Joint Handbook 2023 2024

14.5 In cases where it is found necessary to stop play owing to the weather or other cause, the Referee must wait a reasonable length of time before deciding on abandonment. 14.6 Referees must report on the relevant form all cases where teams commence a match late or without eleven players on the field of play. Referees must also report their own or any assistant referees ’ late arrival in any matches, and notify those concerned at the time of their intention. Assistant referees must also send an explanation of their late arrival to the Appointing Authority in writing by the method instructed by the Appointing Authority within 3 days of the match. The home Club will be responsible for paying the Match Officials the all - inclusive match fees set by the Appointing Authority on the day of the match in their dressing room, within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the match (including matches abandoned for any reason), or by electronic transfer on the day of the game, or within 48 hours at the latest. In the case of a postponed match over which the Clubs have no control, whether or not gate money is taken, any Match Official who has travelled to the match will be entitled to claim half the all - inclusive match fees from the home Club. Where provided by the home Club, each Match Official must complete and submit a claim form for expenses. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall pay the Officials, if they reasonably attend the ground, their full all - inclusive match fee. The home Club shall be responsible for providing Assistant Referees with distinctive flags of a suitable size in an acceptable condition. 14.9 Three match balls proposed to be used in the match and, if applicable, supplied by the Company under a ball sponsorship agreement must be submitted to and approved by the Referee before the commencement of the match in his/her dressing room. It is the responsibility of the Club playing at home in each match played under the jurisdiction of the Competition to provide match balls in accordance with any match ball agreement signed by the Company. The official Competition match ball must be used in all Competition matches and pre - match warm - ups. 14.10 This rule does not apply 14.11 Match Officials officiating in Competitions using the reporting functionality in The FA ’ s Match Official Administration System (MOAS) must report all breaches of Rule via MOAS within 48 hours of the conclusion of the match. Match Officials officiating in Competitions not using the reporting functionality in MOAS must report all breaches of Rule to the Competition Secretary in writing within three days of the match on the appropriate form by first class post or electronically. 15.1 A Club must notify the Company not later than 31st March each year of its intention to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition at the end of that Playing Season. Failure to do so will make a Club liable to a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Clubs withdrawing from the Competition shall be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 2.17. Clubs not sustaining their resignation shall inform the Competition by 14 April, and shall be charged a re - admission fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff. This Rule shall not operate so as to preclude promotion, relegation or lateral movement of any Club to another competition in accordance with Rule 12. 15.2 If, between the holding of the Company annual general meeting and the commencement of the next Playing Season, any Club either: (i) ceases to operate for any reason; or (ii) gives notice to the Company that it does not intend to compete in the Competition during the next Playing Season then no adjustment shall be made to the number of Clubs participating in the Competition for that Playing Season and the remaining Clubs will form the Competition for that Playing Season. 15.3 If, after the commencement of a Playing Season, any Club either: 15. WITHDRAWAL OF CLUBS

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