1894
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1893 meeting
1895 meeting
 
The International Football Association Board  

 
Minutes of Annual Meeting held at the Ferry Hotel, Windermere, on the 18th June, 1894.

PRESENT—
MR C. CRUMP, F.A. (CHAIRMAN.)
MR R. P. GREGSON, F.A. (SECRETARY.)
MESSRS. A. SLIMAN AND R.F. HARRISON, S.F.A.
J. TAYLOR AND W. PATTISON, W.F.A.        J. REID, I.F.A.
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          The Minutes of the Meetings of the Board, held at Belfast on the 10th June and 17th July, 1893, were confirmed.

           Mr. REID intimated that the I.F.A. having legalized professionalism, were desirous of joining the other nationalities in their undertaking to recognize each other's suspensions and registrations. This was agreed to, and the following is a copy of the agreement:-

"An undertaking is given that each Association will recognize suspensions of Clubs and individuals by other National Associations, and that the registrations of each National Association shall be binding on each other. This agreement takes effect from the 13th June, 1893.
"It is also agreed that re-instatements and transfers of professionals can only be made by the Association with whom a player is registered."

          Mr. GREGSON called attention to the difficulties arising out of the difference in the professional and close season Rules in the different nationalities. As engagements between Clubs and players in England and Wales terminate on the 30th April, and in Scotland and Ireland on the 31st May, it was agreed as follows:-

"The F.A. and the W.F.A. will not consider it a breach of their Rules for an English or Welsh club to register a player registered with the S.F.A. or I.F.A. during the month of May ; and the S.F.A. and the I.F.A. will not consider it a breach of their Rules for one of their players to sign a registration form for an English or Welsh Club during the month of May. A player shall be allowed to complete his engagement without incurring any penalty for playing in Scotland or Ireland during the English and Welsh close seasons. This agreement shall take effect from the 1st May, 1894."

LAWS OF THE GAME
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Proposed by the Football Association.

          LAW 1.—That the Board be asked to determine what shall be the maximum size or dimensions of the goal post and cross bar. It was resolved that Law 1 read as follows:-

"The limits of the ground shall be—maximum length, 200 yards ; minimum length, 100 yards ; maximum breadth, 100 yards ; minimum breadth, 50 yards. The length and breadth shall be marked off with flags and touch-line ; and lines defining six yards from the goal post and twelve yards from the goal lines shall also be marked out. The centre of the ground shall be indicated by a suitable mark, and a circle with a ten yards radius shall be made around it. The goals shall be upright posts, 8 yards apart, with a bar across them, 8 feet from the ground. The maximum width of the goal posts and the maximum depth of the cross bar shall be 5 inches. The circumference of the Association ball shall be not less than 27 inches, nor more than 28 inches ; and in International matches, at the commencement of the game the weight of the ball shall be from 13 to 15 ounces."

          LAW 5.—Substitute "played" for "kicked" in line 2.

It was resolved to substitute "played" for "kicked" as proposed.

                "        That some provision be made for displacement of cross bar.

The matter was discussed but no definite proposal was made.

Proposed by the Scottish Football Association.

          LAW 6.—After the words "at least" to delete the word "three" and substitute "two."

This proposal was rejected.

          LAW 12.—That the International Board be asked to consider the advisability of altering Law 12 regarding the duties of referees, with a view to their amendment.

This matter was discussed but no definite proposal was made.

          LAW 13.—After the word "appeal" insert, "provided in his opinion a goal would have resulted."

This proposal was rejected.

DEFINITION OF TERMS.

The Board is of the opinion that a free kick must not be taken until the Referee has given a signal for the same.

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The following matters were noted for consideration at the next meeting :-

Qualification of Players for International Matches.
Dimensions of Grounds for                ditto.
The use of Goal Nets for                   ditto.

         In future International Matches it was agreed that space shall be reserved for the representatives of the visiting Association, and that this space shall be used for no other purpose, and proper access shall be provided.

         It was agreed between the representatives of England and Scotland that the home Association shall send the visiting Association 100 tickets for covered stand seven days before the match.

C. CRUMP, CHAIRMAN.
R. P. GREGSON, SECRETARY.

CG