There is concern at the RFU that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of players appealing/questioning decisions and providing general backchat.
Please see the link below to a Slide containing 3 clips.
Clip 1, is of particular interest, as you can see a player ‘waving arms’ on 2 occasions during the first couple of minutes of the match.
Listen carefully to the Referee communication in all 3 clips.
Referees are reminded of the protocol with regards to Game Values and players should expect to see a Zero Tolerance approach on this.
Players should not:
- Wave their arms during live play – appealing
- Call for decisions, e.g. ‘holding on’
- Give the referee backchat following a decision.
The Referee’s process should be simple:
1st occasion – a player will be spoken to, this could be during ‘Live Play’ as in Clip 1.
2nd occasion – the captain will be warned.
3rd occasion – will see a team penalised.
If the incident is serious enough, the player may be penalised on the first occasion.
Comment from Chairman, Paul Daniels: “Player behaviour will not change overnight so it is important that we repeat the message at every pre-match ‘brief’ and also follow the guidance. Obviously the application of common sense will come in useful – be firm but fair.”
