IFMP Statutes - International Federation of Match Poker (IFMP)

International Federation of Match Poker Statutes

ARTICLE 1. LEGAL STATUS, NAME AND HEADQUARTERS

The International Federation of Match Poker is a non-profit organization incorporated as a legal entity (association) pursuant to articles 60 to 79 of the Swiss Civil Code. The full name of the organization is the International Federation of Match Poker. It can also appear and act under its short name “IFMP”. The International Federation of Match Poker (IFMP) is the world governing body for all aspects of Match Poker, especially international Match Poker competition, leisure and recreational Match Poker, and Match Poker as a sport for all. IFMP is the final authority for all matters concerning Match Poker competition. IFMP is recognised as an International Federation of Sport and Match Poker as a sport by GAISF after becoming an observer member in October 2017. IFMP is also a member of IPACS and AIMS by way of GAISF observer membership. IFMP’s headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

ARTICLE 2. ILLEGAL AND IRREGULAR BETTING

ARTICLE 3. PURPOSE

All activities of IFMP are independent of any political or governmental influence. IFMP does not allow any discrimination for political, racial or religious reasons. IFMP promotes and supports gender equality with all its means and in all its activities.

The purpose of the organization shall be:

to promote the worldwide development of Match Poker and to secure its recognition as a mind sport based on strategic skills played without any discrimination of race, sex and creed;
to serve as a worldwide governing body to which existing and new National Match Poker Federations can affiliate;
to encourage the development of Match Poker at national levels through national entities, in particular in assisting in the setting up of national federations, where such do not already exist or where appropriate;
to secure a broad international membership base by encouraging constitution and affiliation of national Match Poker federations;
to codify and seek recognition of uniform rules of Match Poker, for both tournament and non-tournament play;
to promote, organise and/or sanction international Match Poker events and to establish and organise a Match Poker world championship under the name of IFMP World Championships (also known as the Match Poker Nations Cup); g) to issue and promote an official Code of Conduct for participants to events it organises or sanctions;
to seek recognition of Match Poker as mind sport and an eSport by international sports governing bodies such as IMSA (International Mind Sport Association), FISU, GAISF (SportAccord), IPC, ASOIF, ANOC and the IOC.

ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Only one match poker organization (one National Match Poker Association) from each country (that is from each autonomous state) can become a member of IFMP.

4.2 A National Match Poker Association wishing to become a member of IFMP must apply in writing to the Board. A copy of the National Association‘s statutes must accompany the application.

4.3 All organisations which are members of IFMP shall, by the very fact of their admission into the IFMP, agree to abide by the Statutes without reservation. They shall undertake to do this when they file their application for membership. Also all the members commit to accept, respect and enforce all decisions taken by the bodies of the IFMP, including the Congress, Board, Continental Councils, Sport Department, Commissions and Working Groups, Anti-doping, Disciplinary and Appeals Commissions, Athletes’ Commission Medical Commission, Para Match Poker Commission and Ethics Commission.

4.4 Members have the following rights:

to participate to and vote at the Congress;
to be informed in advance of the agenda of the Congress which will be conveyed in a timely manner;
to submit/support proposals to be included in the agenda of the Congress; – to exercise all other rights of Members arising from the statutes, by-laws, directives and decisions of IFMP.

4.5 End of Membership

A Member Association can apply at any time to withdraw it’s membership in IFMP. Membership ends one month after receipt of the application by IFMP. – A Member Association may be excluded: by decision of the Board for failure to fulfil its financial obligations and also for failure to fulfil the requirements as a Match Poker association; by a decision of the Congress supported by a majority of two-thirds for infringement of the statutes or the rules of IFMP.
Re-entry into the IFMP is only possible if the Member Association has fulfilled its financial and/or other obligations towards IFMP.
A Member Association which ends its membership has no claim against the funds of IFMP.

ARTICLE 5. DOPING AND DRUG USE

The IFMP, including its Members and players, are bound by the relevant rules and guidelines prescribed by IOC, GAISF, WADA, and other relevant agencies or bodies set up for monitoring drug use and doping by players affiliated with IFMP Member Federations.

A Medical Advice Commission comprised of medical experts and laypersons shall be appointed by the Board to decide from time to time the list of prohibited substances and methods of doping control that are applicable to Match Poker in IFMP competition, in accordance with IFMP’s Anti-Doping Rules based upon WADA model rules.

ARTICLE 6. ASSOCIATED MEMBERS AND PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

ARTICLE 7. ORGANISATION

ARTICLE 8. CONGRESS

8.1 COMPOSITION

The Congress consists in the assembly of IFMP’s Members.

8.2 POWERS

The Congress is the supreme authority of IFMP. It has all the powers which are not vested in another body. In particular, the Congress has the power to:

adopt and amend the Statutes;
vote on the admission of members and associated members proposed by the Board;
appoint and remove Board members;
approve the budget;
decide the annual contribution
approve the annual accounts;
approve By-Laws prepared by the Board;
resolve the dissolution of the IFMP
decide any other matter submitted to vote

8.3 ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS, MAIL VOTE

An Ordinary Congress meeting is held once a year.

Extraordinary Congress meetings may be called by the Board. The Board shall call an extraordinary Congress meeting if such is required by Members representing at least 30% of the voting shares.

Congress meetings (ordinary and extraordinary) are called by the Board on the basis of an agenda which is communicated to the Members at least twenty days in advance of the meeting. Members representing at least 20 % of the voting shares can submit additional points on the agenda. Proposal must be submitted ten days in advance of the meeting. Points which are not on the agenda may be discussed at the meeting but no vote can take place.

The Congress meetings are chaired by IFMP’s President or the Vice-President acting as his/her substitute as needed. In the absence of both the President and the Vice President, the Congress is chaired by another member of the Board.

8.4 VOTING RIGHTS AND REPRESENTATION

Each Member has one vote at the Congress and is represented by one designated Delegate chosen amongst its members or officers. Except in the event of decisions of extraordinary Congress reached by mail vote, only the Members present are entitled to vote. A Member cannot be represented by another Member. Further representatives of the Members may attend the Congress. Such representatives do not take part to vote nor have a right to speak on behalf of the Members save by special permission of the Chairman. For organisational purposes, the number of representatives of Members or Associated Members allowed to attend a Congress may be limited by the Board.

8.5 DECISIONS

Decisions of ordinary Congress are subject to a majority of the votes of the Members present. A decision to amend the Statutes or resolve the dissolution is subject to a qualified majority of two third of the votes of the Members present.

ARTICLE 9. BOARD

9.1 COMPOSITION

The Board consists of minimum 5 members elected by the Congress for renewable four years terms. The Board elects IFMP’s President and the Vice-President amongst its members. The election term of IFMP’s President and of the Vice-President is parallel to the one of the Board (4 years renewable).

Members of the Board may resign or be removed by the Congress at any time. In the event a member of the Board has to be replaced, the next Congress will elect a new member of the Board with effect for the rest of the current election term. In the event the President has to be replaced, the acting Vice-President shall become President ad interim for the rest of the current election term. If the Vice President has to be replaced, including as a consequence of the Vice-President becoming President ad interim, the Board shall elect one of its members as Vice-President ad interim for the rest of the current election term.

9.2 POWERS AND DUTIES

The Board is the managing body of IFMP.

Subject to the powers of the Congress, the Board shall be entitled to take all appropriate measures and issue all appropriate decisions in relation with the activities of IFMP and the accomplishment of its purpose.

The Board has in particular the following powers and duties:

to establish the agenda and call and organise Congresses;
to review application for admission and submit them to the Congress in accordance with the Statutes;
to prepare By-Laws (or amendments thereof) to be approved by the Congress; d) to keep the accounts and prepare the annual accounts;
to prepare the budget;
to implement the Statutes, the By-Laws and the decisions of the Congress; g) to appoint the Executive Director and other employees;
to conduct the management of IFMP, respectively to supervise such to the extent delegated.

The Board represents IFMP towards third parties. IFMP is engaged by the signature of the President and of another member of the Board, who may be the Vice President, or, in the absence of the President, through the signature of the Vice President and of another member of the Board.

The Board may delegate its operational duties to the Executive Director. The Board reports on its activities to the Congress.

9.3 BOARD MEETINGS, MAIL VOTE

The Board meets as often as necessary but at least twice a year. A Board meeting may be required by the President or by three Board members. The Board Meetings are chaired by the IFMP President or the Vice President acting as his/her substitute. In the absence of the President and of the Vice-President, the Board Meeting is conducted by another member of the Board.

Decisions of the Board can also be reached by mail votes. In such case, all the members of the Board have to be consulted by mail or fax before a decision is issued.

9.4 VOTING RIGHTS AND BOARD DECISIONS

Each member of the Board, including the President and the Vice-President, shall be entitled to one vote on all matters within the Board’s jurisdiction. Board Members shall abstain to vote on matters in relation to which they have a conflict of interests. Decisions are taken at the majority. The President shall have a casting vote.

9.5 REMUNERATION

The President is entitled to receive a remuneration which is determined by the Board. Other Board Members are not entitled as such to remuneration. They are reimbursed for their reasonable expenses. In addition, a per diem may apply. This is without prejudice to remuneration in connection with specific professional appointments.

ARTICLE 10. CONTINENTAL COUNCILS

Continental Councils are responsible for the administration, development and furtherance of Match Poker competition in a specific continent or geographic area. The Continental Councils shall comply with and enforce the rules and regulations of IFMP and co-operate with IFMP bodies. They organise continental championships and other competitions in their regions.

The Continental Councils are:

Africa
Asia
Europe
Pan America
Oceania

The Statutes and Regulations of the Continental Councils must be submitted to the Board for approval and will not come into effect until they have received such approval. Continental Councils must create an Athletes’ Commission to provide permanent liaison between active Athletes and the Continental Council. One representative appointed by the Athletes’ Commission must be a member of the Continental Council Board.

ARTICLE 11. AUDITORS

ARTICLE 12. RESOURCES

ARTICLE 13. LANGUAGES

ARTICLE 14. DURATION & DISSOLUTION

ARTICLE 15. AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE 16. SPORT DEPARTMENT

The Sport Department will form the Technical Commissions related to sport management, such as sport regulations, calendar, Athletes and Entourage, Athletes’ health, officials, etc. These Technical Commissions are subject to approval by the Board. Members of these Commissions are proposed by Member associations. Their membership expires at end of the term of the Board. One member of each Commission is appointed by the Athletes’ Commission. Each Commission is directed by one of its members (Director), who is appointed by the Board.

ARTICLE 17. COMMISSIONS AND WORKING GROUPS

ARTICLE 18. ANTI-DOPING, ETHICS, DISCIPLINARY AND APPEALS COMMISSIONS, MEDICAL COMMISSION AND RULES

The function of the Anti-Doping Commission is to ensure that IFMP complies with the World Anti-Doping Code. Its rules will comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. The Ethics Commission intends to protect and encourage ethical values in all of IFMP. The Ethics Commission addresses issues referred to it by IFMP’s President. It can also propose issues for consideration to IFMP’s President or IFMP’s Board following information received directly or indirectly. The Ethics Commission will consider cases resulting from a breach of IFMP’s Code of Conduct or Charter and elected members of IFMP. They can recommend action to IFMP’s President, who may address the Disciplinary Commission.

The function of the Disciplinary Commission is to investigate and take appropriate action following any complaint concerning breach of rules (including IFMP’s Anti Doping Rules) or misconduct.

The function of the Appeals Commission is to decide appeals from decisions taken by the Disciplinary Commission (except in doping cases, where the appeal will be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport).

Rules concerning these Commissions and their rules are set out in a regulation made by the Congress.

The Ethics Commission Rules and composition are defined in the relevant document approved by IFMP’s Board, while members are appointed by the Congress. Decisions of the Disciplinary Commission in doping cases and decisions of the Appeal Commission may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (in Lausanne, Switzerland). The procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport takes place according to its regulations. The decision of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport will be final and there will be no further appeal from it. Medical Commission Rules and composition are defined in the relevant document approved by IFMP’s Board.

ARTICLE 19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Disputes arising under IFMP’s Statutes or otherwise, will be dealt with under the procedure and rules set out in the Disciplinary and Appeals Rules. The final determination of a dispute can be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (in Lausanne, Switzerland).

The procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport takes place according to its regulations. The decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport will be final and there will be no further appeal from it.

ARTICLE 20. ATHLETES’ COMMISSION

ARTICLE 21. PARA MATCH POKER COMMISSION

(Amended as of 19th December 2020)