The following is factual and nothing but fact from the NZF ruling...........
Points from the Cap1 appeal:
1. NZF has the view that had CF followed their regulations then without doubt NW would have been demoted/relegated from capital 1 at the end of the 2013 season.
2. To the extent, it is plain that CF have not followed their own regulations.
3.To have simply directed the consideration of this matter on the basis of it's being a "special case", falls outside the regulations.
4. NZF view, as a consequence, NW should have been relegated from capital 1 and the end of the 2013 season.
5. We emphatically reject the sumbmission of CF that NZF Rule 34.5 is limited in such a way as to preclude NZF considering this matter.
6. The decision not to relegate NW at the end of the 2013 season as required was plainly wrong. It cannot be categorised, as CF suggest, as a "general policy and governance" decision.
7. To that extent, we uphold the appeal.
8. CF Rule 31 provides the basis for the clubs to challenge the lawfulness of any board resolution (including a provision for negotiation or mediation and, ultimately, arbitration).
9. Those remedies are still open to the clubs.
10. We therefore find that although the CF decision to disregard its own senior playinmg regulations 2013 was wrong, there is no basis for us to address the issue of the as-yet-promulgated 2014 regulations. That is an issue which need to be taken up by the clubs in accordance with CF rules.