1. Registrations Rules and Referees An introduction to competitive football ABERDEEN AND DISTRICT JUVENILE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

2. Registering players Teams are allowed to sign and register 20 players at ages 13s to 17s and 22 players at age group 19s Registration forms can be downloaded from the SYFA Registration site. accurately Forms must be completed accurately with full postal addresses including post codes Completed forms must arrive at SYFA within 72 hours of date of signing

3. Registering players You must make sure player is of correct age Ask to see Birth Certificate Below 17 years of age parent must witness form You must make sure player is not previously registered for another club This can be done online via SYFA Registration Site

4. Trialist players Trialists are unregistered players Teams may play up to four trialists in league matches Trialist may play up to four times for a team Player must take part in game for it to count All cup competitions require all players to be registered prior to playing League Cup only when it reaches knock out stages is it classed as a cup competition

5. Trialist players For Trialists without an SFA Player ID Number you must notify ADJFA Secretary Neil Paterson within 24 hours of date of game being played of the following Trialist’s full postal address Trialist’s date and place of birth This is only done AFTER the trialist has played. For Data Protection Reasons do not put addresses on teamlines.

6. Fixtures Fixtures are notified officially weekly by way of the Wednesday’s Evening Express Fixtures can be viewed on the Association website normally on Sunday evening www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/adjfa under :- LEAGUE DOCUMENTS

7. Fixtures Clubs can if they wish arrange to play one another in league or cup matches provided that the Match Secretary has been asked and given her permission This must be done 12 days before the date of the game in order for it to be officially published in the press Additional fixtures are worth considering if you are behind with your fixtures there are more floodlit 3g venues available now

8. Fixtures Scheduling Fixtures collating scores and granting free dates is the sole responsibility of the MATCH SECRETARY Carol Baxter All other matters including disciplinary matters are the responsibility of the ASSOCIATION SECRETARY Neil Paterson It has purposefully been set up this way so no club can accuse the Association of scheduling hard fixtures when players have been suspended

9. Fixtures Once your fixture is known home team should contact opponents at least two days prior to match Notify them where the game will be played give directions if necessary If no contact has been made 24 hours before match away team should contact Match Secretary Check team kits to avoid clash of colours Teams should play in their specified colours In the event of clash the home team will require to change. Failure to make contact will result in a club fine.

10. Fixtures The home team must also make contact with the referee advising him where and when game will be played. Two days before match No amendment to the venue or time of kick off can be made without prior consent from the Match Secretary DO NOT TEXT REFEREES MAKE SURE YOU SPEAK TO THEM Whilst you may text your players you must speak with the referee as there has been cases where referees have turned up resulting in clubs having to pay.

11. Fixtures Pitch inspections are the responsibility of the ground authority. Local Authority in the case of Public Pitches or Grounds man in the case of private pitches Games should only be put off at the earliest at 6.00pm on the evening before the game. Public pitches are inspected on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Only in exceptional weather conditions and after full consultation with the Match Secretary should a game be called off the day before the match.

12. Fixtures Postponements must be immediately notified to the Match Secretary first Home club must then notify opponents and referee. Failure to notify postponement timeously will result in club being fined £5

13. Home Venue Clubs should notify the Match Secretary of their PREFERRED home venue Where clubs share the pitch it may not always be possible to accommodate all matches at that venue Where there is a clash the Match Secretary can fixture a team on a public pitch if necessary CLUBS HAVE NO RIGHT TO PLAY AT HOME VENUE. The Match Secretary will try as much as possible to accommodate preferred venues but at times it is logistically impossible.

14. Exemption from Fixtures A Free Date from fixture must be applied for in writing 12 days prior to date to Match Secretary E Mails are acceptable Only 4 Free Dates are allowed during course of season A Free Date can cover a team for up to 7 days The starting date and finishing date of the free date should be stipulated, especially if the Free Date is going to cover midweek matches Ask for one day and that is what you will be given All Free Dates must be applied for before 1 st April this is to allow scheduling of Finals etc.

15. Exemption from Fixtures Teams need to ask their players about school trips and activities weeks as no exemption of fixtures will be given unless requested before 1 st of April It is the same with School Examinations midweek fixtures will be scheduled for that time. Remember the players do have study leave so there is no need for cramming the night before.

16. Relief of Fixture Will be granted in the event of two players or a goalkeeper being involved School, Youth or Boys Club representative match on the actual day of the fixture Twenty mile rule for normal schools fixtures on a Saturday

17. Unfulfilled Fixture In any case where a published fixture does not take place the matter will be referred to the Executive Committee The team at fault is liable to being fined the sum of £50 ASK YOUR PLAYERS WELL IN ADVANCE OF EASTER & OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IF THEY ARE GOING AWAY ASK YOUR PLAYERS WELL IN ADVANCE OF EASTER & OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IF THEY ARE GOING AWAY

18. Midweek Fixtures Generally start two weeks after the clocks change They are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays Cup Finals however could be played on any night of the week

19. Preparation for Game Association team lines should be completed giving the names Player ID Numbers Any trialists should be indicated as appropriate Team lines should be handed to referee before commencement of game Ensure players shirt numbers are accurate Any incorrect details could make your team liable for a fine of £10

21. Teamlines You should use official teamlines. They should be correctly and completely filled in and signed. Numbers should correspond with kits worn Failure in above will result in club being fined.

22. Kit Check with opponents their colours Where clash of colours home team must change All kits must be numbered Numbers to be minimum 5 inches high.

23. Kit Tape on socks and undergarments must be the same colour as kit Referees have to enforce this rule as it is part of the Laws of the Game

24. Scottish Cup Voluntary Entry Entry Fee to be paid Different team lines to be used Preliminary and first two rounds against local teams Third round onwards all over Scotland. If playing outside region away team needs to phone match secretary with score.

25. Referee The home team is responsible for contacting the appointed referee Contact must be made at least 48 hours prior to game This should be done before the game

26. Referee In the event of a referee not being available the teams if they so wish mutually agree to an alternative referee Both teams must append a note to team lines agreeing to this If there is no referee papered wait until the Match Secretary calls you

27. Referee The home team is responsible for paying the referee’s fee and expenses This should be done before the game Both team managers should ensure all players line up for boot inspection

28. Referee The referee cannot explain his decisions during the match. Club officials are not entitled to question his decisions. Remember if you openly question his decisions then your players will follow suit. THAT IS DISSENT

29. Referee LAWS of the GAME Number 5 The decisions of the referee concerning facts connected with play are final

30. Referee You must cooperate with the referee The referee has the authority to request team officials to remove themselves from the touchline The referee has the authority to request the assistance of a team official to assist in the control of spectators on the touchline When asked, a team official must provide the referee with his name and position in the club

31. Referee If you have any legitimate concerns regarding the conduct of the referee you must put them in writing to the Association Secretary. You should not write direct to the Referee’s Association. Do not verbally harangue or abuse the referee. Your have also a responsibility to control your players and supporters

32. Referee Referees are appointed by Match Secretary. Their appointment will not be changed just because you have a problem with them.

33. Referee Coaches and club officials have NOT GOT THE RIGHT to question and query decisions.

34. The Game The home team must provide goal nets and corner flags Both home and away teams should each have two match balls. The visiting team’s balls will only be used if the home team ball is declared unplayable or lost. This applies to finals also.

35. The Game On points of fact concerning fitness for ground for play the decision of the referee shall be final Protests concerning condition of ground or appurtenances must be made in writing to the referee prior to start with copy to opponents

36. The Game 13’s & 14’s Thirty-five minutes each way 15’s &16’s Forty minutes each way 17’s & 19’s Forty-five minutes each way

37. The Game All local cup ties and Scottish Cup ties are played to a finish extra time and penalties if required 13s, 14s, 15s & 16s Ten Minutes each way 17s & 19s Fifteen Minutes each way

38. Discipline Players will be advised by the referee the reason for the caution Appeals against caution must be made within 3 days

39. Discipline Six cautions two match ban Ten cautions four match ban Fourteen Cautions six match ban In all cases the CLUB of the player receiving sixth, tenth or fourteenth caution will be fined £15

40. A copy of the misconduct report will be sent to player by post with copy to club Player will be offered Option of accepting report and being suspended in accordance with disciplinary tariff Players not accepting report can opt to appear before Executive Committee where his case will be considered Player is not suspended until such time as he receives letter notifying him of suspension ORDERING OFF

41. Violent Conduct A2.1 Adopting a threatening or aggressive attitude 3 Games A2.2 Punching an opponent / attempting to punch 4 Games A2.3 Kicking an opponent / attempting to kick 4 Games A2.4 Pushing an opponent 2 Games A2.5 Striking an opponent / attempting to strike 4 Games A2.6 Attempted Head-butting 4 Games A2.7 Head to Head confrontation 4 Games A2.8 Eyeball to Eyeball stance 4 Games

42. A1 Serious Foul Play -- two games A4 or A5 Preventing goal scoring opportunity –one game (handling or otherwise) A6 Offensive, insulting or abusive language--- two games A7 Second Caution – one game

43. More serious cases will result in player being cited to appear in front of committee. Player can be accompanied by one club official and one parent or guardian.

44. In all cases where player is suspended CLUB will be fined sum of £15 Where player has accumulated a total of ten matches he will be called before committee and not offered the standard suspension

45. In cases of clubs being reported or complained against. The club will be offered to either accept report, submit written evidence or request to be cited to appear in front of committee. Only two club representatives will be allowed to appear in front of committee.

46. In cases where club official has been reported or complained against the official will be offered to either accept report dispute and submit written evidence or request to be cited to appear before committee Where official has been found guilty club will be fined the sum of £30

47. Discipline All clubs failing to pay fine or other debt within 14 Days will have fine or debt doubled Failure to pay within a further 14 days will result in club being debt suspended Debt suspension can only be lifted on receipt of Which must be at least five days before scheduled fixture. This could result in a club being unable to fulfil a fixture and incurring the sanctions that entails.

48. When paying fines details of the Case Number and club name should be written on back of cheque a fine letter pinned to cheque. If clubs wish to pay direct to bank they should contact Treasurer and get bank details and send E Mail with details of fine when the payment has been made. Fines

49. After the Game Make sure someone supervises players and escorts them back to dressing rooms

50. After the Game Home team must phone score of local match to Match Secretary by 6.00pm at weekend 9.30 pm for midweek matches 01224 821014 Same applies to teams playing Away from home in Scottish Cup Failure to notify results will result in club being fined £5

51. RULES Familiarise yourself with the Rules Copies on websites www.adjfa.org.uk www.scottishyouthfa.co.uk Ignorance is not a defence

52. RULES When writing and expecting a reply always enclose stamped self addressed envelope. Correspondence by E Mail must contain club Name and ID Number

53. CONTACTS ASSOCIATION SECRETARY Neil Paterson Nap18lang@aol.com 07923 057367 MATCH SECRETARY Carol Baxter football@baxteronline.org.uk 01224821014 ASSOCIATION TREASURER Ann McKenzie annmckenzie@btinternet.com 01224 820671

54. Contact All contact should be made direct with the E Mail addresses of Secretary, MATCH Secretary or Treasurer depending upon the matter being addressed. Contact via the website should only be for Adverts on the website. The website is not checked every day so important urgent matters will not be answered.

55. The End PLAN FOR NEXT WEEKS GAME www.adjfa.org.uk