GUIDELINES FOR DISCIPLINE REPORT WRITING
Referees have to earn respect both on and off the field. Part of earning respect off the field can be affected by the manner and accuracy of report writing when you issue a yellow and red card. If your reports are not accurate, and correctly completed, you may lose some hard earned respect which you have achieved whilst on the field. Regrettably, the standard of report writing, at all levels, is causing the RFU National Disciplinary Committees and Constituent Body Disciplinary Committees concern. The following guidelines are therefore intended to assist referees and touch judges when prepare their reports.
A step-by- step approach has been adopted to guide you through completing the different sections of the disciplinary report form successfully. It is important to remember, particularly at the higher levels of the game, that there is a tendency for the reports submitted to be scrutinised by experienced lawyers. At National levels, in particular, many players are represented by experienced Solicitors or Barristers. Inaccuracies in the form or in the report of the detail of the incident can affect the Referee's/Touch Judge's credibility, and may create doubt in the minds of the Disciplinary Committee, where really there should be none. Considerations of this nature are of growing importance throughout the game and thus these guidelines.
The primary object of any report is to provide an accurate factual record of what took place. It should not be opinionated. It should provide the player and the Disciplinary Panel with a clear and accurate picture of the facts leading up to, during and post incident. If you are 100% certain, then it is easier to state that which is clear in your mind and then present that clarity to the Disciplinary Panel. The Disciplinary Panel need to have a clear picture of the incident, the temper of the game, whether this was an isolated incident or the culmination of previous minor incidents, or an incident arising from the ongoing warfare between the teams.
Completing the Form
The hard copies of the report forms are available from your local society secretary. It is essential that all the necessary parts of the form are completed fully and legibly. If you complete the form by hand, please do so carefully so that is can be read easily. It also helps to use a black pen as this makes photocopying easier.
Ideally, word processing the form electronically is the best way of completing the report. The forms can be downloaded from the RFU website - www.rfu.com
Alternatively, your society secretary can email you a copy.
First side of the Form
A: Headings: Make sure you complete these four headings:
The player's name and Club. His playing position and the date of the match
NB: Do not presume that the number on the players' shirt corresponds to his name on the team sheet or in the Programme. It is the Officials duty to confirm his/her identity before the player is sent from the field of play and to confirm this again after the match.
B. Tick-in-the-box details about the type of game, the incident and your details
i. In this section give all the necessary details about the type and level of the match - don't forget to include the result and whether the game was videoed (Clubs are obligated to send any video they took or commissioned as soon as they can and no later than 5 days before the hearing - 9.6.2 RFU Disciplinary Procedures)
ii In the `Nature of the Offence' section, tick all the boxes that are applicable and make sure that if you've indicated more than one that these are described fully on the reserve side of the form.
iii Finally, on the front of the form make sure you complete your name, address, telephone contact number and the name of your society.
Reverse side of the Form
First and foremost when completing the reverse side of the form that please bear in mind that the report must supply the County Disciplinary Committee with a clear picture of what took place. Three areas should be considered, giving the full facts for each:
- what lead up to the incident,
- what happened during the incident
- what happened post incident.
You might have a very clear picture in your own mind of what took place. Try therefore to present that clarity to the Committee in the way you write your report. It is therefore essential that the Panel have a clear understanding of the nature of the match. Was the incident a complete one off or was `the' incident an accumulation of previous minor incidents? You do this in the first two boxes as shown below by describing the weather conditions and the state of the pitch in the first box and the general pattern of play or temper of the game in the second box.
NB: It is important in this second box that you indicate the nature of the injuries sustained by those involved in the incident, including whether they carried on during the match or had to leave the field of play
Detailed report of the incident
The next, and final section of the form, is perhaps the most important. In the top section of this last box you must indicate how far you were from the incident and whether your view was obstructed. Be careful to explain if your view was obstructed in any way how you were able to make your decision. You will also need to state the exact time of the incident and what the score was (having a prompt card on the back of your score card with these points is good practice.)
Now for the incident itself!
"I saw Smith, the Number 7, throw a punch violently at their Number 9. I had no hesitation in sending him off".
Unfortunately this genuine example didn't give the Disciplinary Committee Members nearly enough information. Always remember that, in many respects, you will be acting as the `chief witness for the prosecution' and, as such, the clarity of your information is vital. To elaborate on the above example, and as a model for similar foul play incidents, in the box below are some bullet points that would have helped to describe the incident in more detail:
Did the punch connect, if so exactly what part of the body? This is particularly important - please describe for instance if it was a blow to the head what part e.g. the punch landed on the left eye of the Number 9
- Did the force of the punch knock the person to the ground?
- Did the `victim' require medical treatment?
- Did the `victim' resume playing?
- Did the intended `victim' take avoiding action?
- Was there provocation?
- Was it in retaliation?
- Had the offender run some distance to get involved?
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Did the player apologise at the time, or subsequently for example in the Club House? If so, then mention it.
NB: Don't forget to sign and date the form. The Touch Judge should sign, if officially appointed, and was the one whose report resulted in the player being sent off. Finally, state who the report is copied to. Forms sent to the Disciplinary Committee Secretary by email (preferred) should state "sent by email" in the signature space to explain to readers the absence of an actual signature. It might well be requested at later stage that you provide a copy with your written signature.
Other general points about describing the incident
When describing the incident please avoid using phases such as "I thought I saw the punch landing on ..." You must be sure of what actually happened.
Whilst as indicated above it is advisable to mention whether a player was apologetic or not, is not your role at the conclusion of a report to write words such as "in my opinion the sending off is sufficient punishment" or to make any recommendation about sentencing. This is a decision for the members of the Disciplinary Committee and as such your opinion is not material
Sending in the report
Submission time is no later than 48 hours. Delaying submission beyond that is unacceptable. If there are genuine reasons for late submission then a courtesy telephone call to the County Disciplinary Secretary should be made. If the report has been instigated by an appointed Touch Judge from the Society, then he/she must complete and sign the form, which must also be countersigned by the referee.
Referees are encouraged to consult their Society Secretary and or their Discipline Officer before submitting their report, especially if there are complex, legal or sensitive issues to consider. The Secretary/Discipline Officer may use his experience of the process to advise on presentation (phrasing, spelling, grammar etc) in order to ensure that the report meets all the Disciplinary Committee's requirements. However, the report remains the referee's and he has final responsibility for its content and accuracy.
Video evidence
It is becoming more common practice for Clubs to video their matches. Following any red card incident you must decline any invitation to view any material unless sanctioned by the Disciplinary Secretary. If video evidence is to be used at the hearing you will be advised accordingly.
The Hearing
You will only be asked to attend the hearing if the player/club requests this. This does not happen often. If it does, you are encouraged to attend and your expenses will be met by the player concerned. If you cannot attend, the Disciplinary Committee may request a telephone conference call to you from the hearing.
The outcomes of all hearings are usually communicated to Society Secretaries on a monthly basis. You will not therefore be informed directly but the minutes of meetings are available at the following Society monthly meeting for all to peruse.
Contact details
Terry Mortimore 01872-225970 or terrymortimorecrrs@btopenworld.com
IRB Sentencing Guidelines
Extracts from the new regulations are included below. All offences will now be designated as Lower End, Mid Range or Top End in terms of their seriousness, with different sentencing entry points applying. Sanctions applied will then depend on whether the recommended entry point should be increased because of aggravating factors, or decreased to take account of mitigation.
In terms of the importance of accuracy on the report, please note the sentencing tariffs if you fail to differentiate in your report between a kick and a stamp.
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DESCRIPTION AND LAW
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ENTRY POINT BASED ON Scale of Seriousness of the Player's conduct, which constitutes the offending. Lower End (LE), Mid Range (MR), Top End (TE).
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MAXIMUM
SANCTION
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10(4)(a) Striking another Player with the hand, arm, fist including the elbow
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LE - 2 weeks;
MR - 3 months;
TE - 6 months
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12 Months
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10(4)(a) Striking an opponent with the head
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LE - 6 weeks
MR -6 months
TE - 12 months
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24 months
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10(4)(a) Striking an opponent with the knee
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LE - 2 weeks
MR - 3 months
TE - 6 months
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12 months
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10(4)(b) Stamping or Trampling an opponent
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LE - 1 month
MR - 3 months
TE - 9 months
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12 months
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10(4)(c) Kicking an opponent
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LE - 3 months
MR - 9 months
TE - 12 months
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18 months
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10(4)(d) Tripping an opponent with the foot/leg
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LE - 1 week
MR - 4 weeks
TE - 6 weeks
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3 months
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10(4)(e) Dangerous tackling an opponent, including early or late and including the action known as the "stiff arm tackle"
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LE - 2 weeks
MR - 6 weeks
TE - 3 months
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6 months
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10(4)(f) Dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing the opponent without the ball, including shouldering
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LE - 2 weeks
MR - 3 months
TE - 6 months
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12 months
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10(4)(f) Playing an opponent without the ball. To hold, push, charge, obstruct an opponent not carrying the ball, except in a scrum, ruck or maul
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LE - 1 week
MR - 3 weeks
TE - 4 weeks
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6 weeks
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10(4)(g) Dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing of opponent carrying the ball, including shouldering, without trying to grasp the player
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LE - 2 weeks
MR - 3 months
TE - 6 months
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12 months
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10(4)(i) To cause a scrum, ruck or maul to collapse
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LE - 1 week
MR - 3 weeks
TE - 6 weeks
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3 months
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10(4)(k) Biting an opponent
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LE - 6 months
MR - 12 months
TE - 24 months
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36 months
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10(4)(k) Contact with eyes or eye area
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LE - 3 months
MR - 9 months
TE - 18 months
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24 months
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10(4)(k) Testicle Grabbing or twisting or squeezing
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LE - 3 months
MR - 9 months
TE - 12 months
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24 months
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10(4)(k) Illegal rucking of an Opponent
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LE - 2 weeks
MR - 6 weeks
TE - 3 months
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6 months
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10(4)(k) Threatening words or actions at match officials
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LE - 3 months
MR - 12 months
TE - 24 months
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36 months
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10(4)(k) Physical abuse of match officials
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LE -6 months
MR - 24 months
TE - 5 years
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Life
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10(4)(k) Verbal abuse of opponents whether based on race, creed, colour or otherwise
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LE - 2 weeks
MR - 2 months
TE - 4 months
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6 months
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10(4)(k) Spitting at players
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LE - 1 month
MR - 3 months
TE - 6 months
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6 months
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10(4)(k) 2 yellow in one match
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LE - SOS
TE - the lower end of the range for the more serious of the yellow card offences
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10(4)(k) Totting up of 3 foul play yellow cards within season - applies only to Levels 1-4
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LE - 1 week
TE - the lower end of the range for the most serious of the yellow card offences
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