Please note: Regulations are currently under review for the 2025-26 season and so those currently published are subject to change.
Please note: REG 10 applies to the Team Championships conducted as part of the National, Premier and Conference League/Knockout programme.
REG 10.1 Officials requirements for each sport, including neutrality and level of qualification can be found in Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’).
REG 10.2 It is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution/Playing Entity to arrange all appropriate match officials.
REG 10.3 An institution/Playing Entity cannot appeal against a decision made by an official appropriate for the match.
REG 10.4 It is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution/Playing Entity to ensure that all match officials are aware of the BUCS general and sport specific regulations, especially where these differ from International/National Governing Body regulations.
REG 10.5 Definition of neutrality Neutral shall be taken to mean not being a current student, a member of staff (full-time or part-time), a member of the team, club* or Athletic Union (or equivalent) of the institution/Playing Entity concerned, or, being closely related to any member of the club. *A member of the club shall be taken to mean any player, coach, elected officer or team official.
REG 10.5.1 Internationally qualified or Governing Body appointed officials Where an official is qualified to officiate to Senior International Level by the appropriate international federation, or, has been appointed by an appropriate Governing Body regional or national officials’ appointment board, the neutrality regulation shall not apply.
REG 10.6 Failure to obtain officials Failure to obtain the appropriate officials, as per Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’), may lead to the forfeiture of the affected match, unless there is written notification from the appropriate officials appointments body that they were unable to provide officials and this is communicated at least 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) before the fixture start time, or where officials withdraw from the fixture within 48 hours of the fixture start time (written evidence required, refer to REG 10.6.3).
REG 10.6.1 For all competitions, if at least 48 hours’ (outside of weekends and bank holidays) notice ahead of the start time of the fixture has been given and the appropriate written evidence provided, then the away institution/Playing Entity may choose to host the match provided it can supply the appropriate officials and facilities, and notifies the opposition and the BUCS Executive by 11:00 on the last working day before the fixture. In this case the original home institution/Playing Entity is obliged to travel.
REG 10.6.1.1 Where the away institution/Playing Entity chooses not to host and agreement cannot be reached between the institutions/Playing Entities for rescheduling, the match shall be replayed at a venue and on a date determined by the BUCS Executive.
REG 10.6.2 Any institution/Playing Entity failing to notify the opposition of the failure to obtain the appropriate officials at least 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) before the fixture start time will forfeit the match and concede a walkover.
REG 10.6.3 Non-provision of officials due to being let down by an appointed/booked official within 48 hours of the fixture start time
REG 10.6.3.1 If the away team has arrived at the venue and the home team is let down by an appointed/booked official and can prove in writing that the official was appointed/booked, the original home team will be obliged to travel to a rescheduled match.
REG 10.6.3.2 If the away team has not yet travelled, and the home side notifies them that they have been let down by an appointed/booked official within 48 hours of the fixture start time (providing written evidence as per REG 10.6.3.1) the match shall be rescheduled to be played at the original home team venue.
REG 10.7 Should the two institutions/Playing Entities concerned agree in writing beforehand to play with non-neutral, not appropriately qualified and/or the incorrect number of officials, the BUCS Executive will accept the result. Neither team can play under protest or appeal against the result of a match played under these circumstances.
