Changes to league rules agreed
A number of changes and amendments to the existing eircom League rules were agreed at a Special General Meeting held last Wednesday, October 26th, including an amendment to league membership which would have seen Shamrock Rovers thrown out of the league in 2005.
Rovers’ FAI Club License was withdrawn earlier in the season as part of the punishment for irregularities in accounts furnished to the licensing body.
The Hoops were deemed fortunate to keep their place in the league at the time, and that feeling is strengthened by the amendment to the membership regulations which states: “If a Licence is withdrawn for any reason membership of the League will cease on the date the Licence has been withdrawn.”
The full list of amendments and changes are as follows:
Rule 3 – Definitions
Insert new definitions as follows:
“Club Licensing” – The system and process under which Clubs are granted League and UEFA Licences.
“Licence” – Any Licence granted under the FAI Club Licensing Manual granting admission into the FAI National League and UEFA Club Competitions.
Rule 4 – Objects
Insert new rule as follows:
(k) To be bound by the Club Licensing system and process set out in the FAI Club Licensing Manual as approved by the FAI Board of Management and Council for the FAI National League and the executive body of UEFA club competitions. (see Rule 5(f) FAI Rules)
Rule 6 - Membership
Insert new rule 6.1.1 (e): the Club Licensing Manual and process;
Amend rules 6.1.1 (e), (f), (g) and (h) to rules 6.1.1 (f), (g), (h) and (i) respectively.
Insert new sentence after “Rules” in line 4: “In order to qualify for membership of the League, a club must have been issued with a Licence in accordance with the FAI Club Licensing Manual. If a Licence is withdrawn for any reason membership of the League will cease on the date the Licence has been withdrawn.”
Rule 6.2 - Insert new sentence after “First Division”:
The structure of the League will be a matter for the League to decide once it has been notified of the Club Licences which have been issued for any given season.
Insert new rule 6.6.3: Arbitration does not apply to Club Licensing decisions.
Delete rule 6.3.4: (This is now solely a matter for the Licensing Committee)
Rule 19 – Registration of Players
Insert new sentence at end of Rule 19.3:
Contracts, schedules and registration papers will be copied and shared with the Club Licensing Department of the FAI in order to satisfy Licensing Requirements. These documents will be held in the strictest confidence by the FAI Club Licensing Department.
Rule 20.30 – European Competitions
Insert new rule 20.30 (iv):
Clubs qualifying for a UEFA club competition must fulfill Licensing criteria together with any specific regulations for the competition concerned. The admission process falls under the sole jurisdiction of UEFA and its competent bodies. Clubs who qualify must also play in a UEFA Licensed ground.
Section 7 – Disputes/Appeal Procedures/Arbitration
Include new Rule 24 as follows:
‘Section 7 does not apply to Club Licensing Disputes or Appeals and Arbitration does not apply to Club Licensing’
Second Schedule – Disciplinary Procedures
Insert new rule 7 as follows:
Disciplinary Procedures as set out in the Second Schedule do not apply to Club Licensing matters.
Rule 19 – The Independent Tribunal
Insert new sentence after “appeal” at end of rule 19.25:
Any Club seeking an Independent Tribunal must deposit a bank draft in the amount of €5,000 made payable to the eircom League before being permitted to engage in the proceedings of an Independent Tribunal.
Any player seeking an Independent Tribunal must deposit a bank draft in the amount of €500 made payable to the eircom League before being permitted to engage in the proceedings of an Independent Tribunal.
The Independent Tribunal shall be the sole arbiter in determining costs to be paid by a Club who loses a case either against a player or another Member Club. Such costs may exceed the initial deposit of €5,000 lodged with the eircom League.
In the event of a player losing a case at an Independent Tribunal, the maximum costs that can be awarded against him by the Independent Tribunal is the initial €500 deposit.
Insert new section:
Section 10 – Official Club Publications and Comment by Employees
Rule 26. All Member Clubs are responsible for the content of all materials appearing in official club publications including but not limited to match programmes and web sites.
The Board of Control reserves the right under Rule 21 to charge any Member Club, or their officials, employees, managers or players with objectionable conduct for a breach of this Rule. In exercising this power, the Board of Control shall follow the procedures laid down in Rule 21.7. Comments made in the media by any of their officials, employees, manager or players are also subject to the provisions of this rule.
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