All forms of participation in, or support for illegal and irregular betting and gambling  are prohibited. Any infringement of this prohibition will result in disciplinary sanctions  by IFMP’s Disciplinary Commission.

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:

1. 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;
2. to serve as a worldwide governing body to which existing and new National Match  Poker Federations can affiliate;
3. 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;
4. to secure a broad international membership base by encouraging constitution and  affiliation of national Match Poker federations;
5. to codify and seek recognition of uniform rules of Match Poker, for both  tournament and non-tournament play;
6. 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;
7. 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.

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.

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.

The Board may propose to the Congress to grant organisations/entities which are not  members the status of Associated Members or Partner Organisations. Associated  Members and Partner Organisations are not entitled to vote. They mainly have  consultation/observer rights which will be defined in each case.

IFMP functions through ten bodies, each with separately defined powers and duties:

• Congress
• Board
• Continental Confederations
• Sport Department
• Commissions and Working Groups
• Anti-doping, Disciplinary and Appeals Commissions
• Athletes’ Commission
• Medical Commission
• Para Match Poker Commission
• Ethics Commission

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:

1. adopt and amend the Statutes;
2. vote on the admission of members and associated members proposed by the  Board;
3. appoint and remove Board members;
4. approve the budget;
5. decide the annual contribution
6. approve the annual accounts;
7. approve By-Laws prepared by the Board;
8. resolve the dissolution of the IFMP
9. 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.

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:

1. to establish the agenda and call and organise Congresses;
2. to review application for admission and submit them to the Congress in  accordance with the Statutes;
3. to prepare By-Laws (or amendments thereof) to be approved by the Congress; d) to keep the accounts and prepare the annual accounts;
4. to prepare the budget;
5. to implement the Statutes, the By-Laws and the decisions of the Congress; g) to appoint the Executive Director and other employees;
6. 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.

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.

IFMP will be audited by a qualified, independent auditing firm. This independent  auditing firm will audit the accounts present a report to the Congress.

IFMP’s resources are constituted by:

• annual fees of its Members
• income generated through its activities, in particular but without limitation the  sanctioning and/or organisation of events and/or the exploitation of rights; – subsidies, legacies;
• other revenues.

English and French are the official languages of IFMP. All communications by IFMP  or from the Members to IFMP shall be in English or French. In case of discrepancy,  English prevails.

IFMP is created for an unlimited period of time.

Dissolution of IFMP shall be resolved by a two third majority vote at the Congress.  The Congress shall appoint a liquidator and decide the use of the assets remaining  after payment of all the debts, if any. These decisions are not subject to a qualified  majority.

Amendments to these Statutes require a two third majority vote of the Congress.

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.

The President, in accordance with the Board, may create permanent or other  standing or ad hoc commissions and working groups whenever it appears necessary,  for the purpose of advising the Congress, the Board or the President.

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.

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.

The Athletes’ Commission provides a permanent liaison between active athletes and  IFMP. One female and one male representative, not from the same country,  appointed by the Athletes’ Commission are elected by the Congress as members of  the Board. Composition and functioning of the Athletes’ Commission are described in  the relevant regulations as approved by the Congress.

Composition and functioning of the Para Match Poker Commission are described in  the relevant regulations as approved by the Congress.

Amended Statutes as adopted by the IFMP Congress via mail vote on 19th  December 2020.