PDFL Handbook 2019-2020

Rules (Cont)

The Board shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for Competi- tion Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition Match(es) on another ground. Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required per- formance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register. The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20(C). Within the National League System (“NLS”) all Competition Matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes. All Competition Matches outside of the NLS shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consul- tation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two Teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes. The times of kick-off shall be 2pm for all matches, fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the Competition Match with written notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. The Veterans Development Division fixtures will comprise of a mixture of midweek, Saturday/ Sunday fixtures allowing Clubs flexibility. The home team will be responsible for setting the fix- ture day and kick off time. All teams will be given a fixture window to play their respected games. Notes for Veterans Development Divisions ONLY: At the start of the season the office will schedule fixtures for the month coming up i.e. October fixture sorted in September, Novem- ber’s in October etc. This is to give teams enough time to notify their squads that is when they are playing. Managers are encouraged to start arranging matches early (call or text) and get games in the calendar in advance so squads know, and players can arrange to be available accordingly. It isn’t just the prerogative of the home team to set the communications in motion, the away team are encouraged to call and get the process under way by asking when the home team like to play i.e. midweek, Sunday afternoon/morning and offering dates that they can play the game. The home team should then check pitch availability and then reply to the other team. It should take no longer than 2/3 days after the initial contact to be able to reply with a date/dates and get it in the diary. Teams can also offer to switch the fixture i.e. go to the opposition for a midweek game if getting a Sunday fixture sorted is an issue or vice versa. Costs then need to be sorted as to who pays what between the teams. Notifying PDFL of fixtures. This again isn’t just the responsibility of the home team. If you as the away team have agreed a fixture with an opposition, you can notify the league so they can put it in fixture list. If both teams undertake to do it then it isn’t missed. Home teams still have to sort a referee and tell the PDFL who has been allocated. Or they can request the League to appoint one.