Disciplinary Policy

In the event of a player being sent off:

• The player is unavailable to play for any team until their hearing has been heard by the relevant RFU disciplinary body for the game that they were playing in. DWRFU plan to hold a disciplinary hearing within 7 days of a sending off.

•As soon as the club is aware of the sending off the club will inform the relevant disciplinary body for the game this must be done within 24hours of the sending off.

• The club Disciplinary Committee (The Senior & Youth Section Committees shall formulate the constitution of their disciplinary committees at their first sitting each season) shall confer within 3 days of the sending off, if a hearing is required this must also be held within 3 days of the sending off. This committee will hear the evidence placed in front of it and agree the appropriate sanction to be imposed on the player. The chairman of the committee will place the decision in writing and submitted along with any other evidence the club and player wish to present to the RFU disciplinary panel.

• The player must make every effort to attend both the club disciplinary hearing and the RFU disciplinary hearing.

• The player must pay any fine imposed upon them.

• Team managers, coaches and captains shall ensure the judgement is enforced.

In the event of a player receiving 5 yellow cards:

• The clubs Disciplinary Committee shall confer within 5 days of the showing of the fifth yellow card and either agree the appropriate sanction to be imposed on the player or convene a disciplinary hearing- such meeting to be held no later than 28 days.

• The player must make every effort to attend the club disciplinary hearing.

• The player will be advised verbally, and in writing if requested, of the judgement.

• Team managers, coaches and captains shall ensure the judgement is enforced.

The Club Secretary will:

• Familiarise himself with RFU Disciplinary Regulations as set out in the current edition of the RFU Handbook.

• Ensure that all team captains know they must report dismissals to you or any other designated officer who deals with matters of discipline.

•Will inform the relevant disciplinary body for the game within 24hours of the game of the sending off.

• Produce any video (made by or on behalf of the Club) at any game in which a player is dismissed or cited or a Rule 5.12 case arises. This requirement applies even if the player concerned is a member of the opposition.

• Respond fully and quickly to any correspondence.

• Ensure the player is advised of the time, date and venue of the disciplinary hearing and is provided with copies of the disciplinary papers relating to that hearing.

• Advise the D&W RFU Disciplinary Secretary if the player is unable to attend the hearing.

• Advise the D&W RFU Disciplinary Secretary whether the attendance of the Referee is requested where it is intended to question the sending off report.

• Where a player has been offered a 'postal plea' and wishes to plead guilty and have the case heard in his absence, ensure that the D&W RFU Disciplinary Secretary is so advised within 14 days and that all of the requested information is provided.

• Inform the player and the club of the decision of the RFU disciplinary hearing.

• Ensure all sanctions are correctly applied and disciplinary costs are paid within 21 days of the receipt of the Judgement. If the costs are not paid the player shall remain suspended until such time as they are paid.

Club Disciplinary Committees must:

• Be appointed, with a Chairman, and charged with the responsibility of maintaining the standards of discipline within the Club.

• Shall confer within 3 days and if deemed necessary Meet within 3 days of a dismissal, ensuring that disciplinary procedures are formally complied with (including those for players under 17 years of age) and any actions and sanctions decided upon are applied correctly.

• Ensure that the D&W RFU Disciplinary Secretary is advised of any action taken.

• Ensure that the support/defence of a player at a disciplinary hearing is consistent with the Club's own disciplinary action.

• The Committee can only imposes a playing suspension of a player, if it is felt that a player should be banned from the club then this decision must be referred to the clubs executive committee.

Match Officials that are supplied by Melksham RFC must:

• In addition to reporting to the club’s own relevant disciplinary committee

• Report all players dismissed by them or cases of abuse, taking care to record the correct name of the accused and ensure the report is accurate and complete.

• Use the current RFU form for reporting.

• Sign the completed form and send it (by e-mail if possible) to the Secretary of the Constituent Body Disciplinary Committee to which the player's club belongs within 48 hours of the match, with a copy to his own Referees' Society. In the case of players dismissed in School/Club Youth matches a copy of the report should also be sent to the Head Teacher/Club Secretary.

Players:

• Players are responsible for their actions.

• The player must make every effort to attend both the club disciplinary hearing and the RFU disciplinary hearing.

• Where a player is age 17 or over and is playing in an U19 or an adult team, he is subject to the RFU rules which apply to all adult players.

• Players are entitled to representation at any hearing and players under the age of 17 must have a responsible adult attend any hearing with them.

• The player must abide by any sanctions given to them and pay any fine imposed upon them.

Melksham RFC

Login