2024-01 – AGM 2023 – Resolution 1 – Criteria for admission (and continuation) as a FISTF Member National Association – Provisional (MNA-P)

Preamble

Proposal: To authorise the Board to prepare revisions to section 2 of the FISTF Official Handbook to further clarify the processes by which countries are admitted and continue as MNA-Ps, MNA-Ps’ rights and obligations, and what happens at the end of their probationary period.

Background:

 In the definition section of the Statutes, the definition of MNA and MNAP is identical, that is any legal entity that presents itself as managing the activities of sport table football within the boundaries of a Nation (State) or Territory.  The actual difference between an MNA and an MNAP is then set out to some extent in Articles 3 and 4 of the Statutes; basically, an MNAP is an MNA “on probation“ until it is admitted as an MNA.

This is sufficient for the Statutes, but what needs to be further clarified (in the Handbook) are the circumstances in which a country is and is not approved as an MNAP, and continues as an MNA-P, the differences in the rights and obligations of MNA-Ps versus MNAs (including to participate in FISTF World Cups), and what happens at the end of the normal probationary period of 6 – 30 months.

For example, is a country required to meet all – or maybe most – of the membership requirements before they are approved as an MNA-P? This is the implication of Article 4.2 of the Statutes, which states that “This probation period is necessary to ensure the Association complies with all the requirements for membership as listed in the relevant regulations.“  However, this is not entirely clear and nor is it clear that this is what has happened in practice – it appears that almost any country interested in possible membership of the FISTF has in the past been granted MNA-P (or sometimes even MNA) status, regardless of how many of the membership requirements had been met.  In addition, a number of countries have remained MNA-Ps for many years, primarily because they are no closer to meeting the membership requirements.

Another important area requiring further clarification – in the Official Handbook and/or the World Cup Handbook – is whether there are differences in the rights of MNA-Ps to participate in the FISTF World Cup, including the number of players allowed to participate. 

It would also be useful to set out the options for dealing with MNA-Ps which do not meet all the membership criteria at the end of the probationary period – for example, an extension of the probationary period, admission as an “Associate Member” (see Resolution 2), or termination of the probation process and classifying the country as “lapsed/inactive”.

(Submitted by E Kennedy, General Secretary FISTF)

Discussion: Eliot Kennedy spoke to this resolution, noting that it was the first of four resolutions arising from the recent audit of all countries’ compliance with the FISTF membership requirements.  As noted above, one important issue was the rights of MNA-Ps versus MNAs at World Cup events, but there were other broader issues about MNA-Ps also needing to be set out more clearly. 

Alexander Haas (AUT) asked whether MNAs would have the opportunity to vote on the proposed changes to the Handbook.  Steve clarified that because the proposed amendments to be drafted pursuant to this resolution, if approved, go to issues of membership, the proposed amendments to the Handbook would be put to MNAs for comment and a separate vote before any amendments were made.  This was in accordance with past practice by the Board that amendments to the Handbook involving members’ rights, financial issues or significant operational issues are sent out to members for comment/approval before being adopted.  While the Board is empowered to make changes to the Handbook without consultation, this is normally one done for minor amendments and tidying up of language.

Voting

AGM 2023 – Resolution 1 – Criteria for admission (and continuation) as a FISTF Member National Association – Provisional (MNA-P)

To authorise the Board to prepare revisions to section 2 of the FISTF Official Handbook to further clarify the processes by which countries are admitted and continue as MNA-Ps, MNA-Ps’ rights and obligations, and what happens at the end of their probationary period.

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As per the FISTF Statutes, a simple majority vote is needed to carry this resolution.
Abstention is not a cast vote (it was voted but will not be considered in the final results)