Longford & District Schoolboy/girl League
Rules Summary for Managers and Club Officials (2010/2011)
Registration
Each club must ensure that a registration form is completed for each of its teams before any team plays its first fixture. Additional players can be added to the registration form up to the 31st December
A player can transfer from one club to another within the league or from an external club up to 31st December. No transfers are allowed after that date. Transfers must be notified in writing to the League Registrar.
The 30th June is the end of season. All players are deemed free agents from 1st July and can sign for any club of their choosing for the following season.
Playing of Games
A referee’s card must be filled in for each team prior to game. The team official must append his signature to confirm the eligibility of all players. Players CANNOT be added to match card after commencement of game. Any player not listed on card cannot play or be brought on as a substitute.
A team concerned about the eligibility of a player may report their concerns to the executive where the match card will be cross checked with the registration forms. Any team found to have played an ineligible player in a game will automatically concede any points won in that game.The points will be awarded to the opposing team. In addition the club will also face sanctions as deemed appropriate by the League Executive.
Matches must commence at the appointed time. The referee has the discretion to delay the start for fifteen minutes if he believes both teams will be ready to start within that time. Any team failing to turn up for a game will be deemed to have given a walk-over.
All clubs are responsible to the league for the conduct of their officials and players, and should endeavour to take every reasonable precaution to ensure matches are conducted in a proper manner.
Teams that have their own pitch have responsibility for ensuring that the pitch has a sound surface, is properly marked, has secure nets, and corner flags. The referee only shall determine if a pitch is safe enough for a match to commence. If the referee refuses to play a game due to unsatisfactory ground conditions (excluding weather), the points will be automatically awarded to the opposing team and the home team will be fined.
If a referee allows a match to be played and subsequently reports a club for not having the pitch up to satisfactory standard, the home team will be fined. Failure to pay the fine within 30 days of notification will result in a point’s deduction. Any subsequent referees report during the same season about unsatisfactory ground conditions will result in a doubling of the original fine and further point’s deduction if necessary.
ALL managers/coaches and club officials should reside within 10 yards of half way line during the game where a technical area is not provided.
Each team is allowed to use a maximum of 5 substitutes per game once they are listed on match card prior to kick off.
If there is a clash of jerseys, the onus is on the home team to change. All clubs are encouraged to wear full kits i.e. matching shorts & socks.
The duration of games is determined by the S.F.A.I. and set out in their rule book.
Times for 11-a-side matches are as follows…..
U11, 12, 13 30 minutes each half
U14 35 minutes each half
U15,16 40 minutes each half
In Cup games and Play-offs 10 minutes each half extra time and penalties will apply in event of a draw for all age groups.
The rules in relation to National, Regional and Inter-League competitions are determined by the S.F.A.I. and implemented by different Councils.
Suspensions
Any player who receives a red card is automatically suspended for the next game his/her team plays in that age group in either LDSSL league or cup competitions. (National and Regional cup rules may differ). Walkovers do not count.
Any player found to breach their suspension will automatically be banned for three matches.
All unserved suspensions will carry forward from season to season and will apply to players even if they move clubs.
The disciplinary sub-committee shall investigate each case on receipt of referee's report of violent conduct. If additional action (more than one match suspension) is deemed necessary the club shall be informed and have an option to appeal after the League issues any additional suspension.
Any manager or club official who fails to comply with a referee’s request or instructions either before or during a game is liable to a fine and/or match suspensions.
Clubs are liable to a fine and suspension for any disorderly conduct by a team manager, club official, supporters either before, during or after a game that is brought to the attention of the person in charge of the home team by the
Referee.
If a player or official is involved in a further breach of discipline after receiving a red card, the one match ban still stands but the disciplinary sub-committee has the right to impose further sanction as it sees fit.
Match Cancellations
All matches, venues and times of kick-off shall be arranged by the fixtures secretary.
The league will endeavour to set the 11-a-side fixtures a number of weeks in advance. If this is possible clubs may seek and be granted a rearrangement if they give notice 9 days in advance. Failure to give nine days notice means that the club is expected to fulfil the fixture and the following rules apply.
- No club shall cancel or postpone a fixture, except where there has been a bereavement of immediate family of team member or manager.
- A minimum of 48 hours notice must be given for any late cancellation request other than for bereavement with a bone fide reason for request. Any request within 48 hours will not be considered.
- Only the referee has the right to postpone a match if weather or ground conditions are unsuitable. In certain circumstances where it is not practical for the referee to travel to a venue prior to a game to test conditions, the match may be postponed by the referee after discussions with, and on the acceptance of both club representatives involved. The option or to switch venue to away teams pitch should be considered in all instances.
- If a match is postponed for any of the two reasons above, the fixture will be reset by the fixtures secretary. The home team will get one more opportunity to stage the match. If it is postponed again for any of the same reasons (eg. poor ground conditions) the fixtures secretary will refix the match again but the home team will cede home advantage. The teams have the option to agree a change of venue if they believed that a refixed fixture is unlikely to be played because of ground conditions
- If a match is postponed for any other reason, the points will be given to the team that has not been given the opportunity to play the fixture. The fixture will not be re-fixed by the fixtures secretary. If a team fails to show up for a game without good reason, they will lose the points and face a league fine.
If both clubs still want to play the game rather than cede or gain the points without playing, the following option is open to them;
-Rearrange the match themselves to be played before the next round of fixtures.
-Organise the referee and venue themselves (opposing team can claim home advantage if necessary)
-Ensure that the result is reported to the fixtures secretary immediately after the game.
Note: This option is only available as long as it does not interfere with fixtures as set by the fixtures secretary. Rearranged matches will carry no precedence when it comes to setting fixtures. Failure to play a rearranged fixture before the next round of fixtures for either or both teams will mean that the original sanction will apply i.e. points awarded to opposing team. No further exceptions will be granted.
Referees Fees
Please ensure that referees are paid either before each game or immediately afterwards.
Any team reported for non-payment of correct fees to referees will face potential sanctions as a result.
U11, U12, U13, - €34 per game, €17 per team (€22 match fee and €12 expenses)
U14, U15, U16 - €38 per game, €19per team (€26 match fee and €12 expenses)
7-a-side games - €16 per game, €8 per team
If a referee travels to a ground and subsequently postpones a game or abandons it for any reason, he is entitled to full expenses and half match fee. This is rounded off at €30 (€15 per team) for all age groups.
If only one team turns up and the referee has to postpone the game the referee is entitledto full expenses and half match fee, i.e. €30 as above. This is to be paid by the team who did NOT turn up for game within in one week directly to referee or to league to forward to referee.
For National or Regional cup matches the following rules apply…
Two Longford Schoolboy teams involved, share the expenses/fees as above.
Longford team at home to team from another league pays full referees expenses/fees.
Website
The following website address should be checked regularly for fixtures, results, tables etc.
Please encourage all managers and players to check the site regularly. A Club Directory is available on website for contact details.