Joint Handbook 2023 2024

Acted as an Officer without the FA having given written confirmation to the Club in accordance with the FA ’ s Owners ’ and Directors ’ Regulations that the individual may so act; then the individual/entity or Club shall be subject to such fine or other sanction as may be determined by The FA. In the event that the Competition receive a Notice from the FA issued in accordance with the FA ’ s Owners ’ and Directors ’ Test Regulations for the suspension of that Club ’ s Competition membership, then that Club shall be suspended from the Competition with effect from 14 days from the date of the Notice. An appeal of the effect of the Notice is to the FA and can only be made by the affected Club and in accordance with the appeal procedures set out in the FA Owners ’ and Directors ’ Test Regulations. The effect of the Notice shall be suspended pending the outcome of an appeal. The FA shall advise the Competition and the Club in writing where it becomes satisfied that a Disqualifying Condition as defined in the FA Owners ’ and Directors ’ Test no longer applies. Upon receipt of this written notification from The FA, the Competition may remove the suspension of the Club ’ s Competition membership. Where a Club is suspended and that causes a match in the Competition not to be played, the Board shall determine how the outcome of that match shall be treated. 2.17 Within fourteen days of a change in a Significant Interest at a Club or the appointment or removal of any director of a Club, written notice thereof, together with such details as are required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies, shall be deposited at the Competition Office 2.18 If during the course of a season the Board decide that the organisation and management or finances of a particular Club fall below the standards appropriate to membership of the Competition, the Competition Secretary shall be instructed to warn the Club at once that it may be excluded from membership of the Competition at the end of that playing season. Such a Club shall have the right to appeal to the FA within 14 days of the date of notification of the Board ’ s decision. 2.19 The Competition, through the Board shall be empowered from time to time by subscription, levy or otherwise to require Clubs to contribute such sum or sums of money to the funds of the League as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the League. Such contributions by Clubs may be collected by deduction from sums due to Clubs under any promotion agreement, commercial agreement or from sponsorship money due or by whatever means the Board shall think fit. There shall be added to any sums to be contributed from Clubs, if applicable, Value Added Tax at the then prevailing rate. 2.20 Any Club failing to be represented throughout an Annual General Meeting or any other General Meeting called in accordance with the Rules without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2.21 The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination. 2.22 The Competition and each Club does not and must not [by its rules or regulations or] in any manner whatsoever unlawfully discriminate against any person within the meaning and scope of the Equality Act 2010 or any law, enactment, order or regulation relating to discrimination (whether by way of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability, or otherwise). 2.23 The Competition and each Club shall make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability, or otherwise. 2.24 Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate sanctioning Association for investigation. 2.25 Each Club shall comply with the provisions of Appendix C – the ‘ Licencing System ’, as approved by the FA Council from time to time. 3. MEMBERSHIP – ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 3.1 Any Club allocated for membership of the Company shall submit to the Company a fully completed Membership application form, the application fee and non - refundable ground inspection fee set out in the Fees Tariff (also see Rule 2.5)

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