours the visiting club will play in registered colours and the home club shall change unless otherwise mutually agreed. Numbers will be worn on Senior team jerseys. The referee has power to prevent players taking part in fixtures unless in recognized football kit. Referees shall report any club or players not complying with this rule and they shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
Ball
44 In all fixtures both clubs will supply a ball conforming to the Laws of the Game. The ball of the home club will be used for the fixture but the away club shall also be responsible for having and providing a ball should the referee so request it. Referees shall report any club not having a ball conforming to the Laws of the Game.
Gate Receipts
45 In any fixture where a charge is made for spectators the referees tariff and expenses shall be borne by the MAFA and any surplus receipts retained by the MAFA.
Referees Tariff
46 The tariff of the referee in all fixtures will be £30. 00 inclusive of travelling expenses which is to be equally borne by both clubs.
Should a club fail to pay a referee his tariff and / or travelling expenses such club must do so at the first opportunity otherwise the matter will be dealt with by the Executive Committee.Ground
47 No club in the MAFA shall have authority to cancel any fixture arranged by the Match Secretary but before kick off if either club considers the ground unplayable, after consultation with their opponents, they may call in the referee to inspect the ground. Should the ground be considered unplayable by the referee after inspection, the referee shall receive half tariff and travelling expenses which shall be equally shared by the clubs concerned.
In the case of a club outside the Dundee city boundary where the appointed referee finds it impossible to inspect the ground the home club may cancel the fixture on the authority of a member of the Executive Committee of the MAFA. Should the home club failed to have made ground markings to the satisfaction of the referee, resulting in the fixture being postponed, it shall be investigated as an unfulfilled fixture. The referee shall receive full tariff and travelling expenses from the defaulting club. When clubs agree to transfer a fixture to another venue or to their opponents ground, the official home club will be deemed as the club hosting this fixture.Ineligible Players
48 A player who is cup tied for any Club in any of the MAFA competitions shall not be able to play for another club in the same competition during the same season. A player registered with the SFA on any of its appropriate forms cannot play for any Club in membership of the MAFA while so registered. Before playing for a Club in membership of MAFA the players registration must be cancelled or terminated with the SFA provided this is effected not later than 31st March of the season
Registration of Players
49 Any player participating in unauthorised football shall not be eligible to participate in football played under the jurisdiction of the SAFA. Any player participating in unauthorised football who plays for a club in membership of the SAFA shall leave that club open to protest and disciplinary action.
No player can play for a club in membership of the MAFA except as detailed below without first being registered. An unregistered player can play two trial league fixtures or league cup sectional fixtures before being registered.
All players will be registered using The Scottish Football Association(SFA) Recreational Form and these should be submitted to the MAFA Registration Secretary. On receipt of the Registration Form these will be stamped to confirm the date of receipt and registration. The Registration Secretary will inform clubs of unacceptable registrations and a player will not be registered until a new form is completed correctly and submitted. All registrations will expire on 30th June each year except where a player is transferred or released by his club during the season. Registration fForms must be in the hands of the Registration Secretary not later than 12 noon on the third day following the fixture.
A club can release a player at any time up to and including the 31st March each season..
Clubs found guilty of playing a registered player of another club, or an unregistered player, or having been in breach of the registration rule will be dealt with under Rule 52 of the Constitution.
A player may register for his current club for the ensuing season after 1st May each year and for another club from 15th March each year.A player registered with a club running more than one team is eligible to play for any of that clubs teams. Alliance team players must be transferred per Rule 50 of the Constitution where a club has more than one Alliance team. No player may be registered for more than one team at any one time.
In the event of the Registration Secretary receiving a form for a player who is registered with another club, the first form received will be deemed by the MAFA to be the official Registration Form.
A players registration can only take affect from the end of any period of suspension which may have been imposed.
Any player changing his address after being registered must have the details advised to the Registration Secretary by his registered club.
Any player registered with the SFA cannot be registered with a club in membership of the MAFA.
When a club resigns from the MAFA all players will have their registrations cancelled from the date of the Executive or General Committee meeting where the resignation was accepted.
A players registration may be cancelled by a club writing to the Registration Secretary to this effect or by the club completing a Release / Transfer Form and submitting same in accordance with Rule 50 of the Constitution.
A player wishing his release from his club may complete a Players Release Form and submit same direct to the Registration Secretary and this will become valid on the Monday following fourteen clear days after receipt.
On receipt of the Form the Registration Secretary will send a copy to the players former club and if a club can show documentary evidence that a player should not be released then the Release will be rescinded.Transfers
50 To effect a transfer any player who is registered with the SFA on the Recreational Form must first have his current Reistration cancelled either by his club in writing to the MAFA Registration Secretary or by completing a MAFA Registration Release Form and submitting it to the MAFA Registration Secretary. The player must then complete a Registration Form for his new club and submit same to the MAFA Registration Secretary in accordance with Rule 49 of the MAFA Constitution and Rules.
A player who registers for a second or subsequent club within the same season can only play in cup competitions under the auspices of the SAFA or MAFA for one club.
If a club refuses to release a player the Executive Committee of MAFA will have powers to consider the merit of the proposed release and their decision shall be final.
The only exception to this rule is where players are Registered with a club which runs more than two teams and players can be transfered between teams within the club by advising the MAFA Registration Secretary accordingly, in writing, and they shall become effective from the date received by the MAFA Registration Secretary.
Players Reported
51 Any player ordered off the field or reported for misconduct may resume playing until they have been dealt with by the General or Executive Committee. The Rough Play Secretary will notify such offending players in writing in accordance with the National Disciplinary Procedures. Referees officiating in all fixtures must report names and addresses of players whom they caution. The Rough Play Secretary shall keep a record of such offences and should any player be reported on 4 or 8 occasions during the season he will be dealt with in accordance with the National Disciplinary Procedures. Any club having an official suspended or found guilty of a misconduct report from a referee will be fined no less than £25.00 and not more than £100.00. Any club having a player cautioned will be fined £1.00, or if ordered off £3.00.
Playing an Ineligible Player
52 Where a club is proved to have played an ineligible player or players, such club may have three points deducted or cup tie forfeited for each infringement after investigation by the General or Executive Committee, together with whatever penalty the Committee may decide. The fixtures concerned may be replayed, or the points or the cup tie awarded to the opponents. If a club is proved to have played an ineligible player or players they may be responsible for the full referees tariff plus travelling expenses in the replayed fixture and may also forfeit ground rights.
Protests
53 Protests relative to the ground, goalposts or other appurtenances of the fixture must be intimated to the referee and to the captain of the opposing club before the kick off of the fixture. These protests and protests concerning the eligibility of players participating in a fixture, shall specify the grounds of ineligibility, must be lodged in writing by recorded or registered delivery, accompanied by a deposit of £5.00 to the Match Secretary of the MAFA bearing a post mark not later than the third day after the fixture, Sunday being excluded as a day. A copy to be similarly sent to the club protested against. The protesting club must produce written evidence to validate their claim at the subsequent Executive Committee meeting.
If the Executive or General Committee consider the protest trivial or groundless they may order the protesting club to pay the expenses connected with same and forfeit the deposit. The club on whose ground the match is played shall be responsible that the conditions required by the Laws of the Game are adhered to, failing which they are liable to be disqualified.If any objection by a club or any member of a club, with reference to the qualifications of any player who may have taken part in any fixture under the auspices of the MAFA, the General or Executive Committee have power to call upon such player or his club for which he played to prove his eligibility to the satisfaction of the Committee.
The Committee have power to deal with the objector, and or the club and player objected to, as it may think fit.Claims
54 Clubs may claim points or cup ties should their opponents fail to appear or the fixture be cancelled through the fault of their opponents, but fixtures not completed or unplayed when requested by the Match Secretary or MAFA will be brought before the General or Executive Committee who shall decide the status of such fixtures. Claims, for which no deposit is necessary, must be sent to the Match Secretary. The home club is responsible for the condition of the ground and must ensure it complies with the Laws of the Game or it is liable to be disqualified. On points of fact connected with the fixture and fitness of the ground for play, the decision of the referee will be final.
Goal Nets / Corner Flags
55 Goal nets must be used in all Senior league fixtures and cup ties and in the semi final and final ties of all Alliance cup competitions. Corner flags are essential in all fixtures and must be 1.50 metres in height.
Spectators
56 Where it can be proved that the spectators at any fixture conduct themselves in such a manner as to interfere with the players or stop the fixture, the General or Executive Committee shall have power to order the fixture to be replayed on another ground or to award the fixture to either club and take such further action as may be deemed necessary. Each club is responsible to the MAFA for the action of its players, officials and spectators. Clubs are further required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spectators threatening or insulting players and officials during or at the conclusion of a fixture.
Minutes of MAFA Meetings
57 Separate Minute Books shall be kept for (1) Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings, (2) General Committee Meetings and (3) Executive Committee Meetings. The Secretary shall keep Minutes of all meetings and insert them in the appropriate Minute Book.
Communications
58 The following Office Bearers are responsible for the correspondence of the MAFA:
Match Secretary: Any matter pertaining to fixtures, appeals, protests, claims and referees.
Treasurer: Any matter pertaining to finance.
Secretary: All other matters.Omission from Rules
59 Any omission from the foregoing Rules shall be governed by the Rules of the SAFA.
Authority for Interpretation of Rules
60 The General Meeting shall be the authority for the interpretation of these Rules and its decision upon any question of interpretation and also upon any other matter affecting the MAFA not provided for by these Rules, shall be final.
Additions to Rules
61 The General Committee may at any time add to these Rules provided that the majority of clubs in membership support the Motion to do so. No Rule shall be altered except at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
Life Membership
62 Life Membership in the form of a badge or as the General Committee may determine may be conferred on officials or members serving the MAFA for five consecutive years in an official capacity or as a Executive Committee member.
On the authority of the General Committee an official of the MAFA may receive this award with less than five consecutive years service should he resign for health or other reasons outwith his control.