LEAGUE MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES – 2023 / 24

Please note that these directives have been updated and should be observed at all times.

The Football Association and club specific Risk Assessments may supersede these directives which are subject to change at any time.

Published by The Hampshire Football Association

Membership Rule 12(f)

(i) For clubs that occupy a clubhouse, the consumption of alcohol in the ground or premises during the period of a match shall be subject to the terms of the Club licence agreement and the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 and/or any successor legislation. Glasses, glass bottles or cans containing alcohol are not permitted outside of the clubhouse and must not be brought into grounds.

(ii) For clubs without a clubhouse (including clubs playing at council pitches), the consumption of alcohol shall not be consumed at the ground, or premises during the period of any match (includes the touchline and changing area). Any affiliated League, Competition, club member, player or other officials and participants in breach of this Rule and the clause above shall be liable to a charge of Misconduct.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Association will determine the area of the ground governed.

Disciplinary matters NOT covered by the FA specifically, particularly actions or statements that may bring the League into disrepute, will be dealt with by the Board.

Where a club consistently infringes FA rules the Board will reserve the right to take the appropriate action to maintain the standards required.

Any club wishing to bring a disciplinary matter to the Board, must put it in writing within seven (7) days of the event, otherwise it will Not be dealt with.

The Board if requested may arbitrate on any disputes, protests, appeals, claims or complaints between two member Clubs in which event, both clubs shall send a non-returnable fee (£500) to the League. Such arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties to the arbitration. 

FA Standardised Rule 16.10 refers.

The Wessex League has England Football Accreditation. 

Clubs that do not have England Football Accreditation Status will pay their annual subscription fee. 

Clubs that have their status removed shall pay an annual bond of £500 until their England Football Accreditation status is reinstated, at which time the annual bond will be repaid.

a)   A Technical Area to suit the requirements of The Football Association Cup Entries is to be marked out by the sides and front of both the home and away team dug outs. 

Only two persons at a time shall occupy the Technical Area; only one person at a time has the authority to convey tactical instructions to players during the match from within the technical area. FA Standardised Rule 8.25 refers.

When it is reported and proven that more than two persons were standing unduly in the technical area or dug out, the offending club will be liable a fine of £50.00 for each additional person. 

Reported breaches will be dealt with by the League.

b)   Only three (3) substitutes out of five (5) can warm up at any one time (from each team) and they must use the touchline opposite the Assistant Referee, or the spare ground behind the barrier. Substitutes and Managerial Staff only, shall occupy the dug outs. They shall remain seated in the dug outs at all times unless warming up in the designated area or when a substitution is made and must be named on the team sheet submitted to the Match Referee.

c)   Coloured bibs supplied by the League must be worn by the substitutes for the duration of the match; until the substitutes replace a member of their team on the field of play.  Bibs must not be shared.

d)   Observers and League Officers shall also make a report on any breach of the directives to the League Secretary but must name the club official that they warned at half time. At full time, if this warning has not been heeded, the club official must be informed that they will be reported.

e)   Any person dismissed from the technical area and bench must return to the changing room area for the duration of the match. In the event that this applies to the Physio and no other person present is available to take over, they are permitted to stay, but will be suspended for the next following competition fixture.

f)  When a player receives a Temporary Dismissal (Sin Bin) Yellow Card from the match referee, they are to wear the Temporary Dismissal (TD bib) supplied by the League for the duration of the dismissal period.

Clubs are responsible for publishing their EAP on their websites and displaying them around their grounds. 

Match balls supplied by the Competition should be used for all Wessex League fixtures; further footballs are available on request at competitive rates from the Competition. 

Failure to use these match balls will result in a fine, £25 minimum to £100 maximum. 

It is the duty of the home club to ensure that a minimum of THREE match balls are available during each match as FA Standardised Rule 14.9.

The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the last Sunday in June.    

All meetings for clubs, called by the League Management Board must be attended by club’s Chairperson, Secretary and if requested the manager or a deputy.

Please take note of a new E20 charge regarding Pitch Invasions and Pyrotechnics which subject to Aggravating or Mitigating circumstances has a sanction of up to £400.

For guidance it is recommended that stewards are allocated to spectators using a ratio of 1:50; the head steward should brief stewards as to their responsibilities prior to each match.

Under no circumstances shall any person or persons be allowed inside the permanent fixed barrier surrounding the playing area during a match.

Clubs will be advised of remedial work required as necessary by the League’s Ground Grading Officer. 

When the work is not completed within the previously advised completion date, a weekly variable financial sanction will be applied until such time as the League’s Ground Grading Officer receives confirmation that the work has been satisfactorily completed.

Hot or cold drinks will be provided at half-time for players and match officials as requested, and refreshments will be provided for invited guests.                                                                                                

After the match hot or cold drinks and solid refreshments shall be provided in the club house in an area set aside for the purpose of entertaining visiting players, match officials and guests.

Any teams and match officials travelling long distances should have a hot or cold drink on arrival if requested.

It is the duty of the home club to contact an authorised Match Official should there be a doubt over the fitness of the pitch.

(i) Inspections – Best Practice Guidelines

Saturday: 11.00

Midweek: 12.00

(a) For clubs travelling to and from the Isle of Wight please allow one additional hour when making inspections on a Saturday.

(b) Match Officials should take into consideration the distance being travelled by the home club’s opponents and the impending weather forecast. 

(c) Should the fixture be postponed the home club MUST fill in the League cancellation form and send it to the League Secretary within 24 hours of the postponement. The home Club shall also contact the League Administration Officer immediately on 07780 496313.                                     

Failure to carry out any of the above will result in the Club being dealt with by the Board as they see fit.

(ii) Instructions and Guidance for Clubs and Match Officials in Determining the Suitability of Grounds in Adverse Weather Conditions.

(a) Each club must take every precaution to ensure that the ground is in a fit playing condition. Only in extreme weather conditions may a game be postponed prior to the day of the game. This decision will be at the discretion of the League Management Board. In these circumstances a match official will not be required to inspect the ground, unless requested to do so by the Board.

(b) In all other circumstances when the home club consider that there may be a doubt regarding the suitability of the playing surface, they will arrange for the match referee (if available) or another Wessex League referee or Level 5 Assistant Referee to make an early decision on the day of the game. If the home club cannot identify an official of the required level to carry out an inspection, they must contact the League Secretary who will determine a suitable person to carry out the inspection.

(c) Home clubs are asked to make prior contact with opponents and match officials to determine when the best time to carry out the inspection will be, taking into account travelling arrangements.

The referee making the inspection must:

(i) Consult with the match referee (before and during the inspection to mutually agree a decision prior to notifying the home club).                                                                

(ii) Notify the home club of the decision.  

(iii) The inspecting referee must sign the Wessex League postponement form, provided by the home club, if the game is postponed.

(iv) Following full consultation with the Match Referee during the inspection, if the ground is declared fit and the away club travel, only in exceptional circumstances and severe deteriorating weather conditions should the Match Referee reverse the decision.              

(v) In the event of match officials travelling to the ground, and the game being postponed, they will be entitled to half match fee (plus ferry expenses if incurred).

(vi) The home club must notify the League Administration Officer on 07780 496313, then their opponents and the match officials of the postponement asap after the decision has been made, and prior to posting on social media.

(vii) The home club must submit the postponement form to the Competition Secretary within 24 hours of the postponement.                                                                                     

(viii) The Match Referee must notify the Referee Observer (if appointed) of the postponement asap.

When making the inspection the Referee must consider the following:                                  

(1) Whether the playing area is dangerous

(2) Whether all public areas of the ground are safe. The views of the groundsman are to be considered (if available) in terms of local knowledge and draining capabilities of the ground in the event of standing water. The existing ground conditions in conjunction with the prevailing weather conditions before and during the match (it is recommended that the Met Office weather forecast is consulted)

Whether or not the pitch conditions could turn farcical

(3) The Referee should inspect the ground in match footwear and use a football to determine whether the surface is playable

(4) Whether the home club have any man power to carry out necessary work to make the ground playable

Frost & Ice

Player safety must be the ultimate factor in determining if a frozen ground can be played

When dealing with frost and ice, the highest temperature of the day is usually around midday and early afternoon. When consulting the weather forecast take into account the projected temperature during the period of the game.

The standard kick-off times shall be as follows:

Saturday matches – 3.00pm

Midweek matches – 7.45pm

In the event that both clubs are unable to agree an alternative kick-off time, the Fixtures Secretary will determine the kick-off time and inform the Secretary of both clubs of the decision.

Details of the Wessex League AGM and Presentation event shall be provided by the Competitions Secretary.

Referees Fee £70.00

Assistant Referees Fee £50.00

In addition, Referees and Assistant Referees will be entitled to ferry charges at the cheapest rate available. The cost of car parking for one car at the ferry port will also be allowed to be claimed. No other travelling costs will be paid.

The total maximum possible cost for match officials, excluding ferry charges will therefore be £155.00.

When a fixture is postponed by the appointed match referee, half of the match fees are to be paid.

All financial transactions to the League, Transfer Forms, Registrations Forms, fees and fines, should be paid by BACS or by cheque and made payable to ‘The Wessex Football League’.

For BACS payments:

Account name: Wessex Football League

Account No: 00815520 

Sort code: 30-97-58

Cash will not be accepted under any circumstances.

A player may renew registration with his club on or after 1st April in each season. Other players may sign with a club on or after the Monday following the second Saturday in May. These players will not be registered by the Competition until the Monday following the second Saturday in May.

All programmes must contain the following adverts: MJM Sports, AWAAZ and FA Respect as approved by the Board. These can be downloaded from the League website.

Players must wear the numbers on their shirts that are printed in the match programme and shown on the team sheet if these were submitted within the stipulated time as per Rule. Players first names must be provided.

It is a league requirement that clubs must produce a programme for each home game in the league, league cup, FA Cup, FA Vase and county senior cup. Clubs can choose to either print their programme or have an online version, but may not alternate. Online programmes must be submitted to the League Media Officer 24 hours prior to kick-off.

The programme competition will run again this season, you will be advised of two dates in the season when programmes are to be submitted to an address as notified.

Clubs failing to comply with this request will subject to a fine as determined by the Board.

Anti-racist notices supplied by the competition must be prominently displayed in the Dressing rooms and to Officials and Spectators. Failure to do so will result in the club being automatically fined £50.

All clubs will be responsible for ensuring FA Standardised Rules and League Directives and rules are adhered to.

The use of unacceptable language related to Gender, Sexuality, Disabilities, Racial Origins or Ethnicity or Religion will be covered by this directive.

Any infringement concerning racist behaviour will be reported by the referee, as misconduct, including a report of action taken.

Any infringement of the above by Spectators or Club Officials may first be dealt with by the relevant FA then by the League under FA Standardised Rules 4.2 and 17.

Any queries or questions regarding racist remarks, comments or actions, or any advice regarding youth protection; you should contact the League Race Relations and Youth Protection Officer.

Further information can be found via our Equality statement

With every club now having an email address; FA Standardised Rule 8.12 refers; the Competition requires that all Clubs submit their results, from all competitive matches, including goal scorers and attendances by this method within three (3) days of the match to Full-Time and the League Results Secretary.

Clubs are responsible for publishing their Risk Assessment details on their websites and these should be easily accessible.

Clubs have been issued with electronic boards to be used when making substitutions during matches. Home and Away clubs must use these boards for all Wessex League and Cup fixtures.

It is not acceptable for visiting clubs to request to share the board of the home club.   

Clubs are responsible for their own electronic boards in terms of damage; faulty boards should be reported to the League’s Competition Secretary in order to arrange the loan of a spare board for the duration of the repair period. 

Clubs failing to comply will be dealt with under FA Standardised Rule 4.8.

Both teams should exchange teamsheets in the presence of the referee, also giving the referee a copy, at least 60 minutes before kick-off. 

The team captain and one of the management team who is listed as a technical area occupant will be present at the teamsheet exchange.

Where clubs have warm up areas other than on the designated playing area (i.e. the pitch) – visiting clubs are instructed to comply with the home clubs wish regarding the use of allocated warm up areas. 

Please respect the home club’s facilities, failure to comply will be dealt with under FA Standardised Rule 4.8.

Each club has been provided with an all-weather, Drywipe whiteboard to be used for listing the appointed match officials and both squads on match days. 

These whiteboards must be used and displayed in a prominent position for all fixtures, failure to comply will be dealt with under FA Standardised Rule 4.8.