2. Membership

Question 1

2.10 Who decides whether to admit, suspend or expel a member
association?

Answer 1

The Congress shall decide whether to admit, suspend or expel a member association solely upon the recommendation of the Council

Question 2

2.11.1 Who can become a member association?

Answer 2

Any association which is responsible for organising and supervising football in all of its forms in its country may become a member association. Consequently, it is recommended that all member associations involve all relevant stakeholders in football in their own structure. Subject to par. 5 and par. 6 below, only one association shall be recognised as a member association in each country.

Question 3

2.11.3 Who do member associations apply to?

Answer 3

Any association wishing to become a member association shall apply in
writing to the FIFA general secretariat.

Question 4

2.11.2 Does an association need to be a member of a confederation?

Answer 4

Yes, Membership is only permitted if an association is currently a member of a confederation. The Council may issue regulations with regard to the
admission process.

Question 5

2.11.4 Which mandatory provisions are required to be enclosed with the application for membership?

Answer 5

The association’s legally valid statutes shall be enclosed with the application
for membership and shall contain the following mandatory provisions:

(a) always to comply with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the relevant confederation;

(b) to comply with the Laws of the Game in force;

(c) to recognise the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as specified in these Statutes.

Question 6

2.11.5 How are each of the four British associations recognised in relation to FIFA?

Answer 6

Each of the four British associations shall be recognised as a separate
member association of FIFA

Question 7

2.11.6 Can associations in regions who are yet to gain independence apply?

Answer 7

An association in a region which has not yet gained independence may, with the authorisation of the member association in the country on which it is dependent, also apply for admission to FIFA.

Question 8

2.11.7 How are existing member associations affected by this article?

Answer 8

This article shall not affect the status of existing member associations.

Question 9

2.12.1 How does the application request and procedure work?

Answer 9

The Council shall request the Congress either to admit or not to admit an association. The association may state the reasons for its application to the Congress.

Question 10

2.12.2 When do new member associations aquire rights, duties and voting?

Answer 10

The new member association shall acquire membership rights and duties as soon as it has been admitted. Its delegates are eligible to vote and be elected with immediate effect.

Question 11

13.2 What are the exercise of these (member association) rights subject to?

Answer 11

The exercise of these rights is subject to other provisions in these Statutes and the applicable regulations.

Question 12

13.1 What are the rights of member associations?

Answer 12

Member associations have the following rights:

(a) to take part in the Congress;

(b) to draw up proposals for inclusion in the agenda of the Congress;

(c) to nominate candidates for the FIFA presidency and the Council;

(d) to participate in and cast their votes at all FIFA elections in accordance with the FIFA Governance Regulations

(e) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA;

(f) to take part in FIFA’s assistance and development programmes;

(g) to exercise all other rights arising from these Statutes and other regulations.

Question 13

14.1 What are obligations (a); (b); (c); and (d) of the member associations?

Answer 13

(a) to comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA bodies at any time as well as the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) passed on appeal on the basis of art. 56 par.1 of the FIFA Statutes;

(b) to take part in competitions organised by FIFA;

(c) to pay their membership subscriptions;

(d) to cause their own members to comply with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA bodies;

Question 14

14.1 What are obligations (e); (f); and (g) of the member associations?

Answer 14

e) to convene its supreme and legislative body at regular intervals, at least every two years;

(f) to ratify statutes that are in accordance with the requirements of the FIFA Standard Statutes;

(g) to create a referees’ committee that is directly subordinate to the member association;

Question 15

14.2 What do member associations risk by violating their obligations?

Answer 15

Violation of the above-mentioned obligations by any member association may lead to sanctions provided for in these Statutes

Question 16

14.1 What are obligations (h); (i); and (j) of the member associations?

Answer 16

(h) to respect the Laws of the Game;

(i) to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs are not influenced by any hird parties in accordance with art. 19 of these Statutes;

(j) to comply fully with all other duties arising from these Statutes and other regulations

Question 17

14.3 What do member associations risk by violating 14. par.1 i) specifically?

Answer 17

Violations of par. 1 i) may also lead to sanctions, even if the third-party influence was not the fault of the member association concerned. Each member association is responsible towards FIFA for any and all acts of the members of their bodies caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such members.

Question 18

15.1 What are member associations’ statues principles and provisions (a); (b); (c); and (d)?

Answer 18

Member associations’ statutes must comply with the principles of good governance, and shall in particular contain, at a minimum, provisions relating to the following matters:

(a) to be neutral in matters of politics and religion;

(b) to prohibit all forms of discrimination;

(c) to be independent and avoid any form of political interference;

(d) to ensure that judicial bodies are independent (separation of powers)

Question 19

15.1 What are member associations’ provisions (h); (i); (j) and (k)?

Answer 19

(h) definition of the competences of the decision-making bodies;

(i) to avoid conflicts of interests in decision-making;

(j) legislative bodies must be constituted in accordance with the principles of representative democracy and taking into account the importance of gender equality in football;

(k) yearly independent audits of accounts

Question 20

15.1 What are member associations’ provisions (e); (f); and (g)?

Answer 20

(e) all relevant stakeholders must agree to respect the Laws of the Game, the principles of loyalty, integrity, sportsmanship and fair play as well as the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of the respective confederation;

(f) all relevant stakeholders must agree to recognise the jurisdiction and authority of CAS and give priority to arbitration as a means of dispute resolution;

(g) that the member association has the primary responsibility to regulate matters relating to refereeing, the fight against doping, the registration of players, club licensing, the imposition of disciplinary measures, including for ethical misconduct, and measures required to protect the integrity of competitions;