GUIDANCE ON DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Advice to Clubs on Disciplinary Incidents
Following the introduction of supplementary administration fees, (below), at the County AGM, Club Secretaries should note the following points, thus avoiding the need for such fees to be imposed.
1 Any instance of a sending-off, or an abuse report from a match official, during a Club Fixture must be notified to the Secretary of the County Disciplinary Committee within 72 hours of the incident, (RFU Disciplinary Procedures, 4.4). Name, address and telephone number(s) to be supplied.
This applies to all age groups, and irrespective of whether the referee is a member of a society or not.
2 Take note of deadlines for return, which are included in communications from the Disciplinary Secretary and ensure that forms are fully completed.
3 Inform the Disciplinary Secretary immediately if any difficulties arise with the above points, particularly with regard to attendance at notified hearings.
Club Secretaries should familiarise themselves with the procedures set out in the RFU Handbook with regard to Discipline, as it is the responsibility of the Club to ensure that matters are dealt with efficiently and in the interests of the member(s) involved. Officials of Junior Sections must also be made aware of procedures.
All Clubs are required to have a Disciplinary Committee which should meet and decide on any necessary action as soon as possible following such incidents as a player being 'sent off', or a referee reporting some form of abuse.
Any action taken by the Club or County Disciplinary Committee needs to be communicated to Club Officials, especially skippers, with particular attention to the dates of any suspensions
ADMINISTRATION FEES
1. Standard administration fee per hearing. £25
2. Additional administration fees will be charged for each occasion of the following:
a) Failure to meet deadlines as specified in the RFU Handbook, Disciplinary Procedures 4.4. £10
b) Failure to submit all necessary paperwork, fully completed and within
the deadline specified on such paper work. £10.
c) Failure to communicate attendance, or a valid reason for non attendance, at
least 72 hours prior to the notified date of hearing. £15. d) Failure to attend a hearing. £25.
The Disciplinary Committee will impose the above fees in all appropriate cases. Submissions of mitigating circumstances may be taken into account at the discretion of the committee.
