This discipline letter is part of the DRFU approach to ensuring that Clubs, teams and individual players understand the key issues on the way that the discipline process will be managed

1. Players’ status after sending off and before a disciplinary hearing
As you will no doubt be aware, IRB Regulation 17.1 sets out the Core Principles that the IRB have directed shall be applied as mandatory provisions by Unions at all levels of the Game. In particular, IRB Regulation 17.7.1 (k) provides that: ‘Player Ordered-Off or cited by a Citing Commissioner shall be suspended pending the hearing of the case’

The RFU challenged the IRB on this and sought dispensation for clubs playing at levels 5 and below, this challenge was rejected. Therefore Core IRB Principle will apply to the RFU at all levels and RFU Regulation 19.5.3 has been amended from the 1st August 2013 to reflect this:

“A Player that is subject to an Ordering off or citing by a Citing Commissioner in a domestic or any other match is not entitled to play the Game (or any form thereof) or be involved in any off-field activities anywhere in the world until his/her case has been finally resolved. For the avoidance of doubt a player cited by an opposition team in matches at Level 3 and below may play the Game pending the resolution of his/her case”

Therefore from 1st August 2015, any player sent off by the Referee is NOT PERMITTED to play under any circumstances until their case has been considered by the DRFU Disciplinary Process. Your Club Disciplinary Committee should continue to consider any sending off ASAP and make its own judgement as to whether the offence is proven or not. However, the player will remain suspended whatever they decide, until after the case has been fully resolved by the DRFU Disciplinary Process. Any player cited by an opposition team in matches at level 3 and below may continue to play the Game pending the resolution of his/her case

RFU Regulations 19.6.1 & 3 specify that the match referee and the club secretary for the player sent off must submit their report to/or inform the CB Discipline Secretary, of the match within 48 hours so that they can take control of the proceedings at their earliest convenience. Compliance with these regulations will be essential to avoid unnecessary periods of suspension

In relation to prompt case progression, the regulations are to be amended to allow for a greater use of pleading guilty by post (or more usually by email) in appropriate cases. This will enable the Disciplinary Panel to deal with the offence based on the papers and without having to hold a formal hearing. The Disciplinary Panel will continue to hold a hearing where a player indicates a not guilty plea and they can also decide to see a player (e.g. in serious cases or where the player is a persistent offender etc). Again you are reminded that, whatever the approach or plea, the player will remain suspended until the case has been resolved by the DRFU or RFU

To facilitate the effective implementation of the changes the DRFU Discipline Secretary will arrange a hearing as soon as possible, normally within 7 to 14 days of receiving all of the information

2. Abuse of Match Officials
Clubs are reminded they have a direct role in controlling the behaviour of their coaches, spectators and players on the field. Failure to take responsibility for this or repeat offending could ultimately lead to a significant loss of league points for your Club

3. Bad Language
We received complaints from spectators, several having been accompanied by young children, concerning the high volume of bad language from the players. We have also had complaints relating to abusive language from spectators directed to the referee (treated as ‘match official abuse case’). Abusive/bad language does not help with the rugby image we want to display as part of the development of our game, Clubs are requested to take appropriate steps to ensure spectators and officials are not subjected to this sort of behaviour

Treve Mitchell
Hon Secretary (Discipline)