Discipline

Overall we are governed by RFU regs in this area

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/discipline/

EXTRACT FROM HISTORICAL LADS HANDBOOK

Reportable Events

Note: where an electronic version of a form exists, a copy may be found on
the Society Website.

SENDING - OFF

The Referee concerned must report any and all players sent off as soon as
is practicable after the match. A copy of the disciplinary form will normally
suffice. However, in some circumstances, it may be prudent to seek
further advice from the Society’s Discipline Advisor (Paul Warrington) before the
disciplinary form is completed.

Paul Warrington
10, Burton Avenue, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 8QH
t: 0151 639 4366 m :07929 634228
paulwref1@hotmail.com

1. Caution & Sending off Procedure During the Game - Guidance

a) Caution:

Show the player the Yellow Card, advise him/her concisely of the offense and
indicate where you want them to go.

Do not engage in conversation with the player.

Make a note of his/her number, indicate where the penalty will be, and restart
the match without delay: N.B. the whistle should be blown for a second time,
the secondary signal shown, and the penalty awarded to the non-offending
team.

b) Sending Off:

Immediately after the incident occurs, stop the game and separate the two teams.

Show the player the Red Card, advise them concisely of the offense and
tell them to leave the playing enclosure.
If it's a second Yellow Card, show the Yellow Card, then the Red Card.

If the offense was serious enough to warrant a Red Card but the player is already on a Yellow Card ONLY show a Red Card.

Do not engage in conversation with the player.

After ensuring that any injured player receives immediate medical attention,
succinctly tell the captain why you have sent the player from the field of play:
Do not enter into a debate. Note: The purpose of this approach is to remove the offending player
from the field as quickly as possible, with little fuss, thereby and more
importantly, reducing the possibility of further conflict. Avoiding engaging
in conversations with players and /or captains, which will not change the
decision made, will also assist in achieving this aim.

Restart the match at the earliest reasonable opportunity. N.B. the whistle
should be blown for a second time, the secondary signal shown, and the
penalty awarded to the non-offending team.

After the Game:

Do not discuss the sending-off with any player, official, spectator or member
of the Media after the game. Advise that it will be in your written report.
All clubs are instructed to ensure that you have the player’s name(s) before
you leave the club. Do not spend any time tracking down someone to find
out the player’s name.

2. Writing the Report

ONLY use the form on Pitchero, this is the most current form and other formats may not be accepted by the CB or RFU

Note: It may be prudent to seek further advice from the Society’s Discipline Advisor (Paul Warrington paulwref1@hotmail.com).

Caution:

In level 1 - 4 games, it is necessary to complete the necessary Caution Form
and to submit it to the RFU Disciplinary Secretary at Twickenham within 48
hours.

At level 5 and below, there is no requirement to report the caution, unless
the player is contracted to a level 1 - 4 club.
Sending off:

All reports must be submitted by email, within 48 hours (by 0900hrs Mon or Tues), to

1) To the Disciplinary Secretary of the CB of the player’s Club (or the RFU If the
the player is contracted to a level 1 - 4 club).

Local CBs are listed below, for CBs outside the local area, details can be
found in RFU Handbook (Online)

2) To the Society - email to:

paulwref1@hotmail.com AND scholes.conal@gmail.com

AND send to the appropriate county disciplinary secretary (see below)

Please note when on exchange please get the correct CB discipline secretary details and send the report to them.[/b]

Red card in a school game send a copy to RFU Discipline at Cards@RFU.com AND to

Cheshire: John Downham johndownham@rfu.com

Lancashire: Brian Stott: disciplinary@lancashirerugby.com

Retain a copy of the report for your own records and/or use at the
disciplinary hearing.
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Guidance:

The actual sending-off incident should be recorded in detail.

Note if you have issued 2 Yellow Cards to a Player then this is a sending off. You must provide a Red Card report to the CB discipline secretary. The player will almost certainly be allowed to play the next week as often(always?) the 2 yellow cards (resulting in a Red Card) are seen as being at the low end of RFU guidelines. The CB discipline team usually (always?) just note the Red Card and make the ban as "SoS" Sending Off Sufficent. However, if you don't send a report then the player can not play until the CB has the paperwork and thus you are going to make them miss a game (or more). So send in a Red Card Report or you will effectively make the player/club lose a that person for a week or more!

Reports should be concise, precise and factual, and opinions or perceived intentions must
not be expressed.

It is important to ensure that the front of the form is completed accurately in
every respect. In particular the facts: the nature of the offence, i.e., correct
Law reference, the time in the half (not real-time), proximity to the incident,
view obstructed/unobstructed, and the score at the time.

The back of the form is, of course, the most crucial aspect of the report. After
noting the weather, ground conditions and the temper of the game ensure
that details of any injury sustained to person(s) involved in the incident is
recorded - this is important evidence.

It may be that some information can only be confirmed in the clubhouse after the game. Clubs MUST provide you with information, you should politely request what you need. If it is not forthcoming then ask but the onus is on the club to provide. Worst case leave the club and contact the Society Discipline Officer for guidance.

Where the issue of cautions has to be recorded, please note that the ‘Individual player concerned’
means to any individual player and not just the player sent off.

A detailed report of the incident is the evidence of an expert witness - the
referee. Whilst it is not necessary to give a full report of the game prior to the
incident, do supply a context.

It is necessary to record the incidents of foul play that had already occurred and as to whether or not the sent-off player
had been involved in any of them. If the sent-off player had previously been cautioned in the game, it is important to give a detailed account of that incident.

The actual sending off incident should be recorded in detail. The location of play on the field, how play was developing and what actually happened tomake you decide that the player had to leave the field.

What exactly did s/he do? If s/he punched - was it with a clenched fist? How many times did s/he hit him/
her? On which part of the body did s/he hit him/her? What damage did s/he do? How far did s/he travel to do it? Were they powerful punches?

If you send him/her off for illegal use of the boot, be specific - was it a kick or a stamp? If it was a kick, where on the body did s/he kick him/her, and how many times? Was it a tap or a full-blooded kick? How far did s/he travel to commit the offence? What injury was caused?

If it was a stamp, the same sort of criteria apply but make sure it was a stamp. It is accepted that to
stamp one is to stand still so players rucking over could be guilty of trampling but not stamping. Get your facts right. Players often claim that they were only going for the ball so state where the ball was at the time of the incident. Have a clear picture of whether the leg going up/down or forward and back? Detail is everything.

Important Note:

If you send off a player (or club official) you have a responsibility to: ensure that your report is submitted as soon as possible, and within
48 hours. Attend the Disciplinary Hearing if requested.

Your failure to meet the responsibilities tarnishes the reputation of the Society and will be considered accordingly. In some cases, CBs / RFU themselves have suspended referees for failure to fulfil their responsibilities. The Society has also taken action against referees after due process.

You may attend the hearing in person should you so wish. In all cases, you may
request support from the Society: please contact the Hon Secretary

All reports are checked (DO NOT SEND to them and NOT to the CB discipline chair) by the Society’s Discipline Advisor (Paul Warrington - paulwref1@hotmail.com ) AND the Hon Secretary who may contact you seeking clarification and/or to provide advice. CB Discipline Managers/Secretaries may also contact you directly. You must send the report to the CB discipline contact

Send the original to the appropriate County Official as follows:

LANCASHIRE CLUBS
Brian Stott
8, Barlea Avenue
New Moston
Manchester M40 3WL
0161 682 0541 Home
07974 141122 Mobile

disciplinary@lancashirerugby.com

Summary of actions taken by the Lancs CB Chair and other info

https://lancashirerugby.co.uk/admin/disciplinary

https://lancashirerugby.co.uk/disciplinary-reports

CHESHIRE WEST

Sarah Pratt

spratt20@googlemail.com

CHESHIRE EAST

Mostyn Williams

mostynwilliams@gmail.com

CHESHIRE DISCIPLINARY SECRETARY