AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations

AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations 1

AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations

AFC VISION ASIA CLUB LICENSING

REGULATIONSVersion 01/2010

AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations2



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article Page

Definitions 41.0 AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations 5

1.1 Introduction 5

1.2 Objectives 5

1.3 Obligations of the Project FA 6

2.0 Development of Project FA Club Licensing Regulations 72.1 Introduction 7

2.2 Process 7

3.0 Core Process 93.1 Introduction 9

4.0 Minimum Criteria 104.1 Introduction 10

4.2 Legal Criteria 11

4.3 Structure and Administration Criteria 13

4.4 Financial Criteria 14

4.5 Infrastructure Criteria 15

4.6 Sporting Criteria 17

4.7 Club Identity 18


DEFINITIONSThe terms in Capital letters used in these Regulations (as hereinafter defined) shall have the following meaning(s):

City FA The governing body for association football within the territory of the city, province, state or district.

Core Process Assessment process for verification of compliance with the criteria described in these regulations as a basis for the issue of a licence to an applicant.

Elite League The highest level of competition organised by the Project FA in accordance to the Vision Asia principles, and shall include the Matches as set out in the Match Schedule, including any qualifying matches, activities on the field of play (other than matches), opening ceremonies, presentation or closing ceremonies, press conferences or official functions connected therewith.

Licence Applicant (LA)

The legal entity fully and solely responsible for the football team participating in competitions that applies for a licence.

Licensor Body that operates the licensing system and grants the licence, in this case the Project FA.

Member Association(s)/ MA(s)

Those Member Associations who are members of FIFA, and who have applied for and been granted Ordinary, Provisional, Associate or Exceptional membership of AFC. For the purpose of this definition “Ordinary”, “Provisional”, “Associate” and “Exceptional” membership shall have the same meaning as contained in AFC Statutes.

Project FA A Member Association or City FA who is a participant of the Vision Asia project.



1.0 AFC VISION ASIA CLUB LICENSING REGULATIONS

Based on Article 10.4.1.1 of the AFC Vision Asia Standard Implementation Policy, the following AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations has been adopted.

1.1 INTRODUCTION This AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations is the basic working

document for City Football Association (City FA) in Vision Asia Project (Project FA) to be transformed into a Club Licensing Regulations in Project FA (Project FA Club Licensing Regulations). It incorporates the AFC minimum requirements and the necessary guidelines.

This AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations addresses the Project FA as the Licensor and defines the License Applicant (LA) as well as the implementation process and minimum criteria to be applied to ensure a certain unified quality standard in the clubs who are participating in the Elite League of Vision Asia Projects.

The six categories of minimum criteria are described in six sections, which are as follows: legal criteria, structure and administration criteria, financial criteria, infrastructure criteria, sporting criteria, and club identity criteria.

1.2 OBJECTIVES The AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations has the following

objectives:• Further promotion and continuous improvement of the standard of all

aspects of football at amateur level in Asia, such as: o Increasing the level of management and organization within the

clubso Improvement of the economic and financial capability of the clubs,

increasing their transparency and credibility;• Allowing the development of benchmarking for clubs in financial,

sporting, legal, personnel, administrative and infrastructure related criteria in amateur football in Asia.


1.3 OBLIGATIONS OF PROJECT FA The Project FA are obliged to:

• Read and understand the AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations;• Set-up a working plan for the development and implementation of the

Project FA Club Licensing Regulations taking into account the AFC Vision Asia Fact Book and Strategic Development Plan (SDP). The Project FA Club Licensing Regulations will have to be accredited by AFC.



2.0 DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT FA CLUB LICENSING REGULATIONS

2.1 INTRODUCTION The Project FA Club Licensing Regulations is an extension of the AFC

Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations. Within the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations, the Project FA will set the minimum criteria and Core Process for LAs to participate in the Elite League of the Project FA.

All clubs wishing to participate in the Project FA Elite League must adhere to the minimum criteria and Core Process of the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations. Once the LA demonstrates, through submission of various documents as listed herein, that it meets the minimum criteria, the Project FA, as the Licensor, will grant the LA a licence to participate in the Elite League of the Project FA.

The licence expires at the end of the season for which it was issued for and it cannot be transferred. For the next season, clubs, wishing to participate, must reapply for their licence.

2.2 PROCESS AFC will assist the Project FA in developing its Club Licensing Regulations.

The following process will take place: 2.2.1 AFC Vision Asia to provide the AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing

Regulations as an Appendix of the SDP2.2.2 Project FA to develop a Project FA Club Licensing Regulations

based on AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations and in accordance to the timeline in the SDP.

In developing its Club Licensing Regulations, the Project FA must incorporate ALL the minimum criteria as listed in the AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations. In addition, the Project FA may have additional criteria that it would like the LA to fulfill.

The Project FA is responsible for ensuring, and must demonstrate to AFC Vision Asia, that all applicable provisions of these regulations have been integrated in its Project FA Club Licensing Regulations. Exceptions may be granted by the AFC Vision Asia (please refer 2.2.3).


2.2.3 Project FA to submit Project FA Club Licensing Regulations to AFC for accreditation.

The Project FA must finalise the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations and send it, in English, to AFC Vision Asia for accreditation according to the timeline defined by the Fact Book and Strategic Development Plan (SDP).

The Project FA must confirm, in writing, to AFC that all criteria contained in the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations sent to AFC for accreditation are in compliance with the applicable national law.

The AFC Vision Asia will review the final version of the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations and will confirm in writing to the Project FA if it follows the AFC Vision Asia Club Regulations.

The decision on the accreditation is communicated in writing to the Project FA and is final and binding.

AFC Vision Asia, through the AFC Technical & Vision Asia Committee, may grant exception in Project FA Club Licensing Regulations considering the local environment. Project FA must submit in writing to the AFC Vision Asia to request exception in the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations.

2.2.4 After the approval of AFC, the Project FA Executive Committee has to adopt the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations.



3.0 CORE PROCESS3.1 INTRODUCTION In the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations, one chapter/section of the

regulations must be dedicated to “Core Process”. The chapter will provide details of the assessment/core process that the

Project FA must go through before it decides if a Licence Applicant can be granted a licence or not.

The following information, supported by a timetable (deadline), must be included:a) Project FA to announce the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations to

any group / teams who wishes to participate in the Elite League of the Project FA. This should be done within one (1) month after the Project FA’s Executive Committee adopts the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations.

b) For the first year of the implementation of Club Licensing Regulations, Project FA and AFC Vision Asia will organize the workshop (termed hereafter as the “Club Development Workshop”) to brief the LA of the Project FA Club Licensing Regulations and the new Project FA Elite League Regulations. All LA can attend the workshop. The Club Development Workshop must be conducted no later than six (6) months after the Project FA’s Executive Committee’s approval of the regulations.

c) LA to submit their written application for the license and the required documents to Project FA in order to prove compliance with the licensing criteria by the deadline set by Project FA and AFC Vision Asia. Copies of documents must be submitted to AFC Vision Asia.

d) Project FA Secretariat will assess the submitted documents in cooperation with AFC Vision Asia.

e) Competition Committee of Project FA will make a decision on licensing based on the report from Project FA Secretariat. This decision must be brought to Executive Committee for final decision.

f) Project FA to issue license to clubs participating elite competition in Project FA.

The Licensor must submit to AFC the list of licensed clubs within the deadline communicated by AFC.

The Licensor shall ensure equal treatment between all LAs during the core process.


4.0 MINIMUM CRITERIA

Why important?Why important?Why important?

Club Licensing System leads to financial and sporting success in the league

Club Licensing System leads to Club Licensing System leads to financial and sporting success in the leaguefinancial and sporting success in the league

Club Licensing SystemClub Licensing SystemClub Licensing System

Quality of competitionQuality of competition

Level of performanceLevel of performance

Level of club managementLevel of club management

SponsorSponsorFanFan

Why important?Why important?Why important?

Club Licensing System leads to financial and sporting success in the league

Club Licensing System leads to Club Licensing System leads to financial and sporting success in the leaguefinancial and sporting success in the league

Club Licensing SystemClub Licensing SystemClub Licensing System

Quality of competitionQuality of competition

Level of performanceLevel of performance

Level of club managementLevel of club management

SponsorSponsorFanFan

4.1 INTRODUCTION The criteria described in this AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations

defines the minimum requirements that a club wishing to participate in the Project FA Elite League must fulfill.

The Licensor is free to increase the minimum requirements or to upgrade the criteria established by AFC for the purposes of entering in the Project FA Elite League. The Licensor may also introduce additional criteria not included in the AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations. These upgraded criteria must be ratified by AFC Vision Asia.



4.2 LEGAL CRITERIA

No. Description

LE.01 Membership

The LA must be a member of the Project FA

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Document which proves the membership (If Congress of Project FA can not

be held before the application for the license, LA must submit all the required documents to Project FA to be a member according to Project FA’s statutes)

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the membership or the application for membership

No. Description

LE.02 Ownership and Control of Clubs

No natural or legal person are involved in more than one (1) club either in the capacity of management, administration, shareholder and / or sporting performance

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Document outlining the ownership structure of the club, including names of

owners

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the ownership document and ensures that no natural or

legal person are involved in more than one (1) club either in the capacity of management, administration, shareholder and / or sporting performance


No. Description

LE.03 Statutes and Registration

It is recommended that the LA must be registered with local authorities as a legal entity

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Document which proves the registration of the LA with local authorities• Copy of valid Club Statutes

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the registration document with the local authorities and

ensure that the licence applicant has its own statutes



4.3 STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION CRITERIA

No. Description

ST.01 Decision Making Body

The LA must have a Board / Executive Committee as a decision making body

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• List of Board members with names

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the list

No. Description

ST.02 Administration of the Club

The LA must have Head of Administration (full time or part time)

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Name and contact details of Head of Administration

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the name and contact details


4.4 FINANCIAL CRITERIA

No. Description

FI.01 Annual Budget

The LA must submit its annual budget which clearly depicts the projected income and expenditure for the coming season

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Yearly budget

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the budget if it is practical or not and if the licence

applicant can sustain itself for the season

Why Financial Criteria is important? Why Financial Criteria is important?

Football/Football Club cannot prosper without proper budgeting and finance management

Football/Football Club cannot prosper without Football/Football Club cannot prosper without proper budgeting and finance managementproper budgeting and finance management

≥≥CostCostIncomeIncome

Why Financial Criteria is important? Why Financial Criteria is important?

Football/Football Club cannot prosper without proper budgeting and finance management

Football/Football Club cannot prosper without Football/Football Club cannot prosper without proper budgeting and finance managementproper budgeting and finance management

≥≥CostCostIncomeIncome



4.5 INFRASTRUCTURE CRITERIA

No. Description

IN.01 “Home” Playing Field

The LA must either own or have guaranteed access to a ‘Home’ Playing Field in order for it to play its home matches in the Project FA Elite League. The playing field must fulfill the minimum size indicated in the FIFA Laws of the Game

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• The name and address of the Home playing field• Agreement with the owner of the playing field that the licence applicant has

access to the ‘Home’ Playing Field (in case of owning the field, document to prove the ownership)

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the existence of the “Home” playing field by site-visit and

further checks the agreement/ownership of the “Home” playing field

No. Description

IN.02 Training Field

The LA must either own or have guaranteed access to a training field that their players can train daily. The training field can be the same field as the LA’s “Home” playing field.

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• The name and address of the training ground• Agreement with the owner of the training ground that the licence applicant

has access to the training ground (in case of owning the field, document to prove the ownership)

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the existence of the training ground by site-visit and

further checks the agreement/ownership of the training ground


No. Description

IN.03 Club Secretariat

The LA must have an office space to run its administration

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Postal address and Telephone No. of the club office

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the details of the club office by site visit and further checks if

the club secretariat is reachable



4.6 SPORTING CRITERIA

Note: This criteria will be assessed one (1) month prior to the start of theProject FA Elite League. Should the club fail to meet this criteria, their licence and therefore participation at the Project FA Elite League will be cancelled.

However, when submitting their application for a licence, the LA must submit a declaration template as attached with the Application Manual to guarantee that it will fulfill the two criteria below (SP.01 and SP.02)

No. Description

SP.01 Players

The LA must have a minimum of 18 players and maximum of 30 players for the Elite League who are duly registered with the Project FA.

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Player Registration form for the Elite League Registration in accordance to

the Elite League Regulations

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies that the Licence Applicant has a minimum of 18 players

and maximum of 30 players for the Elite League.

No. Description

SP.02 Head Coach

The licence applicant must have appointed a Head Coach being responsible for football matters of the first team. The Head Coach must hold a minimum of AFC ‘C’ certificate or equivalence. The Head Coach must be duly registered with the Project FA.

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• The name of the Head Coach and copy of his coaching qualification.

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the qualification in cooperation with AFC.


4.7 CLUB IDENTITY

No. Description

ID.01 Club Logo

The LA must have a club logo which it has registered together with its name.

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Copy of the Club Logo

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies the logo of the Club and ensure that no other LA has

submitted similar logo

No. Description

ID.02 Official and Reserve Colours

The LA must declare the colours that it would like to be associated with. Namely, the colours of their official equipment (jersey, shorts, socks) must be announced. The LA should declare two (2) colours – one to be known as its home colour and thus act as the LA’s primary colour, while the other to be known as the reserve colour.

Document(s) to be submitted by LA:• Announcement of the Club colors (official colours & reserve colours)

Assessment process: • Project FA verifies and acknowledges declaration of the two colours.




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AFC Vision Asia Club Licensing Regulations