Don't worry it's not too much like being back at school! The discipline process is there to uphold the core values, integrity and safety of our game.
We want to ensure fairness to offenders and importantly safety to the ‘victim’. Please remember that all the panel members are volunteers and human but are there for the benefit of the game.
How We Operate:
- The Discipline Committee consists of a Chair and 9 others who meet every two weeks at the Holiday Inn Leeds Wakefield, during the season.
- The Discipline Panel consists of no more than three people who hear the cases and decide on the appropriate sanction. They deal with cases from Level 5 down and in normal season hear around 180 cases.
- The Discipline Panel has a wide range of rugby experience to deal with the issues involved and the Discipline Secretary works closely with the clubs and RFU Discipline to ensure fairness to offenders and importantly safety to the ‘victim'.
- Age Grade Rugby discipline is managed by the appropriate clubs or school.
- Two appointed Secretary’s manage the cases.
The Process
- The Discipline Process is contained within Regulation 19 of the RFU Rules and Regulations.
- The regulations deal with not only players but coaches, clubs, their members and spectators.
- The sanctions that can be imposed are set by the RFU and the panel members receive regular training and accreditation.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY CLUBS IF A PLAYER IS SENT OFF
In the event of a player being sent off (red card)
Whether the Referee is a member of a Referees’ Society or not, in all circumstances Club Secretaries must report the sending off within 48 hours after the match - (Disciplinary Regulation 19.3.1.3)
Disciplinary Fees
1. Club failing to report a sending off within 48 hours £30
2. Offence admitted in writing by postal plea or email, if this is permitted £50
3. Offence admitted but a personal hearing is requested or ordered £50
4. Not guilty plea, in addition to referee’s expenses if he is requested to attend £50
5. Failing to attend a hearing without prior notice £50
6. Resumed hearing as a result of a failure to attend, plus any referee’s expenses £50
Where a Person, Player or Club is ordered to pay costs, then, unless the Disciplinary Panel grants a longer period for payment, they shall be paid within 21 days of the Panel Meeting by the Person, Player or Club against whom the demand for payment has been made.
If such costs are not paid by the required date, a Disciplinary Panel may impose further sanctions for breach of the order on a Person, Player or Club (including, in relation to Players, suspending the Player from playing) until they are paid.
Should a Club or Player wish to consider a Citing following a game then full consideration should be given to the content of Regulation 19 that covers such issues in particular the time limits, the information regarding the Citing and its submission and the appropriate authority (RFU Discipline or YRFU Discipline Secretary) and the payments to be made.
Sending off in a Senior Game (U19 and above)
Clubs in National Leagues report the sending off to the Disciplinary Manager at Twickenham. Clubs in National 3 North and below report the sending off to the Yorkshire Disciplinary Secretary (details below).
Sending off in a Youth/Junior/Mini Game (U18 and below)
Clubs should report the sending off to the:
Youth and Schools Disciplinary Secretary.
In the event of the Club Secretary not being available, arrangements should be made for sending offs to be reported as required.
Advice on any Discipline matters can be obtained in the first instance through the YRFU Disciplinary Secretary, details below:
Jo Stephens Disciplinary Secretary
Telephone: 0113 252 4300
E-mail: disciplinesecretary@yorkshirerfu.co.uk
For more information you can contact the Chair of Discipline Paul Taylor at taylopc@sky.com or Paul Dyer, Youth Discipline Secretary youthdisciplinesecretary@yorkshirerfu.co.uk.
