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CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF
CRICKET |
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1.1 |
Code of Conduct |
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1.1.1 |
The Home Counties Premier Cricket League
is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct.
All clubs and players, by virtue of their registration with the League,
explicitly agree to abide by this Code of Conduct, which incorporates the
Spirit of Cricket, and are bound by the provisions in these
Regulations.
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1.1.2 |
The captains are responsible at all times
for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as
within the Laws.
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1.1.3 |
Players and club officials must at all
times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the
umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards
another player or a spectator.
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1.1.4 |
Players and club officials shall not
intimidate assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another
player, a club official or a spectator.
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1.1.5 |
Players and club officials shall not use
crude and/or abusive language (known as "sledging") nor make offensive
gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
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1.1.6 |
Players and club officials shall not use
language or gestures that offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten,
disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person’s race,
religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent or national or ethnic
origin.
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1.1.7 |
Players and club officials shall not use
or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal
drugs.
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1.1.8 |
Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure
the good behaviour of their players, officials, members and
supporters.
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1.2 |
Spirit of Cricket
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be
played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action
which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major
responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the
captains.
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1.2.1 |
There are two Laws which place the
responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.
Responsibility of Captains
The captains are responsible at all
times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as
within the Laws.
Player’s Conduct
In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire,
criticising his decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving
in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall
in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s
captain, requesting the latter to take action.
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1.2.2 |
Fair and Unfair Play
According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The
umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captain to
take action where required.
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1.2.3 |
The umpires are authorised to
intervene in cases of:
Time wasting
Damaging the pitch
Dangerous or unfair bowling
Tampering with the ball
Any other action that they consider to be unfair.
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1.2.4 |
The Spirit of the Game involves
RESPECT for:
Your opponents
Your own captain and team
The role of the umpires
The game’s traditional values.
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1.2.5 |
It is against the Spirit of the
Game:
To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or
gesture
To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance
a) appeal knowing the batsman is not out
b) advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent
clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s
own side.
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1.2.6 |
Violence
There is no
place for any act of violence on the field of play.
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1.2.7 |
Players
Captains and
umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every
player is expected to make an important contribution to this.
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1.3 |
Failure to comply with the provisions of
this Paragraph 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged
breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the
League.
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| 2 |
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AIMS AND
JURISDICTION |
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2.1 |
The HCPCL Code of Conduct shall be complied
with by all those who participate under the jurisdiction of the League Management
Committee; for the sake of clarity, this includes all players, club officials and
club members. Participants shall at all times conduct themselves fairly and
properly on any part of a cricket ground and not merely the field of
play. |
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2.2 |
It is intended that any breach of Paragraph 1
should in the first instance be dealt with by the participant’s club who shall
notify the Chairman of the Discipline Committee of any action taken. |
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2.3 |
A Breach of Paragraph 1 will normally be
categorised as Level 1, 2, 3 or 4, as set out in Appendix 1, below. |
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2.4 |
Minor breaches by a player will normally be
dealt with under the simplified procedure set out in Paragraph 4 below. Clubs and
players are reminded that there is no right of appeal against a sanction imposed
under this procedure, other than as stated in Paragraph 4.11 |
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2.5 |
More serious breaches will normally be
dealt with by a full disciplinary hearing, following the procedure set out in
Paragraph 5 below.
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2.6 |
Where a charge against a player is referred
to a disciplinary hearing, his captain and club may be charged separately under
their responsibilities as set out in Paragraph 1 above. |
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2.7 |
Umpires have authority to decide that a
player has committed a breach of Paragraph 1 without having previously issued any
informal or formal warnings. |
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| 3 |
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PROCEDURE |
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3.1 |
Any alleged breach of Paragraph 1 (to be
known as ‘a complaint’) shall be notified by telephone to the Discipline
Chairman, Discipline Secretary or League Chairman within 48 hours of the end of
the match and confirmed in writing within 5 days of the end of the
match. |
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3.2 |
Any complaint so initiated must be referred
to the Chairman of the Discipline Committee who shall, as soon as reasonably
practicable, inform the Secretary of the club against whom the complaint has been
made. |
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3.3 |
Within 48 hours of receipt of the written
complaint, the Chairman of the Discipline Committee (or his nominated deputy)
shall consider the complaint and resolve either: |
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3.3.1 |
To take no action except to record the
complaint and notify the club; or |
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3.3.2 |
To endorse any action taken by the club; or
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3.3.3 |
To confirm that action taken by the club was
in accordance with the procedure for Minor Breaches, as set out in Paragraph 4
below, and that no further action is required; or |
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3.3.4 |
To refer the matter for a full Disciplinary
Hearing. |
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| 4 |
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MINOR BREACHES |
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4.1 |
For a Level 1 breach of Paragraph 1 the
umpires will caution the player as to his conduct, advise him and his captain
that it is a first and final warning and that the player will be named on the
umpires’ report card. |
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4.2 |
Any player so named two times in a season
will receive an automatic two match ban. |
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4.3 |
If any player who has been warned under
Paragraph 4.1 above commits a subsequent breach in the same match, the umpires
will advise him or his captain or the executive of his club that they will be
submitting a report. |
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4.4 |
It should be noted that the umpires may
decide that a single breach is sufficiently serious to report the matter under
Paragraph 4.3, above. |
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4.5 |
Any player reported under Paragraph 4.3 shall
be suspended by his club for the next TWO League matches played. The Secretary of
the club will, within 72 hours of the end of the match, inform the Chairman or
Secretary of the Discipline Committee of the action taken. |
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4.6 |
Any player reported under Paragraph 4.3 for
the second time in any one season shall be suspended by his club for the next
FOUR League matches played. The club Secretary will inform the Discipline
Committee as in Paragraph 4.5 above. |
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4.7 |
Any player reported under Paragraph 4.3 on
three occasions in any one season shall be suspended by his club for the next TEN
League matches played. The club Secretary will inform the Discipline Committee as
in Paragraph 4.5 above. |
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4.8 |
Suspensions shall be carried over to the
following season if applicable. |
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4.9 |
Where the same player of a club is reported
under Paragraph 4.3 on more than one occasion in any one season, that club shall
have five league points deducted, on the second, and each subsequent occasion the
player is the subject of a report. |
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4.10 |
Any individual club having three or more
different players reported under Paragraph 4.3 in any one season shall have ten
league points deducted, in addition to deductions made under Paragraph 4.9
above |
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4.11 |
Any appeal against a sanction imposed under
the procedure for Minor Breaches shall only be allowed on the grounds of mistaken
identity, misrepresentation or failure of the umpires to follow the procedures in
Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.3 above. |
| 5 |
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DISCIPLINARY
HEARINGS |
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5.1 |
In any case which is referred for a
Disciplinary Hearing, the Chairman of the Discipline Committee shall convene the
hearing within 14 days of the decision to refer. Any adjournments may be granted
at the discretion of the Chairman of the Disciplinary Hearing. |
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5.2 |
At least seven days’ notice in writing of the
hearing shall be given to the player and copied to his club Secretary. In the
case of a club, its Secretary shall be so notified. The notice shall specify the
alleged breach(es) of Paragraph 1 above. |
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5.3 |
The accused player or club shall be
entitled: |
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5.3.1 |
To submit written statements ahead of the
hearing |
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5.3.2 |
To attend the hearing |
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5.3.3 |
To state his case (in the case of a club, by
its Secretary or other official) |
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5.3.4 |
To be supported by a colleague and to call
witnesses. |
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5.4 |
The Hearing shall be conducted by a
Disciplinary Panel appointed by the Discipline Chairman and shall consist of not
less than three persons drawn from a list approved by the League’s Management
Committee. None of the Panel should be connected with the player, the club or
their opponents at the time of the alleged breach, or a club which might directly
benefit from any disciplinary action. |
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5.5 |
The standard of proof shall be on the balance
of probabilities rather than the criminal standard of beyond reasonable
doubt. |
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PENALTIES |
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6.1 |
If at a hearing a breach of Paragraph 1 is
proved, the Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to impose one or more of the
following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems
appropriate: |
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6.2 |
In the case of a player - |
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6.2.1 |
To require the player to submit appropriate
letter(s) of apology within a specified time. |
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6.2.2 |
To record a reprimand and to give a warning
as to future conduct. |
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6.2.3 |
To impose a fine. |
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6.2.4 |
To suspend the player for one or more
matches, or for a stated period of time. |
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6.2.5 |
To deduct League points from the player’s
team. |
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6.2.6 |
To expel the player from the
League. |
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6.3 |
In the case of a club - |
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6.3.1 |
To require the club to submit appropriate
letter(s) of apology within a specified time. |
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6.3.2 |
To record a reprimand and to give a warning
as to future conduct. |
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6.3.3 |
To impose a fine. |
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6.3.4 |
To deduct League points from the club’s
team. |
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6.3.5 |
To relegate to any lower division of the
League or to a ‘linked’ league. |
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6.4 |
The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power
to suspend the operation of any part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such
period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate. |
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6.5 |
Decisions of the Disciplinary Panel (a
finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty) shall
be by majority vote; where necessary the Disciplinary Panel Chairman shall have a
casting vote. |
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APPEALS |
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7.1 |
Where a breach of Paragraph 1 has been proved
at a Disciplinary Hearing, a player or club shall have the right of appeal. Where
a player and his club are appealing in relation to the same incident, they must
do so separately. |
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7.2 |
A notice of appeal setting out the grounds
must be given in writing to the Discipline Chair man within seven days of the
decision of the Disciplinary Panel, together with a deposit of £150 if the appeal
is by a player or £250 if the appeal is by a club. |
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7.3 |
If a notice of appeal is given, the penalty
shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal, which shall take place
as soon as is practicable and in any event within 14 days of receipt of notice of
the appeal. |
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7.4 |
The Appeal shall be by way of a re-hearing
before a different Panel. The Appeal Panel shall be appointed by the Discipline
Chairman and shall consist of not less than three persons drawn from a list
approved by the League’s Management Committee. None of the Panel should be
connected with the individual or the club or their opponents, or a club which
might directly benefit from any disciplinary action. |
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7.5 |
The player or club shall have the same
entitlements as set out in Paragraph 5.3 above. |
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7.6 |
The Appeals Panel may confirm, vary or
reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Panel and it shall have the power to
increase the penalty and award costs of the Appeal hearing and forfeit the whole
or part of the deposit. Decisions of the Appeal Panel shall be by majority vote;
where necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote. |
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7.7 |
The decision of the Appeals Panel or, if no
appeal, of the Disciplinary Panel, shall be final and binding. |
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7.8 |
The League shall report match bans in writing
to the relevant club’s County Board for national circulation. Players should
understand that match bans will normally apply to all cricket played under the
auspices of ECB. |
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APPENDIX 1 - BREACHES OF
DISCIPLINE |
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Certain conduct, whether on or off the field
of play of play, amounting to a breach of the Laws of Cricket and/or the Spirit
of Cricket have been categorised into 4 levels which are set out
below:- |
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Level 1 |
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(a) |
time wasting by either the fielding side or
the batting side |
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(b) |
abuse of the cricket ground, equipment or
fixtures |
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(c) |
showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by
word or action |
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(d) |
using language that is obscene, offensive or
insulting and or the making of an obscene gesture |
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(e) |
excessive appealing |
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Level 2 |
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(a) |
showing serious dissent at an umpire’s
decision by word or action |
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(b) |
inappropriate and deliberate physical contact
between players in the course of play |
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(c) |
charging or advancing towards an umpire in an
aggressive manner when appealing |
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(d) |
deliberate and malicious distraction or
obstruction on the field of play, regardless as to whether such conduct is deemed
to be fair under law 42.5 |
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(e) |
throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire
or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner |
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(f) |
using language or gesture that is obscene or
of a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, team official or
spectator |
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(g) |
changing the condition of the ball other than
as permitted by Law 42.3 |
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(h) |
the bowling of fast short pitched balls that
result in the bowler being disallowed from bowling further in that
innings |
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(i) |
causing avoidable damage to the pitch
contrary to Laws 42.13 and/or Law 42.14 that results in a five run penalty being
awarded |
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Level 3 |
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(a) |
intimidating an umpire |
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(b) |
threatening to assault another player, team
official or spectator |
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(c) |
using language or gesture that offend,
insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on
the basis of that person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent or
national or ethnic origin |
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(d) |
the deliberate bowling of any high
full-pitched ball contrary to Law 42.8 |
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Level 4 |
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(a) |
threatening an umpire |
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(b) |
physical assault of another player, umpire,
official or spectator |
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(c) |
any act of violence on the field of
play |
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(d) |
using language or gestures that seriously
offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another
person on the basis of that person’s religion, sexual orientation, colour,
descent or national or ethnic origin. |
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APPENDIX 2 - SENTENCING
GUIDELINES |
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The following is a guide to the match bans
that may be imposed by Disciplinary/Appeals Panels for individual breaches of
discipline, as set out above: |
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(a) |
Level 1 - Fixed penalty, as set out in the
procedure for Minor Breaches |
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(b) |
Level 2 - 2 to 8 matches |
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(c) |
Level 3 - 4 to 10 matches |
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(d) |
Level 4 - A minimum of 10 matches |
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Panels will take the following factors into
account when determining the penalties to be imposed: |
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(a) |
If the accused player/club has pleaded
guilty |
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(b) |
His previous disciplinary record |
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(c) |
If the player is also the captain |
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(d) |
The conduct of the player subsequent to him
being warned and told that he will be reported |
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(e) |
If an appeal is considered to be
spurious |
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Last updated: 2 May 2011
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