Rules and Regulation for FAM Referees

Introduction
Football Association of Maldives (FAM) enters into 2009 with a more optimist approach and determination to see Maldivian football developing and moving towards its highest level. This will see Maldivian football being respected not only within the region of SAFF, AFC but also in FIFA. Steps have been taken to ensure the development of football players from the age of 13 till the National side. This has to be enhanced by having essential program also for the referees towards a correct and consistent interpretation of the Laws of the Game and also its implementation.

Vision
Maldivian Referees in the World Cup

Policies of Refereeing Officials
Policies have to set to ensure the smooth implementation of refereeing matters in accordance to the requirements of competitions. Rules and regulations spell the implementation of policies governing the refereeing matters. The Referee Committee is responsible to set the policies, rules and regulation governing refereeing matters and shall be implemented with the approval of the executive council of FAM

Implementation of Policy
The Referee Department being the executive body of FAM shall sees that all policies, rules and regulations be observed. The duties and responsibilities includes:
- To register and develop the list of instructors, assessors, referees and assistant referee for the league season;
- To organise courses and seminars for referees assessor, instructors, referees and assistant referees at national and regional level;
- To define fundamental criteria and requirements for match officails;
- To provide up-to-date training programmes and course materials;
- To adopt guidelines on technical support for referees and the appointment of refereeing for tournaments organised by FAM;
- To determine the tasks and responsibilities assigned to members of the Referees Committee and to advisers and instructors at tournaments organised by FAM;
- To update match officials with latest the FIFA Laws of the Game and guidelines;
- To devise and implement training programmes that prepare both male and female referees for the most important FAM/AFC/FIFA tournaments.

Rules and Regulations
Registration
· Referees who wish to referee in the FAM Leagues shall apply to be registered.
· Abide to the rules and regulations set by FAM

Seminars, Courses and Training Sessions
· Accept or reject invitation to seminars, courses or training sessions by FAM.
· Attend all sessions with full commitment and responsibility.

Refereeing Assignments
· All appointment of refereeing officials shall be made by FAM through the Referees Department.
· Officials shall be informed at least a week before the match unless of unforseened circumstances.
· Officials shall informed FAM their acceptance of the appointment.
· Officials shall carry out the duties with commitment and in a responsible manner.
· Officials shall submit reports of matches handled within 24 hours after the match (unless not applicable due to locality)
· All incidents (including sent off) shall be reported immediately.
· Officials shall be paid the approved indemption in due period stated by FAM.

Criterias of Promotion and Demotion
A stated monitoring system is necessary to ensure all match officials are aware and are given the opportunity to develop in their career path of refereeing. This syetem includes observations and assessments on the performances. Guidance and advices should also be rendered to the match officials to enable them to develop in their career. Criterias are set to give a fair and clear information to all officials concerned. The criterias are as follows:

New Nomination of FIFA Match Officials
· FIFA Referees, FIFA Assistant Referees, FIFA Ladies Referees, FIFA Ladies Assistant Referees, FIFA Futsal Referees, FIFA Beach Soccer Referees
· Referee Commitee to decide nominees suggested by department
· Referees in the National League List
· Passed FIFA Fitness Test specifically held for the purpose of registration
· Age under 38 years on the 1st January of the registration year.
· Can communicate in English


Re-registration of FIFA Match Officials
· FIFA Referees, FIFA Assistant Referees, FIFA Ladies Referees, FIFA Ladies Assistant Referees, FIFA Futsal Referees, FIFA Beach Soccer Referees
· Age, availability for appintment by FAM/AFC/FIFA
· Passed FIFA Fitness Test specifically held for the purpose of registration (failures will be given a second trial).
· Nominee who are injured must produce relevant document and will be subjected to commitee’s decision.
· Attained average performance above 8.5 from all the top matches. (FIFA referees will be considered their appointment as referees and AR will be on the ARs duties)
· Commitment


Registration of National Referees
· Below the age limit set by the referees committee.
· Attained average performance above 7.5 from all matches.
· Passed the fitness test held for the purpose of registration. Failures will be given a second trial.
· Failures (subjected to referees committee’s decisions) may be invited to officiate in matches at the lower level.
· Registered to the National Association (FAM)

Registration of National Referees Assessors
· Having officiated in high level competition (subjected to referees committee’s decision)
· Has the ability to communicate with referees and assistant referees (command a good proficiency in English is appreciated)
· Possessed a certain degree of respect by junior referees.
· Invited by the referees committee
· Ability to instruct and to command in meeting

Registration of Preliminary Class Referee
a. Preliminary Level Referees
Sits and passed the referee examination and shall be classified as Preliminary Referee. Can be Assistant Refereee in thelower division. Need to be tested for two assessors to be qualified for apointment into higher league. Is eligible to be appointed to Division III league and below.

b. National Referee
Two years in preliminary level to qualify to sit for the National Referee Examination. Need to passed the fitness test before given two practical tests. Will be classified as follow:
National Class C : Eligible to do all division II matches and below.
National Class B : Eligible to AR in division I matches and Referees in other Matches.

c. Elite Referees
Selected National B referee based on performance as referees with an average of 8.5 and above. Eligible to be referee and assistant referee for all matches.

Other Matters
a. FAM may look into the welfare of the match officials in term of indemptions, insurances, attires, equiptments or other facilities deemed appropriate by the management or executive commitee.
b. FAM reserved the rights to accept or reject any application or invitations for match officials.

Referees Department,
Football Association of Maldives Effective from 1 January 2009