Friday bulletin 16/9

Disciplinary Matters

At the start of the season referees at all levels were advised that the RFU are taking a very hard-line approach to serious player discipline breaches. This is already clear in the considerably increased speed of the disciplinary process; for example, a RC issued in a North Midlands match on 3rd September had already been dealt with, and the player sanctioned, by 7th September.

This season the outcomes of all RFU disciplinary hearings, including at community level, will be published on the RFU website and can be accessed by clicking here.

Match Official Abuse cases are published separately by the RFU here

Please take the time to read these judgements, as they provide helpful examples of how correct reporting can aid the disciplinary process (and how inaccurate or lack of reporting can lead to dismissal of charges!). North Mids RFU have also issued an discipline statement, which you can find here

IMPORTANT: help your fellow ref!

After a full-on 80 minute game, the last thing on most referees’ minds is paperwork. But please remember: if you issue a RC during a game, you must submit a RC report within 48 hours. If this does not happen, it has consequences for your fellow referee who may encounter the same player/s in subsequent games, where that player might have received a ban if correct reports had been written. It only takes a few minutes, and (see above) these reports are now being acted upon swiftly and comprehensively. As referees we cannot change behaviour without following up on in-game sanctions.

We encourage you to continue reporting using the forms and guidance found currently on our Useful Documents page, and if you are unsure about which form, and need help with wording, please get in touch with us

Ask the Expert

The first Ask The Expert question and answer of the new season have now been published on the relevant page: access the Ask The Expert page here, and all questions from previous seasons here