Guidance for Clubs and Schools on how to proceed if a player is dimissed from the field of play - Red Card
In the event of a player being sent off (red card), the player's Club/School MUST do the following:
1. Inform the Discipline Secretary of Surrey Rugby (see below) of the sending off within 72 hours of the event. .
2. Supply the following information to the Discipline Secretary of Surrey Rugby
a. Date of Incident
b. Teams involved and where played
c. Score at the time
d. Final Score
e. Player's correct name
f. Player's address
g. Player's date of birth
h. Player’s RFU Registration No. where player is registered by the Club.
3. At the earliest possible date, hold a meeting, as appropriate, of the Club's own disciplinary panel or of the School's relevant teaching staf and Headteacher. The meeting must consider the sending off and come to a decision on any sanction required.
4. Send a copy of the minutes of this meeting to the Discipline Secretary of Surrey Rugby. The report should contain:
a. Date of meeting
b. Names and roles of those on the discipline panel
c. Others in attendance
d. Record of proceedings
e. Statement of any sanction applied
5. Senior players will also be required to attend a formal hearing of the Surrey Disciplinary Panel for all Red card offences.
6. Youth and School players will not be required to attend such a hearing but the Club/School must supply the minutes described in 4 above and notify the Discipline Secretary of Surrey Rugby of the outcome of the Club/School's discipline meeting.
Any decisions on sanctions by Clubs/Schools should be based on the recommended sanctions laid out in the RFU Annual Handbook. Players should only be sanctioned if they are considered to be guilty of the offence. Clubs/Schools are encouraged to come to the correct decision and the Disciplinary Panel of Surrey Rugby will take this into account when considering its' own judgement.
Club's responsibility to a player having a Hearing.
It is important that the player inspects or receives a copy of the Referee's Sending-off form in advance of the hearing, that he knows of the facts and his rights and is warned to have available any evidence that he may wish to call. If the Club Secretary has sent the player's name and address within sensible time, the player may be invited separately. However he will normally be addressed through his Club so that they are aware of all details.
A player shouold be accompanied by supported by his own witnesses and others may provide character references.
The RFU regulations state that a player may challenge the referee’s report ONLY if he has requested the presence of the referee at the hearing (whether the referee is able to attend, or not). The referee’s presence must be requested with enough lead time to invite him.
Any written evidence must be provided in advance of the hearing.
Any further questions should be addressed to the Discipline Secretary.
There are administrative charges for all cases involving a Red card. Any charges unpaid will lead to further sanctions against the player and/or Club.
Administrative Charges.
For each Senior Hearing................................................................................................................... £40
For each Youth/School case............................................................................................................. £20
For Club failing to advise Surrey Disciplinary Secretary of sending off within 72 hours of event................. £25
For Club failing to advise disciplinary secretary of outcome of club’s youth disciplinary hearing............... £25
For Club failing to respond to disciplinary secretary by requested date.................................................. £25
For Club failing to attend confirmed hearing........................................................................................ £50
Charges are liable to VAT at the applicable rate
The Discipline Secretary of Surrey Rugby
Surrey Rugby
Dorset House
Regent Park
297 Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 7PL Email
Telephone 01372 824201
