Application of the League Rules by Executive Director
In general, what is always required is for there to be something on the file which relates to any action, agreement or decision. This is to provide a full documentary trail capable of being audited should members so wish.
I can very easily overlook the processing of a result or a penalty. It’s up to you all to quality assure what I do and point out any errors and omissions on my part.
In accordance with the preamble, undocumented verbal communications are off the record and not acted upon.
The circumstances that led to an infringement should not be relevant; furthermore whether I have the power to suspend a rule because of the circumstances is debatable. This means of course that I am unsympathetic to appeals against the application of the rules. If the rules are at fault they need to be changed.
The defaulting of other than the lowest boards is readily apparent on the matchcard (or email) and the penalties are processed when the result are input.
Penalties for missed fixtures are processed when written confirmation of a team not turning up is received (by post or electronically). Where a match is postponed (or missed), the parties fail to confirm the rearrangement date in writing (by letter or e-mail copied to me), and then there is no show, I am not interested. There is no record.
The rule on team ordering provides the grounds on which a team may challenge the board order of their opponents. This should be done before a match starts, and if there is no agreement your rights reserved: otherwise playing the match is tacit agreement to the order adopted. Late arrival, after the clocks have started and the opening move played, is viewed as forfeiting the right to challenge the board order.
Late substitutions that contravene grade order are with the agreement of the opposing team; as is any other shuffling such as moving players up to avoid a possible default penalty.
Play on dates should be noted on the matchcard prior to it being signed by both team captains. Dates that are agreed later (TBA) should be confirmed in writing. The same principle as in postponements applies. If you only agree a date verbally then on your own head be it. If anything goes wrong there was no recorded agreement.
To be added to, as and when incidents occur or further aspects highlighted