When you issue a Yellow Card (YC), record: player number, time in game, offence. Ensure that the player number is unique, or if necessary record name if no numbers (school, age grade, veterans in various old strips). You will need these details if you have to issue the player a second YC.
If you have a second watch, set it to count for the yellow card sanction time for the game you are refereeing (10 minutes for senior games). When the ball is dead after the sanction playing time has elapsed (and the non-offending team is not taking a quick throw-in or quick tap FK/PK), you may allow the YC player back onto the field of play. Have a short chat, reminding them that you will not hesitate to issue a second YC (= RC) if necessary.
Have a plan to separately record the time elapsed for subsequent concurrent YCs, to either team.
When you see it, you know if an incident requires a Red Card (RC)! Player protection is essential. If uncertain, i.e. an ‘Orange Card’ situation, a YC may well be sufficient and have less long-term consequences. Note: this does not apply to Match Official Abuse – see later.
Every RC issued must result in the submission of a RC Report Form, even in ‘Friendly’ matches, or those when appointed by the club, and even if you subsequently realise that it was issued in error (e.g. wrong person, wrong incident). The Discipline Panel can rescind such RCs in that week.
When you issue a RC, record: player number, the offence, time in match and score, impact on other player(s) involved, the player’s reaction (abusive/apologetic (hopefully)). Ensure that the player leaves the Playing Enclosure.
After the match, whilst still at the club: ensure that you get the full name of the player from team manager/captain. You can confirm details from the team sheets recorded on the RFU Competitions page. If an opposition player was injured in the incident, check their status with their team management. Make yourself available for the RC player to apologise, but there is no need to discuss the incident in detail. Was there a video recording (e.g. Veo) of the match; if so, by which club? If so, include this fact in RC report. There is no need to view the video before writing your report, or to include a link with your report. Check a blank RC Report Form that you have all the details that you require.
Before you leave the club, send the Society Discipline Secretary a text, WhatsApp (07868 206026) or email stating the number (!) of RCs issued to which team.
By 1800 hrs on the day after the match, the completed Red Card Form (adult or age grade/school) must be submitted by email to the Society Discipline Secretary. The earlier the better to enable the report to be checked, before the Society Discipline Secretary forwards on to the appropriate CB officer by 0900 hrs on the second day after the match. Assistance in completing the Form is given in the RFU Discipline Report Writing Guidance and from the Society Discipline Secretary.
Club Secretaries are also required to report to the CB Discipline Secretary within the same timeline that a player has received a Red Card. This initiates the CB Disciplinary process, which includes an outline of the Hearing Procedure, mostly conducted virtually nowadays (and admitted offences are more often than not taken ‘on the papers’ i.e. by email without player/club/referee attendance). Referees are welcome to observe any Hearings that are held in order to understand the procedure – apply to the Society Discipline Secretary. I will endeavour to ensure that the card-issuing referee receives notification of the outcome, even from other CBs, whether you attend the Hearing or not.
Any issue that poses a significant risk to the safety or well-being of those taking part may cause the match to be abandoned, when other management approaches have failed. Discipline may be a cause, as could be: weather and/or pitch conditions; serious injury; other safeguarding concerns.
If serious disciplinary issues arise and the referee or any club official deems it unsafe to complete the game, it may be forced to be abandoned. Every effort should be made to diffuse disciplinary issues before that point, however only if it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Any match abandonment should be reported (text, WhatsApp, email) at the earliest opportunity to the Society Discipline Secretary and/or Society Appointer. The RFU Match Abandonment Report Form must then be completed and submitted to the Society Discipline Secretary by 1800 hrs on the day after the match. It will be forwarded on to the CB Discipline Secretary within 48 hrs of the end of the match.
If serious disciplinary issues arise and the referee or any club official deems it unsafe to complete the game, it may be forced to be abandoned. Every effort should be made to diffuse disciplinary issues before that point, however only if it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Any match abandonment should be reported (text, WhatsApp, email) at the earliest opportunity to the Society Discipline Secretary and/or Society Appointer. The RFU Match Abandonment Report Form must then be completed and submitted to the Society Discipline Secretary by 1800 hrs on the day after the match. It will be forwarded on to the CB Discipline Secretary within 48 hrs of the end of the match.
RFU Guidance recognises five distinct categories of MOA. Appendix A is worth reading, to distinguish between the most common cases of Disrespect (Dissent) and Verbal Abuse.
If a player (including replacement or when substituted/injured) abuses a Match Official (Referee, MO Developer, Assistant Referee or Touch Judge) during the match, they may be issued with a YC (if abuse is low level) or RC; if the latter a RC Report Form is completed (Laws 9.12 (physical or verbal abuse) or 9.28).
If another person (e.g. coach, team staff, spectator) or a player after the final whistle abuses a Match Official, a MOA Report must be completed and forwarded to the Society Discipline Secretary.
The RFU is committed to developing a culture where it is safe and acceptable for everyone involved in rugby union to raise concerns about any unacceptable practice, behaviour, wrongdoing or misconduct. Speaking up will enable concerns to be investigated and dealt with for the benefit of all involved and for that of the wider game. Society members can raise concerns privately with any member of the Executive Committee, or can submit concerns via the Speak Up Reporting Form or by email to: SpeakUp@RFU.com.
| DATE | CLUB | SECTION | RECIPIENT | CHARGE | OUTCOME | SANCTION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/08/2024 | Corsham | Adult | Kieran Day | 9.12 - Strike to the head with hand | Proven | 1 match ban |
| DATE | CLUB | SECTION | RECIPIENT | CHARGE | OUTCOME | SANCTION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/09/2023 | Weymouth & Portland | Seniors | Ryan Lewendon | 2 yellows cards - 9.13 & 9.14 | Proven | Sending off sufficient | |
| 02/09/2023 | Yeovil | Seniors | Senivalati Waqa | 9.27 – Two Yellows | Unknown | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU |
| 09/09/2023 | Combe Down | Seniors | Jack Regnard | 9.12 Strike | Unknown | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU |
| 09/09/2023 | Chippenham | Seniors | David Newman | 9.12 Kick | Proven | 2 weeks | |
| 09/09/2023 | Frome | Seniors | Zach Bartlett | 9.11 | Unknown | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU |
| 09/09/2023 | Frome | Seniors | Unknown | 9.28 - MOA | Unknown | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU |
| 10/09/2023 | North Dorset | Age Grade | 5.12 - MOA | Proven | As per Club | ||
| 16/09/2023 | Chippenham | Seniors | Alafoti Faosiliva | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | Sending off sufficient | |
| 16/09/2023 | Supermarine | Seniors | Tom Bickford-Russell | 9.13 - High Tackle | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 16/09/2023 | Lytchett Minster | Seniors | James O'Shea | 9.28 - MOA (YMA) | Proven | 4 match ban - TREDS and a letter of apology | Reported via the D&W Safeguarding Manager |
| 16/09/2023 | Lytchett Minster | Seniors | 9.28 - MOA (YMA) | Not Proven | |||
| 17/09/2023 | Wimborne Un 18's | Age Grade | Not Proven | Red Card Rescinded | |||
| 17/09/2023 | Wimborne Un 18's | Age Grade | 5.12 - MOA | Not Proven | |||
| 23/09/2023 | Gordano | Seniors | Oliver Critchley | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU | |
| 23/09/2023 | Puddletown | Seniors | Spectator | 5.12 Verbal Abuse | Unable to identify Person involved | ||
| 24/09/2023 | Chippenham v Corsham Un 14's | Age Grade | Offer training - RFU Regulation 19 Appendix 6 – 1.12. | Received via the D&W website abuse reporting link |
|||
| 28/09/2023 | Malmsbury School | School | 9.13 - Dangerous Tackle | Proven | 1 match ban | ||
| 30/09/2023 | RWB | Seniors | Harry Brookes | 9.12 - Head butt | Proven | 4 match ban | |
| 30/09/2023 | RWB | Seniors | 9.12 - Kick | Not Proven | |||
| 30/09/2023 | Pewsey Vale | Seniors | Oliver Spence | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 30/09/2023 | Winscombe | Seniors | Oscar Browne | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU | |
| 07/10/2023 | Salisbury 2's | Seniors | Eremasi RANATORA | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | Sending off sufficient | |
| 08/10/2023 | Bournemouth Un16's | Age Grade | Not Proven | Red Card Rescinded | Referee failed to submit a Red Card report. (Somerset RFU Referee) |
||
| 11/10/2023 | Bishops Wordsworth School | School | 9.11 - Kicking | Proven | 2 match ban | ||
| 14/10/2023 | Newton Abbott | Seniors | Jack Cox | 9.20a | Passed to the Devon RFU | ||
| 14/10/2023 | Chard | Seniors | David Morton | 9.20a | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU | |
| 14/10/2023 | Swindon College Old Boys | Seniors | 9.12 - Eyes | Not Proven | |||
| 14/10/2023 | Oakmeadians | Seniors | Tai Ah Kuoi | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | 1 match ban | |
| 14/10/2023 | Pewsey Vale | Seniors | Lee Baker | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 1 match ban | |
| 15/10/2023 | New Milton | Age Grade | Racial Abuse | Unknown | Passed to the RFU | ||
| 15/10/2023 | Cleeve | Age Grade | 9.12 - Punch | Unknown | Passed to the Gloucestershire RFU | ||
| 21/10/2023 | Marlborough | Seniors | Will Grant | 9.12 - Shrinking with the Head | Proven | 5 match ban | |
| 21/10/2023 | Marlborough | Seniors | Spectator | 5.12 - MOA | |||
| 21/10/2023 | Poole | Seniors | Brad Trelour | 9.18 | Proven | 4 match ban | |
| 21/10/2023 | RWB | Seniors | 9.11 | Not Proven | |||
| 21/10/2023 | Christchurch | Seniors | 9.12 - Punch | Not Proven | |||
| 21/10/2023 | RWB | Seniors | Citing | Not Proven | Passed to The Somerset RFU | ||
| 21/10/2023 | Combe Down | Seniors | Citing | Proven | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU | |
| 04/11/2023 | Marlborough | Seniors | Villiami Hakaolo | 5.12 - 9.28 MOA | Proven | 11 match ban | |
| 04/11/2023 | SCOB | Seniors | Citing | 9.12 - Strike to the face | Not Proven | Received from the Gloucestershire RFU | |
| 04/11/2023 | Fairford | Seniors | Citing | Not Proven | Passed to the Gloucestershire RFU | ||
| 04/11/2023 | Dauntsey School | Spectator | 5.12 | Warning | |||
| 05/11/2023 | Gordano | Age Grade | 9.28 | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU | ||
| 08/10/2023 | Dorchester | Age Grade | 9.28 | Proven | 4 week ban | ||
| 11/11/2023 | Avondale | Seniors | Chris Hobbs | 9.28 | Unknown | Passed to The Somerset RFU | |
| 11/11/2023 | Poole | Seniors | 9.12 - Punch | Not Proven | |||
| 27/11/2023 | Wimborne Un 18's | Age Grade | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | Sending off sufficient | ||
| 02/12/2023 | Melksham | Seniors | Alex Cox | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 1 match ban | |
| 02/12/2023 | Trowbridge | Seniors | Bryan Jefferies | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 1 match ban | |
| 02/12/2023 | Yatton | Seniors | Charlie Harrison | 9.12 - Punch | Unknown | Passed to the Somerset RFU | |
| 02/12/2023 | Wells | Seniors | Mike Dimelow | 9.12 - Headbutt | Unknown | Passed to the Somerset RFU | |
| 09/12/2023 | Warminster | Seniors | 9.12 - Punch | Not Proven | |||
| 09/12/2023 | Devizes | Seniors | Keiran Hiscock | 9.12 - Verbal Abuse | Proven | 2 match ban | |
| 09/12/2023 | Lytchett Minster | Seniors | Callum Barker | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 16/12/2023 | Swindon College Old Boys | Seniors | Jack Kimber | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | Sending off sufficient | |
| 15/12/2023 | Bournemouth | Seniors | Jack Hennings | 9.13 | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 15/12/2023 | Poole | Seniors | Will Grogan | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 5 match ban | |
| 16/12/2023 | Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | Seniors | Josh Hough | 9.13 | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 06/01/2024 | Marlborough | Seniors | Maikolo Manu | 9.13 | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 06/01/2024 | Wimborne | Seniors | Hari Taversham | 9.13 | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 06/01/2024 | RWB | Seniors | Club | 5.12 - Abandoned Match | Dismissed | Result to stand | |
| 13/01/2024 | Dorchester | Seniors | Henry Quinny | 9.12 - Strike | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 14/01/2024 | Dorchester | Age Grade | Makensie Parker | 9.18 | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 13/01/2024 | Bournemouth | Seniors | Ryan Morrell | Citing | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 21/01/2024 | Bristol Harlequins | Age Grade | Coach | 5.12 - MOA | Unknown | Passed to the Somerset RFU | |
| 27/01/2024 | Thornbury | Seniors | Jack Pickes | 9.28 - MOA | Unknown | Passed to the Gloucestershire RFU | |
| 28/01/2024 | Marlborough | Age Grade | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 3 match ban | ||
| 28/01/2024 | Frampton/Chipping Sodbury/Thornbury Barbarians U16s | Age Grade | Citing | 9.12 - Skiking with the head | Unknown | Passed to the Gloucestershire RFU | |
| 03/02/2024 | Corsham | Seniors | Josh Macey | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | Sending off sufficient | |
| 03/02/2024 | SCOB | Seniors | Lewis Newmen | 9.12 - Headbutt | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 03/02/2024 | SCOB | Seniors | Rory O’Brien | 9.27 - Others | Proven | 2 match ban | |
| 04/02/2024 | Swans | Age Grade | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 2 match ban | ||
| 03/02/2024 | Ventnor vs Christchurch | Seniors | 5.12 - Abandoned Match | Club warnings | Reported to the RFU | ||
| 07/02/2024 | Swans | Un 18's Colts -Senior Womens | Club | 5.12 | Proven | Suspended 10-point deduction against the Mens’ 1st team, effective until the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. A 3 month ban from rugby was imposed on 5 club officials also suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season. All players in the Colts and Ladies teams and all Staff involved in training must undergo a "Play it Safe" course by the end of the 2024/25 season | |
| 10/02/2024 | Pewsey Vale | Seniors | Sam Flippance | 9.11 | Proven | 4 match ban | |
| 12/02/2024 | Cheltenham | Age Grade | 9.12 - Punch | Unknown | Passed to the Gloucestershire RFU | ||
| 07/02/2024 | Swans | Age Grade | Coach | 5.12 - MOA | Not Proven | ||
| 17/02/2024 | North Petherton | Seniors | Michael Stevens | 9.12 - MOA | Unkown | Passed to the Somerset RFU | |
| 17/02/2024 | Wimborne | Seniors | Kristian Porcher | 9.11 - shoulder to throat | Proven | 4 match ban | |
| 18/02/2024 | Salisbury | Age Grade | 9.28 - MOA | Not Proven | |||
| 17/02/2024 | Yeovil | Seniors | Ben Parker | 9.11 - Punch | Unkown | Passed to the Somerset RFU | |
| 25/02/2024 | Chippenham | Age Grade | 9.12 (Knee) - 9.27 (Others) -9.28 (MOA) | Proven | 4 match ban | Received from the Gloucestershire RFU | |
| 17/02/2024 | Sherborne | Seniors | Citing | Not-proven | Received for Swans | ||
| 02/03/2024 | Chippenham | Seniors | 9.12 - Strike | Not-proven | |||
| 02/03/2024 | Combe Down | Seniors | Paul Kuipers | 9.12 - Punch | Passed to the Somerset RFU | ||
| 03/03/2024 | Bradford on Avon | Age Grade | Spectator/Coach/Club | 5.12 - MOA | Received from the Somerset RFU | ||
| 08/03/2024 | Trowbridge | Seniors | Liam Ellis | 9.12 - Punch | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 02/03/2024 | Truro | Seniors | Luke Rowe | Citing | Passed to Cornwall RFU | ||
| 08/03/2024 | Bradford on Avon | Seniors | Citing | Not-proven | Received from Trowbridge - Passes to the RFU | ||
| 17/03/2024 | Marlborough | Seniors | Solomone Aniseko | 9.12 - Strike - 9.13 Tackle | Not-proven | Received from the SW Region 1 LMOT LMOT |
|
| 25/02/2024 | Chippenham | Age Grade | Spectator | 5.12 - Safeguarding | RFU Regulation 19 Appendix 6 – 1.12. | Received from the Gloucestershire RFU | |
| 20/03/2024 | Glenmoor and Winton School | School | 9.13 | No Reply | |||
| 23/03/2024 | Pewsey Vale | Seniors | Lai Vinakadina | 9.12 - Strike | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 23/03/2024 | Salisbury | Seniors | Christopher Vuki | 9.18 - A player must not lift a | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 04/04/2024 | Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | Seniors | Michael Salter | 9.12 - Verbal Abuse | No Reply | ||
| 04/04/2024 | Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew | Seniors | Spectator | 5.12 - MOA | Witness Statement - No Reply | ||
| 04/04/2024 | Combe Down | Seniors | Josh Ridewood-Williams | 9.12 - Skrite | Passed to Somerset RFU | ||
| 04/04/2024 | Combe Down | Seniors | Josh Ridewood-Williams | 9.28 - MOA | Passed to Somerset RFU | ||
| 13/04/2024 | Melksham | Seniors | Dale Ivory | 9.18 | Proven | 3 match ban | |
| 13/04/2024 | Bradford on Avon | Seniors | Iwan Legg | 9.12 | Proven | 1 match ban | |
| 14/04/2024 | Chippenham | Age Grade | Spectator | 5.12 - MOA | RFU Regulation 19 Appendix 6 – 1.12. | ||
| 20/04/2024 | Sherborne | Seniors | Josh Ovey | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | 1 match ban | Received from the Somerset RFU |
| 21/04/2024 | Gloucesrshire RFU | Seniors | Zac Dinning | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Proven | Sending off sufficient | Received from the RFU |
| 27/04/2024 | Swans | Seniors | Chris Peters | 9.20a | Proven | 3 match ban | TBC |
| 28/04/2024 | Chard | Age Grade | Citing | Passed to the Somerset RFU | |||
| 02/05/2024 | Chippenham | Seniors | Jack Ward | 9.13 | Proven | 5 match ban | TBC |
| 28/04/2024 | Swindon RFC | Age Grade | Richard White & Club | 5.12 | |||
| 05/05/2024 | RWB | Age Grade | 9.27 - Two Yellows | Not-proven | Red Card Rescinded | Reported by the club- No Red Card Report |
We are a forward thinking Society and are actively looking to increase the number of referees available to cover the games throughout the Counties and support new referees to accomplish the highest standard possible at whichever grade they reach.
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