BANGLADESH FOOTBALL FEDERATION
Regulations Governing the Bangladesh Championship League 2012-13
Definition
In interpreting these regulations and standing orders:-
1. ‘FIFA’ means ‘Federation International de Football Association’.
2. ‘AFC’ means ‘Asian Football Confederation’.
3. ‘IFAB’ means ‘International Football Association Board’ – the Game of football as regulated by the Laws of the Game.
4. ‘SAFF’ means ‘South Asian Football Federation’.
5. ‘BFF’ means ‘Bangladesh Football Federation’.
6. ‘BCL’ means ‘Bangladesh Championship League’.
7. ‘DFA’ means ‘District Football Association’.
8. ‘Official’ means all office bearers and members of various committees, sub-committees, managers, coaches, trainers, match commissioners, referees, asst. referees, referee assessors, medical officers and staffs of Bangladesh Football Federation and Bangladesh Championship League participating clubs.
9. ‘LTC’ means ‘Local Transfer Certificate’.
10 ‘ITC’ means ‘International Transfer Certificate’.
11. ‘Levy’ means ‘The amount of money payable to BFF’.
12. ‘Financial Obligation’ means ‘Undertaking from the Club to meet its Financial Requirements’.
13. ‘Disciplinary Committee’ means ‘The committee to deal with all disciplinary matters as governed by the BFF Disciplinary Code’.
14. ‘Player Status Committee’ means ‘The committee to monitor compliance with transfer regulations of players’.
15. ‘Appeal Committee’ means ‘The committee responsible for deciding appeals against any of the Disciplinary Committee’s decisions’.
1. Name of the Competition and rights pertaining to it
1.1 The name of the competition shall be Bangladesh Championship League or any other name approved by BFF.
1.2 All marketing, commercial and intellectual property rights of the name, logo and other branding of the Bangladesh Championship League shall be the property of the Bangladesh Football Federation and all revenues earned from commercial exploitation of such rights shall belong to the Bangladesh Football Federation.
1.3 The official language of this regulation shall be English. Where a Bengali language version of this regulation is provided, the terms of the official English version shall take precedence.
2. Management of the Competition
2.1 The Bangladesh Championship League shall be managed and controlled by Bangladesh Football Federation or committee or body to which the Bangladesh Football Federation delegates this authority. The decision of the Bangladesh Football Federation (or its delegated representative) on all matters pertaining to the league is final and binding on all participating clubs, their players and officials and all other persons and bodies related to the League.
2.2 The Bangladesh Football Federation has the absolute authority to decide which and how many clubs shall play in the Bangladesh Championship League. The bottom six teams (6 nos.) of the league table of 2011-12 season in addition to 2 (two) relegated teams from Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League 2011-12 (total 8 nos.) shall be eligible to participate in the current season (2012-13).
3. Participating Clubs
3.1 The clubs selected by the Bangladesh Football Federation to participate in the Bangladesh Championship League shall comply with the club regulations established by the Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF Professional Football League Committee and enclosed with these rules as Appendix 1. Failure of a club to comply with these regulations prior to the start of the season may render the club ineligible to participate in the Bangladesh Championship League. Failure of a club to comply with these regulations during a season shall result in sanctions to be determined by Bangladesh Football Federation or BFF Professional Football League Committee, including possible exclusion from the Bangladesh Championship League for the subsequent season / seasons.
3.2 All clubs selected by the Bangladesh Football Federation to participate in the Bangladesh Championship League shall register their clubs with the Bangladesh Football Federation on the official entry form supplied by the Bangladesh Football Federation. This entry form is enclosed to these rules as Appendix 2. Below are its specifications:
· Club Name (including sponsors inclusion). BFF must approve the club name and sponsors.
· Club Address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address for official communication.
· Name, title and home address of officers responsible for management of the club.
· Name, address and contact details of Club Media Officer.
· Club logo, emblems and colours (first & second choice of colours for jerseys, shorts and socks). BFF must approve the club logo, emblem and colours.
· Club home stadium.
· Club training facilities.
· Name and coaching qualifications of Head Coach and Assistant Coach.
· Outline Club budget for the season.
· Commitment by club officials that the Club shall fully observe the rules of the Bangladesh Championship League, comply with the club regulations, accept and obey the authority of the Bangladesh Football Federation and provide a guarantee that the club shall meet its financial obligations for the season.
3.3 No change of club colours is permitted during a season. The home team must wear its first colour. When a clash of colours occurs, the away team must change to the alternative jersey. All the teams in all the matches shall bring both of its colours to the stadium and the breach of this regulation will result in disciplinary action against the team concerned.
4. Format of the Bangladesh Championship League
4.1 The format of the Bangladesh Championship League is a two-round league format. Each team shall play every other participating team twice in the competition at the designated venues confirmed by BFF.
4.2 The winning team in a match shall be awarded 3 (three) points with the losing team receiving no point. If the match ends in a draw, each team shall receive 1 (one) point. The number of goals scored and conceded by each team shall also be recorded.
4.3 At the end of the season, the ranking of the teams shall be determined by:
a. The number of points won;
b. i) In situations where there is equality of points for 2 (two) teams for the champion and bottom positions, there shall be play-off match(es) to determine the positions. Both the teams concerned shall play one home and one away match. The team scoring the greater aggregate of goals in the two matches will be regarded as winner. If both the teams score the same number of goals over the two legs, the away goals shall be counted as double. If the number of away goals scored is also equal, extra time of two periods of 15 (fifteen) minutes each shall be played at the end of the second leg. The extra-time period is an integral part of the second-leg match. Thus, if no goals are scored in extra time, kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with the Laws of the Game, shall be taken to determine the winner.
ii) In situations where there is equality of points for more than 2 (two) teams for the champion and bottom positions, there shall be play-off match or matches to determine the positions. The format and all details of such a play-off match or matches shall be determined by the BFF Professional Football League Committee.
c. i) To determine all other positions of the league, goal difference (the total number of goals scored in all matches minus the total number of goals conceded) shall determine the ranking in case of equality of points;
ii) Where there is equality in both the number of points and goal difference, the total number of goals scored shall determine ranking of the concerned teams.
iii) If there is equality in the three ranking criteria above for the teams concerned, then the positions of the concerned teams shall be determined by counting the number for the total yellow and red cards received (Yellow Card = 1 point, Two Yellow Cards = Red = 2 points, Direct Red Card = 3 points, Yellow Card + Direct Red Card = 4 points), the club gained the lowest number being at the top and the club gained the highest number being at the bottom.
iv) If there is equality in all four ranking criteria above for the teams concerned, then the positions of the concerned teams shall be determined by toss of coin.
4.4 Promotion and Relegation:
4.4.1 The top ranking 2 (Two) teams of the table of 2012-13 season shall be promoted to the Bangladesh Premier League 2013-14 and the bottom 1 (one) team of Bangladesh Premier League 2012-13 will be relegated to the Bangladesh Championship League for the season 2013-14.
4.4.2 The bottom team of the result table of 2012-13 season shall be relegated to the Dhaka Senior Division Football League where the team from Dhaka will concern, but in the case of the team from outstation (district) the team shall be relegated to the top league of the respective district.
4.5 All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game:
All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game laid down by the International Football Association Board & published by FIFA. Bangladesh Football Federation reserves the right to exclude any club from each edition of the Bangladesh Championship League under any of the following situation.
a) If any club found to be in the fault of violation of any provisions / regulation of the Bangladesh Championship League.
b) If any club is found to have not taken proper care of the visiting team with regard to security, training facilities etc.
c) If any club is found to have violated the direction and instruction provided by BFF.
d) If any club is found giving walk-over in any match.
4.6 Fixed Match:
The following measures and penalty will be followed by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF for any fixed or got-up match:
a) A special high-power committee will be formed to identify the fixed match/matches. This committee can take necessary help from the law enforcement/intelligence agency.
b) BFF will make, as far as possible, the videography of all the matches.
c) The result and points of the identified fixed match will be forfeited/nullified and additional 6 (six) points will be deducted from the already earned points of the teams concerned. If the concerned club does not have sufficient points in that case these 6 (six) points shall be adjusted, if necessary, from the points earned by the concerned club in the next match(es) of the current league. Moreover, this clause would be applicable, if required, in the matches of the subsequent league.
d) Punishment, monetary and match suspension/stadium ban, shall be taken against the club official or player who is found to have been liable for any fixed match/matches.
e) The decision of the Professional Football League Committee of BFF concerning fixed-match is final and binding.
4.7 Withdrawal, Penalty for Failing to Play:
If a club withdraws after entering or does not report for a match except in cases of force majeure recognized by Professional Football League Committee of BFF or if it refuses to continue to play or leaves the stadium before the end of the match, the club / team shall-
i) be considered to have withdrawn from the League.
ii) have all its matches cancelled and null and void (all points, goals for and against will not be counted and taken into consideration when deciding the rank).
iii) be required to pay compensation to be determined by Professional Football League Committee of BFF.
iv) be disqualified from taking part in the next season of the Bangladesh Championship League.
v) BFF may impose additional sanctions and fines depending on the gravity of the situation.
4.8 Duration of Matches:
Each match shall last 90 (ninety) minutes comprising two periods of 45 (forty five) minutes, with an interval of 15 (fifteen) minutes in between from the whistle ending the first period to the whistle starting the second period.
4.9 Abandoned Match:
If the match cannot commence in time or continue after start due to force majeure or any other incidents such as, but not limited to, the field is not fit for play, weather conditions, floodlight failure, etc. the following procedures must be followed :
i) The match must be delayed for a minimum of 40 (forty) minutes, unless the Referee decides that the match can commence earlier, before a decision to reschedule the match is taken.
ii) In the case of a abandoned or cancelled match, the BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee shall decide immediately about the rescheduling of the abandoned or cancelled match and a 90 (ninety) minutes replay must be played.
iii) No appeal shall be lodged against such decisions.
iv) Yellow cards shown during the abandoned or cancelled match, however, would be null and void. Red cards shown to the players by the referee during the play prior to the abandonment of the match shall be carried forward i.e. remain up-held.
4.10 Refusal to Play:
If it is not possible to start the match in time or to continue after the start due to the refusal of either one or both participating teams, the referee at his discretion waiting up to 15 (fifteen) minutes shall declare the match abandoned. The Disciplinary Committee of BFF based on the report of the referee and match commissioner shall take action against the club/clubs concerned as per the BFF disciplinary code.
4.11 Football:
The balls chosen for the competition shall confirm with the Laws of the Game and bear one of the following standard qualities:
§ FIFA APPROVED,
§ FIFA INSPECTED or
§ INTERNATIONAL MATCH BALL STANDARD.
4.12 Team Bench:
Only 7 (seven) officials and 9 (nine) substitutes are allowed to sit on the substitute bench. Registration of the following 2 (two) officials are mandatory:
i. Team Manager/Assistant Manager.
ii. Head Coach
Apart from the 2 (two) officials above, the participating teams may register up to 5 (five) more officials out of the following officials:
i. Assistant Coach vi. Equipment Manager
ii. Goalkeeper Coach vii. Security Officer
iii. Media Officer viii. Trainer
iv. Interpreter ix. Masseur
v. Doctor / Physiotherapist x. Fitness Coach
The names of all the officials and players and their function must be listed on the match starting list.
The officials and substitutes on the substitute bench during the match are not allowed to carry mobile phone or any type of electronic communication devices with them. The breach of this regulation will directly result in Stadium Ban for 3 (three) matches of the official or player concerned. Depending on the gravity of the offence the Professional Football League Committee of BFF shall have the authority to impose any further sanctions or take other actions its deems appropriate.
Office bearers (President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Members of the ExCo) of Bangladesh Football Federation are not eligible to be registered as an official for the Team Bench.
4.13 Substitution of Players:
a) Not more than 3 (three) players may be substituted during a match from the remaining reserve players who must be declared before the start of the match.
b) Any player of substituted can’t re-enter the match.
c) During actual play, a maximum of six (6) players from each team may warm up at the same time, but without a ball (except for the goalkeeper), behind the goal closest to their substitutes’ bench or behind goal-post or otherwise decided by the Match Commissioner. The players may be accompanied by a maximum of two (2) officials from the team bench.
4.14 If there are fewer than seven (7) players on either of the teams, the match shall be abandoned and the offended team shall be deemed to have forfeited the league fixture by the score line of 3 (three) goals to 0 (zero). However, result will stand for the winning team if the match score is more than 3 (three) goals.
4.15 A club must report to the Match Commissioner at least one and a half hour before the start of the match.
4.16 Protest if any, may be lodged with the BFF Professional Football League Committee with a protest fee of BDT 10,000.00 (ten thousand tk. only) in cash within 2 (two) hours of the completion of a match. The protest shall be addressed to the Chairman of BFF Professional Football League Committee and the protest be disposed off within 72 (seventy two) hours. The protest fee shall not be refunded if the protest is rejected.
4.17 BFF shall award trophies to the Champion and Runners-Up Clubs at the end of the competition.
4.18 To promote fair play and sportsmanship during the Bangladesh Championship League, BFF shall award, based on FIFA Guidelines, a ‘Fair Play Trophy’ at the end of the season.
5. Players Eligibility, Registration and Transfer
5.1 All players shall be registered by their clubs with the Bangladesh Football Federation to be eligible to play in the Bangladesh Championship League. Each player’s registration is only valid until the end of the football season, the date of which shall be determined annually by BFF. Where a player is contracted by a club for a longer period, the player must be registered at the start of each season.
5.2 Contracts between clubs and professional players may be for a maximum of 5 (five) years. However, the contract must be signed by the concerned player at BFF House in presence of an officer of BFF whenever a contract is more then 1 (one) year. The registration of players must be on the official registration form attached to these rules as Appendix 3.
5.3 Registration Window:
There shall be 2 (two) Player Registration Windows to be determined by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee; first registration period is from 16th August to 31st December 2012 and second registration window will be declared by the BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee in due time.
5.4 BFF shall be deemed to have received the registration form for a player when it has been received by BFF, either in its original form or by fax followed by the original one and has been stamped with the official stamp (giving time and date) of BFF. The decision of BFF on the time of receipt of all registration forms shall be final. BFF shall charge BDT 1000.00 (one thousand tk. only) per registration to cover the administrative cost.
5.5 5.5.1. Before the expiry of existing contract with the club, the transfer of a local player’s registration from one club to another must be in writing on the official transfer form (hereinafter known as the ‘Local Transfer Certificate’ or ‘LTC’). This form is attached as Appendix 4. In such cases, BFF shall not re-register a player with a new club unless the registration form is accompanied by a valid LTC. The LTC shall be issued by the player’s former club. Such transfer of a local player’s registration can only occur during the two registration windows (Rule 5.3).
5.5.2. Compensation Money:
5.5.2.1 In the case where players have professional contract BDT 25,000.00 (twenty five thousand tk. only) shall be paid to the immediate former club as compensation from where a player will seek transfer to join a club of the professional league. However, BDT 50,000.00 (fifty thousand tk. only) shall be paid by the club to the immediate former club or District Football Association as compensation if the transfer is done within 2 (two) years from the date of first registration of the concerned player.
5.5.2.2 In the case where players don’t have professional contract BDT 10,000.00 (ten thousand tk. only) shall be paid to the immediate former club as compensation from where a player will seek transfer to join a club of the professional league. However, BDT 20,000.00 (twenty thousand tk. only) shall be paid by the professional club to the immediate former club or District Football Association as compensation if the transfer is done within 2 (two) years from the date of first registration of the concerned player.
5.6 For Bangladeshi players who have played outside Bangladesh immediately prior to their registration, BFF must receive an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) before the player can be registered with the BFF and be eligible to play in the Bangladesh Championship League.
5.7 5.7.1 Any club which plays an unregistered (or ineligible) player or players in a match shall be deduced 3 (three) points from its point table for each match in which this occurs and shall be deemed to have forfeited the league fixture by the score line of 3 (three) goals to 0 (zero). However, result will stand for the winning team if the match score is more than 3 (three) goals.
5.7.2 Throughout the league & for each match to which the player is registered, each player shall wear the number allocated to him on the squad list. The same player shall not use different jersey number in different matches.
5.8 A club shall be entitled to submit to BFF a list of a maximum of 30 (thirty) registered players for the league matches within the deadline determined by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF. However, a club shall have to complete the registration of a minimum of 22 (twenty two) players with the Bangladesh Championship League/ BFF within the registration window periods. No foreign player is allowed to register for any team of the Bangladesh Championship League. BFF shall provide a registration card (affixing photograph) for each registered player.
5.9 A player can only be registered for one club. The registration form first received by BFF (with BFF time and date stamp) shall determine the club for which the player is registered. Decision of BFF or Professional Football League Committee on such matters is final and binding on all clubs.
5.10 If any team gets scratched in the first phase of the league the scratched team shall be eligible to sell players in the second transfer window and similarly the players of the scratched team shall be eligible to seek transfer in the second transfer window for other club of their choice with prior permission.
5.11 If any discrepancy arises about the status of any player shall be dealt by the Player Status Committee of BFF and an appeal may be lodged to the Professional Football League Committee of BFF within 7 (seven) days of the date of imposition of the original sanction against the decision of the Player Status Committee of BFF.
5.12 On match days, each club shall provide a team sheet (accompanied by the player registration cards) to the appointed Referee and to the Match Commissioner appointed by BFF or Professional Football League Committee at least two and a half hour before the scheduled kick-off. The official Bangladesh Championship League team sheet (enclosed as Appendix 5) must be used for this purpose. The team sheet shall designate the starting 11 (eleven) players and a maximum of 9 (nine) substitutes, 3 (three) of whom can play.
5.13 The maximum number of temporary transfers of registration (loan) allowed to any club in a season shall not exceed 3 (three).
6. Fixture Schedule
6.1 The start and end dates for the Bangladesh Championship League and the schedule of fixtures shall be determined by the Professional Football League Committee.
6.2 BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee shall appoint a Match Commissioner who is the BFF’s representative at the match and has the authority of BFF to make decisions on its behalf in relation to that match. He shall have full authority, except for those areas reserved under the Laws of the Game for the authority of the referee. The responsibilities of the Match Commissioner are detailed in Appendix 6.
6.3 The matches of the club / clubs participating in the AFC and FIFA matches during the progress of the League shall be re-scheduled by BFF Professional Football League Committee with the approval of Bangladesh Football Federation. Players as will be required to participate in the national team shall be governed by FIFA regulations. (Appendix -11)
6.4 No fixture can be postponed except by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee or on the day of the fixture by the referee, as defined in Law 5 of the Laws of the Game.
6.5 Any club which fails to fulfill a scheduled fixture shall be deemed to have forfeited that fixture by the score line of 3 (three) goals to 0 (zero) and shall be liable to further sanctions to be determined by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee.
6.6 The BFF Professional Football League Committee has the authority to reschedule postponed matches. All clubs shall fulfill (postponed) fixtures at the time rescheduled by BFF. Clubs shall be informed about the rescheduled match at least 1 (one) day before the match.
7. Referees
7.1 BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee shall appoint a referee, two assistant referees and a fourth official to every match in the Bangladesh Championship League. BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee has the sole and complete authority in this regard.
7.2 The referees shall be appointed from a panel of referees who have attended the Advanced Referees Course and have passed the full FIFA Fitness Test conducted by the Referees Committee of BFF prior to the commencement of the league shall be nominated to this panel. Protest against the allotment of the match officials by any participating club of the Bangladesh Championship League is not allowed in any way.
7.3 BFF shall pay each referee, assistant referees and fourth official match fees. If a match is postponed, after the arrival of the referee and his assistants at the venue, a payment of 50% of the match fees shall be made.
7.4 No club, its officials, coaches, players or supporters may approach a referee and attempt to influence him in refereeing a match. If any club, its officials, coaches, players or supporters are guilty of making such an approach, the club shall be punished and it and its officials, coaches, players or supporters shall be liable to further sanctions to be determined by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee.
7.5 Every referee (and where necessary the assistant referees and fourth official) shall submit a written report (enclosed as Appendix 7) to BFF within 24 (twenty four) hours of each match. This report shall contain all relevant details of the match including goals, scorers, substitutions, cautions, expulsions and incidents, both on the field of play, in the stadium and in the dressing room area.
7.6 A club must not pay or offer any fee or remuneration to a referee or assistant referee nor shall it provide him with any gifts or incentives. Breach of this rule shall result in the offending club’s expulsion from the Bangladesh Championship League and it and its officials, coaches and players shall be liable to further sanctions to be determined by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee. Referees are obliged to bring any such approach to the immediate attention of BFF. Failure of a referee to report any such approach shall lead to his omission from the Bangladesh Championship League panel of referees and to other disciplinary sanctions as appropriate.
7.7 Any referee who accepts any payment, inducement or gift from any Bangladesh Championship League club at any time shall be expelled from the Bangladesh Championship League panel of referees and be liable to further sanctions to be determined by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee.
7.8 BFF may appoint a Referee Assessor to each Bangladesh Championship League match to assess the performance of the referee, assistant referee and fourth official. The referee assessor shall make an official report to BFF (enclosed as Appendix 8). These assessments shall be used by BFF to determine referee appointments.
8. Fair Play and Disciplinary Procedures
8.1 All clubs selected to participate in the Bangladesh Championship League shall honor the ethos of football and be committed to participate in a spirit of fair play.
8.2 BFF’s appointed match commissioner shall oversee the spirit of fair play at each Bangladesh Championship League match. The match commissioner shall make a report to BFF (form attached as Appendix 9).
8.3 BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee shall draw up a code of conduct (enclosed as Appendix 10) which must be observed by each club, its officials, coaches and players.
8.4 Any matters brought to the attention of the Disciplinary Committee of BFF by referees, match commissioners, referee assessors or Professional Football League Committee, the Disciplinary Committee shall have the authority to impose the sanctions or take other actions it deems appropriate as per the BFF Disciplinary Code.
8.5 8.5.1 Any player, club, official or referee or any concerned who is affected by a decision passed by the Disciplinary Committee and has an interest justifying amendment or cancellation of such decision may submit an appeal to the Appeal Committee of BFF enclosing all supporting documents within 7 (seven) days of the date of imposition of the original sanction and the Appeal Committee shall resolve the dispute within the next 10 (ten) days.
8.5.2 An appeal may be lodged to the Appeal Committee of BFF against any decision passed by the Disciplinary Committee of BFF, unless the sanction pronounced is:
a) a warning;
b) a reprimand;
c) a suspension for less than 3 (three) matches or of up to 2 (two) months;
d) a fine of less than BDT 50,000.00 (fifty thousand tk. only) imposed on a club or of less than BDT 25,000.00 (twenty five thousand tk. only) in other cases.
8.6 BFF shall maintain a record of yellow and red cards awarded against each player and official.
8.7 Match Commissioner and Referees shall forward their Report and Team Sheets in the prescribed form to BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee to be received within 12 (twelve) noon of the following day of each Bangladesh Championship League match, notwithstanding the fact that the following day may be a Friday, a Saturday or a public holiday. All cases of misconduct of players, officials or spectators must also be reported.
8.7.1 A player who is sent-off (receiver a red card) during a match (either a straight red card or two yellow cards) shall automatically be suspended for the next match. If the offence for which the red card is issued is of a serious nature, the BFF Disciplinary Committee can increase the period of suspension.
8.7.2 A player who accumulates 3 (three) cautions (yellow cards) in Bangladesh Championship League matches shall be suspended for the next match and the same 1 (one) match suspension will be applied after the subsequent 3 (three) cautions (yellow cards) of the player. A player who accumulates 9 (nine) cautions or 4 (four) direct red cards shall be required to appear before the BFF Disciplinary Committee to explain why his registration for the Bangladesh Championship League should not be cancelled or any other sanction including fines. If a club accumulates 4 (four) or more yellow cards in a single match shall be fined for BDT 10,000 (ten thousand tk. only).
8.7.3 If any club coach, player, or official is indulged in criticizing the BFF official, BFF, BFF Professional Football League Committee, Bangladesh Championship League, a match commissioner, referee, referee's assistant or a fourth official in public through media will tantamount to an offence followed by a sanction with maximum fine of BDT 30,000.00 (thirty thousand tk. only).
8.7.4 BFF may impose any sanction it deems appropriate in response to incidents brought to its attention by the Match Commissioner and/or Referee.
9. Facilities & Event Control
9.1 The facilities (stadia) used for all Bangladesh Championship League matches must meet the standards set out by BFF in the regulations for clubs (Appendix 1). BFF or Professional Football League Committee has the authority to reject any proposed match venue if it does not meet the required standard.
9.2 In particular, the venue must have a good quality playing surface. The permitted dimensions are form 100 meters (minimum) to 110 meters (maximum) in length and from 64 meters (minimum) to 75 meters (maximum) in width.
9.3 The stadium for each match shall provide a safe and secure environment for players, coaches, referees, match officials, the media and fans. The home club is responsible for all safety and security matters. BFF and local District Football Association shall provide all assistances in this matter.
9.4 Each match shall be managed by the home club to the standard specified by BFF. Each home club shall have a general coordinator / event manager in charge on match day. Absence of the general coordinator / event manager at the stadium on any home match will result in disciplinary action against him.
9.5 All the team officials and players shall hold the ‘Accreditation Card’ issued by BFF in all the league matches of Bangladesh Championship League and the breach of this regulation will result in disciplinary action including suspension and fine against the official and player concerned. Again, unauthorized team officials or players cannot enter into the field during the match including the half time and the breach of this regulation will result in disciplinary action against the team concerned.
9.6 The Head Coach and at least one player from each team must be available to the media after each match for at least 10 (ten) minutes. If they do not attend the media, the team shall be fined BDT 5,000.00 (five thousand tk. only).
10. Doping control
10.1 BFF upholds the banning of the use of all performance enhancing and recreational drugs by sportsmen. BFF has the right to request a urine sample or conduct other tests for doping control purposes from any player registered with it for a Bangladesh Championship League Club. Any player found to have used substances prohibited, including masking agents, in the FIFA/WADA list of banned substances shall be suspended immediately and for the duration recommended in the FIFA/WADA sanctions. The doping test shall be conducted by the authorized expert nominated by BFF or Professional Football League Committee.
10.2 A player who refuses or is deemed by BFF to have refused to provide a urine sample or to cooperate with other procedures for the purpose of a doping test shall be deemed to have failed a doping test and to be guilty of a serious doping offence, with sanctions to be determined by BFF.
11. Finance
11.1 Each club selected to participate in the Bangladesh Championship League shall pay an entry fee of BDT 10,000.00 (ten thousand tk. only) to BFF. The amount of such entry fee shall be determined annually by BFF or Professional Football League Committee. The entry fee must be deposited to BFF at least 7 (seven) days before the commencement of the first registration window of the League.
11.2 Each club shall solely be responsible for the cost of the venue for its home matches, the cost of its office accommodation and the cost of its coaches, players, officials and employees. Each club shall provide the projected income & expenditure statement to BFF ensuring to cover all their expenses for the season 2012-13, prior to the start of the league. If BFF is not satisfied that a club can meet these requirements, it has the right to exclude such a club from the Bangladesh Championship League. Every club shall submit its audited profit or loss account to BFF within one month after the end of each season.
11.3 Each home/organizing club shall be responsible for printing and sale of tickets for the matches it organizes. It shall be entitled to retain the ticketing income after the deduction of the expenses due for the organization of the match. Bangladesh Football Federation shall be entitled to receive @ 5% (five percent) of the gross ticket sale proceeds as levy whereas the minimum amount of the levy (payable to BFF) is BDT 1,000 (one thousand tk. only) for 1 (one) match. Each home/organizing club shall provide ticket sales position to BFF within 3 (three) days after each Bangladesh Championship League match.
11.4 Each home/organizing club shall make available 25 (twenty five) complementary tickets in the tribune or VIP areas for visiting club, which shall be used for the officials, sponsors and commercial partners of the visiting club. In addition, each home/organizing club shall make available 100 (one hundred) complementary tickets in the tribune or VIP areas for BFF, which shall be used by officials of BFF and the commercial partners of the Bangladesh Championship League. BFF is entitled to include the provision of complementary tickets in sponsorship and commercial contracts made on behalf of the Bangladesh Championship League.
11.5 BFF shall provide monetary prizes to the teams ranked Champion and Runners-Up in the League. BFF shall declare the prize money during the progression of the league.
12. Commercial Rights:
12.1 Definitions:
12.1.1 Commercial Rights:
Commercial rights are all rights of commercial exploitation (in whatever form) and/or associated commercial opportunities related to or in connection with the Bangladesh Championship League, including the Marketing Rights and the Media Rights, and all other rights of commercial value with regard to the Bangladesh Championship League.
12.1.2 Marketing Rights:
Marketing rights are any and all rights of exploitation (in whatever form) of all types of advertising (including electronic), promotion, marketing, merchandizing, licensing, franchising, sponsorship, hospitality, publications, and any other rights and/or associated commercial opportunities related to or in connection with the event, including advertising (by perimeter signage and other advertising, including but not limited to printed matters such as programmes, posters, letterheads, press releases, newsletters, tickets and photographs), franchising, concessions, display, sampling, premiums and selling rights of any nature in association with the Event in the city and particularly at the Controlled Access Areas, the right to recognize promotional competitions, to give prizes, awards and official music. The Marketing Rights shall include the exclusive right to use and to sub-license the use of the Bangladesh Championship League Marks.
12.1.3 Media Rights:
Media rights are all rights of commercial exploitation of the Bangladesh Championship League in the print media format, included but not limited to newspapers, magazines and the internet, and the right to broadcast, transmit or display images and recordings of the Bangladesh Championship League (or any part thereof) in any and all broadcast media now known or hereafter devised including, but not limited to, the Radio and Television Rights.
12.2 Ownership of Commercial Rights:
BFF owns exclusively and on a universal basis all Commercial Rights relating to the Bangladesh Championship League. BFF owns the exclusive worldwide right to exploit any and all of the Commercial Rights in any and all media, now known or hereafter invited and for any and all products and services throughout and for all territories and countries of the world.
12.3 Exploitation of Commercial Rights
12.3.1 BFF, as the exclusive owner, on a worldwide basis, of all Commercial Rights shall directly exploit all Commercial Rights in relation to the Event. For example, secure title sponsors and/or other official partners for Bangladesh Championship League.
12.3.2 BFF shall be the contracting party in any agreement relating to the Commercial Rights and can freely subcontract or sublicense any Commercial Rights to any entity throughout the world.
12.3.3 BFF shall have promotional rights in connection with the Bangladesh Championship League, for the purpose of the promotion of the Bangladesh Championship League.
12.4 Delegated Rights
12.4.1 Clubs are not entitled to exploit the Marketing Rights and the Media Rights relating to matches it is hosting without the prior approval of BFF.
12.4.2 Whereby clubs are permitted to secure club supporters (sponsors) with the prior approval of BFF, any club supporters (sponsors), in any circumstance, can’t be a competitor of an official partner of BFF or Bangladesh Championship League.
13. Tribunal
If there arises any dispute between BFF and the clubs in respect of any decision, it shall be resolved through an arbitration tribunal having equal representation from both the parties. The tribunal shall resolve the dispute within 3 (three) weeks.
14. Matters not provided for
Matters not provided for in these regulations and cases of force majeure shall be decided by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF, whose decisions shall final and binding on all concerned.
Abdus Salam Murshedy
Chairman
Professional Football League Committee
Bangladesh Football Federation