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Occasionally even we recognise the need for a postponement of a competitive
fixture. There may be a very good reason why you can't play on the the date
given for the fixture. Here is some help about what to do (and what not to do)
when seeking postponement of competitive mini-soccer fixtures (friendlies are
not subject to these rules).
Unfit pitches
1. Where on the day of the fixture the referee decides (or, in the
absence of an independent referee) each team manager agrees that the pitch(es)
are unfit then the match may be postponed. It is preferable to arrange a joint
pitch inspection if possible but this is not essential provided there is
agreement. An unfit pitch would normally be one which is frozen so that it is
dangerous, or waterlogged and obviously unplayable. As a rough guide a pitch is
frozen and dangerous if the ground is so hard a studded boot will not penetrate
it. Team managers are reminded that a pitch may be frozen at 10.30 but thawed
sufficiently later in the day, so they should give consideration to whether the
fixture can be played with a later kick off. Also give thought to whether it
would be possible to switch the venue. However, regardless of the importance of
the fixture you should always give paramount priority to child protection issues
when assessing the whether a pitch is fit for play or not.
Extreme weather
2. Extreme weather will usually make the pitch unplayable but there may be
circumstances where the weather is so extreme (eg prolonged thunderstorms,
blizzards, thick fog) where the game simply shouldn't be played even though it
could be. Again, the referee's decision will be final. Where there is no
independent referee the game may be postponed where there is agreement between
managers.
Where team managers do not agree about the pitch and there is no
independent referee.
3. This ought to be very rare, bearing in mind we are dealing
with children's mini-soccer but, where it is not possible to agree whether
a game is to be called off on the day, the Secretary must be contacted (or
if he is not available the Chairman - mobile
telephone numbers are on this site) from the field if possible. He will
ask for a description of the conditions from each manager and, if
necessary he will arrange to inspect the pitch either himself or delegate
the task to some other independent person. His decision is then final.
Postponements
in advance
4. It is not possible to postpone a match by agreement between the
team managers. There must be a good reason.
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You
should note that we are not against postponing fixtures for good
reason but neither are we naive. There were team managers who
regularly were postponing games last season for tactical reasons and
giving other reasons officially. We know it happens, and so do you.
It shouldn't happen and it will stop, please.
What amounts to a good reason
depends on the circumstances of each request. It would not be a good
reason for example that the certain players were not available for the
game unless there were so many players missing that to play the fixture
would be such a farce as to bring the game into disrepute. Similarly it
would not be a good reason that the team manager or a particular coach or
coaches were not available for a fixture unless as a consequence of their
absence there would be no proper supervision of the children attending the
fixture. We are however sympathetic to coaching course commitments,
especially where clubs are seeking to attain Charter Standard status
this season.
Procedure for requesting a postponement
5. First, the team manager should telephone the League Secretary for
guidance. Where the reasons for requesting a postponement appear to be good and
valid he will ask for a letter/fax or email to be sent setting out the reasons in writing. He
will adjudicate on the request once in receipt of the written request. It follows that requests
for postponements should be made in good time. It will save time if the
opposition team manager has been contacted before you telephone the Fixtures Secretary. Where the opposition team manager does not object to the postponement
please also agree with them an alternative date on which the fixture will be
played if the request is granted, and specify the date in your written request.
It must be stressed that the decision to grant a
postponement does not depend on the agreement or otherwise of the opposition
team manager. If there is a valid request it will be granted even if the
opponent disagrees. On the other hand, where there is no valid reason a
postponement will not be granted even though the opposition may agree.
Re-arranged fixtures
Once a fixture has been postponed it is important to organise an alternative
date for it to be played. There is a fixture list on this web site which will be
kept up to date with free weeks to re-arrange fixtures. The Secretary must be informed of the date of re-arrangement
within 7 days
of the original postponement. Notification may be by telephone on 07860-690808
or by email to secretary@mitchellsoccer.co.uk.
Failure
to do this will mean that a date is imposed upon each side
and the game must be played on that date regardless of any objection. After the
successful pilot scheme last year the web site will be the only notice given of
the re-arranged date. Your attention is drawn to the list of
postponed games without replay dates which are also on this web site.
GRAHAM REEDS
SECRETARY
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"You want a
postponement for what? A flooded pitch?"
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