SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
Article 1: Abbreviations
1) Abbreviations in full:
CAF – Confederation of African Football
CECAFA – Council of East & Central Africa Football Associations
DFA – District Football Association
FBL – FUFA Big League
FAC – FUFA Authorized Competitions
FCC – FUFA Competitions Committee
FCR – FUFA Competitions Rules
FDP – FUFA Disciplinary Panel
FEDC – FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code
FIFA – Federation of International Football Associations
FJC – FUFA Judicial Commission
FLC – FUFA Licensing Committee
FRSC – FUFA Referees Standing Committee
FOC – FUFA Organized Competitions
FUFA – Federation of Uganda Football Associations
FWEL – FUFA Women Elite League
FWSL – FUFA Women Super League
GoU – Government of the Republic of Uganda
NADO – National Ant-doping Organization
NSA – National Sports Arbitration Mechanism as established in the National Sports Act, 2023
RADO – Regional Ant-doping Organization
LOC – League Organizing Committee
RH – Rights Holder
RFA – Regional Football Association
SCR – Specific Competition Regulations
Sports Act – National Sports Act, 2023
TOC – Tournament Organizing Committee
UA(s) – Unit of Account equivalent to 1000 Uganda Shillings
Article 2: Terms and Phrases
1) The terms and phrases herein shall bear meaning as defined in FUFA Rules unless specific definition has been made for the FCR
2) Academy means a FUFA Licensed Football Academy. Club Academy means an Academy operated and owned by a Club.
3) Club means the players, officials and fans of one the teams in a football competition or football competition match.
4) Double Player means a player registered by a club on a Twin License
5) Fan means the registered and unregistered persons present at a match or in the area of the radius of 1km from centre of pitch of the venue of the match who verbally, physically and logically express support of that team
6) Foreign Player Means a player who does not have a Ugandan nationality
7) FUFA Authorized Competitions means competitions or matches organized by entities outside FUFA Membership and drawing the use of FUFA resources inclusive of registered players, FUFA certified match officials, owned and registered venues by FUFA and its Members or members of FUFA Member associations
FJC shall mean FUFA Judicial Commission. References to the FJC in these regulations shall include the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and the panels/chambers.
8) FUFA Official Matches Means football matches organized by FUFA or its delegated entity
9) FUFA Organized Competitions means Competitions or matches played under direct auspices of FUFA and its member clubs and associations or members of FUFA member associations in decentralized structures including RFAs, Provinces and DFAs
10) FUFA Rules means the Statutes, Regulations, Relevant Circulars and Decisions of FIFA, CAF and FUFA
11) Game Time means the duration of the game starting three (3) hours before kick-off of the match to three (3) hours after the last whistle.
12) Goal Aggregate means the aggregate sum of the goals scored and goals conceded for each of the 2 teams in a 2-leg knockout competition. In event of a tie of goals for both teams, Goal Aggregate will also mean that the team with more goals away from home shall get one extra goal (Away goal)
13) Loanee Club means a club to which a player is loaned
14) Loaner Club means a club that has a contract with a player but opts (with the player consent) to loan such a player to another club
15) Match Crew means the following persons and shall compose:
Registered Staff, Players, and Officials of the day’s participating clubs,
Staff and personnel of the TOC,
Staff, and Officials of the stadium/ground hosting the match
Staff, and Officials of FUFA
Match Officials of the day’s match
Host Broadcast team member
Official representatives of sponsors and commercial partners
16) Match Day List means the list of players eligible to play for a specific match
17) Minor Player means a player who is below 18 years
18) National Sports Arbitration (NSA) means the Arbitration Mechanism as established in the National Sports Act, 2023
19) National Team Youth Player means a Youth Player who has been capped before by any of the National Teams
20) Player Passport means the FUFA Record indicating the Bio Data of the player, the FUFA Registered Scout who identified the player, the various Clubs and Academies at which the player is registered while in development
21) Primary Owner means one of the two (2) clubs for which a Double Player is eligible to play that has a contractual obligation with the player
22) Professional League Club means a club licensed to play in the 1st or 2nd Division leagues for men or the 1st division league for women. It shall also be called the Club for these regulations
23) Representative means an Adult Person of Sound Mind who is one of the Parents or Guardian or another Person appointed by Powers of Attorney registered with FUFA by the Parent or Guardian to represent a Minor Player by negotiating and signing a Youth Agreement on his/her behalf
24) Secondary Owner means the other club for which a Double Player is eligible to play that is not the Primary Owner
25) Single License means the license issued to a player to be eligible to play FUFA official matches for one club for the season
26) Single Player means a player registered by a club on a Single license
27) Twin License means the license issued to a player to be eligible to play FUFA official matches for two (2) different clubs for a half-season
28) Youth Agreement means the agreement between the minor player and an Academy signed by his/her Representative on behalf of the minor player
29) Youth Player means a player who is below 23 years
Article 3: Interpretation
1) Unless the context otherwise requires:
a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa;
b) Words importing any particular gender shall include all other genders
c) Referees shall mean Centre and Assistant Referees and 4th Officials and any other appointed official as per Laws of the game
d) The headings and any formatting style in these Rules are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation
e) These Rules shall remain in force until another set of rules are put in place by FUFA
Article 4: Leading Opinion
1) The spirit behind these rules is aimed at promoting Fair Play as per Annex 1 of these rules
2) The FJC shall apply and enforce these rules upon receiving a report, complaint, or a petition filed by any party offended and may apply and enforce these rules upon their own finding of any infringements.
3) Infringements to these regulations that are also prohibitions in the Sports Act shall be prosecuted in accordance with these regulations for the violations and sanctions issued as prescribed here in but any information as may be sought and/or final case report will be shared with the Government Authorities for further action
Article 6 Structures
1) FUFA is the FIFA recognized MA mandated to run and oversee all association and authorized football activities in Uganda.
2) FCC is a standing committee of FUFA that is responsible for organizing and supervising football competitions. It also advises the FUFA executive committee with matters concerning football competitions in Uganda.
3) Committees and their Competitions Functions
a) FUFA Licensing Committee (FLC)
The FUFA Standing Committee that is required to manage the licenses issued by FUFA to clubs, competition organizers, academies, coaches, agents etc. It is mandated to collect and compile the licensee data, evaluate the data and award or not award and revoke the license based on FUFA Licensing regulations.
b) FUFA Players Status Committee (FPSC)
The FUFA Standing Committee in charge of the status and Transfer of both male and Female players in accordance with the FIFA and FUFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of players.
c) FUFA Referees Standing Committee (FRSC)
The FUFA Standing Committee responsible for development, appointment and technical Assessment of Referees and Match Assessors.
d) FUFA Security and Safety Committee (FSSC)
The FUFA Standing Committee in charge of Safety and Security that is mandated to advice on security matters of FUFA Competitions and International Matches organized in Uganda. It may recommend to the TOC the level of security required for a particular competition or match.
e) FUFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (FDRC)
It is a judicial body mandated to handle all contractual disputes between clubs, players and coaches in accordance with the FUFA Rules.
f) Football Disciplinary Panel (FDP)
The FDP is mandated to enforce ON-FIELD breaches of the FUFA Competitions Rules and all other FUFA Regulations that do not require investigations, urgent or raise no difficult factual or legal issues. In case of doubt whether the breach in issue is On-Field or whether FDP has jurisdiction, the Chairman of FUFA Disciplinary committee.
(Adjudicatory) shall make a ruling on the issue and his/her decision shall be final.
FDP shall have jurisdiction to all FUFA Competitions provided for in the FUFA Statute and FUFA Competition Rules. Regional Member Associations may have their own First Instance Disciplinary panels or TOC as first instance bodies
g) FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee (FEDC)
The FUFA Judicial Body that is mandated to investigate and adjudge on field matters of misconduct, offensive behaviour, threats, force, violence, and it is mandated to investigate and adjudge matters related to Ethics & Integrity in sports administration, doping, forgery and falsification, bribery, corruption, non-discrimination, offering and acceptance of gifts and other benefits, integrity of matches and competitions etc. The FJC shall also work as an Appeal Body for decisions made by lower competition judicial units.
h) FUFA Appeals Committee (FAC)
The FUFA Judicial Body that works as an Appeal Body for the decisions of the FDP, FUFA Players Status Committee, Dispute Resolution Chamber, FRSC and FUFA Licensing Committee. Only the decisions of the FAC that are listed as final in the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code any not be appealed against. The rest of the FAC decisions may be appealed against in accordance with NSA.
Article 7: Duties
1) In addition to the other roles specified in the FCR and the rest of the FUFA Rules, it is the duty of the clubs to undertake the following responsibilities in competitions:
a) Identification of the persons at their respective matches once required
b) Enforcing the FUFA Rules upon their constituent members thus players, officials and the fans
c) Preparation and representation of the teams for matches as required by the FUFA Rules
d) Provision of Medical Services to their respective players and officials at matches and all time
2) In addition to the other roles specified in the FCR and the rest of the FUFA Rules, it is
specifically the duty of the Home Team to undertake the following responsibilities at
matches:
a) Provision of Security Services
b) Provision of Ambulance (For the 1st Division League (Men))
c) Ensuring that the Television Crew and Equipment have Security and Logistics required
d) Provision of Ball Boys
e) Provision of Match Balls
f) Ensuring that the prerequisite technical equipment and standards of the match in line with the Laws of the Game
3) Failure to undertake the duties in article 7(1) and (2) above may lead to disciplinary action
in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
4) The SCR may specify the duties of the TOC for specific Competitions that may include the duties in article 7(1) and (2) above
Article 8: Doping
1) Doping is the use of a substance(s) that could have the effect of artificially improving or reducing the player’s physical and /or mental condition and so augmenting artificially his athletic performance.
2) Doping is strictly forbidden by the FUFA, CAF, FIFA and the GoU.
3) The FUFA medical committee and/or NADO or RADO may randomly ask players without prior notice to provide their organic substance samples for the doping tests.
4) The FJC may only issue provisional sanctions for cases of violation of Doping Regulations.
5) Matters of violating Doping regulations will be managed in accordance with the Sports Act
Article 9: Communication
1) The following means of communication shall be the accepted official communication
means:
a) When written communication is received and signed for by any of the registered officials of the recipient;
b) When delivered to the premises of the recipient and signed for;
c) When posted and proof of post is acquired;
d) When faxed and positive fax transmission report is obtained; and
e) When an e-mail of the official document is sent to the Chairman’s and/or the CEO’s and/or Club’s registered e-mail addresses. (For avoidance of doubt, not checking email boxes shall not be an accepted reason for not receiving a communication).
f) When information is passed or delivered by digital means in form of an e-meeting with established proof of receipt
2) Each communicating party may endeavour to use more than one of the above means to communicate.
Article 10: FUFA Club License
1) FUFA CLUB LICENCE is the license issued by the FUFA Licensing Committee to all clubs/teams that apply and are evaluated to be appropriate and to acceptable standards to participate in FUFA Competitions in accordance with the FUFA Club Licensing Regulations.
2) All Clubs/Teams Participating in FUFA Competitions shall be required to present a FUFA Club license to the TOC before they are included in the competition.
3) Any organized FUFA Competition that includes a team without a FUFA Club License shall be null and void.
4) Any TOC that violates Rule 10(1)(2)(3) shall be liable to disciplinary action. The sanctions may include FUFA withdrawing the Football Competition Organizing license/Authority from such TOC.
Article 11: Club Name and Ownership
1) The name of the club shall be as indicated on the Certificate of Registration issued by FUFA.
2) The owners of the Club shall be as indicated in the FUFA Clubs Owners’ Register.
3) No individual or group of individuals or legal person(s) shall have control in more than one club.
4) Change of ownership shall be in accordance with FUFA Club Ownership Regulations
5) Any matter not provided for herein shall be guided by the FUFA Club Ownership Regulations
SECTION II: COMPETITIONS PROVISIONS
Article 12: Formats of Football Competitions
1) League: This shall be a competition where all participating teams shall play against each other on a home-away basis over a period of time.
2) Mini-League: This shall be a competition where teams shall play against each other in groups in over one leg basis.
3) Mixed-Format Competition: This is a competition where participating teams are drawn into groups and group teams playing against each other on league or mini-league basis with qualification to the knock-out being determined by the TOC
4) Knock-Out Competition: This is a competition where the winning team of each pair of teams competing qualifies to the next competition.
5) Any other format as may be approved by the FUFA President and the FUFA CEO
Article 13: Number of Teams in a Competition
1) For a league format, the competition shall not have less than five (5) teams and not more than twenty-six (26) teams.
Article 14: Determining the Winner
1) Official Titles of Winners and Trophy Protocols
The winners of the following competitions shall be declared by FUFA and the trophy for the such winners shall be handed over by the FUFA President or his designee:
a) 1st Division League (Men)
b) 2nd Division league (Men)
c) 1st Division league (Women)
d) The Uganda Cup
e) The FUFA Drum
2) The winners of the competitions below shall officially be referred as follows:
a) ONLY 1st Division League (Men) as the Ugandan Champions.
b) ONLY 2nd Division League (Men) as the Ugandan Victors
c) ONLY 1st Division League (Women) as the Ugandan Empresses
d) ONLY Uganda Cup as the Ugandan Cup Holders
e) ONLY FUFA Drum as the Ugandan Giants
3) All other winners of other competitions organized and/or authorized by FUFA shall be officially referred as respective competitions winners. The winner of such competitions shall be declared by the TOC.
4) League, Mini League and group stage of Mixed-Format Competition
a) Each team participating in a league or mini-league match shall be awarded three (3) points for a win, one (1) point for a draw, and zero (0) points for a loss. FUFA may draw specific regulations for some specific competitions.
b) The winner shall be team at the top of the final table standing.
c) The positions on table standing at all times throughout the league or mini league shall be ranked on the following priority order from top to bottom considering cumulative statistics from the first to the last recognized matches of the competition
i) Total Number of Points Accumulated
ii) If Rule 14(4) (c)(i) does not separate the teams, then the better team, between the tying teams, by the Head-to-Head (Using the goal aggregate system) will be ranked above the other(s)
iii) If Rule 14(4) (c)(ii) does not separate the teams, then the better team, between the tying teams, by virtual points will be ranked above the other(s). For purposes of this provision, virtual points shall be the one (1) extra point earned by the teams that win their match by 2-goal or more goal margin
iv) If Rule 14(4) (c)(iii) does not separate the teams, then the better team, between the tying teams, by the difference between the Goals Scored against the Goals Conceded will be ranked above the other(s)
v) If Rule 14(4) (c)(iv) does not separate the teams, then the better team, between the tying teams, with a superior number of Goals Scored will be ranked above the other(s)
vi) If Rule 14(4) (c)(v) does not separate the teams, then the better team, between the tying teams, with an inferior number of fair-play points will be ranked above the other(s)
For the purpose of this provision, fair-play points will be calculated as 3 points for a red card and 1 point for a yellow card and totaled up per team throughout the competition
vii) If Rule 14(4) (c)(vi) does not separate the teams, then the FUFA Executive will take a decision to rank such teams including but not limited tossing a coin for tournament played with a mini league format or a fully replay between the tying teams for the league format
5) Knock-Out (Cup) Format Competition
a) If the TOC Rules indicate that the knockout competition is played over one (1) leg;
i) The team with more goals at the end of the one leg will be declared the winner of that match.
ii) If the teams are still tying by 14(5)(a)(i) above at the end of the match, the TOC Rules shall detail if extra time shall be played to determine the winner and the team with more goals after extra time will be the winner of the match.
iii) If the teams are not separated by 14(5)(a)(ii) above, the winner of the Penalties (penalty shoot-out) mark shall be the winner.
iv) If the teams are not separated by 14(5)(a)(iii) above, a coin may be tossed to determine the winner where time cannot allow for Penalties (penalty shoot-out) or their continuation.
b) If the TOC Rules indicate that the knockout competition is played over two legs;
i) The team with a better goal aggregate at the end of the second leg match shall be the winner of the tie.
ii) If teams are still tying by rule 14(5) b (i) above, the team with greatest number of away goals scored in the matches between the concerned teams shall determine the winner
iii) If the teams are not separated by 14(5)(b)(ii) above, the winner of the Penalties (penalty shoot-out) mark shall be the winner.
iv) If the teams are not separated by 14(5)(b)(iii) above, a coin may be tossed to determine the winner where time cannot allow for Penalties (penalty shoot-out) or their continuation.
Article 15: Football Competitions Structures
1) The Uganda League System shall comprise of the following leagues;
a) FUFA 1st Division League
b) FUFA 2nd Division League
c) FUFA 3rd Division League
d) FUFA 4th Division League
e) FUFA 5th Division League
2) FUFA also organizes other football competitions, namely:
a) FUFA Uganda Cup
b) FUFA Women Super League
c) FUFA Women Elite League
d) FUFA Women’s Cup
e) FUFA Juniors League
f) The FUFA Drum
g) FUFA Super 8
h) FUFA Super Cup
i) FUFA Primary Competitions (Odilo)
j) Any other competition that the FUFA Executive Committee may approve may formulate or in accordance with FUFA Regulations for Authorized competitions, FUFA or Member of FUFA may take part in authorized competitions
1st Division League
3) The 1st Division League shall be the highest league in Uganda. This competition shall be managed as provided for by the FUFA Statutes and in accordance with the 1st division rules. The Body authorized or delegated by FUFA to manage the 1st Division league shall be the TOC.
4) The 1st Division League shall be run as a national league competition.
5) Only Clubs Licensed by FUFA for the season for the 1st Division shall be eligible to participate in this competition.
2nd Division League
6) The 2nd Division League shall be the second-tier (men) league in Uganda. This competition shall be managed by the FCC as the TOC.
7) If the clubs comprising the 2nd Division League are more than 16 before the start of the season, the competition shall be comprised of two (2) groups.
8) The FCC shall name each of the groups.
9) If the clubs comprising the 2nd Division League are less than 17, the competition shall be run on a one group league format basis.
10) Where the 2nd Division League comprises of a single group the three clubs at the top of the final table standing shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for the 1st Division League of the next season.
11) Where the 2nd Division League comprises of two (2) groups the club at the top of the final table standing of each of the two (2) groups shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for the 1st Division League of the next season.
12) The third club that shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for the 1st Division League of the next season as promoted from the 2nd Division League shall be determined through play-offs
13) The First Runners Up and Second Runners Up in each group shall be involved in a one-leg play off under the format below;
a) The First Runners Up club in first group will play host to the second Runners Up club in the second group at a neutral ground determined by the FCC.
b) The First Runners Up club in the second group will play host to the second Runners Up club in the first group at a neutral ground determined by the FCC.
c) The winning teams in Article 15(13)(a) and 15(13)(b) above shall play a one-leg final at a neutral ground determined by the FCC.
d) The winner in Article 15(13)(c) above shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for the 1st Division League of the next season.
14) Only Clubs Licensed by FUFA for the season for the 2nd Division shall be eligible to participate in this competition.
3rd Division League
15) Each of the RFA shall organize a league played over a football season in order to determine club that is eligible for promotional play-offs to the 2 nd Division League. The league shall also be known as the 3rd Division League. Each 3rd Division League shall be run by the respective RFA or its designee as the TOC.
16) In the event that RFA fails to execute its mandate in 15(15) above, FUFA shall determine course of action.
17) The minimum number of teams in a group in a 3rd Division League shall be eight (8)
18) The maximum number of group teams in a 3rd Division League shall be twenty-six (26).
19) If the clubs comprising a particular 3rd Division League are more than sixteen (16) at the start of the season, the competition shall be comprised of two (2) groups and each group will be run as a league competition in accordance with Article 15(13) of these regulations.
20) The FUFA CEO shall approve the name of each of the group as proposed by the RFA Executive.
21) If the clubs comprising a particular 3rd Division League are less than sixteen (16) the competitions shall be run on a league format basis.
22) Where the 3rd Division League comprises of a single group the club at the top of the final table standing shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for the 2nd Division League of the next season subject to promotional play-offs
23) Where there are two (2) groups in a particular 3rd Division League the club that shall be eligible for the 2nd Division League of the next season shall be determined through play-offs.
24) The top Club in each group shall be involved in a one-leg play off to determine the 3rd Division League winner at a neutral ground determined by the TOC
25) In order to determine the 3rd Division League teams that are sportingly eligible for club licensing to play in the 2nd Division League the following season, the 3rd Division League Winners from the 8 RFAs will be paired as following and will play on a home-away knock-out basis to determine the 4 teams;
a) 3rd Division League Winners (Buganda RFA) vs. 3rd Division League Winners (Kampala RFA)
b) 3rd Division League Winners (Kitara RFA) vs. 3rd Division League Winners (Western RFA)
c) 3rd Division League Winners (West Nile RFA) vs. 3rd Division League Winners (Northern RFA)
d) 3rd Division League Winners (North East RFA) vs. 3rd Division League Winners (Eastern RFA)
26) FCC will be TOC for the above matches and will conduct draws to determine which team plays home first.
27) The appointment of match officials for the regional play off to determine RFA winner shall be done by FRSC.
28) Only Clubs Licensed by FUFA for the season for the 3rd Division shall be eligible to participate in this competition.
4th and 5th Division Leagues
29) The 4th and 5th Division leagues played over a football season and comprising of clubs from the respective DFA shall be organized by the respective DFA or its designee under supervision of the respective RFA.
30) The 4th and 5th Division Leagues format shall be specified in FUFA Regulations on lower league competitions.
31) Only DFAs that are full members of the respective RFA shall be eligible to organize the 4th Division leagues.
32) DFAs that are full or after suspension or provisional RFA Members shall be eligible to organize the 5th Division League.
33) A new Club joining the Uganda League System shall only be eligible to join the 5th Division League.
34) One DFA that is a full member of RFA may authorize a club to transfer from that DFA to another in writing maintaining the same level of the league within the same Region and upon consent in writing by the receiving DFA.
FUFA Uganda Cup
35) The Uganda Cup shall be highest Cup competition in Uganda
36) The Uganda Cup is compulsory for all clubs in the 1st and 2nd Divisions at round of 64 and 3rd Division League clubs at lower rounds and optional for other clubs.
37) Any Club in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Division Leagues that does not participate in this competition shall be liable for disciplinary action. The corrective measure or disciplinary action may include one or a combination of the following;
a) Deduction of League Points
b) Monetary Fines
c) Future Exclusion from the Competition
d) Suspension from the respective League
e) Demotion to Lower League
38) The Competition shall be played as a knock-out competition starting at the level of 64 Clubs but any other format may be used in the qualification stages.
39) The Uganda Cup Rules will detail other provisions for this competition.
40) This competition shall be run by the FCC as the TOC.
All Other Competitions Organized and/or Authorized by FUFA
41) Such Competitions shall be authorized as per FUFA Regulations on Authorized Competitions and managed as detailed in the respective competition rules with written authority from FUFA.
Article 16: Representation in International Club Competitions
1) Subject to Club Licensing decisions and/or disciplinary reasons, FUFA reserves the final authority to determine the club to represent Uganda in all International club competitions without compromising sporting integrity.
2) The club that is selected to represent Uganda in the CAF Club Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup shall pay a refundable security deposit of US $ 10,000 (US Dollars ten thousand only) to FUFA before their participation application is forwarded to CAF.
3) Dues accrued by the Club as provided for in FUFA, CAF and FIFA Statutes and Regulations shall be deducted from this security deposit.
4) The final table standing of the 1st Division League (Men) shall provide the priority order of eligibility to represent Uganda in the CAF Club Champions League and CECAFA Club Championship.
5) The final table standing of the 1st Division League (Women) shall provide the priority order of eligibility to represent Uganda in the CAF Women Club Champions League
6) The final position of the Uganda Cup Competitions shall provide the priority of eligibility to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup.
7) Article 16(4),(5) and (6) notwithstanding, the FUFA Executive Committee shall decide the club to represent Uganda in any other International Club Competitions.
8) Where a club wins both the Uganda Cup and tops the 1st Division League Table, FUFA shall only nominate such club to represent Uganda in the CAF Club Champions League and FUFA shall nominate the runners up of the 1st division league to represent Uganda in CAF Confederations Cup.
9) Where a qualified club as provided for in Article 16(4) to (8) above is interested in playing or fails the Club Licensing to play in CAF Competitions, FUFA may choose another team to represent Uganda in order of Sporting Merit of the both the 1st Division and the FUFA Uganda Cup
10) FUFA shall set a local deadline date for clubs to confirm representing Uganda in international competitions and such date shall be one month from the deadline date set by the organizers of the respective international competition.
11) Any club(s) that confirm(s) participation in the international competition as specified in Article 15 but withdraws after the deadline set by FUFA or that set by the respective international competition shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Authority to play on foreign land
12) When the situation cannot allow football to be organized within territories of Uganda, FUFA Executive Committee with approval of CAF and/or FIFA, may arrange with another FIFA member association to have a FUFA registered club with a deserving cause to participate in regular competitions of that member association.
Article 17: Promotion and Relegation
1) Promotion and Relegation will only provide eligibility for FUFA Club Licensing for a club to play in a respective football competition.
2) At the end of the 1st Division League season, the top thirteen (13) clubs of the final table standing shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for 1st Division League for the following season and the rest of the club(s) will be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for 2nd Division League for the following season
3) At the end of the season, three (3) clubs from the 2nd Division League shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for 1st Division League for the following season.
4) The 2nd Division League Rules shall prescribe the formula for relegation to the respective 3rd Division Leagues.
5) The 4 teams from the 3rd Division Leagues as determined by Article 15 (25) shall be eligible for FUFA Club Licensing for 2nd Division League for the following season.
6) The Lower League Rules shall detail the respective 3rd Division League formats and guidelines for relegation to the 4th Division Leagues.
7) The Lower League Rules shall detail the respective formats and guidelines for promotion and relegation for the 4th Division Leagues and the 5th Division Leagues.
Article 18: Failure to Complete the Competition
1) Where the league format due to circumstances of force majeure fails to be completed within the season, the league winner shall be determined as follows:
a) Before each and every Club has completed its first-round fixture the league shall be declared null and void.
b) Where all the Clubs in the league have completed the first-round fixture but less than 75% league games have been played, the table standings at the end of the first round shall be considered as the final table standing of the league.
c) Where at least one club has played 75% or more of the league games, the table positions for the respective group shall be ranked by the Corrected points, Goals, instead of the points earned as follows:
Corrected Points shall mean Total number of points earned from the number of games played multiplied by the total number of games supposed to be played divided by the number of games already played
SECTION III: PERSONNEL
Article 19: Players
Status
1) The status of each player shall be defined by the FUFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players.
Transfer
2) Players registered by a club shall only be replaced or transferred to another Club as provided for in the FUFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players.
Contract Registration
3) A contract signed between for professional relation involving a Player(s), Club(s), Agent(s), Academy, shall only be official and referenced once all parties to the agreement have submitted copies of their contracts to FUFA.
4) Individual parties to the contracts shall have the responsibility of delivering in person or electronically the copies of their contracts
5) Provisions 19(3) and 19(4) shall also be applicable for Youth Agreements and Scholarship Agreements
Player Registration
6) In one season, each Club may contract not more than a total of 40 players who are 18 years or above and the Club Academy may register with FUFA not more than 50 minor players
7) Each Club playing in the CAF Club Competitions shall be eligible to register up to 40 players each season from those contracted. Among the 40 players, there shall not be more than 8 foreign players
8) Each Club not playing in the CAF Club Competitions shall be eligible to register up to 30 players each season from those contracted. Among the 30 players, there shall not be more than 8 foreign players
9) Players shall only be considered as FUFA Licensed for a season upon being validated by FUFA on the FUFA Football Connect electronic registration system and issued a FUFA license or when their license and registration forms are signed and stamped by FUFA for that season.
10) FUFA may issue provisional players licenses for a specified period pending scrutiny of the documents submitted. In event that FUFA confirms that the player may not be registered with a particular club, the provisional license will be withdrawn and consequently the player will become ineligible to play for that or any other club without a valid Players License
11) Any player who is contracted by the Club but not registered and or licensed for the particular season shall have right to apply to FUFA Player Status Committee to be released from the contract.
12) 3rd, 4th, and 5th Division Clubs are entitled to contract and/or register a maximum of 25 Players.
13) A 1st Division League Club may use players registered in its own FUFA Juniors League team for the 1st Division League and FUFA Uganda Cup Matches ONLY. The FUFA validated license for FUFA Juniors League of the player(s) in question shall be used.
14) Special Regulations for Players Registration, Transfer and Eligibility may be provided in the Specific Rules of the respective Competition
FUFA Football Connect Online Registration System
15) Registration of players and officials of the clubs in 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th and 5th division leagues shall be done under FUFA web-based electronic system called FUFA Football Connect within one of the registration periods, unless otherwise as determined by FUFA in which case, sanctions and/or fines may be imposed for any alternative means.
16) Every club shall acquire system access credentials from FUFA Competitions Department.
17) In case of loss of the license, replacement shall cost 50UAs for each of the player license to be replaced.
18) The following documents shall be required for issuance of Players License;
a) National ID provided by the Government of Uganda with an electronic copy attached on the system
b) Passport provided by the Government of the Player with an electronic copy attached on the system for the 1st Division League Club Players
19) Any discrepancy in that player data may lead to failure to be issued with a license or to withdraw the license even if already issued
20) club that provides incorrect or false information knowingly or unknowingly shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Double Player Registration
21) Among every six (6) players registered, there shall be registered one (1) Double Player.
For clarity, the registration will be as follows:
a) for the 1st player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 1st player registered as a Double Player
b) for the 6th player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 2nd player registered as a Double Player
c) for the 11th player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 3rd player registered as a Double Player
d) for the 16th player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 4th player registered as a Double Player
e) for the 21st player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 5th player registered as a Double Player
f) for the 26th player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 6th player registered as a Double Player
g) for the 31st player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 7th player registered as a Double Player
h) for the 36th player to be registered as a Single Player, there shall also have to be the 8th player registered as a Double Player
22) A Single Player may be a Youth Player
23) A Club shall register not more than five (5) player Double players as a Secondary Owner
24) The Primary and Secondary Owners shall not belong to the same league division
25) Whenever the Primary Owners and Secondary owners are to play each other in a FUFA Official Match, the Double Players shall be ineligible to play for either side
26) Only a player, whose 21st or earlier than 21st birthday takes place during the season for which he is intended to be licensed, is eligible for duo-licensing
27) FUFA may accept to register a player on a double license in a special and exceptional circumstance to paragraph (21) above upon request by the intending Primary Owner
28) A Double License shall be issued for a minimum of half a season and shall automatically expire at the beginning of the next player registration window unless renewed. Renewal shall only be permitted to the same secondary club within a season
29) Foreign Players shall not be eligible for a Double License registration
Youth Players
30) Each Club shall operate academies as follows;
(a) 1st Division men’s football club shall operate an Academy of a minimum of FUFA Grade-2 Licensed Academy.
(b) 2nd Division men’s football club shall operate an Academy of a minimum of FUFA Grade-3 Licensed Academy.
(c) 1st Division women’s football club shall operate an Academy of a minimum of FUFA Grade-3 Licensed Academy.
Loan Player
31) Only a contracted player may be loaned
32) Both the Club and Contracted Player shall consent on the Loan Registration with a written Loan agreement registered with FUFA. A loan agreement without the consent and signature of the Player and not registered with FUFA shall be null and void. Such a player shall remain under contract for the remaining period with club to which he is contracted. Only contracted players shall be eligible for temporary or loan transfer. Any temporary or loan transfer shall be subject to the FUFA Regulations on the status and transfer of Players.
33) It shall be the obligation of the Professional League Club to find loan arrangements for all contracted players of 21 years and below who will not be registered for the season
34) A loaned player shall be registered among the 30 or 40 players of the loanee club.
35) A Loaner Club shall not at the same time be a Secondary Owner Club
Match Day
36) The match day lists shall be composed as follows:
a) For the 1st Division (Men) League
i) At most 5 foreign players
ii) At least 5 Youth Players where one must be a goalkeeper of Ugandan Nationality
b) For the 1st Division (Women) League
i) At most 3 foreign players
ii) At least 5 Youth Players where one must be a goalkeeper of Ugandan Nationality
c) For the 2nd Division (Men) league
i) At most 3 foreign players
ii) At least 8 Youth Players where one must be a goalkeeper of Ugandan Nationality
d) For the Other Competitions
i) At most 3 foreign players
ii) The SCR will provide further details
37) Whenever available for selection, Secondary Owners shall include all acquired Double Players on the Match Day
38) Whenever a club plays a FUFA Official match, at any one time during that match, there shall be at least 1 Youth Player among the players on the pitch
39) Whenever a Secondary Owner plays a FUFA Official match, at any one time during that match, there shall be at least 2 Double Players among the players on the pitch
40) Secondary owners of Double Players shall be expected to field these players for at least 70% of their matches.
41) A player, who qualifies to be registered as a Double Player and is on loan, may be registered among the Double Players by the loanee club as his/her Primary Owner Club.
Shirt Numbers
42) The players shirt numbers shall be from 1-30 and shall not change for the season unless the player changes a club. The exception to this rule shall be for the Clubs playing in the CAF Club Competitions
43) Shirt numbers 25-30 shall be for Double Players only. In event that a Secondary Owner is also a Primary Owner of some other Double Players with other clubs, the Shirt numbers shall be 31-35. The exception to this rule shall be for the Clubs playing in the CAF Club Competitions
44) Players registered in the Academy shall have shirt numbers 41-90 and these numbers shall be maintained throughout the season even when they play for the Senior Team.
Fielding an Ineligible player
45) Only FUFA Licensed players shall be eligible to play in FUFA Competitions.
46) A Club that fields an ineligible player shall lose the match by forfeiture to the opposing team.
47) In event that a player is licensed with more than one club within the same registration period, even if the clubs are registered with one or more FIFA Member, the club that rightfully owns this player shall not suffer any penalty for double registration. The defaulting club shall lose the match by forfeiture to the opposing team or any other decision determined by the disciplinary body depending on the circumstances of each particular case.
FUFA Licensed Players’ Participation in non-FUFA Competitions
48) FUFA Licensed Players shall only appear for FAC upon clearance by FUFA and shall not appear for any competition that is not authorized by FUFA.
49) A player registered by a club shall only appear for FAC at the discretion of the Player’s Club. The Club may take disciplinary measures against its player for violation of this provision and FUFA will uphold and/or extend the sanctions
50) FUFA may take corrective action against any FUFA Authorized Football Competition that allows a FUFA Licensed Player to play in its matches without the written authorization of the Clubs where the Players are registered
Players on international duty
51) Utilization of the player for international duty by either National Team or Club shall be in accordance with the following priority order:
a) FIFA Competitions
b) CAF Competitions
c) CECAFA Competitions
d) FUFA Competitions
e) Other Competitions
52) Where both the national team and club have international and national engagements, the national team shall take priority.
53) If a club has three (3) or more players called to the national team, the fixtures involving such a club may be called off three (3) days before and three (3) days after the national team engagement if it is to be played in Uganda and may be called off three (3) days before departure and three (3) days after return from an engagement outside Uganda.
54) A club that has three (3) or more players with a national team may request in writing to continue with its fixtures without the player(s) and the respective TOC shall allow the fixture.
55) A club that loses two or less than two (2) players to the national Team shall honour the fixture. A Club that fails to honour the fixture after losing two or less than two (2) players to the national team in gazetted FIFA calendar or not shall be liable to sanctions specified in Article 24 par 3,4 and 5 of these Regulations
56) A Club may request for utilization of a national team player in camp for a FUFA Competition Match and FUFA may grant such a request on condition that a FUFA Registered Club Official picks the player on the day of the match and returns him at most before 1159 hours (Time in Uganda) on the day of the match. Contravention of this provision may cause disciplinary action.
57) The above provisions shall also apply to fixtures involving clubs participating in CAF or CECAFA Clubs competitions.
Players for the FUFA Drum
58) The Team Organizing Bodies for each of the 16 FUFA Provinces will inform FUFA in writing 10 days before The FUFA Drum match day of the players they intend to use for the match from the various FUFA Licensed Clubs
59) The FCC will compile the list and communicate by e-mail to each club of the names of the players invited
60) All clubs not participating in CAF Club Competitions shall release all the invited players if the invited players from that one Club are 10 or less. In event that invited players are more than 10, the Club will determine which 10 players to release. In event that the Club fails to determine the 10 players in three
61) Three (3) days of receipt of invitation, all invited players will be required to play for their respective Provinces
62) All clubs still participating in CAF Club competitions shall release all the invited players if the invited players from that one Club are 3 or less. In event that invited players are more than 3, the Club will determine which 3 players to release. In event that the Club fails to determine the 3 players in three (3) days of receipt of invitation, all invited players will be required to play for their respective Provinces
63) FUFA may decide to excuse a particular club from releasing its players for the FUFA Drum upon request by the Club for a particular match and based on FUFA acceptable reasons
64) A club is not obliged to release players for the FUFA Drum if the FCC has not communicated the request at least 7 days before the intended match day
Article 20: Technical Personnel
1) For purposes of this article, a Coach shall be an individual employed in a football-specific occupation by a club whose employment duties consist of one or more of the following: training and coaching players, selecting players for matches and competitions, making tactical choices during matches and competitions etc. it also includes an assistant Coach.
2) Subject to the FUFA Coaching Regulations, only coaches with a valid FUFA Coaching License shall be authorised to Coach and or manage a football Club registered with FUFA
3) The 1st Division league clubs, shall only be employ a coach holding a minimum of CAF B license or its equivalent certified by FUFA. 2nd Division league shall only employ a coach holding a minimum of CAF C license or its equivalent certified by FUFA. Any club in breach of this regulation shall be liable for disciplinary sanctions
4) A Coach for the 1st and 2nd Division contract must have a written contract with the Club executed on an individual basis. The contract shall include essential elements of a contract such as the rights and obligations of the parties, the status and occupation of the parties, the agreed remuneration, the duration of the contract and the signatures of each party.
Article 21: Match Officials
1) The match officials will comprise of the General Co-coordinators, Technical Officer, Match Referees Assessor, Match Security Officer, Centre Referee, First Assistant Referee, Second Assistant Referee, and Fourth Official. In event of the absence of any of them, the present team shall still be considered the match officials.
General Coordinator
2) The FUFA General Coordinator (GC) shall be FUFA or TOC official representative in the venue and is in charge of the entire venue administration.
3) FUFA shall issue FUFA GC badges each year
4) The GC is responsible for ensuring that every match is perfectly organized and consistent with all the other venues.
5) FUFA shall issue the FUFA GC handbook to guide the GCs in executing their duties which shall include but not limited to:
a) Ensuring that every match is perfectly organized and consistent with all other venues attending to the respect of FUFA commitments in the matter of marketing, publicity and audio-visual broadcasts and/or retransmissions
b) Inviting teams and other stakeholders to and conduct the Match Coordination Meeting (MCM)
c) Conducting pre-match rehearsal ceremonies
d) Coordinating and supervising all activities and protocols related to the football match before, during and after the match
e) Ushering match officials and the teams into the stadium
f) Ensuring prompt match kick-off
6) The GC Report shall be considered as one of the official reports of a match.
Technical Officer
7) The Technical Officer shall be appointed by the FUFA Technical Committee and he shall capture the technical information about the match as shall be required of him. He will make a templated report and submit to FUFA
8) The Technical Officer may require a conversation with the Club Technical Persons and if he registers his such interest, then the Club Technical Person shall be required to provide a minimum of 20 minutes of a side-meeting with the Technical Officer. A club that fails to provide the Club Technical Person or a Technical Person appointed by the club refuses to offer such a time, shall be sanctioned in accordance with the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code
9) All the duties hitherto undertaken by the General coordinator shall, be the responsibility of the Referees assessor where the general coordinator is not appointed.
Match Commissioner
10) FUFA Executive Committee may appoint a match commissioner for specific FOC and FAC with specified terms of reference
Match Referees Assessor
11) The main responsibility of the Referees Assessor is to assess the performance of appointed referees before, during and after a football match in line of the application of the Laws of the Game.
12) A Referees Assessor must take advantage position in the stadium or match venue that will enable him to execute the duties as indicated above.
13) Where a general coordinator is appointed, Referee Assessor shall not undertake pre-match protocols
Match Security Officer
14) The security officer is designated by FUFA or TOC to oversee the safety and security in the stadium under the authority of the General coordinator. Club shall assist him and invite the persons in charge of the stadiums and security to work with him.
15) After the end of the match, the security officer must send to FUFA or TOC Secretariat within the provided time following the match by express mail or by using a system in place, the detailed report.
16) In absence of FUFA or TOC appointed match security officer, the club trained and accredited security officer shall undertake the duties related to safety and security matters.
Referees
17) All FUFA Competitions matches shall be officiated by only referees and assistant referees fully registered with FUFA for the current season.
18) All referees registered with FUFA shall be provided with referee badge. The referee shall display the badge during the match. Anybody that contravenes this rule shall be liable to disciplinary action.
19) FRSC shall manage appointment of match assessors and referees for all FUFA Competitions and FUFA authorized Competitions in accordance with FUFA Referees Manual.
20) FRSC shall appoint match assessors and referees for all FUFA Competitions.
21) FRSC may however delegate match assessors and referees’ appointment responsibilities to a referee standing committee of a RFA or TOC for their respective competitions.
22) FRSC shall appoint a number of match assessors and referees for all FUFA authorized competitions. Such a list of appointed referees shall be passed onto the TOC of the FUFA Authorized Competition and no other referee not on that list shall be used for that particular competition unless in unavoidable circumstances as shall be approved by FRSC. An FRSC named representative (s) shall be included on the FUFA authorized competitions match assessors and referees appointing sub-committee.
23) FRSC may delegate its responsibilities in Article 20 to the referees standing committee of the FRA or FUFA authorized competitions in their respective competitions.
24) At the beginning of the season, FRSC shall categorize all match assessors and referees for various FUFA Competitions. Such Categorization shall be approved by the FUFA Executive Committee.
25) FUFA Competitions matches shall be officiated by appointed match officials in the following descending priority order; Centre Referee, Fourth Official, First Assistant Referee, and Second Assistant Referee. Where any of the above official(s) is (are) absent, the next present official(s) in the same priority order shall take over the higher vacant responsibility(ies).
26) In event that only two (2) of the appointed referees by the FRSC are present and a number of League listed referees are present, the general coordinator if available, shall request for the consent of both clubs on the referee to be appointed. In event of failure to agree by both clubs and/or presence of only one (1) League listed referee, the general coordinator shall appoint the referee, with or without the consent of one or both of the clubs. This shall be specified in the general coordinator and Referees report.
27) In event all the above cannot be applied, the match shall be postponed to a future day set by the TOC
Match Reports
28) All appointed match officials shall file respective match reports using FIFA Competition Management System (CMS) immediately after the match but in any case, not later than six (6) hours from the end of matchday.
29) In any case of acceptable inability to use the online reporting system above, a match officials may use offline match report acquired from FUFA or TOC and shall fill, scan and submit entire match report within six (6) hours from end of the match day. In this case, hard copy shall be delivered in not more than 72 hours from the time of completion of the match
30) For competition media development purposes, FUFA or TOC may introduce any other digital instant reporting mechanism of match results and data. Match officials shall be obliged to adhere to this reporting mechanism.
31) Any match official who fails to comply with the provisions shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
32) The TOC may decline to utilize a match official appointed by the FRSC or its designee on established bias, indiscipline or other explainable reason for a FUFA Competition. Such decline shall be communicated in writing to the FRSC. If the FRSC is not satisfied with the written explanation the appointed referees shall be sustained.
SECTION IV: MATCH DAY TECHNICAL DETAILS
Article 22: Match Day Lists and Substitutions
1) There shall be the following Match Day Lists:
a) 23 Player-Match Day List: This shall comprise of 23 players and 9 officials.
b) 18 Player-Match Day List; This shall comprise of 18 players and 6 officials
c) 16 Player-Match Day List: This shall comprise of 16 players and 4 officials
2) The 23 Player-Match Day List shall be used for the following competitions:
a) 1st Division League (Men)
b) 2nd Division League (Men)
c) 1st Division League (Women)
d) Uganda Cup (From the Round of 64)
e) FUFA Drum
3) For the rest of the competitions, the Specific Competition Rules must specify which Match Day list is adopted for the respective competitions
4) Up to five (5) substitutions of players done in four (4) intervals inclusive of the half-time break before resumption of the second half shall be allowed for the following competitions
a) 1st Division League (Men)
b) 2nd Division League (Men)
c) 1st Division League (Women)
d) Uganda Cup (From the Round of 64)
e) FUFA Drum
5) Unless specified in the Specific Competition Rules, for the rest of the competitions, up to three (3) substitutions of players shall be allowed for the respective competitions
6) In event of matches going into extra time, one (1) extra substitution shall be allowed at the end of the 90-minute (after the added time) regular match time or any time during the extra time
Article 23: Duration of Matches
1) Any adult FUFA Competition match shall be played for forty-five minutes each half, but shorter durations of not less than thirty-five minutes each half may be played where a justifiable reason in the opinion of the referee exists. Explanation of the circumstance and reason for playing any FUFA Competition match for less than 45 minutes shall be included in the referee’s report.
2) In case a match is abandoned as a result of force majeure, the match shall recommence with the same score at the minute at which play was interrupted rather than being replayed in full
3) In case a match is abandoned and TOC or FUFA decide a continuation of play or a full replay depending on the circumstances of the abandonment, the match shall recommence with the same score at the minute
4) The following principles shall apply to the recommencement of the match:
a) The match shall recommence with the same players on the pitch and substitutes available as when the match was initially abandoned;
b) No additional substitutes may be added to the list of players on the team sheet;
c) The teams can make only the number of substitutions to which they were still entitled when the match was abandoned;
d) Players sent off during the abandoned match cannot be replaced;
e) Any sanctions imposed before the match was abandoned remain valid for the remainder of the match;
f) The kick off time, date (foreseen for the following day) and location shall be decided by the TOC;
g) Any matters requiring further decision shall be dealt with by the respective TOC.
5) Under-age FUFA Competitions Rules shall specify the duration of the matches.
6) All matches shall have half time intervals not exceeding fifteen minutes.
Article 24: Laws of the Game
1) FUFA Competitions matches shall be played in accordance with the current FIFA Laws of the Game.
Article 25: Cautions and Send-Offs
1) Cautions and send offs earned in a particular FUFA Competition shall only be served in only that particular FUFA Competition.
2) Extra punishment in addition to the statutory punishment may be extended to another competition.
3) FJC may decide on top of the statutory punishment to impose an extra punishment depending on the gravity and/or reoccurrence of the matter.
4) All cards (cautions and send-offs) shown to players from dismissed/dissolved clubs shall remain in force till fully served as per the rules.
5) All cards (cautions and send-offs) shown to players from abandoned and/or uncompleted matches shall remain in force till fully served as per the rules.
6) If a club/team accumulates four (4) or more cautions and/or send-offs served within a single match, it shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
7) A player sent off the field of play must be confined in the dressing room or in any other appropriate place behind the perimeter fence until the match is concluded.
8) Accumulated cautions cannot be served by sanctions earned out of send-offs.
9) A player who accumulates three (3) bookings (cautions) in a league and mixed-format competition shall automatically become an ineligible player for the next one physically played match.
10) A player who accumulates two (2) bookings (cautions) in a mini league and knock-out competition shall automatically become an ineligible player for the one next physically played match.
11) A player who is sent-off the field of play by accumulating two (2) cautions during the same league competition match shall automatically become an ineligible player for the next two (2) physically played matches. The 2 cautions shall be served simultaneously with the send-off.
12) A player who is directly sent off the field of play during a league competition match shall automatically become an ineligible player for the next two (2) physically played matches.
13) A player who is sent-off the field of play by accumulating two (2) cautions during the same mini league and knock-out competition match or directly sent off the field of play during a mini league and knock-out competition match shall automatically become an ineligible player for the next one (1) physically played match subject to Article 25(3) above.
14) Provisions 8 to 12 above exclude matches not physically played where outcomes are decided by the TOC or FJC as a result of contravention of these rules by any club.
15) The player shall remain ineligible for the match(es) until a suspension as stipulated above is served.
16) Send-offs earned in a league competition or in a promotion mixed-format or mini league competition but not served in the season they are earned; they shall automatically be carried forward to the next season competition even if the player changes clubs or his club is promoted or demoted to another league.
17) Send-offs and accumulated Cautions (amounting to suspension) earned in group/preliminary and/or qualification stages of a cup competition shall be served in the knock-out stage of the competition.
18) Send-offs earned in a knock-out competition but not served in the season they are earned, shall automatically be carried forward to the next season competition even if the player changes clubs.
19) Cautions earned (not leading to suspension) but not served in group stages/ preliminary or qualification stages in a season shall not be carried to the following stage or season.
Match Officials Disciplinary Matters:
20) Match Officials technical offenses shall mean errors on interpretation and application of the FIFA laws of the game. Such technical offenses shall be adjudged by the FUFA Referees Disciplinary Panel and appeals shall be made to the Appeals Committee
21) Match Officials non-technical offenses shall mean offenses committed by match officials that are not technical. Such non-technical offenses shall be adjudged by the rest of the FJC
22) Any match official who is proved to have knowingly or unknowingly incorrectly reported or conceals incidents about a match he officiated shall be liable to disciplinary action.
23) Any Club refusing to play their match due to that Club’s objection to any match official appointed as specified in these rules shall lose the match by forfeiture to the opposing Club.
24) It shall be punishable to delay a match and/or to protest against the appointment of a referee in a manner that hinders the progress of a match that has already started. Any individual or club who contravenes this provision shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
SECTION V: MATCH EVENT ORGANISATION
Article 26: Fixture Management and Fulfilment
1) The fixtures and their management shall be a preserve of the TOC and shall be stipulated in the respective competition rules.
2) In order to effectively manage the football calendar all fixtures for all FUFA authorized and/organized competitions shall be approved by the FUFA.
3) In the event that a team or both teams in a scheduled fixture turn(s) up for the match but either one of the teams or both teams refuse(s) to play, shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
4) A club(s) failing to turn up for any league/competition match or turns up but refuses to play the match shall submit a written explanation evidence or proof detailing the reasons for failure to turn up, turning up late, or refusal to play the match to the TOC within forty-eight hours from the time the game was scheduled
5) A Club that fails to submit a written explanation as provided for in Article 25(4) above or submits a written explanation but the explanation is rejected by the TOC or the FJC, such club shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
6) Any Club that repeats such a breach of Article 26(4) and 26(5) shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
7) In respect of Article 26(5) above, lack of finances and mechanical breakdown of the team vehicle without injuries or/death occurred to players or officials shall not be considered an acceptable reason by the TOC or the FJC.
8) If the TOC or the FJC accepts such explanation, the TOC may re-fix the match and may direct the defaulting club to reimburse such expenses as computed by the TOC. However, in the event both teams’ explanations are accepted, both teams shall meet the costs of the match.
9) Any club in a league format that does not turn up for three (3) fixtures in a season and their explanation, under Article 24(4) and (5) is not accepted in all the three (3) incidences shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
10) If a club withdraws or is dismissed /demoted from a competition of the league format when it has played less than 50% of the league, the results involving the withdrawn or dismissed club shall be nullified.
11) If at the time of withdrawal, the club has played 50% and above of the league, the results of the first round shall be sustained while all the results of matches in the second round shall be nullified.
12) Failure to continue with Play; where some or all the players of a team walk off the field of play such that the remaining players are less than seven (7) while the referee’s decision is to continue with play, that club shall be deemed to have lost the match by forfeiture to the opposing team and the club shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
13) When the number of players of a team in a Competition match that are able to continue with play is less than seven (7) because of injuries and other reasons yet substitutions have been exhausted or are not available causing match officials to terminate the match, that club shall be deemed to have lost the match by forfeiture or by the standing result of the match (whichever is sportingly better) to the opposing team unless a prudent justification can be determined by the FJC
14) In case of withdraw and/or deliberate refusal to continue honouring league engagements the club shall be confirmed demoted and may be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Deaths
15) When death of a registered club player(s) or a registered club official(s) occurs;
a) All players of all teams appearing for matches of the competition where the deceased was a player or an official in that week will wear black arm bands and may observe a minute of silence before kick-off.
b) If death occurs more than 48 hours to the scheduled kick-off time and burial is not on the date of the match, the match shall be played as scheduled. It is the duty of the Club to communicate to the TOC the burial arrangements
c) If death occurs less than 48 hours but more than 18 hours to the scheduled kick-off time, the affected club may request the TOC in writing to postpone the match. Such communication must be submitted to the TOC at least 18 hours to kick off
16) Unless a tragedy causing death or major harm to a number of team players, no match shall be postponed when communication by the club referenced in Article 26(15) (c) is received by TOC less than 18 hours to kickoff.
17) The TOC shall communicate the postponement where applicable in respect to this clause in the shortest time possible to the opponent club and other parties of the match crew.
18) FUFA may direct the TOC to postpone a match for reasons of death or burial of a person considered to be important to football. FUFA mat further seek the wearing of black bands by players of certain or all competitions for a day or period.
Article 27: Match Day Events
Before Game Time
1) TOC may require certain specific Competition matches to have a pre-match meeting for Match officials, Participating Clubs, Stadium Management and the TOC. A Club that does not send the right persons or turns up late by 30 minutes or fails to turn up for the meeting shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
2) It shall be the obligation of clubs to reach out to club fans with any communication regarding the ticket prices and match schedules and any changes thereof.
During Game time
3) Clubs shall register only FUFA-registered club officials on team sheet and any decisions by the head official shall be representative of the club decision during game time.
4) Where the club is required to submit a match sheet online within specified time but fails to do so, it shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
5) For offline submission, reported failure to submit a match sheet within specified timeline shall attract a fine of 100UAs
6) FUFA will issue the following as FUFA Bench Permits for the various persons that may access the Team Technical Area
a) Coaches will use the FUFA Coaching Licenses
b) Medical Personnel will use the FUFA Medical Permits
c) Substitute Players will use the Player’s Licenses
d) Other Staff will use the FUFA Bench Permits
7) All the persons who may wish to access the technical area of the Team Substitute bench will be required to show their respective FUFA Bench Permits to the Referees during inspection before kickoff of the match. Any person without the FUFA Bench Permit shall not be allowed to access the Team Technical Area during Game Time.
8) The Referee shall not start the match and if the match has started shall stop play until such a person without the FUFA Bench Permit vacates the Team Technical Area. The Referee who fails to enforce this provision shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
9) A team that has a person without a FUFA Bench Permit accessing the Team Technical Area during Game Time shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
10) No FUFA Licensed Coach shall be entered as a team medic of the team sheet. Any person entered as a team medic shall not have been licensed by FUFA as a coach for the last two years and shall not be licensed by FUFA as a coach for the two years after the said match.
11) A club shall be allowed to field a maximum of five (5) foreign players in any single match in a FUFA Competition Match.
12) It shall be the responsibility of the TOC and the home club to manage and enforce fair play, protocol, hospitality, sponsors obligations, stadium access control. Various minimum standards responsibilities and obligations may be specified in the rules of the respective Competition or through various circular correspondences between FUFA, TOC and the Home Club for particular matches
Article 28: Inspection of Licenses
1) For the 1st and 2nd Division league, there shall be completion of inspection of licenses of both teams by the Captains of each Club supervised by the match officials with at least 60 minutes to kick off time. All players’ licenses must be presented by the club officials. A license (s) of player(s) whose eligibility is being contested by opposing team shall be retained by match officials
2) In case the eligibility of the Player (s) is contested by the opposing team, the Complaint with proof shall be registered with the general coordinator / referee’s assessor /referee or TOC. The general coordinator / referee’s assessor / referee or TOC shall cross check on the FUFA online platforms for verification of the license and makes a final decision on the complaint.
3) In case the complaint or protest is not resolved before kickoff and the Club whose player is contested shall insists to use the Player, the referee may allow the contested player to play the match, on condition that a clear photograph is taken involving the captain of the contesting team, the referee and the contested player.
4) If after the game, it is determined by the FJC or the TOC that the contested player did not have a valid license, the club shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
5) For all the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Division, there shall be completion of inspection of licenses of both teams by the Captains of each Club supervised by the match officials with at least 40 minutes to kick off time. All players’ licenses must be presented by the club officials. A license (s) of player(s) whose eligibility is being contested by opposing team shall be retained by match officials.
6) All disputes in the 3rd, 4th and 5th Division concerning the regularity of the licenses may be subject to protest before the kickoff of the match and submitted to FUFA or the TOC by match officials for a decision. The copy of the licenses of the contested players must be sent by the commissioner or TOC of the match along with his/her official report.
7) In the 3rd, 4th and 5th Division, a player(s) whose license cannot be presented by club officials at the time of inspection, shall be ineligible to play in the respective FUFA Competition Match unless such a license(s) is (are) presented before resumption of the second half of the match in question and failure to produce such missing license(s), the respective club officials shall consequently delete the players name from the match sheet.
8) All player licenses shall be as described in these rules.
9) In event that all the player licenses are missing;
a) The defaulting team shall notify FUFA or TOC and FUFA or the TOC will issue an electronic copy of the lost licenses to the general coordinator/ referees assessor/Referee or TOC. The electronic copy will be used to identify the players. The defaulting club will further take and submit to FUFA or TOC (not later than 24 hours) photographs of the Players (Ones without Licenses), with Match Day Referees and One of the players or officials of the opponents
b) The defaulting team shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
c) The team that fails to provide licenses as indicated above shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Article 29: Security of Persons and Property
1) It shall be the duty of the home team to ensure that adequate security and safety arrangements are made for the match crew and their property and that of the spectators. If the ground requires security protection to prevent spectators from interfering with the game it shall be the duty of the home club to provide such security and if proved not provided, the referee shall not start the game, the home club shall lose the match by forfeiture.
2) If security has been assessed as adequate and violence erupts thereafter, absence of security shall not be presented as defense for responsibility of the ensuing crowd violence.
3) The Home Club shall name the club security attaché who will work hand in hand with the FUFA Security Committee or its designee.
4) The FUFA security committee or its designee will advise the TOC of the minimum level of security required at least three (3) days before each competition match.
5) The TOC will formally communicate to the club this minimum requirement and the club security attaché will be required to arrange accordingly.
6) Before kick-off, security adequacy shall be assessed by the following personnel in order of presence;
a) Agent from FUFA security committee working as Match Security Officer
b) General Coordinator
c) Match Assessor
d) Referees
7) The details of management of the security at matches shall be detailed in the respective TOC Rules
SECTION VI: MATCH EQUIPMENT
Article 30: Colours, Jerseys and Strips/Kits
1) Each club shall register three kits; Home kit, alternative kit 1 and alternative kit 2. If in the opinion of the Referee, the sets of both teams are similar in colours or clash, the visiting team shall change to their registered home sets or any other set that removes the clash.
2) Where only a home team goal keepers’ colour clashes with the outfield players’ jersey of the visiting team, the home team goal keeper shall change to another colour as approved by the referee.
3) Other details about the Club Jerseys and Strips shall be specified in the respective FUFA Competition Rules.
4) Shirt Numbers
Article 31: Referees Kits
1) There shall be a type and make of the Referees Kit branded as the Official FUFA Referees Kit
2) Unless authorized by FUFA in writing, only the Official FUFA Referees Kit shall be used as for all FOC and FAC matches
3) No FUFA Referee shall officiate a FOC or FAC match donning another kit other than the official Referees kit. unless TOC provides the written exception from FUFA.
4) The TOC or any person or Referee or Home Team who violates provisions 31(2) and 31(3) shall be sanctioned in accordance with the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Article 32: Flood Lights
1) Night Matches shall mean matches that start at or after 1700 Hours (Ugandan Time) or those that will still be in play by 1800 Hours (Uganda Time)
2) FUFA will inspect and issue a Flood Lights Certificate upon satisfaction that the lighting systems has the necessary standards for a night match
3) There shall be the following certificates:
a) FUFA Flood Lights Certificates (Tv Matches); This shall be a certificate issued for a facility that may host Night Matches scheduled for Tv
b) FUFA Flood Lights Certificates (Non-Tv Matches); This shall be a certificate issued for a facility that shall not host Night Matches scheduled for Tv
4) FUFA may withdraw the FUFA Flood Lights Certificate anytime upon satisfaction that the standards of lighting have fallen below the FUFA Lighting Standards upon which the certificate was issued
5) In event of failure of the lights, the referee shall suspend the match up to 30 minutes or when the lights can be restored whichever comes earlier and if lights cannot be restored to the licensed standards in 30 minutes, the referee will abandon the match.
6) In event of abandonment of the match and after the investigation proves that the failure of the lights was:
a) an avoidable circumstance by the host, the host team shall lose the match by forfeiture and further disciplinary action may be taken by the FJC
b) a cause and benefit by the away team, the away team shall lose the match by forfeiture and further disciplinary action may be taken by the FJC
c) an unavoidable circumstance
i) and the match had been played for less than 75% of the playing time, the match will be rescheduled by the TOC to be continued for the remaining minutes of the match
ii) and the match had been played for more than 75% of the playing time and the standing sporting results of the match was to the benefit of the home club, the two (2) captains of both clubs may agree in writing (as part of match reports) for the standing result at abandonment of the match to be considered the final result of the match but in case of no consent, the match will be rescheduled by the TOC to be continued for the remaining minutes of the match
iii) and the match had been played for more than 75% of the playing time and the sporting standing of the match was to the benefit of the away club, the match will be rescheduled by the TOC to be continued for the remaining minutes of the match
Article 33: Ball
1) There shall be a type and make of ball branded as the Official FUFA Ball
2) Unless authorized by FUFA in writing, only the Official FUFA Ball shall be used as the Match Day Ball for all FOC and FAC matches
3) No FUFA Referee shall officiate a FOC or FAC match where any other ball other than the Official FUFA Ball is the one being played unless TOC provides the written exception from FUFA.
4) The TOC or any person or Referee or Home Team who violates provisions 33(2) and 33(3) shall be sanctioned in accordance with the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code
5) For the 1st Division League (Men) there shall at all-time be minimum of 8 balls available with the ball boys for playing in order to maximize the playing time. The Match Officials are required to report incidents where less than 8 ball are available for playing with the ball boys. Failure to comply with the provision shall lead to sanctions in accordance with the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Article 34: Match Facilities
1) It shall be the responsibility of the home club to hire the stadium (if applicable) for match days (TV matches inclusive) and observing any eventualities that may interrupt with the scheduled matches. Any home club that fails to monitor events at the stadium and such omission causes abandonment of the match shall lose the match by forfeiture.
2) The TOC may change the venue of a match;
a) for avoiding likely fixture congestion,
b) in order to ensure fair play
c) for health, safety and security reasons
d) In order to fulfil the RH obligations
e) to a neutral ground where in the opinion of TOC is deemed necessary
3) FUFA may order the closure of any venue where the safety of clubs, Match Officials or Spectators cannot be guaranteed.
Article 35: Medical
1) Each club shall be required to provide its own medical team and the home club shall provide First Aid and emergency facilities including but not limited to an ambulance.
2) Upon registration, each Club shall register medical personnel who will be responsible for the team’s medical cases on the field of play. The Personnel will be a holder of a minimum FUFA Medical Permit as provided for by the respective competition Rules. Any club that fails to present medical personnel at the stadium shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
3) It shall be a duty of home team to arrange medical facilitations during FUFA competition matches. For the case of the 1st division league matches, a fully equipped ambulance must be available before and during the match
4) Match officials appointed shall inspect and ensure the ambulance is present before and during the match. Should at any one time a need for an ambulance arises and there is no ambulance available, the home team shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
SECTION VII: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING
Article 36: Finance
1) Each TOC shall submit the projections of Income and Expenditure and shall also submit a copy of the audited books of account to FUFA or its designee.
2) Each club shall provide such rights, facilities and services as are required to enable the league or TOC to fulfil its Commercial obligations to sponsors
3) Any entity that requires information from the FUFA Secretariat shall pay a search fee of 50 UAs per item requested for.
4) FUFA shall set other statutory fees as will be included in the various circular communications from time to time.
5) Each Club shall provide such reasonable rights, facilities and services at each league match taking place at the Stadium as are reasonably required to enable the Sponsor and visiting club to respect the terms of the sponsorship or commercial agreements. Any club that fails to comply with provision will be sanctioned in accordance with the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
6) FUFA or TOC shall have power to deduct from the finances held on behalf of the Clubs to comply with the Clubs financial obligations.
Article 37: Power to Deduct
1) If any Club or Relegated Club (“the debtor Club”) fails to make any payment due to any creditor of the description set out in Rule 37(2) below, upon being reasonably satisfied to that effect, the TOC and/or FUFA shall be empowered to deduct or direct another arm of Football entity in the jurisdiction of FUFA to deduct the amount in instalments or wholesomely of any such payment from any funds that the debtor club is entitled to and immediately pays the same to the creditor to which the amount is due.
2) The creditors to which Rule 37(1) applies are:
a) CECAFA, CAF & FIFA and any other parties owed by participation in international competitions
b) Another Club in the Uganda League System
c) FUFA
d) TOC
e) FCC
f) FUFA RFA
g) FUFA DFA
3) Any Associated Undertaking or Subsidiary Undertaking of the Club Individuals or companies proven to have provided football related services and/or goods to a club
SECTION VIII: RIGHTS, MARKETING AND SPONSORSHIP
Article 38 Sponsorship, League/Competition Promotions and Marketing
1) Refer to The FUFA Regulations for Rights, Marketing and Sponsorship
SECTION IX: DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS
Article 39: Misconduct and Sanctions
1) FUFA may act against a participant, player or official in respect of any “Misconduct”, which is defined as being a breach of the following:
a) The Laws of the Game;
b) The FUFA Rules
2) For purposes of this Article, a “Person” means a Member Association, Competition, Club, Club Official, Intermediary, Player, Official, Match Official, Management Committee Member, Member or Employee of an affiliated Club, member Association or FUFA and all such persons who are from time to time participating in any activity sanctioned either directly or indirectly by FUFA;
3) All persons at a football match shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour. Any person in breach of this section, shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
4) Players and/or officials who undertake acts of Misconduct may be further sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code in addition to the automatic suspension by a referee in accordance with laws of the Game
5) Brawl
a) Any person involved in a brawl shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
b) Anyone who has tried merely to prevent a fight, shield others or separate those involved in a brawl shall not be subjected to punishment.
6) Unidentified aggressors
a) It is the duty of the two (2) clubs in a competition to identify persons in attendance at a football match once required to.
b) In the case of violence and it is the duty of the defaulting club to identify the perpetrator(s) within a period given by the FJC.
i) In event that the club identifies the perpetrator(s), the individual perpetrator(s) shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
ii) In event that the club fails to identify the perpetrator(s), the club or the entity to which the club belongs shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
iii) In event that the individual perpetrator(s) where identified by the defaulting club and their acts where indeed in their own capacities, the FJC may at its independent discretion exonerate the club from the sanctions provided for in the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
7) Hiding of Match Balls
a) It is prohibited to make match balls unavailable in order to waste time. A Club, which is found guilty that any of its players or any of its ball-boys/girls or any person hides away a match ball, shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
8) Access to the Stadium by Match Crew
b) It shall be the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the visiting team has smooth access to the stadium. The Home team shall be liable for any actions or omissions that shall hinder the visiting team from accessing the stadium of the home team 3 hours before kickoff. Actions like failure to open the access routes for visiting teams shall be of strict liability. If an individual or club is found liable shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
c) Delay or failure to provide access to the changing rooms and access to the items belonging to the Match Officials is prohibited and if an individual or club is found liable shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
9) Hooliganism;
a) Clubs in a competition are responsible for order and security both inside and outside the stadium before, during and after matches.
b) If during game time, as defined in the FCR, that acts of hooliganism and violence cause the abandonment of a match, the defaulting club, if found liable by the FJC will lose the match by forfeiture. The defaulting club shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
c) If the match officials reports that individuals or groups have verbally insulted a member of the match crew, the defaulting club from whom such an individual or groups are judged by the FJC to come from shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
10) Damages caused to the Stadium, Football Ground, Persons and their properties
a) A club, which is found guilty of having in any way caused damage to any part of the stadium/football ground, shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
b) A club, which is found guilty of having in any way caused damage to a person and/or their property, shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
11) Invasion of the Field of Play
Unauthorized persons are not allowed to access or invade the field of play during Game Time and if an individual or club is found liable shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
12) Mascots
a) In the event that a Club presents a Mascot, such Mascot shall also be subject to these regulations, and shall be deemed to be a “Club Official” when determining any offences which may be committed by the said Mascot.
13) Centralization of sanctions
a) The FUFA Competitions Department shall be the official central registry of Cautions, Send-Off, Fines and Sanctions
b) It shall be required of the TOC of each FUFA Competition and those Competitions authorized by FUFA to submit new and updates on the Cautions, Send-Off, Fines and Sanctions of their respective competitions
c) The real-time records at the FUFA Competitions Department shall be deemed the correct records of Cautions, Send-Offs, Fines and Sanctions for all Competitions organized and authorized by FUFA
d) TOCs may require only in writing the sanctions against their own officials to be extended to a national or international level in writing and it shall be the discretion of the FJC to accept or decline or only increase the extent of effect this request
14) Protests and Petitions
a) Any protest or petition by entities, Clubs, officials or individuals relating to misconduct or breach of any of the FUFA Rules shall be filed in writing and delivered directly to FUFA Secretariat or send in PDF to fdp@fufa.co.ug or admin@fufa.co.ug. The petitions or protests relating to misconduct or breach of the FUFA Rules shall be free of charge.
Article 40: Media Statements
1) There is the FUFA Communications Code and every person and entity undertaking FOC and FAC are bound by this code
2) Players, Coaches, Officials and Persons at a club are prohibited from talking about the match officials appointed for their match before, during and after the match and any contravention to this provision shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
3) Making Media Statements that are contrary to the FUFA Communications Code shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
Article 41: Judicature
The disciplinary Bodies
1) Actions and intentions that contravene these regulations will be adjudicated upon by the FJC in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code
2) If in the process of investigations, the FJC finds any FUFA Competitions entity to have contravened with these rules or any other rules as reported or as investigations may reveal, these or any other rules shall be evoked as the case may be but in any case, shall not alter the results of any match that was played more than thirty (30) days before the findings and in such a case, an alternative disciplinary action by the FJC shall be applied to the defaulting entity
3) The magnitude of a disciplinary action (s) may be determined by FJC in line with magnitude of the default. The disciplinary action may be increased for cases of repeated violations
4) FJC may suspend the Disciplinary actions for the following reasons;
a) To be taken as a warning to deter reoccurrence and once there is reoccurrence the full Disciplinary action is enforced
b) To be applied at a later stage in order not to affect the sporting competition
SECTION X: FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 42: By-laws
1) With the approval of the FUFA Executive Committee, the TOC shall have powers to make Bye-laws deemed necessary to ensure the smooth running of the FUFA Competition Bye-laws
2) Such bye-laws shall not be enforceable until they have been approved by the FUFA CEO in writing
Article 43: Circulars
1) From time to time, FUFA may issue circulars to clarify or even amend any content of these rules and the circular content shall supersede the content of these rules. Clarifications of the existing rules may be communicated before, during or after any incident and they may be used for the particular incident while amendments will only come into force after they are issued.
Article 44: Matters Not Provided for
1) All matters not provided for in these Rules shall be decided by the FUFA executive committee.
2) Neither Party will be liable for any failure or delay in performing an obligation under these regulations that is due to circumstances of force majeure. Force majeure shall refer to act of God (such as, but not limited to, fires, explosions, earthquakes, drought, tidal waves and floods); war, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), invasion, act of foreign enemies, mobilization, requisition, or embargo; riot, commotion, strikes, go slows, lock outs or disorder, unless solely restricted to employees of the Supplier or of his Subcontractors, acts or threats of terrorism
3) A club, member or official (the “Affected Party”) prevented from carrying out its obligations hereunder shall give notice to FUFA of an Event of Force Majeure upon it being foreseen by, or becoming known to, the Affected Party.
Article 45: Declarations
1) FUFA declares that these FUFA Competitions Rules shall come in force on the 11th September 2023 unless amended, these regulations shall remain in force.
ANNEX-01: FAIR PLAY RULES
Rule 1: Play to Win
Winning is the object of playing any game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones. It is an insult to any opponent to play at less than full strength. Play to win, until the final whistle.
Rule 2: Play Fair
Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair Play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detested. Remember: It’s only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly.
Rule 3: Observe the Laws of the Game
All games need rules to guide them. Without rules, there would be chaos. The rules of football are simple and easy to learn. Make an effort to learn them, so you understand the game better. This makes you a better player. It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are
designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the
game more.
Rule 4: Respect Opponents, Team-mates, Referees, Officials and Spectators
Fair Play means respect. Without opponents there can be no game. They have the same rights as
you have, including the right to be respected. Your team-mates are your colleagues. You form a
team in which all members are equal. Referees are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play.
Always accept their decisions without arguing, and help them to help you enjoy the game more.
Officials are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly. Spectators give the game
atmosphere. They want to see the game played fairly, but must also behave fairly themselves.
Rule 5: Accept Defeat with Dignity
Nobody wins all the time. You win some, you lose some. Learn to lose graciously. Don’t seek
excuses for defeat. Genuine reasons will always be self-evident. Congratulate the winners with
good grace. Don’t blame the referee or anyone else. Determine to do better next time. Good losers
earn more respect than bad winners.
Rule 6: Promote the Interests of Football
Football is the world’s greatest game. But it always needs your help to keep it as Number One.
Think of football’s interests before your own. Think how your actions may affect the image of the
game. Talk about the positive things in the game. Encourage other people to watch it or play it
fairly. Help others to have as much fun from football as you do. Be an ambassador for the game.
Rule 7: Reject Corruption, Drugs, Racism, Violence and other Dangers to our Sport Football’s huge popularity sometimes makes it vulnerable to negative outside interests.
Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in football
or any other sport or in our society. Say No to Drugs. Help Kick Racism out of Football. Treat all
players and everyone else equally, regardless of their skin colour or origin. Show that football does
not want violence, even from your own fans. Football is Sport, and Sport is Peace.
Rule 8: Help Others to Resist Corrupting Pressures
You may hear that team-mates or other people you know are being tempted to cheat in some way.
They need your help. Don’t hesitate to stand by them. Give them the strength to resist. Remind
them of their commitment to their team -mates and to the game itself. Form a block of solidarity,
like a solid defence on the field of play.
Rule 9: Denounce those who Attempt to discredit our Sport
Don’t be ashamed to show up anybody who you are sure is trying to make others cheat. It’s better
to expose them and have them removed before they can do any damage. It often takes more
courage to denounce what is wrong, than to go along with a dishonest plan. Your honesty will be
admired but your complicity will not. Don’t just say no. Denounce the culprits who are trying to spoil our sport before they can persuade somebody else to say yes.
Rule 10: Honour those who Defend Football’s Good Reputation
The good name of football has survived because the vast majority of people who love the game
are honest and fair. Sometimes somebody does something exceptional that deserves our special
recognition. They should be honoured and their fine example made public. This encourages others
to act in the same way. Help promote football’s image by publicizing its good deeds.