Welcome to the revised webpage on matters of a disciplinary nature. The main aim is to enable Match Officials to complete and distribute Red Card forms and Match Official Abuse forms. There is also guidance on how to report instances of ‘low level abuse’ whether a Yellow Card was issued or not.
Red card and M.O.A reports:
For Staffordshire clubs – the SRU Disciplinary Secretary (Kev Cantrill – email: kevcantrill55@yahoo.co.uk) and a copy to Discipline@srusr.co.uk. Likewise for age grade matters.
For players from clubs outside of Staffordshire – the Disciplinary Secretary of the CB of the player’s club (see link for document below) and a copy to Discipline@srusr.co.uk
This is the link for all CB disciplinary panels: Discipline | Rugby Football Union
North Midlands Discipline Secretary – Steve Biggs, mobile 07976 311535 – email: nmrfu.discsec@gmail.com
North Midlands Age Grade Discipline Secretary – Mark Johnstone – mobile 07958 192524 email:
The SRUSR Lead on Disciplinary matters is Paul Daniels. He can be contacted for guidance on 07591 652444 or emailed on discipline@srusr.co.uk
Firstly, the RC and MOA forms themselves –
Red card report form for Levels 5 and below
Match official abuse report formDownload
Red card report form for age grade rugbyDownload
Guidance on their content can be found in these documents –
Guidance on red card report writing
This guide from the SRUSR gives advice on contemporaneous notes, do’s & don’ts and a brief description of the format of any disciplinary hearing in Staffordshire.
Match Official Abuse guidance 2024-25This is the link for all CB disciplinary panels: Discipline | Rugby Football Union
This RFU-document categorises the five types of Match Official Abuse, essential when deciding the appropriate response during the game as well as when writing the MOA report.
How much time have I got to submit my report?
RC and MOA reports must be completed and submitted by 9.00 am of the second day after the game.
Where do I send my report?
All reports must be sent to the Disciplinary Secretary of the Constituent Body to which the player/club is affiliated and a copy to the SRUSR Lead on Discipline (discipline@srusr.co.uk). N.B. It is NOT necessary to send a copy to the SRUSR Secretary.
For Staffordshire clubs – the SRU Disciplinary Secretary is Kev Cantrill – email: kevcantrill55@yahoo.co.uk
For North Mids clubs it is Steve Biggs – nmrfu.discsec@gmail.com
For players from other constituent bodies, please use this link:
https://www.englandrugby.com/run/rules-governance/discipline#1737095712-12226
You mentioned low-level abuse?
Also, if you have been subjected to poor behaviour off the pitch then PLEASE let the Discipline Lead know so that an agreed plan of action can be put in place – this can range from no further action, an informal chat with the club to something more formal. It may have been a one-off: on the other hand, it may be part of a pattern of behaviour on which other referees have also commented.
Coming Soon!! Guidance on your options when confronted with Low Level Abuse. Ideas for resolution in the clubhouse or calling upon the assistance of the Discipline Team
Download
What other information is available?
There are a number of other guidance documents available –
Guidance notes on the age grade rugby disciplinary procedures
Policy re touchline behaviour NM Sept 2018 – released September 2018. This policy should be read prior to officiating in North Midlands.
CORE VALUES
Background
The North Midlands Society of Rugby Football Referees (NMSRFR), supports and endorses the Rugby Football Union’s advice and policies to help ensure Core Values remain integral to our game.
A number of incidents in our geographical area, across all levels of the game, have shown that there is a need to be more pro-active to ensure that Core Values are understood and adhered to.
This policy, supported and approved by the North Midlands Union, describes the role of the match official(s).
The NMSRFR will primarily remain responsible for issues that occur within the playing enclosure. However, if appropriate, they will also support Club officials dealing with poor touchline behaviour.
Examples where referee intervention is expected (not a complete list)
1) Appealing for a decision whether that be by shouting, raising arms or any other means.
2) Inappropriate shouting at the referee.
3) Use of foul and abusive language directed at the referee, assistant referee, locally appointed touch judge, fourth official or any other permitted official in the playing enclosure.
4) Use of foul and abusive language towards an opponent or player from the same team.
5) Use of language that can be interpreted as racist, homophobic, sexist or any other language that could be deemed as offensive.
6) Making derisory comments or mimicking actions when a player makes a mistake.
7) Improper use of technical areas, which will include replacements (except when warming up) and coaches failing to adhere to the boundaries of the area as well as non-permitted personnel in the area.
The Society supports the use of club marshals who are clearly identifiable to match official(s) and who can be approached in case of inappropriate touchline behaviour.
The Laws of the Game will continue to be enforced.
There will be incidents where Clubs, players and officials ‘push’ the boundaries of acceptable behaviour whilst making it very difficult for the match official(s) to administer much more than an admonishment. Such behaviour should be reported to the Society (Dave Thomas the same as for sending off forms), who will collate these incidents to ensure they are not becoming a trend.
Visiting clubs and referees
To try and ensure even conformity, this policy will be made known to CBs whose sides regularly play matches in the North Midlands, as well as referees visiting from other Societies.
The RFU Citing process.
Judging by the reaction of players and/or spectators, some skulduggery has taken place and your view of suspected foul play was obstructed.
Obviously, you can only go on what you have seen (or not, as in this case). Calm things down and explain things to both captains.
If you are approached after the game, inform that person that there is a citing procedure that clubs can follow if they feel strongly enough about the alleged incident – this can be found in Appendix 4 of the RFU Regulation 19. The key paragraph is – Reg 19.15.5
A citing may be made whether or not the alleged act was seen by a Match Official. Where a Match Official did not detect the act of Foul Play cited, then it must be shown that had the Match Official seen the act, a red card should have been awarded. However, where a Match Official, having detected the alleged act, decided that it was either not Foul Play, or that it was, but they took action other than ordering the Player off, the citing Club must prove, on the balance of probabilities, that the Match Official was wrong in not sending the Player off.
The club has seven days from the conclusion of the match to submit a citing which must be addressed to the Disciplinary Secretary of the Constituent Body to which the cited Player’s Club is allocated.
You are advised to make contemporaneous notes as you would for a RC report.
Information on the following topics can be found in ‘Disciplinary Information and Guidance
Documents’