Mauritius Football Association

RULES OF THE
MAURITIUS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Article 1 – Name, Head Office, Affiliation and Definition

1. The name of the Association is the Mauritius Football Association, and is refered hereinafter as the MFA in these rules.

1. The MFA is neutral in matters of politics and religion.  It prohibits any form of political, religious, sexual, ethnic or racial discrimination.

1. The MFA is formed for an unlimited period.

1. The head office of the MFA shall be at MFA House, Trianon, Quatre Bornes or at such other place that its National Managing Committee may decide. 

1. Any change in address shall be notified to the Registrar of Associations within 14 days of the change.  

1. The MFA shall be the only body in MAURITIUS to be affiliated with FIFA, CAF, COSAFA and the FA.

1. Accordingly, the MFA is itself obliged to respect the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF, COSAFA and the FA, and to ensure that these are likewise respected by its members.

1. In these rules,

MFA shall mean Mauritius Football Association

FIFA shall mean Federation Internationale de Football Associations

CAF shall mean Confederation Africaine de Football

COSAFA shall mean Council of Southern Africa Football Associations

FA shall mean Football Association

CIAF shall mean Chambre Internationale d’Arbitrage de Football

Article 2 – Responsibilities and Duties

2.1                   The MFA pursues the following particular responsibilities:

2.1.1    to develop, promote, control and regulate the sport of association football in all its forms throughout the territory of Mauritius;

1. to encourage the practice of the sport of association football at the national and regional level, and in a spirit of fair-play;

1. to organise competitions in association football in all its forms at national level, by defining precisely, as required, the areas of authority conceded to the Regional Committees of which it is composed;

1. to control and supervise all friendly football matches of all forms played throughout the territory of Mauritius;

1. to manage the international sporting relations connected with association football in all its forms;

1. to protect the joint interests of its members; and

1. to collaborate with the appropriate multisport federation for the rationalisation of the practice of association football

2.2       The MFA shall:

2.2.1    be the only organisation, representing football on the Mauritius National Olympic Committee;

1. be the only body responsible for the selection and training of the national football teams for appropriate competitions it shall choose;

1. be responsible for the formation of coaches, referees and official;

1. deliver licences, at the beginning of the season to all football players, coaches and referees upon production of certificates by the member clubs and referees that the applicants have undergone sport medical examination and are physically fit;

1. arrange for insurance cover against possible accidents in the practice of football by its licence holders and officials in official competitions and training;

1. draw, in collaboration with all sectors concerned, a yearly programme of activities and ensure the implementation, and carry out a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of that programme;

1. ratify competitions results and keep an up-to-date list of national records;

1. take all reasonable steps, where necessary, to ensure that coaches, technical officials, referees, competitors and women athletes, shall form separate associations so as to be represented in the Managing Committee;

1. arrange, when possible, for regular doping control upon any licencee during and out of competition period;

1. make provisions for the enrolled sports clubs to be held responsible for any misconduct of their supporters;

1. take appropriate sanctions against those sports clubs for any misconduct of their supporters; and

1. conduct the specialized component of the training courses for sport cadres leading to the ‘Brevet d’Etat’ de Cadre Sportif (BECS).

1. The MFA, through its National Managing Committee, shall have the powers:

1. to purchase or otherwise acquire any real or personal movable or immovable, or incorporate chattels, shares and generally all property of whatever kind, type or nature which shall be considered to benefit the MFA or to promote or assist in the promotion of any of the objects of the MFA;

1. to acquire, lay out, improve, hold, use or turn to account in any way, any sports ground with all such pavillons, buildings, erection and easements and with all the necessary fittings and accessories as the MFA shall deem advisable;

1. to improve, develop, manage, charge, pledge, let, lease, sell any real or personal property of the MFA in conformity with Law, subject to article 54.1.

1. to borrow money on such security as the National Managing Committee may determine and in particular on the security of mortgages, debentures or debenture stock pledge by charging all or any of the property of the MFA in conformity with Law;

1. to make such grants to its member clubs and Regional Committees as may be deemed advisable by the National Managing Committee for the promotion of football;

1. to appoint any person which the MFA or the National Managing Committee may deem fit to form part of any sub-committee appointed in connection with the practice of football and provide, make and vary rules, and bye-laws regulating these sub-committees;

1. to provide rules and bye-laws for deciding and settling all differences that may arise between member clubs, players etc, within the MFA or any persons who are members of or are alleged to be members of any such member clubs, regarding due compliance with the laws of football, or the rules and bye-laws of the MFA, FIFA, CAF, FA, COSAFA, and CIAF;

1. to do all such acts, matters and things, take such sanctions against members of the MFA or individuals forming part of such member clubs of the MFA including the banning of such individual or such member clubs from taking part in any competition organised, run or sponsored by the MFA;

1. to accept donations made by any party to the MFA; and

1. to do all such things, including the employment, control and direction of such staff as it may deem necessary, as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives or any of them.

Article 3 – Flag, Emblem, colours, seal and abbreviation

3.1                   The flag of the MFA has a pale blue background with the emblem in the middle.

1. The emblem of the MFA consists of the map of Mauritius supported by olive branches with the abbreviation MFA at the top and a scroll with the inscription Mauritius Football Association at the bottom.

3.3                   The colours of the MFA shall be ‘red’ and ‘white’.

3.4                   The MFA shall have a seal bearing its name and emblem.

Article 4 – Official language

1. The official language of the MFA is English.  Official documents and texts shall be written in English.

Article 5 – Membership

5.1       The MFA shall consist of:

1. registered sports clubs practicing football and enrolled with the Regional Football Committees; and

1. honorary members, which shall have no voting rights, and shall not exceed 5 in number. 

1. Any person present at the National General Assembly may propose for nomination as honorary member:

1. a person who has rendered exceptional service to, and proved his devotion in furtherance of the objects of, the MFA ; or

1. a former member of its National Managing Committee.

1. Every member other than an honorary member shall pay an annual fee, by 31 August of each year, to the Regional Football Committee of their respective region, as follows:

1. member clubs playing at National 1st Division level: Rs 1,000 per club;

1. member clubs playing at National 2nd Division level: Rs 500 per club;   

1. clubs playing at Regional 1st Division level: Rs 300 per club;

1. clubs playing at Regional 2nd Division level: Rs 200 per club; and

1. other affiliated clubs (including Women’s clubs): Rs 100 per club.

5.4                   New football clubs seeking admission to the MFA shall pay to the MFA an entrance fee of Rs 3,000.
                                               
5.5                   Licence / Insurance fees, participation and transfer fees will be included in the Rules of competition and bye-laws of the MFA.

5.6                   A member which fails to pay its membership fee on the date specified at 5.3 shall forfeit its right to vote.

Article 6 – Procedure for application as member

1. Every application for membership from a football club must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the MFA, and copied to the Secretary of the Regional Football Committee concerned.

6.2                   The application must be accompanied by:

1. a copy of the applicant’s rules,
2. a copy of the applicant’s registration certificate from the Registrar of Associations;

1. a list of its officers, specifying those who are authorised signatories, with the right to enter into legally binding agreements with third parties;

1. a declaration to the effect that it agrees to be bound by the rules, and directives in their current form, and subject to later changes, as well as by the decisions of FIFA, CAF, FA, COSAFA, MFA and the Regional Football Committee with which it will be enrolled;

1. a declaration to the effect that the applicant club undertakes to ensure that these are respected by its own members and by any person (player or official) with whom it has a contract;

1. a declaration to the effect that it recognises the exclusive authority of an arbitration tribunal as prescribed by the Sports Act and by FIFA, CAF, FA, COSAFA, CIAF and the MFA in respect of all legal disputes involving itself or any of its members;

1. a declaration to the effect that it undertakes to organise or participate in friendly matches and tournaments only with the prior consent of the MFA; and

• a copy of the minutes of its latest General Assembly or constitutional meeting of the proposed applicant club relating to the application for membership.

Article 7 – Decision on affiliation

7.1                   The Annual General Assembly of the respective Regional Football Committee has the sole right to decide on the affiliation of a member. The Regional Football Committee reserves the right to reject any application without having to give any reason.

Article 8 – Members’ rights

1. The members have:

1. the right to know in advance the agenda of any General Assembly, to be called to the meeting within the prescribed time, to take part in the meeting and to exercise their right to vote, subject to article 5.6; and

1. all other rights arising out of these rules or those recognised by the regulations, directives and decisions of the Association.

Article 9 – Members’ obligations

9.1                   Every member of the MFA has an obligation:

1. to be loyal to the MFA, meaning, in particular, that the member must abstain from any actions contrary to the interests of the MFA;

1. to settle all sums due by way of subscriptions or any other financial commitments;

1. to communicate to the MFA any amendment of the member’s rules, and a list of its officers or persons who are authorised signatories, with the right to enter into legally binding agreements with third parties;

1. to agree to be bound by the rules, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF, FA, COSAFA and of the MFA as well as its Regional Football Committee where relevant;

1. to ensure that these are respected by its own members and by any other person (player or official) with whom it has a contract;

1. to observe the Laws of the Game, of the CIAF and to ensure that these are likewise observed by its members;

1. to adopt a statutory clause specifying that any legal actions requiring arbitration involving itself or one of its members and relating to the rules, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF, COSAFA, the MFA or the Regional Football Committee of which it is composed, must be subject to the sole authority of an arbitration tribunal as mentioned in the Sports Act, or set up by the MFA or ultimately to FIFA, CIAF which will settle the legal action, on the understanding that FIFA or CIAF is the ultimate decisive body in such matters;

1. to specify in any contract that it concludes with a player or official a clause by which any legal action requiring arbitration arising out of the said contract or related to it must be subject to the sole authority of an arbitration tribunal that will be set up by the MFA as aforesaid, which will settle the legal action; and

1. to observe the principles of loyalty, integrity and good sporting behaviour as an expression of fair play and all other obligations arising of these rules, or out of the regulations, directives and decisions of the MFA.

9.2       Every member of the MFA has an obligation not to:

1. maintain any relation of a sporting nature with non affiliated clubs, entities or third parties or with members that have been suspended or expelled; and

1. hold position of responsibility in any political party.

Article 10 – Suspension

10.1                 Serious breach of the rules, directives and decisions of the MFA may result, subsequent to the decision of the General Assembly, in the suspension of the membership of the MFA for a maximum of two years.

10.2                 Any decision on suspension implies the loss of the rights and obligations associated with member status while the suspension remains in force, without in any way meaning that at the end of the suspension the membership is automatically renewed or activated.

Article 11 – Termination of membership

11.1                 Membership of the MFA shall cease:

1. if the member loses its registration under the Registration of Association Act or under such law in force and applicable to friendly associations;

1. if the member no longer fulfils the requirements of any Sports Act in force;

1. if the member is prevented by any lawful authority from carrying out football activities or voluntarily ceases to do so;

1. with the winding up of the member club or voluntary withdrawal of a member from the MFA;

1. on the resignation, signified by means of registered letter, or death of an honorary member;

1. where the member or honorary member does not comply with the Act;

1. when the National Managing Committee, after hearing the member or member club, strikes off the roll the member or member club:-

1. on breaching the rules, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF, FA, COSAFA and the MFA;

1. for non–payment of annual fee or any other financial commitment within 3 months after it is being due; and

1. on refusal to comply with a decision of the National General Assembly.

1. A member, who is struck off the roll by the National Managing Committee, may appeal to the National General Assembly.

11.3                 The National General Assembly may, after hearing the member and examining the reasons for the decision of the National Managing Committee, reverse that decision by a majority of three quarters of the votes of the members present and entitled to vote.

11.4                 Any member struck off the roll cannot apply for re–admission before the passing of three years from the date the decision of striking off is taken.

Article 12 – Specific cases

12.1                 The National Managing Committee may suspend, censure, sanction (financially or otherwise), declare an individual persona–non–grata or expel from the MFA any member club or any individual member or official of a member club if the club, individual member or official:

1. is guilty of such misconduct or acts in such a manner, or has been convicted of any criminal offence or misdemeanour offence which is likely to bring disrepute to the MFA;

1. makes public statements in the press or other mass media which are considered to be detrimental to the MFA;

1. places bets on any football match organised under the jurisdiction of the MFA;

1. offers or attempts to offer, either directly or indirectly, any consideration whatsoever to another member club or to any member or official of another member club, or to any referee or assistant referee with a view to influencing the result of any match or accepted any such consideration;

1. allows a member or an official of a member club, or a player under suspension to perform any duties from the execution of which he has been suspended or fails to take any reasonable precautions to prevent such person from entering any ground where an official match is being played;

1. commits any act or makes any statement either verbally or in writing, or is responsible for continuing misconduct or any matter which, in the opinion of the MFA is considered to be ungentlemanly, insulting or improper behaviour or likely to bring the game into disrepute;

1. organises without prior authorisation of the MFA, any tournament, match or exhibition at regional, national or international level;

1. takes part in any match where gate money is collected and where receipts are not used towards the furtherance of football, without special authorisation from the MFA.

12.2                 All the above apply mutatis mutandis to a referee, coach, doctor, physio, medical attendant, player and anybody closely associated with a football club whenever applicable.

Article 13 – Change of name and amalgamation

13.1                 No member club shall be allowed to change its name to that of a commercial sponsor, or to one well known to be closely connected to that sponsor, specially if this is done for the purpose of circumventing the regulations of sponsorship.

13.2                 No member club shall change its name or amalgamate with another club/s without obtaining the prior approval of the National Managing Committee of the MFA. Provided that, on permission being granted for amalgamation, only one of the amalgamated clubs shall remain in existence and keep its legal status, whether under the same name or not, and all the other clubs shall simply be dissolved.

Article 14 – General Discipline

1. The members of the National General Assembly, the National Managing Committee, Regional Managing Committees and Committees of the MFA shall all, without exception be bound by the decisions taken by these committees and cannot dissociate themselves from their decision.

1. The abovementioned members are bound by secrecy and shall not divulge the proceedings of, and the decisions taken by, these Committees to the public, advertising companies, newspapers, radio, television, cinema corporation or any mass media be they national or international.

1. Only the President or a person duly authorised by him, shall hold a press meeting or speak on radio, TV or speak or write in favour of any organisation related to publication, information for advertisement or transmit to them any writing or magnetic tape, or anything directly or indirectly connected with the interior, exterior or foreign policies of the MFA.

1. No licensed player, registered referee, registered coach or journalist in the employment of a newspaper, radio or TV station shall sit on any committee of the MFA, except as provided for in the present rules.

14.5                 No person, whether presently or previously employed by the MFA in any capacity whatsoever, shall sit or form part of the National Managing Committee of the MFA.

Article 15 – Appeals to the National General Assembly

15.1                 Any decision of the National Managing Committee:

1. declaring an individual ‘persona non grata’; and / or

1. refusing a change of name to a member club; and / or

1. refusing an amalgamation of two or more member clubs; and

15.2                 Any decision of the National Managing Committee or any Sub-Committee, duly appointed by the MFA imposing a financial contribution of, or exceeding one thousand rupees and/or ordering a suspension or expulsion;

may be appealed against, to the National General Assembly which may set up an Appellate Committee chaired by a person approved by the Disciplinary Committee of the MFA with assessors, to hear and determine such appeal on such terms and conditions as the Appellate Committee may decide.

1. The appeal shall be lodged with the Secretary of the MFA by registered letter within 15 days from the date of the communication of the decision.  The post mark date on the envelope shall be evidence of date of posting of the appeal.

1. The appellant shall, on pain of nullity, deposit a sum of one thousand rupees when filing his appeal.  This sum shall be returned if the appeal is successful, otherwise it shall be forfeited.

15.5                 The appeal shall set out the grounds on which the decision is questioned and no other grounds than those mentioned in the said appeal shall be argued at the hearing of the appeal.

15.6                 If the appellant is a member of a member club, the decision of the Assembly shall be conveyed to him by registered letter and copied to the Secretary or the Chairman / President or any other official of the club.

Article 16 – Political matters

1. No member club shall participate in any political activity nor participate in any sports activity organised by any political party or politician.

1. No political propaganda shall be made by a member club either before, during or after a match organised by the MFA.

1. No member club shall participate in any match where any political slogan is exhibited or any political gathering is organised.

1. The MFA shall not admit as a member any club directly or indirectly linked or affiliated with a political party, nor shall it allow any person actively engaged in politics to form part of any of its committees, sub-committees or in any way be an official of the MFA.     

1. Any club forming part of the MFA which associates itself, or indulges in any political activities or is in the opinion of the MFA directly or indirectly associated with any political party at any time after its admission, shall be expelled from the MFA

1. The MFA may, on such terms and conditions as it may impose, accept any person, or member who in the opinion of the MFA is no more engaged in politics or linked in any manner whatsoever with any political party.

1. Any decision taken by the MFA to admit, or not, such person or member shall be final and without appeal.

16.8                 All decisions and sanctions under this article shall rest with the National Managing Committee with a right of appeal as defined by Article 15 to the National General Assembly.

Article 17 – Regional General Assembly – Regional Managing Committee

17.1                 A General Assembly of all member clubs in each of the Sports Regions of the country shall be held at least once a year and shall be known as the Annual Regional General Assembly. The quorum for any of the Annual Regional General Assembly shall be half the number of representatives of the clubs enrolled in each region, each member club sending one representative to the Annual Regional General Assembly who shall have one vote.

1. Every fourth year, the Annual Regional General Assembly of each region shall elect amongst themselves a minimum of 7 or a maximum of 11 members to sit on the Regional Managing Committee for each region, of whom one representative shall be from each National First Division Club and National Second Division Club of that region respectively and the remaining from representatives of clubs engaged in the regional competitions.

17.3                 The Secretary of the Regional Managing Committee for each region shall send to each member club a convocation letter for the Annual Regional General Assembly at least 21 days before the date fixed for the Assembly. The  Secretary of the MFA shall also be informed within the same delay.

17.4                 Letters of candidature (when applicable) shall reach the Secretary of the Regional Managing Committee at least one week before the date fixed for the Assembly and shall bear the signature of the Secretary and President of the club concerned as well as the seal of the club, where available.

17.5                 In case the total number of candidates does not come to 11, the President of the Assembly shall call for candidature ‘séance tenante’ to bring the total to the required figure.  If even that fails, then if the total number of candidates is at least 7, they will form the Regional Managing Committee of that region.

17.6                 In case there are more than 11 candidates, an election, by secret ballot, shall take place.  No proxy will be admitted for the election of the Regional Managing Committee. In case of equality of votes, the candidate/s concerned will be designated by drawing of lots unless there is/are voluntary withdrawal/s.

17.7                 The seat of a member of the Regional Managing Committee of a region shall be declared vacant in case of death, resignation, expulsion, suspension, and absence 3 times consecutively without permission, from meetings of the committee.

17.8                 If at any time the number of members falls below 7, the Regional Managing Committee of a region shall be considered to have resigned collectively.  A Special Regional General Assembly of the region concerned shall be called by the Secretary of the MFA, to elect a new Regional Managing Committee.

17.9     Any vacancy shall be filled at the ensuing Regional General Assembly

17.10               The members of the Regional Managing Committee, shall as soon as elected, choose amongst themselves a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer.

17.11               The members of the Regional General Assembly shall also choose their delegate to the National General Assembly of the MFA for the ensuing four years.

17.12               The Regional Managing Committee shall deal with all matters pertaining to football in their region in accordance with rules, regulations and bye-laws drawn up to that effect by the MFA.

17.13               The Regional Managing Committee shall meet at least once every month or at the request of the President or at the motivated request of at least half of the members of the Regional Managing Committee. The quorum for a meeting shall be half the number of members.

17.14               The Secretary of the Regional Managing Committee shall give written notice of the holding of every meeting of the Regional Managing Committee to the President of the MFA and the latter or his representative may attend such meeting, but shall not have the right to vote.

Article 18 – National General Assembly

18.1                 The National General Assembly is the meeting to which the members of the MFA, in accordance with article 18.3, are regularly convened. It represents the supreme authority of the MFA. Only a meeting that is regularly convened has the authority to take decisions.

18.2                 The National Managing Committee decides on the participation of third parties at the National General Assembly.  Third parties have no voting rights, and can only be consulted with the express permission of the National Managing Committee

1. The General Assembly shall be composed as follows: -

18.3.1  Voting members:

1. One representative of each of the National First Division Clubs;

1. One representative of each of the National Second Division Clubs; and

1. One representative of each Regional Managing Committee elected from the members of that Committee not being a representative specified in 18.3.1.1 and 18.3.1.2, for a period not exceeding 4 years.

18.3.2  Non-voting members:

1. The honorary members; and

1. Such employees of the MFA as may be co-opted by the National Managing Committee of the MFA

18.4     Each voting member shall have one vote.

18.5     The National General Assembly has the following areas of authority :

1. adopting or amending the rules and regulations governing their application

1. approving the minutes of the last meeting;

1. approving the annual audited accounts;

1. approving the budget of the MFA for the ensuing accounting year;

1. nominating the auditors;

1. fixing of subscriptions;

1. electing every four years the members of the National Managing  Committee;

1. admitting, suspending or expelling a member;

1. approving the resignation of a member;

1. revoking the mandate of one or a number of members of committees set up by the MFA;

1. dissolving the MFA; and

1. approving the report of activities of the National Managing Committee.

Article 19 – Annual National General Assembly

19.1                 The Annual National General Assembly is convened by the National Managing Committee once a year, within three months following the end of the financial year. The Secretary of the MFA, must send out the notice to the meeting at least one month before the meeting, to the National Managing Committee members, the Secretary of each of the National First Division Clubs and National Second Division Clubs, the Regional representatuves not sitting on the National Managing Committee and the honorary members.

1. The agenda is set by the National Managing Committee

19.3                 The agenda for the Annual National General Assembly must include, at least, the following items:

19.3.1        verification of the composition of the meeting;

19.3.2        approval of the minutes of the previous meeting;

19.3.3        the President’s report and activities report of the National Managing committee;

1. approval of the audited statement of all receipts and payments for the previous year;

1. approval of estimates of an estimated budget for the following year;

1. approval of the programme of activities of the MFA for the current year;

1. election of the National Managing Committee members, if applicable); and

19.3.8        examination and approval of proposals for amendments to the rules of the MFA.

19.4                 The suspension or exclusion of a member must appear on the agenda and shall take place before any debate.

19.5                 The order of the items of the agenda may be modified provided there is a 2/3 majority of the votes validly cast by the official delegates in favour of the modification.

Article 20 – Extraordinary National General Assembly

20.1                 The National Managing Committee may convene an Extraordinary National General Assembly, if it deems this to be necessary and, in the following circumstances:

1. at the request of the President of the MFA.

1. when at least 1/3 of the total number of votes of all members submit the request, properly justified and in writing. In that case the National Managing Committee shall convene an extraordinary National General Assembly, not later than 40 days after submission of the request. If the meeting is not convened, the members who requested it, may convene the meeting themselves, through the Secretary of the MFA.

1. when there is an appeal as set out in Article 15.

20.2                 Notification of the meeting must be sent out at least 21 days before the meeting.

20.3                 When the Extraordinary National General Assembly is convened on the initiative of the National Managing Committee, this body shall set the agenda.  When it is convened at the request of 1/3 of the total number of votes of all members, the agenda must contain the points raised by those members.

20.4                 The agenda may not be changed under any circumstances, without prejudice to the right of members to drop or amend lawfully and regularly the items of the agenda.

Article 21 – Quorum

21.1                 The Annual National General Assembly shall only make valid decisions when half of the representatives who are entitled to vote plus one, are present, without prejudice to paragraph 2.

21.2                 Where there is no quorum at an annual meeting, the annual meeting of the National general Assembly shall be postponed for 14 days and held at the same place and time with the same agenda as the original meeting, irrespective of the number of members present. 

21.3                 Where there is no quorum at an Extraordinary National General Assembly, the meeting shall simply be dismissed.

Article 22 – Conduct of the National General Assembly

22.1                 The National General Assembly shall be chaired by the President of the National Managing Committee, or if the President is absent or unable to attend, by the first Vice President. If the latter is also absent or unable to attend, it is chaired by the second or third Vice President, and as a last resort by a member designated by those present.

22.2                 The President is responsible for ensuring that the meeting is properly conducted. The minutes of the meeting must be recorded by the Secretary of the MFA.

Article 23 – Decisions

1. The National General Assembly shall not take a decision on any point not included on the agenda.

1. The members shall exercise their voting rights through their official delegate.

1. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Rules, decisions shall be taken by simple majority (50% + 1) of the votes validly cast by the official delegates voting.

1. Amendments to the Rules and the dissolution of the MFA shall be done in accordance with the Sports Act.

1. Elections shall be carried out on the basis of simple majority (50% + 1) of the votes validly cast by the official delegates voting.  In the event of the votes cast are equal, the candidates shall be separated by drawing of lots, unless there is voluntary withdrawal.

1. Elections shall be carried out by secret ballot.

1. Decisions shall be taken by a show of hands unless a simple majority (50% + 1) of the official voting delegates request a secret ballot.

1. In the event of tied votes, the President shall have the casting vote. (Except for election of members).

1. Voting by proxy or letter is not allowed except for special resolutions, in accordance with the Registrar of Associations Act.

1. The decision taken by the meeting shall come into force on the day after they are adopted, unless the meeting should set another date or delegate this decision to the National Managing Committee.

Article 24 - National Managing Committee

24.1                 The National Managing Committee shall be composed of 12 persons as follows:

1. Elected Members

(amongst representatives of clubs/Regional Committees delegated to attend the Annual National General Assembly).

                  5 from National 1st Division clubs   )Elected by the
                  3 from National 2nd Division clubs   )Annual National
                  4 from Regional football committees            )General Assembly

24.1.2  Appointed Members

1 from the Women’s Football Committee
1 from the Referees’ Committee, and
1 from the Coaches’/ Educators’ Committee

The representatives of Women Football, Referees and Coaches/Educators Committees shall be appointed by the National Managing Committee in consultation with the respective body/ies, where applicable. Such representatives shall not have the right to vote.

24.1.3        In addition, the MFA may co–opt such employees / persons as it deems necessary to sit on the National Managing Committee, but these employees / persons shall have no voting rights.

24.1.4        In case the representative of the Rodrigues Regional Committee is not elected to sit on the National Managing Committee, he shall be co-opted and shall assist meetings of the National Managing Committee as the latter may decide.

24.1.5        The elected members of the National Managing Committee shall elect from amongst themselves a President, 3 Vice Presidents, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer, the rest being ordinary members.

24.2                 Letters of candidature for the National Managing Committee must be submitted to the Secretary of the MFA, by the member club or the Regional Committee, through registered mail and the letters should bear the signature of the President and Secretary of the member club or Regional Committee as well as the seal of the member club or Regional Committee, at least 15 days before the National Managing Committee.

24.3                 No member club of the MFA can have more than one representative on the National Managing Committee.

Article 25 – Term of Office of the National Managing Committee Members.

1. The term of office of the President and the other members of the National Managing Committee shall be four (4) years.

1. The mandates of the members of the National Managing Committee may be renewed. 

25.2.1        The mandate of the President may be renewed only once.  He may be re-elected in another position on the National Managing Committee

1. Should any person for whatever reason, default or be ousted whilst serving any mandate, before the end of such mandate, it shall nonetheless be deemed that such a person has served one full mandate for the purposes of the Sports Act.

1. A person as specified in subparagraph 25.2.1 and 25.2.2 shall be disqualified to stand as candidate for the office of President of a Sports Federation.

25.3                 If a position should become vacant, the National Managing Committee shall fill the vacancy. When the number of vacancies exceeds 3, those vacancies will be filled by election at the National General Assembly for the remaining term of their mandate.

Article 26        Quorum for the National Managing Committee.

26.1                 The Quorum for the National Managing Committee is seven (7) of the members having voting rights.

Article 27 -      Removal of members of the National Managing Committee.

1. A member of the National Managing Committee who has unreasonably absented himself from 3 consecutive meetings of the committee may be removed from office or suspended by the Committee.

1. The National General Assembly of the MFA may revoke the National Managing Committee by taking a vote to that effect with a majority of ¾ of the total number of votes held by all members voting of the Assembly.

1. Where a National Managing Committee is revoked under 27.2, a new National Managing committee shall be elected within a period of one month of the date of revocation of the last committee.

Article 28 – Meetings of the National Managing Committee.

1. The National Managing Committee shall meet at least once every month.

1. The President shall cause the meeting to be convened.

1. At the request of at least 5 voting members and at the request of the President, the President must cause a meeting to be convened within the week following the request. If the President does not cause the meeting to be convened during such time, one of the members who requested the meeting may do so, through the Secretary of the MFA.

1. The members must submit the points they wish to appear on the agenda for the meeting to the Secretary at least one week before the meeting.  The agenda must be sent out to the members of the National Managing Committee at least 3 days before the meeting.

1. The meetings of the National Managing Committee are not held in public.  The National Managing Committee may, however, invite third parties to attend.  Those third parties do not have voting rights and may only express an opinion with the permission of the National Managing Committee.

1. No member shall take part in the deliberation of the National Managing Committee on any matter which directly concerns any sportsman to whom he is related by blood or marriage.

Article 29 – Areas of authority

1. The National Managing Committee has authority in the following particular areas:

1. to manage the affairs of the MFA;

1. to represent and commit the MFA in respect of third parties

1. to appoint the Administrative Secretary and the other administrative employees of the MFA, to approve their job specifications and to monitor their activities and to assign such duties as the Managing Committee may decide

1. to appoint coaches for the national teams and the other technical staff;

1. to apply a maximum supervision in all the areas of activity of the MFA;

1. to prepare and convene the Annual and Extraordinary National General Assemblies;

1. to draft the budget and the accounts of the MFA;

1. to draft the activities program;

1. to nominate and, where appropriate, to dismiss members of committees

1. to prepare the regulations to be adopted or amended by the National General Assembly, issue or modify regulations other than the regulations governing the applications of rules, and to issue or modify directives for the consultative committees

1. to institute, organise and abolish official competitions at national level;

1. to maintain relations with the International and National sporting bodies and also to exercise the right to propose representatives of the MFA for election to these various bodies;

1. to nominate any person suitable to be awarded the title of honorary President or member of the MFA.

1. Furthermore, the National Managing Committee exercises those areas of authority that are not expressly assigned to some other committee of the MFA.

29.3                 At its own discretion, it may delegate tasks arising out of its area of authority and call on the services of advisers or grant mandates to third parties.

Article 30 – Decisions of the National Managing Committee.

1. The National Managing Committee shall take decisions by a single majority of

the members present. In the event of a tied vote, the President has the casting vote.

1. Any member of the National Managing Committee must withdraw from the

debate if there is a conflict of interest.

1. Except in the event of withdrawal, each member must express his opinion.

1. The decisions taken are recorded in the minutes.

1. The decisions taken by the National Managing Committee are binding on all

parties concerned and shall come into effect immediately, unless the National Managing Committee decides otherwise.

Article 31 – President

1. The duties of the President are as follows:

31.1.1        to represent the MFA in all circumstances;

1. to cause the National General Assembly as well as the meetings

                                 of the National Managing Committee to be convened;

1. to chair the National General Assembly, as well as the meetings of  

                  the National Managing Committee

1. to ensure implementation of the decisions of the National General

                  Assembly and of the National Managing Committee; and

31.1.5        to ensure regular and effective functioning of the committees of the
                                 MFA, to allow it to achieve the objectives specified by these rules.

31.2                 In the event that the President is absent or unable to attend, his duties must be discharged, in order of priority, by the first, second and third Vice President, or a member of the National Managing Committee chosen by the members of the National Managing Committee.

31.3                 The President, or his representative, as decided by the National Managing Committee shall sit on the Mauritius National Olympic Committee as representative of the MFA.

31.4     The President shall be an ex–officio member of all committees of the MFA.

Article 32 - The Vice Presidents

32.1                 They shall exercise, in order of precedence, all the rights and prerogatives of the President in any case and on any occasion when the President is unable to act.

Article 33 – Representation and Signature

33.1                 The National Managing Committee shall represent the MFA in respect of third parties.  It shall commit itself by means of the joint signature of the President and the Secretary.

Article 34 -  The Secretary

34.1                 The duties of the Secretary shall be:

34.1.1        to convene the National General Assembly of the MFA as
directed by the President;

1. to attend all meetings of the National General Assembly and National Managing Committee and produce minutes of proceedings of these meetings.

1. to maintain correspondence of the MFA.

34.2                 he shall, not later than the 30 September, forward to the Registrar of Associations a return containing: -

34.2.1        a certified copy of the statements of accounts of the MFA required to be submitted to the Annual National General Assembly under section 22 of the Registration of Associations Act;

34.2.2        a statement of the names and postal addresses of the officers of the National Managing Committee;

34.2.3        a return of the membership of the MFA as on the 30 June of the preceding year; and

34.2.4        a copy of the rules as amended, whenever applicable.

34.3                 he shall, within 14 days of any change among the Officers of the MFA, give written notice of the change to the Registrar of Associations.

Article 35 - The Assistant Secretary

35.1                 The Assistant Secretary shall replace, when necessary the Secretary and shall then assume the duties, rights and privileges of the latter.

Article 36 - The Treasurer

1. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

1. to be in charge of the finance of the MFA and shall be responsible for all cash. The Treasurer shall be in charge of any account with one or more of the banks in Mauritius as shall be chosen by the National Managing Committee and will effect all payments, which he thinks appropriate. However, any payment in excess of one hundred rupees shall be made by cheque signed by the Treasure in conjuction with the President and the Secretary. The Treasurer shall obtain vouchers for all payments made.

36.1.2        to keep all the books of accounts which shall show all income, received by the MFA under Rule 43, in the manner provided by Law.

36.1.3        to produce the books of accounts for examination periodically by the Auditors who shall have the right to compel him, by written request to the National Managing Committee, to submit the books for auditing purposes.

36.1.4        to draw up, once a year and at latest by the 31st July, statement of accounts for the preceding year and a balance sheet as at the 30th June, and a statement of receipts and payments for the preceding period and a statement of assets and liabilities as at 30 June, according to Law, which shall be certified by the Auditors according to Rule 39. The Treasurer shall also draw up a draft budget for the next financial year. The aforesaid statement of accounts as well as the draft budget shall be submitted to the Annual National General Assembly for approval.

36.1.5        to prominently exhibit the final statement of accounts as well as the approved budget at the seat of the MFA for one year starting not later than one week before the Annual National General Assembly.

1. to cause to be paid into bank all sums of money received and shall only keep a sum not exceeding one thousand rupees for petty expenses.

1. to submit to the the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Sports Council and the National Olympic Committee the audited final accounts and balance sheet as well as any report of the Auditors thereon, not later than One month after its approval at the Annual National General Assembly.

1. to prepare an annual report on the financial affairs of the MFA at least one week before the date on which the National General Assembly holds its annual meeting.

36.1.8.1     The report shall include -

1. a balance sheet;
2. an audited statement of income and expenditure during the year;

(c)        the report of the auditor on the accounts; and
(d)        an estimated budget for the following year.

36.1.8.2     The report shall be submitted to the Minister, the Olympic Committee and the Sports Council not later than one month after the date of its approval by the National General Assembly.

1. Any Sports Federation the turnover of which exceeds 500,00 rupees for any year shall cause its statement of income and expenditure to be audited by a qualified auditor as specified in the Companies Act 1984.

36.3                 The Treasurer shall not be an employee, partner or shareholder of the party, which shall be appointed as Auditors of the MFA.

36.4                 On resignation or vacation of office, the Treasurer shall render to the Association a true account of all monies received and paid by him since his appointment.

Article 37 -  The Assistant Treasurer

37.1                 The Assistant Treasurer shall replace, when necessary, the Treasurer and shall then assume the duties, rights and the privileges of the latter.

Article 38 – Officers

38.1                 No person shall be qualified to become an officer or, having been so appointed or elected, shall act as such where:

1. he is an undischarged bankrupt;

1. he has, within the three preceding years, been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty;

1. he is remunerated by his club;

1. he is under 18, is not a Mauritian Citizen domiciled in Mauritius and resides for more than 3 months outside Mauritius.

1. he is a public officer posted in or employed by the Ministry even on a part time basis.

38.2                 No person shall be qualified to be an officer, other than an auditor, unless he has been a member of his club for more than six months.

Article 39 – Independent Auditors

39.1                 The body for the auditing of accounts must be an external qualified auditor or a firm of qualified auditors and independent of the MFA.  The Auditor checks the accounts at least once a year and presents its report at the Annual National General Assembly with a view to formally approving the actions of the Annual National General Assembly.

1. The Auditor is nominated each year by the Annual General Assembly.  The auditor’s mandate may be renewed.

1. The Auditor may be removed by a decision of the National General Assembly.

Article 40 – Judicial Bodies

40.1                 The judicial bodies of the MFA shall be:

1. The Apellate Committee

1. the Arbitration Commission

1. the Disciplinary Committee - whose terms and conditions shall be decided by the National Managing Committee

1. the CIAF

40.2                 Members of the judicial bodies of the MFA shall be independent and shall not form part of any other committee of the MFA.

Article 41 – List of Disciplinary Measures

41.1                 In case of unsporting behaviour, breach of the Laws of the game or violation of the rules, regulations, directives or decisions of the MFA, the judicial bodies of the MFA may impose the following disciplinary measures.  These measures may also be cumulative.

41.1.1        In respect of members:

41.1.1.1     Warning

1. Financial contribution

1. Suspension

1. Expulsion
   

41.1.2        In respect of private persons:

1. Warning

1. Financial contribution

41.1.2.3     Suspension

41.1.2.4     Expulsion

Article 42 –Secretariat
                                               

42.1     Functions

42.1.1        The Secretariat is the administrative body of the MFA.

42.1.2        Its functions are:

42.1.2.1     to implement the decisions of the organs and consultative committees;

42.1.2.2     to prepare and organize the National General Assembly, as well as the meetings of the other committees of the MFA; in consultation with the President;

42.1.2.3     to draft minutes of the National General Assembly and of the meetings of the National Managing Committee;

42.1.2.4     to handle the correspondence of the MFA;

42.1.2.5     to keep the books of the MFA; and

42.1.2.6     to deal with public relations

Article 43 – The Administrative Secretary

43.1                 The Administrative Secretary shall, in conjunction with the Secretary of the MFA, supervise the operation of the Secretariat, which is the administrative body of the MFA, and be responsible for: -

43.1.1        the production of the Minutes of all the meetings of the National General Assemblies, the National Managing Committees and all standing committees;

43.1.2        the correspondence of the MFA;

43.1.3        all other relations between the MFA and –

43.1.3.1     all other Federations;

43.1.3.2     organisations;

1. FIFA, CAF, FA, COSAFA and such other International Bodies to which the MFA is affiliated;

43.1.4        the administration and the work of the staff of the Secretariat;

43.1.5        requesting the recruitment and/or termination of employment of the permanent staff of the Secretariat for approval by the National Managing Committee.

43.2     In addition, the Administrative Secretary shall:

43.2.1        prepare the agenda of the National Managing Committee and the National General Assembly as set by the National Managing Committee.

43.2.2        draw up all minutes of proceedings.

43.2.3        supervise the preparation of the general calendar and venues for the competitions at national level. The Assistant Administrative Secretary shall prepare same.

43.2.4        be in charge of all the archives of the MFA, and more specifically, he shall see to it that the following be retained for a period of not less than 3 years after the last date to which they relate or after their date of origin:

43.2.4.1     all books, statement of accounts and auditor’s reports;

43.2.4.2     all registers of members and member clubs, and all records of money paid by members;

43.2.4.3     all minutes of meetings, vouchers, receipts, correspondence and other documents relating to the affairs of the MFA.

43.2.5        be responsible for all the correspondence, the drafting, the posting and circulation of all notices and administrative rules, regulations and bye–laws.

1. keep, as provided by Law, up to date registers of honorary members, member clubs of the MFA (classified into regions and divisions), professionals and amateurs players. He shall cause copies of such registers to be exhibited at the seat of the MFA.

1. draw up at the end of each financial year an inventory of all the equipment owned by the MFA and shall submit it to the Auditors.

43.2.8        ensure that all the books and documents of the MFA and the registers of members, member clubs and professional and amateur players are available for inspection by the Registrar of Associations, an authorized Officer or a member or representative of a member club or to any member of the National Managing Committee at the seat of the MFA.

Article 44 – The Assistant Administrative Secretary

44.1                 The Assistant Administrative Secretary shall assist the Administrative Secretary and shall replace him whenever the latter is absent and shall then assume the same rights and privileges as the latter.

Article 45 – Accounting period

45.1                 The accounting period is for a period of one year, starting on 01 July and ending on 30 June of the following year.

Article 46 – Revenue

46.1                 The revenue of the MFA arises specifically from:

46.1.1        members’ annual subscriptions of 1st and 2nd National Division Clubs;

46.1.2        receipts generated by the marketing rights to which the MFA is entitled;

46.1.3        the financial contributions imposed by the authorised committees of the MFA;

46.1.4        gate receipts;

46.1.5        donations and sponsorships in whatever form;

46.1.6        FIFA Financial Assistance Programme; and

46.1.7        the other subscriptions and receipts in keeping with the objectives pursued by the MFA.

Article 47 – Expenses

47.1     The MFA bears:

47.1.1        the expenses stipulated in the budget;

47.1.2        those other expenses approved by the National General Assembly and those that the National Managing Committee is entitled to incur within the scope of its authority; and

47.1.3        all other expenses in keeping with the objectives pursued by the MFA

47.2                 No member shall comment to the press or public on expenses already approved by the Annual National General Assembly. Once such expenses have been audited and filed, the MFA shall not be under any obligation to answer questions relating thereto, except in compliance with law.

Article 48 – Accounting Principles

48.1                 The accounts shall be kept in accordance with the appropriate principles of accounting.

Article 49 – Disposal of assets

49.1                 The decision to dispose of the Assets of the Association in the eventuality of its dissolution shall be taken in conformity with law.

Article 50  - Organisation of competitions

50.1                 The MFA is authorised to organise and coordinate official competitions held within its territory, and organises the following competitions, amongst others:

50.1.1        the national first division league;

50.1.2        the national second division league;

50.1.3        the Republic Cup;

50.1.4        the MFA cup;

50.1.5        the Inter – Regional Competition;

50.1.6        the women’s first division league;

50.1.7        the women’s second division league;

50.2                 The National Managing Committee of the MFA may delegate to their subordinate Regional Football Committees the authority to organise their own competitions

50.3                 The competitions organised by the subordinate Regional Football Committees cannot interfere with those competitions organised by the MFA.  If this is the case, competitions organised by the latter takes priority.

Article 51 – Media

51.1                 The MFA shall own the exclusive rights to broadcast and to market all matches coming under its respective jurisdiction, via any audio, visual and sound broadcast media whatsoever, whether live, deferred, or as excerpts.

Article 52 – Dismissal

52.1                 The National Managing Committee may bring a motion for the dismissal of a member or any person related thereto to the National General Assembly.

52.2                 Upon dismissal the aggrieved party shall be given a right of appeal on terms similar to what is provided for under article 15 above.

Article 53 – Disputes

53.1     Members are not allowed to bring disputes to the normal court of law.

53.2                 Members who contravene 53.1 above will be sanctioned as per article 63 of FIFA Statutes.

53.3                 The MFA undertakes to submit disputes that it cannot resolve through its normal course to the Mauritius Arbitration Commission for Sports whose decision shall be final.

Article 54 – Securities

1. The President, the three Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer shall each on their assumption of office, furnish security in the sum of two thousand rupees according to law.

54.2                 The Secretary shall, within 14 days of the date on which the above named have furnished security, deposit the instruments witnessing the securities with the Registrar of Associations.

Article 55 – Disposal or mortgaging of property of the MFA

55.1                 Any motion to mortgage or dispose of any property of the MFA worth more than Rs 3,000 shall be approved by ‘special resolution’ in accordance with law.

Article 56 – Signature and Authentification of Documents

56.1                 The President, the Treasurer and the Secretary shall sign all legal and financial documents.

56.2                 In case of absence or incapacity of the above-named, they shall be replaced by one of the three Vice Presidents, the Assistant Treasurer and the Assistant Secretary respectively.

Article 57 - Executive Arrangements

57.1                 The National Managing Committee shall ensure that the rules are applied.

Article 58 – Office Bearers of the Association

58.1                 The office bearers of the National Managing Committee shall be the office bearers of the Association.

58.2     The President shall be responsible for the proper running of the Association.

58.3                 The President shall notify the Minister, the Olympic Committee, the Sports Council of any change effected to the membership of the National Managing Committee within 2 weeks of the date of the change.

Article 59 – Amendment to Rules and Dissolution

59.1                 An amendment to the rules of the Association or its dissolution shall be effected by a meeting of the National General Assembly specially convened for that purpose-

1. by the National Managing Committee; or,

1. eat the request of members holding at least half the total number of votes of all members of the Association which is notified to the National Managing Committee at least one month before the date intended for the meeting.

59.2                 Where there is a proposal to amend the Rules of the Association or to dissolve the Association, all the members of the Association shall be informed of the proposal at least 2 weeks before the date intended for the special meeting of the National General Assembly.

59.3                 The quorum for the special meeting of the National General Assembly shall be three-quarters of the total number of votes held by all the members of the Assembly.

59.4                 The decision to amend the Rules of, or to dissolve, the Association shall be taken by a majority of members representing not less than three-quarters of the votes held by members present.

59.5                 The minutes of proceedings of the special meeting of the National General Assembly recording the decision to amend the Rules of the Association or to dissolve the Association shall be submitted not later than 15 days after the decision to the Minister, the Mauritius National Olympic Committee and the Mauritius Sports Council.

Article 60 – Matters not provided for in the Rules

60.1                 Any matter not provided for under these Rules or cases of force majeure may be settled by the National Managing Committee or by such of FIFA’s rules and regulations as applicable.