Lancashire League Handbook 2021

29 subject to the terms having being completed to the satisfaction of the Club and the continued good conduct of the Professional throughout the Season. Such retention may be applied by the Club to pay any fine owed by the professional to the League. (e) If a Professional plays in any match or is absent for any reason other than one sanctioned by the League or allowed elsewhere in these rules which results in him not being able to represent his Club then the Club will not be allowed to engage a substitute professional for that match (In this situation the Club will not be penalised for not playing a professional under clause C1. above. 1.6. Any Club which in the opinion of the League Secretary fails to comply with any of the requirements of this Rule shall be invited to explain the reason for the alleged breach at a meeting of the League Committee to be held not earlier than 21 days after the League Secretary shall have given written notice to the Club specifying the alleged breach of Rule. If a simple majority of the Clubs attending the meeting (excluding the Club whose conduct is in question) decide a breach of the Rule has occurred without good cause, the League Committee may impose such financial penalty upon the offending Club as it considers appropriate and/or may order any game played by that Club to be replayed and/ or may order that all or any points earned by that Club in the League Championship shall be forfeited and/or awarded to some other Club. 1.7 The question as to whether a professional is “bona-fide” shall in the first instance be a matter for determination by a panel of not less than 3 comprising of at least one member of the League Executive (who should be the Chairman, Deputy Chairman or Honorary Secretary) and at least one member of the League Representatives (none of whom have any connection with the Club seeking to engage the professional). The panel ,at if they so wish refer the matter to the next meeting of the LMC for determination. 2. PROFESSIONALS ENGAGEMENT AND SUBSTITUTE 2.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule C1.5(c) a Club whose Professional is by reason of his illness, injury or other good cause unable to play for the Club in any match organised and/or promoted by the Lancashire League shall be entitled to engage a paid player as a substitute for its professional during the period of disability provided that the relevant Club shall give as much notice as is reasonably practicable to the League Secretary of the impending absence and the reason therefore. N. B. In the event of the Professionals illness or injury a Medical Certificate must be forwarded to the Honorary Secretary within seven days of such illness or injury occurring. If there should be any disagreement as to whether the Professional is so incapacitated the question shall be determined by a Medical Practitioner (whose fee shall be paid by the League) to be agreed upon by the Professional, his Club and League within 14 days from the date of which the disagreement arose or, in the absence of agreement, to be nominated by the President