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 offence 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 the incident occurs, stop the game and separate the two teams.
Show the player the Red Card, advise them concisely of the offence and
tell them to leave the playing enclosure.
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 in to 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 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, to
1) To the Disciplinary Secretary of the CB of the player’s Club (or the RFU If 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)
OR
IF on Exchange send to
EXCHANGE SECRETARY Jimmy "Only my mother calls me James" Taggart
M: 07702344058
jamestaggart15@hotmail.com
Please note when on exchange please get the correct CB discipline secretary details and send the report to them.
OR
Red card in a school game send a copy to RFU Discipline at Cards@RFU.com
Retain a copy of the report for your own records and/or use at the
disciplinary hearing.
Guidance:
The actual sending off incident should be recorded in detail.
Reports should be concise, precise and factual, and opinion 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 forth comming then ask but the onus is on the club to provide. Worst case leave the club and contact theSociety Discipline Officer for guidance.
Where the issue ofcautions has to be recorded, please note that ‘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 exacty did s/he do? If s/he punched - was it with 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 stood 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 was 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 themselves have suspended referees for the 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 by the Society’s Discipline Advisor (Paul Warrington - paulwref1@hotmail.com ) AND Hon Secretary whom may contact you seeking clarification and/or to provide advice. CB Discipline Managers/Secretaries may also contact you direct.
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
CHESHIRE WEST
Sarah Pratt
8, Popular Close
Whitby
Ellesmere Port
CH65 9LW
07760 780528
spratt20@gmail.com
CHESHIRE EAST
Clare Hayes
Malbank
47 Croxton Lane
Middlewich
CW10 9EZ
T: 077471 77736
E: clareowensmith@gmail.com
CHESHIRE DISCIPLINARY SECRETARY
John Downham
216, London Road
Northwich,
Ches. CW9 8AQ
01606 48962 Home
07989 443075 Mobile
johndownham57@sky.com
IoM DISCIPLINARY SECRETARY
Phil Garrett
T: 07624 453198 E: phil.gap@wimanx.net
STAFFS
SRU DISCIPLINARY SECRETARY
Kevin Cantrill
39 Hunter Avenue, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 9AQ
T: 01543 672737 E: kevcantrill55@yahoo.co.uk
DERBYSHIRE
NLD Disciplinary Secretary
Tom Murrie
nld.discsec@gmail.com
07809 727799
CUMBRIA
Brian Mitchel
brian.mitchelhill@sky.com
(m) 07800 613 122 (H) 01900 825366