SECTION 1: REPRESENTATION

1. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF)

    

1. The BFF stages the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ (hereafter the “Competition”) for senior men’s professional club teams, amateur club/DFA teams and Services/University teams (as per eligibility). Participating clubs of BPL, BCL and Services and University Competition(s) will play at Independence Cup Football Tournament once every year according to BFF’s Calendar and invitation.

2. Any rights associated with the Competition, which has not been granted by these Regulations and/or specific agreements to a Participating Club in the Competition belong to BFF.

3. The current BFF Statutes, all BFF Regulations, Guidelines, Circulars and Codes are binding for all parties participating and involved in the preparation, and organization of the Competition. Any reference in these Regulations to the BFF Statutes refers to the Statutes valid at the time of entry and to all relevant BFF Regulations, Guidelines, Circulars and Codes.

4. Clubs are not authorized to represent BFF or the Competition without BFF’s prior written approval.

5. BFF will appoint match officials including Match Commissioner (See Appendix 5), Referee Instructor/Assessor, Referees, Media Officer (hereafter the ‘BFF Organizing Team’) for each match of the Competition for the purpose of match organization.

6. All Players and Officials registered for participation in this Competition shall undertake to ensure their presence at the BFF Awards Ceremony if they are nominated for an award. Any player or official failing to do so shall be referred to the BFF Disciplinary Committee.

1. Participating Clubs

    

1. The obligations and responsibilities of the Participating Clubs are stipulated in the Participating Team Agreement (PTA) (See Appendix 2), its annexes and amendments, the BFF List of Requirements and in these Regulations and other BFF regulations, guidelines and circulars and any other agreements reached between BFF and the Participating Clubs.

2. Each Club taking part in the Competition shall ensure, as a condition of its participation in the Competition that every club of its delegation (players and officials) complies with the Participating Team Agreement to be issued by BFF.

3. The eligible Club shall complete the Participating Team Agreement in full and submit it to the BFF Secretariat not later than the entry deadline communicated to the Club. If the Participating Team Agreement does not reach the BFF Secretariat by the entry deadline, the participation of the eligible Club will be cancelled.

4. Participating Team Agreement (filled and signed by authorized official along with official seal) submitted to the BFF Secretariat by email, fax and courier post will be valid and taken into consideration.

1. Security and Safety

1. BFF is responsible for devising, planning and implementing adequate  security and safety for the Competition at every relevant location (covering all Controlled  Access Areas) which shall cover for all relevant persons  at  all times, including but  not  limited to  the following:

• All participating Club’s players and official

• BFF Match Officials

• Media

• Commercial Partners  

• Fans and spectators

3.2       A detailed and highly relevant security plan shall be issued in the form of a binding declaration on all parties involved and shall include but not limited to the stadium and its vicinity, the training grounds and also hotels of participating club(s) and BFF match officials. This security plan shall be based on the principles outlined in the FIFA Safety Guidelines.

SECTION 2: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS

1. Matches played in accordance with the Laws of the Game  

1. All Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game laid down by the International Football Association Board and published by FIFA.

2. In case of any discrepancy in the interpretation of the Laws of the Game, the English version shall prevail and is authoritative.

3. Only 3 (three) substitutes listed on the Match Starting List may take part in the Match. A player who has been substituted out may take no further part in the Match.

4. If there are fewer than 7 (seven) players on either of the teams, the Match shall be abandoned. In this case, the BFF Professional Football League Committee (and if required the BFF Disciplinary Committee) shall decide on the consequences.

1. Duration of Matches  

1. Each Match shall last 90 (ninety) minutes, comprising 2 (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.

2. If, in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations, extra time is played as a result of a draw at the end of normal playing time, it shall consist of 2 (two) periods of 15 (fifteen) minutes each, with an interval of 5 (five) minutes at the end of normal playing time, but not between the 2 (two) periods of extra time.

3. If the result is still a draw after the 2 (two) periods of extra time, penalty kicks shall be taken to determine the winner, in accordance with the procedures described in the Laws of the Game.

4. If, through the fault of a Team, the taking of kicks from the penalty mark cannot be completed, Art. 19.3) of these regulations shall apply.

    

1. Cancellation of Matches  

   1. If the Match cannot commence on time 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:

1. The Match must first be delayed for a minimum of 30 (thirty) minutes, unless the Referee decides that the Match can commence earlier, before a decision to reschedule the Match is taken.

1. At the discretion of the Referee, another delay of a maximum of 30 (thirty) minutes shall be allowed if in his opinion this extra period of delay will allow the Match to commence. Otherwise, at the end of this second 30 (thirty) minutes period, the Referee must declare the Match to have been cancelled.

2. In the case of a cancelled Match, the BFF or the Professional Football League Committee of BFF shall decide within 2 (two) hours of the Referee’s decision to cancel the Match whether the Match can be rescheduled, taking sporting and organizational considerations into account, or whether any other action and decision is needed to continue with the Competition. Any disciplinary sanctions resulting from the cancelled Match shall remain in force.

1. No appeals may be lodged against decisions stated in Art. 6.1).

1. Abandonment of Matches  

1. If the Match is stopped by the Referee before the end of normal time or during any extra time because of any 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:

1. The Match is automatically suspended for the duration of 30 (thirty) minutes to allow conditions to improve sufficiently to restart the Match, unless the referee decides that the Match can be resumed earlier.

    

2. At the discretion of the Referee, another suspension of a maximum of 30 (thirty) minutes shall be allowed if in his opinion this extra period of suspension will allow the Match to be resumed. Otherwise, at the end of this second 30 (thirty) minutes period, the Referee must declare the Match to have been abandoned.

    

3. In the case a match is abandoned as a result of force majeure for any reason after it has already kicked off, the match shall recommence with the same score at the minute at which play was interrupted rather than being replayed in full.

   The following principles shall apply to the recommencement of the match:

    

• the match shall recommence with the same players on the pitch and substitutes available as when the match was initially abandoned;

• no additional substitutes may be added to the ‘Match Starting List’;

   

• the teams can make only the number of substitutions to which they were still entitled when the match was abandoned;

   

• players sent off during the abandoned match cannot be replaced;

   

• any sanctions imposed before the match was abandoned remain valid for the remainder of the match;

   

• the kick-off time, date (foreseen for the following day) and location shall be decided by the BFF or the Professional Football League Committee of BFF;

   

• any matters requiring further decision shall be treated by the BFF.

   

1. No appeals may be lodged against decisions stated in Art. 7.1). 
   
   
   1. 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

1.  

2. Stadiums (Stadia)

1. The Stadium for the matches in the Competition shall be:

    

   1. Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka/

   2.  Birshrestha Shahid Shipahi Mohammed Mostofa Kamal Stadium, Kamalapur, Dhaka or any other venue(s) decided by BFF or the Professional Football League Committee of BFF.

    

2. BFF will ensure no Matches and/or other activities are held at the Stadium(s) nominated for the Matches at least 3 (three) days prior to the Competition, unless written permission has been given by the BFF. Unless specified or directed by BFF otherwise, the Stadia shall be made available for use for the Competition as of 7 (seven) working days prior to the first Match of the Competition until 1 (one) day after the last Match of the Competition.

    

1. Team Bench and Technical Area

    

1. Only 7 (seven) officials and 9 (nine) substitute players, from the registered 9 (nine) officials and 33 (thirty-three) players, are allowed to sit on the substitute bench. Registration of the following 2 (two) officials on each match day are mandatory:

i.          Team 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 Manager                              vi.    Doctor / Physiotherapist

ii.         Assistant Coach                                  vii.   Equipment Manager

iii.        Goalkeeper Coach                               viii.  Security Officer

iv.        Media Officer                                     ix. Trainer

v.         Interpreter                                           x.   Masseur

                                    xi.        Fitness Coach

1. The names of all the officials and players and their function must be listed on the match starting list.

2. All officials and players on the team bench must wear their accreditation card at all times. The accreditation cards shall always be available for inspection prior to the start of the match.

3. All persons on the bench must wear kits that are contrasting with the kit of the players and referees on the pitch. These kits must comply with the AFC Equipment Regulations.

    

1. Warming Up

1. The Participating Clubs shall be entitled to warm up on the field of play before the Match if the weather permits.

2. During actual play, a maximum of 6 (six) 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 in a space determined by the Match Commissioner. The players may be assisted by 2 (two) officials from the team bench.

12        Footballs

The balls chosen for the competition shall confirm with the Laws of the Game.

1. Match Schedule

1. All matches are played according to the BFF Calendar which shall be approved by the Professional Football league Committee of BFF.

2. The matches of the club / clubs participating in the AFC and FIFA matches during the progress of the Competition shall be re-scheduled by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF with the approval of Bangladesh Football Federation. Players as will be required to participate in the national football team shall be governed by FIFA regulations (See Appendix 3).

3. No fixture can be postponed except by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF or on the day of the fixture by the referee, as defined in Law 5 of the Laws of the Game.

4. 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 the BFF or the BFF Professional Football League Committee.

5. The Professional Football League Committee of BFF has the authority to reschedule postponed matches. All clubs shall fulfill fixtures (postponed) at the time rescheduled by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF. Clubs shall be informed about the rescheduled match at least 1 (one) day before the match.

6. All Matches shall be played according to the dates, stadium and kick off times as set by the BFF or the Professional Football League Committee of BFF.

1. Referees

14.1     BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee or BFF Referees Committee shall appoint a referee, 2 (two) assistant referees and a fourth official to every match in the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’. BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee or BFF Referees Committee has the sole and complete authority in this regard.

14.2     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 Football Season of Bangladesh shall be nominated to this panel. Protest against the allotment of the match officials by any participating club of the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ is not allowed in any way.

14.3     Every referee (and where necessary the assistant referees and fourth official) shall submit a written report (See Appendix 4) to BFF within 12 (twelve) noon of the following day of each ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ 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. 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.

14.4     BFF may appoint a Referee Assessor to each ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ match to assess the performance of the referee, assistant referee and fourth official. The Referee Assessor shall make an official report to BFF (See Appendix 5). These assessments shall be used by BFF to determine referee appointments. Match Commissioner will be entitled to carry out the responsibilities of the Referee Assessor, if required.

14.5     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.

1. Competition System

1. The Competition shall consist of the following stages:

Group Phase: Participating Teams of ‘Bangladesh Premier League’, invited teams of ‘Bangladesh Championship League’ and any other qualified/ invited team(s), in total 12 (twelve) teams, shall be eligible to participate in the Group Phase of the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’. Play-off match/matches may be played in order to decide the above mentioned 12 (twelve) teams as per the decision of the BFF Professional Football League Committee. Teams of each group shall play round robin league matches amongst themselves.

And

Knock-Out Phase: Champion team and Runners-Up team of each group shall participate in the Quarter-Finals of the Independence Cup Football Tournament. The winners of Quarter-Final matches shall participate in the Semi-Final matches and the winners of Semi-Final matches shall participate in the Final match and the details will be finalized by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF.

1. BFF Professional Football League Committee will form groups and/or sub-groups for the Competition by drawing lots whilst taking sports, geographic and economic factors into consideration, as far as possible.

1. Technical Rules for the Competition

1. 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.

2. 1 (one) point for a draw and 0 (zero) point for a loss (league system).

1. In the league system the ranking in each group is determined as follows:

1. Greater number of points obtained in all group matches;

1. If 2 (two) or more Teams are equal on the basis of the above criterion, their place shall be determined as follows:

i)          Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the Teams concerned;

ii)         Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the Teams concerned;

iii)        Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the Teams concerned;

iv)        Goal difference in all the group matches;

v)         Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches;

vi)        Kicks from the penalty mark if only 2 (two) Teams are involved and they are both on the field of play;

vii)       Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches (See Appendix 1);

viii)      Drawing of lots.

16.4     All the matches of ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game laid down by the International Football Association Board and published by FIFA. Bangladesh Football Federation reserves the right to exclude any club from each edition of the Independence Cup Football Tournament under any of the following situation:

1. If any club is found to have breached contract with the players, coaches and any other appointed officials.

2. If any club found to be in the fault of violation of any regulation of the Independence Cup Football Tournament.

3. If any club is found to have violated the direction and instruction provided by BFF.

4. If any club is found giving walk-over in any match. 

16.5     Phase of the Competition: -

Group Phase

12 (twelve) Teams will take part in the Competition and shall be divided into 4 (four) groups of 3 (three) teams each.

Top 2 (two) teams of each group will qualify for the Quarter-Final round and the details will be finalized by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF.

Knockout Phase

In the knockout phase, the team having scored most goals in the Match will qualify for the next round. If both teams score the same number of goals in the Match after 90 (ninety) minutes, extra time shall be played as per Art. 5. If the result is still a draw after the 2 (two) periods of extra time, penalty kicks shall be taken to determine the winner as per Art. 5.

SECTION 3: ENTRIES FOR COMPETITION

1. Eligible Teams

The Senior Men’s Football Team of Participating Clubs shall be eligible to participate provided all other terms of these Regulations have been met.  

1. Duties and Obligations

    

   On entering the Competition, the Clubs shall automatically undertake:

1. Each club selected to participate in the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ shall pay an entry fee of BDT 5,000.00 (Five thousand taka only) to BFF. The amount of such entry fee shall be determined annually by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee. The entry fee must be deposited to BFF as per the instruction of BFF.

2. To accept that all the administrative, disciplinary and refereeing matters connected with the Competition shall be settled by BFF in compliance with these Regulations or the decisions of relevant BFF Committee(s):

   1. To field their strongest team throughout the Competition;

   2. To observe the principles of Fair Play;

   3. To be responsible for the behavior of their players, officials, Clubs, supporters and any person carrying out duties on their behalf throughout the Competition;

   4. To accept all the arrangements made by the BFF;

3. To attend and participate in all official activities and events such as Team Manager’s Meeting, Press Conferences, other Media and Marketing activities, etc. organized by BFF in accordance with guidelines and / or instructions in circulars issued by BFF regarding, in particular, Media access to Teams. Failure to attend the Team Managers’ Meeting, Press Conference and other official function in the Competition will result in the Clubs being fined BDT 15,000.00 (Fifteen thousand taka only).

4. To accept the use and/or sub-license by BFF of any of the records, names and images of the Club (including its mark), players and officials, including any still and moving representation thereof, which must appear or be generated in connection with the Participation of the Participating Clubs and its Players and Officials in the Competition.

5. No change of club colors is permitted during a season. The Team ‘A’ must wear its first color. When a clash of colors occurs, the Team ‘B’ must change to the alternative jersey. All the teams in all the matches shall bring both of its colors to the stadium and the breach of this regulation will result in disciplinary action against the team concerned.

6. Throughout the Competition  and for each match to which he is registered, each player shall wear  the  same  number  allocated  to  him  on  the  BFF Official Registration Form for Players from 1 ~ 99 submitted to BFF during the registration.  The same player may not use different shirt numbers in different matches.

1. Withdrawal, penalty for failing to play and replacement

1. Participating Clubs shall play in all of their matches in the Competition.

2. Participating Clubs who will withdraw prior to, or are excluded from playing in the Competition, may be replaced by another Club. BFF Committee(s) concerned shall make the relevant decision, including a change in the Competition system and the Technical Rules for the Competition, if necessary.

3. If a Participating Club withdraws after entering the Competition, except in cases of Force Majeure recognized by the BFF Professional Football League Committee, or if it refuses to continue to play or leaves the stadium before the end of the Match,  or if the club fails to register minimum 22 (twenty-two) players the Participating Club shall:

   1. Be considered to have withdrawn from the Competition;

   2. Have all its matches cancelled and considered null and void (all points, goals scored and goals against will not be counted and taken into consideration when deciding the ranking);

   3. Be required to pay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by the other Participating Clubs, the BFF and BFF’s Commercial and TV partner(s). The amount of compensation will be determined by the BFF or the BFF Professional Football League Committee;

   4. Be disqualified from taking part in the next edition of the Competition;

   5. Be referred to the BFF Disciplinary Committee for additional sanctions and fines depending on the gravity of the situation, then to BFF Executive Committee for final decision;

   6. Return to the BFF any financial stipends that had been paid to them by BFF throughout the Competition or forfeit the right to the same;

   7. BFF Executive Committee may extend the suspension depending on the gravity of the situation and/or damages.

       

      The BFF Professional Football League Committee shall take whatever action it deems necessary in cases of Force Majeure.

SECTION 4: TEAM’S OFFICIAL DELEGATION: OFFICIALS & PLAYERS

1. Size of Delegation Attending Matches

Each Participating club is entitled to an Official Delegation of a maximum of 33 (thirty-three) players (including maximum 7 foreign players for only BPL Teams) and 9 (nine) officials who must be registered by the clubs as per Article 21-24, from them a maximum of 20 (twenty) players (including maximum 4 foreign players for only BPL Teams) and a maximum of 7 (seven) officials of each team will be receiving full access to the official Competition areas including the field of play and other Controlled Accessed Areas in every match day.

1. Eligibility of players

1. A player is eligible to play in the Competition provided he fulfills all the following conditions:

    

   He is duly registered with the BFF by the Participating Club according to the provisions of these Regulations.

    

2. A player is deemed ineligible if:

    

   1. There is a violation of Art. 21.1;

       

   2. He is fielded despite being served a suspension;

       

   3. BFF finds that a document(s) submitted during registration is/are false.

       

3. In the event there is a dispute pertaining to the status of a player, the case will be referred to BFF Player Status Committee.

    

1. Registration of Players

1. Registration to determine a squad of a minimum of 22 (twenty-two) players and up to a maximum of 33 (thirty-three) players (including maximum 7 foreign players for only BPL Teams) is mandatory;

2. Start List to identify the starting 11 (eleven) and up to 9 (nine) substitute players for each Match during the Competition.

3. Each club must submit a final player list with the supporting documents in accordance with Art. 22.4 by the deadline announced by BFF.

4. Documentations for the registration of players are, but not limited to, the following:

• Passport-size colored photo 2 copies (taken within 3 months prior to the submission of the registration);

• List of players in club letter head or as per the prescribed format of BFF.

1. BFF reserves the right to request for additional documents than those stipulated in Art 22.4 above.

2. If a Participating Club fails to register a minimum of 22 (twenty-two) players, the team will be considered to have withdrawn in accordance with Art. 19.3).

3. 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 8. 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 any Registration Window specified by BFF.

4. Throughout the every Stage of the competition each player shall wear the same number allocated to him on the BFF Official Registration Form for Players submitted to BFF during the registration window. Jersey number 1 shall be reserved for the Goalkeeper.

5. Participating Club must register a minimum of 3 (three) goalkeepers in their Registration for the players without any condition.

6. Each column in the BFF Official Registration Form for the Players must be completed with correct information.

7. Players with missing documentations will not be eligible for registration. All eligible players will be issued with official eligibility cards (Accreditation Card). Should the card have been misplaced, the teams shall be required to pay BDT 1,000.00 (One thousand taka only) as the production fee for every card lost, to replace it.

8. In case any Participating Club found guilty of violating Art. 22.7), the sanction will be pronounced in accordance with BFF Disciplinary Code.

9. Should the BFF Secretariat not receive the ‘FINAL LIST of PLAYERS’ with all required document by the deadline announced by BFF, the Participating Club shall be automatically disqualified from the Competition and be considered to have withdrawn in accordance with Art. 19.3).

10. Player Registration shall be completed within the deadline announced by BFF. Each BPL Team shall submit to BFF the list of a maximum of 7 (seven) registered foreign players within the deadline determined by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF and a maximum of 4 (four) foreign players from the list may be fielded in a match. The transfer and registration of foreign players shall be governed by electronic International Transfer Certificate (ITC) through the application of web based FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS).

11. It is responsibility of the clubs to ensure that all the supporting documents in accordance with Art. 22 are sent in good time and reach BFF Secretariat in Dhaka before the deadline announced by BFF. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt.

1. Match Starting List

1. Participating Clubs must mark the team captain and goalkeepers on the ‘Player Selection List’. On match days, each club shall provide a team sheet, consisting of ‘Officials on the Bench’ list with the names of 7 (seven) officials (including team boy or masseur) who shall be entitled to sit on the bench and ‘Player Selection List’ with the names of 11 (eleven) players who will start the Match and other 9 (nine) players who are designated as substitutes (inclusive of a maximum of 4 foreign players for only BPL Teams), to the BFF Match Commissioner at least 90 (ninety) minutes before the kick-off of the Match. The official Independence Cup Football Tournament team sheet (See Appendix 6) must be used for this purpose.

    

2. After the ‘Match Starting List’ has been completed and signed by both teams and returned to the BFF Match Commissioner, and if the Match has not yet kicked-off, the following instructions apply:

1. If any of the 11 (eleven) players listed on the Match Starting List selected to start the Match are not able to start the Match for any reason, they may be replaced by any of the substitutes listed on the Match Starting List. During the Match, 3 (three) players may still be replaced;

2. The replaced players shall no longer be eligible to participate in the match.   

1. Registration of Officials

    

   For the registration of Club Officials for the Competition, club must submit a final list of officials with the supporting documents in accordance with Art. 24.1 by the deadline announced by BFF.

    

   1. Documentation for the registration of Officials is, but not limited to, the following:

• Passport-size colored photo 2 Copies (taken within 3 months prior to the submission of the registration);

• List of officials in club letter head;

• Certificate/Qualifications based on his/her function:

• Head coach and Assistant Coach: Individual’s coaching certificate or coaching license;

• Doctor: Medical Qualification.

1. BFF has the right to ask further documentations for the clarification of the eligibility of the officials other than documentations listed in the Art. 24.1.

    

2. The Participating Clubs can nominate a maximum of 9 (nine) officials for the registration from which a maximum of 7 (seven) officials are allowed to sit in the substitute bench.  

    

3. Officials with missing documentations will not be eligible for registration. All eligible Officials will be issued with Accreditation card. Should the card have been misplaced, the clubs shall be required to pay BDT 1,000.00 (One thousand taka only) as the production fee for every card lost, to replace it.

    

4. It is responsibility of the clubs to ensure that all the supporting documents in accordance with Art. 24 are sent in good time and reach BFF Secretariat in Dhaka before the deadline announced by BFF. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt. 
   
   
   
   SECTION 5: MEDIA

1. General Requirements

The Participating Clubs are encouraged to link the BFF website (www.bffonline.com) to its own website respectively upon entry to the Competition.

1. Media

Where required, the BFF will be responsible for the production of media bibs for photographers, TV and ENG crews under supervision by AFC.

1. Media Access Areas

    

   1. No representatives of the written press or radio journalists are allowed on the field of play or the area between the boundaries of the field and the spectators.

   2. Only those photographers who have the approval from BFF Media Wing, TV cameramen of the Host Broadcaster and the main visiting broadcaster and the personnel required to operate the electronic television cameras of the Host Broadcaster are allowed in the area between the boundaries of the field of play and the spectators, where they will carry out their work in the specific locations assigned to them.

   3. The team dressing-rooms are strictly off limits to representatives of the Media before, during and after the Match.

   4. Bangladesh Football Federation shall ensure the Host Broadcaster and all Broadcast Affiliates have free access to the Stadia from 2 (two) days prior to match day until 1 (one) day after the Match, in order to access the technical issues of each and to assemble and construct the relevant infrastructure required for the execution of the Broadcast Rights.

   5. The BFF is responsible for ensuring that Broadcast Rights are protected and that no broadcaster and/or video or ENG camera crews are allowed access to the stadium without the prior written permission of BFF.

       

2. Training Session

All Training Sessions must be opened to the Media. Should the Participating Clubs wish to close its Training Session to the Media, it shall open for at least the first 15 (fifteen) minutes of the training.

1. Press Conferences

    

   1. The Participating Clubs must attend the pre-match press conference, if any, to be conducted under the supervision of BFF Media Officer.

   2. The Head Coach of each Participating Clubs is obliged to attend and participate in the Pre-Match/Tournament Press Conference to be held at least 1 (one) day before the Match.

   3. Both teams are obliged to ensure attendance of their Head Coach at Post-Match Press Conference after each match. The loosing team will seat for the Post-Match Press Conference first and in case of draw situation the ‘Team-A’ will seat for the press conference first.

   4. Interpretation of the coaches and players’ language into Bengali during the interview with media and at the press conferences is the responsibility of each participating team. 

   5. Non-compliance with clauses Art 29.1, 2 and 3 above will result in disciplinary action which may include a fine of a minimum of BDT 10,000 (Ten thousand taka only) and the Head Coach may be subject to a ban from the dressing room and/or the substitutes’ bench.

       

2. Mixed Zone

    

   Players and Officials of the Participating Clubs shall enter the Mixed Zone on their way from the team dressing room to the team bus after the Match.

    

3. Interviews

1. If requested by BFF, the Participating Clubs should have their Head Coach and 1 (one) player available for the day before each Match and/or on the Match day for an interview of up to 10 (ten) minutes, to be recorded by the main TV rights-holding or by BFF’s official website www.bffonline.com.

2. Players and Officials of Participating Clubs are not permitted to give interviews during the Match on the field of play or in its immediate vicinity. However, the BFF Media Officer may designate an area between the substitutes’ benches and dressing rooms in which “flash” interviews for the Host Television Broadcaster only can take place at the end of the Match. Players and Officials violating this Article will be subject to disciplinary measures.

3. If requested by BFF for the ‘flash’ interviews, the Head Coach and at least 1 (one) key player from both Participating Clubs must be available for at least the Host Broadcaster and the TV rights-holding broadcaster.

4. All interview locations should be assigned by BFF Media Officer.

SECTION 6: EQUIPMENT/KIT

1. Equipment Regulations

1. The Participating Clubs must comply with the AFC Equipment Regulations (as in www.the-afc.com).

2. The AFC Equipment Regulations are in force from the time the Participating Club’s Official Delegation arrive at a Controlled Access Areas until the time the Team’s Official Delegation depart from such areas.

1. Sleeve Patches

Each Participating Club shall allow space on the sleeves of the players uniform available (or such other part of the player uniform as BFF may determine) to affix to the relevant Match identifier in a form, manner and position to be determined by BFF as below:

• Independence Cup Football Tournament sleeve patch on the right;

• BFF Logo sleeve patch on the left.

   

SECTION 7: TICKETING

1. Policy

1. The entire ticketing system regulating ticket design, pricing policy, procedures and implementation shall be approved by BFF.

2. The entire Ticketing system regulating ticket design, printing, pricing strategy, procedures, and implementation plan is BFF’s responsibility.

3. All tickets shall incorporate only those Logos and Marks of the Competition and the official Commercial Affiliates and Broadcast Affiliates as requested and/or agreed by BFF as parts of the ticket design.

1. Complimentary Tickets

BFF shall make available 50 (fifty) complementary tickets in the gallery areas for each participating clubs of the particular match. BFF is entitled to include the provision of complementary tickets in sponsorship and commercial contracts made on behalf of the Independence Cup Football Tournament.  

SECTION 8: MEDICAL AND DOPING CONTROL

36        Medical Personnel

BFF shall provide, at its own cost, the following medical personnel on match day at the Stadium where the match is organized:

On-Pitch Medical Services:

• 1 (one) on pitch Medical Officer trained in Emergency Medicine.

• 8 (eight) trained stretcher bearers in good physical condition.

37.       Anti-Doping

37.1     Doping is prohibited. BFF shall inform the Participating Club by means of a circular of the doping control procedure. List of prohibited substances/methods can be downloaded from the AFC or WADA website (www.wada-ama.org).

37.2     BFF will carry out the analysis of samples to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory, if necessary.

37.3     The BFF Disciplinary Code, the AFC Anti-Doping Regulations, as well as all relevant AFC directives will apply to this Competition.

SECTION 9: DISCIPLINARY LAWS AND PROCEDURES

1. Disciplinary Measures and Appeals

1. Disciplinary measures and appeals are dealt with in compliance with the current BFF Statutes, BFF Disciplinary Code and the relevant BFF circular(s).

2. BFF may initiate investigations should it suspect and/or is aware of any violations of the Laws of the Game and contravention of its Statutes, Rules, Regulations, Instructions and decisions by the Clubs, Officials and Players.

3. BFF may impose the disciplinary measures for any violations of the Laws of the Game and contravention of its Statutes, Rules, Regulations, Instructions and decisions by the Clubs, Officials and Players.

4. 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 ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ and it and its officials, coaches and players shall be liable to further sanctions to be determined by the Professional Football League Committee of BFF. 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 ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ panel of referees and to other disciplinary sanctions as appropriate.

5. Any referee who accepts any payment, inducement or gift from any ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ Club at any time shall be expelled from the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ panel of referees and be liable to further sanctions to be determined by BFF or BFF Professional Football League Committee.

6. 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. 

7. 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.

    

1. Players and Officials Cautioned or Dismissed from the field of play

39.1     All clubs selected to participate in the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ shall honor the ethos of football and be committed to participate in the spirit of fair play.

39.2     BFF’s appointed Match Commissioner shall oversee the spirit of fair play at each ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ match. The Match Commissioner shall make a report to BFF (See Appendix 7).  

39.3     Any matters brought to the attention of the Disciplinary Committee of BFF by referees, match commissioners, referee assessors or BFF Professional Football League Committee, the Disciplinary Committee shall have the authority to impose the sanctions or take other actions its deems appropriate as per the BFF Disciplinary Code.

39.4     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.

39.5     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 warning;

• a reprimand;

• a suspension for less than 3 (three) matches or of up to 2 (two) months;

• a fine of less than BDT 50,000.00 (Fifty thousand taka only) imposed on a club or of less than BDT 25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand taka only) in other cases.

39.6     BFF shall maintain a record of yellow and red cards awarded against each player and official.

39.6.1 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.

39.6.2  A player who receives 2 (two) cautions (yellow cards) during the Group Stage or Knock-out Stage shall automatically be suspended from the next match.

39.6.3  Single yellow card received in the Group Stage will not be carried forward to the Knock-out Stage.

39.6.4  If  the  player  receives a  second  caution  during  the  Team’s  last  match  in  the Group Stage, the  suspension will be carried forward to the Knock-out Stage if qualification has been obtained.

39.6.5  Any player and/or official who receives a red  card  or  sent-off   during  the Competition  shall  remain suspended from further play until his/her case has been decided by the BFF Disciplinary Committee. 

39.7.3  If any club coach, player, or official is indulged in criticizing the BFF Official, BFF, BFF Professional Football League Committee, Independence Cup Football Tournament, a Match Commissioner, Referee Assessor, 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 taka only).

39.7.4  BFF may impose any sanction it deems appropriate in response to incidents brought to its attention by the Match Commissioner and/or Referee.

1. Indiscipline or Violent Conduct by players and/or officials

1. Any player or official reported for indiscipline or violent conduct anywhere in the stadium including but not limited to the field of play, the changing rooms, at the Training Sites and in the hotels shall be dealt with by the relevant BFF Committees in accordance with these Regulations, the BFF Statues and Disciplinary Code.

2. All players or club officers are completely forbidden to carry mobile phone or any electronic communication device or destructive items during the running of the game.

3. If the above mentioned Art 41.2) is violated, the concerned club officer and player shall be subject to punishment and expel from the stadium. 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.

    

41        Got-up Match

The following measures and penalty will be followed by the BFF Professional Football League Committee for any fixed or got-up match:

41.1     A special high-power committee will be formed to identify the got-up match/matches. This committee can take necessary help from the law enforcement/intelligence agency.

41.2     BFF will make, as far as possible, the videography of all the matches.

41.3     The result and points of the identified got-up match will be forfeited/nullified and all points will be deducted from the already earned points of the teams concerned.

41.4     Punishment, monetary and match suspension/stadium ban, shall be taken against the club, club official or player who is found to have been liable for any got-up match/matches.

41.5     The decision of the BFF Professional Football League Committee concerning got-up match is final and binding.

1. Protest

1. Subject to the following provisions, protests are objections of any kind to occurrences that have a direct effect on Matches organized in the Competition (state and marking of the pitch, accessory, match equipment, eligibility of players, stadium installations, footballs, etc.) and any matters related to the breach of these Regulations.

2. Unless otherwise stipulated in this article, protests shall first be submitted in writing to the BFF Match Commissioner within 2 (two) hours of completion of the Match by the team concerned and followed up immediately with a full written report, including a copy of the original protest, to be sent in writing to the BFF Secretariat accompanied by a fee of BDT 10,000.00 (Ten thousand taka only). The protest shall be addressed to the Chairman of the BFF Professional Football League Committee and the protest be disposed off within 48 (forty-eight) hours. The protest fee shall not be refunded if the protest is rejected. The plaintiff club shall confirm the protest by registered letter, to be sent to the BFF Secretariat no later than 2 (two) days after the Match in question.

3. Protests against any incidents that occur during the course of a Match shall be made to the Referee by the team captain immediately after the disputed incident and before play has been resumed. The protests shall be confirmed in writing to the BFF Match Commissioner by the head of the team delegation no later than 2 (two) hours after the Match.

4. No protests may be made against the Referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play, such decisions being final.

5. If an unfounded or irresponsible protest is lodged, the Disciplinary Committee may impose a fine and the protest fee of BDT 10,000.00 (Ten thousand taka only) will be forfeited.

6. Once the Competition has ended, any protests described in this article shall be disregarded.

1. Arbitration

1. Pursuant to BFF Statutes, clubs are forbidden from taking disputes to a civil court but may only submit them to the appropriate body of BFF in accordance with the applicable procedure.

2. Furthermore, any disputes involving BFF, Clubs, confederations, leagues, teams, players, officials and licensed agents in connection with the Competition shall be promptly settled by negotiation.

If no solution can be reached, or a formal appeal is envisaged, the issue shall be exclusively resolved under the auspices of the arbitration chamber set forth in the BFF Statutes, namely the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with headquarters in Lausanne. The Code of Sports-related Arbitration of the CAS and all the relevant CAS Regulations shall apply. The language of arbitration is English.

SECTION 10: ADMINISTRATION

1. Awards

Champion and Runners-Up team shall be awarded the Championship and Runners-Up trophy and medals respectively. Besides this, Fair Play trophy will be awarded to the well disciplined team of the tournament. In respect of the Fair Play trophy, FIFA / AFC policies shall be followed. Moreover, the reward of the ‘Best Player of the Tournament’ amounting to BDT 25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand taka only), the ‘Highest Goal Scorers’ amounting to BDT 25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand taka only), ‘Man of the Match’ trophy/crest in 2 (two) Semi-Final and the Final Match will be provided.

BFF shall provide monetary prizes to the Champion and Runners-Up teams of the ‘Independence Cup Football Tournament 2014’ according to the following schedule:

• Champion       

• Runners-Up

                           

   

   

1. Prize Presentation Ceremony

1. A prize presentation ceremony will be held immediately after the Final match of the Competition to award the Awards, Trophy and Medals.

2. The teams and individuals that qualify to receive the Awards, Trophy and Medals are required to attend the prize presentation ceremony. Teams may be represented by the Team’s Official Delegation subject to BFF’s prior approval.

1. Special Provisions

    

1. Any disputes arising from the application of these Regulations shall be settled by the jurisdiction of BFF and, if subsequently necessary and BFF’s decision is not final, by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

    

2. The BFF Professional Football League Committee shall issue any instructions necessitated by special circumstances which might arise in the commencement of the Competition. These instructions shall form an integral part of these Regulations.  

1. 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 are final.

         Kazi Md. Salahuddin                                   Md. Abu Nayeem Shohag

President                                                         General Secretary

APPENDIX 1: Determining the Ranking in a group using Fair Play criteria

As provided for in Art. 16.3.2 vii of this Competition Regulation, the “Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group Matches” will be calculated as follows:

Each team will receive points for receiving red and yellow cards as indicated below:

1. Each yellow card (1 point);

    

2. Each red card as a consequence of two yellow cards (3 points);

    

3. Each direct red card (3 points);

    

4. Each yellow card followed by a direct red card (4 points).

    

   The team receiving the least number of points will be ranked the highest.