Discipline Administration and Reporting Red Cards

Discipline administration and reporting red cards

There are several important requirements in the RFU regulations, principally Regulation 19, the purpose of which are to optimise the discipline process and ensure that players are not prevented from returning to play by the process when otherwise their sanction for an offence would allow them to play again.

Timely reporting of red cards by clubs, schools and officials reduces the risk that the process is not concluded until after what would be the return to play date, which would result in a player’s suspension being extended unnecessarily. Please ensure that your club/school has appropriate processes in place to ensure you report all red cards in a timely manner.

Reporting of red cards

Under regulation 19.4.3 a club MUST report each red card issued to one of their players to the CB Disciplinary Secretary Andy Statham ([email protected] ).

For Age Grade games Reg 19 Appendix 6 clause 7.2 requires reporting of red cards to the CB Age Grade Disciplinary Secretary (CBAGDS) Chris Johnson ([email protected] )

The report must be received by no later than 9am on the second day following the match for adult games, or within 48 hours of the match for Age Grade games, and must include:

• The player’s name
• The player’s Date of Birth
• The player’s RFU ID
• The name of the referee

This is in addition to the requirement for the referee to report the red card.  Clubs and schools must also do so.

Adult return to play

An adult player who has received a red card cannot play again until the disciplinary process is complete and a CB or RFU hearing has determined the extent of any sanction, including suspension from playing. The Judgment published by the CB or RFU discipline panel will include an agreed return to play date.

Age Grade return to play

Under Regulation 19 Appendix 6 clauses 7.3 and 7.4 for Age Grade Players, where the club / school carries out the disciplinary process internally or with the support of the CB, the club/school must report their findings to the CBAGDS within 48 hours of the hearing. The player cannot return to play until the club have provided their completed judgment form to the CBAGDS (Chris Johnson) and have received approval from the CBAGDS of the sanction imposed, even where the imposed sanction would otherwise permit an immediate return to play.