Referee Discipline

Guidance to Army Referees on submitting discipline reports and abuse of official reports

This applies only to games involving RN, RM, Army and RAF teams. For purely civilian games follow the guidance of your Civilian Society. If you need further advice or wish to discuss specific cases, please contact Stephen Dowse at DOWSE@sdowse.fsnet.co.uk, on 94342 4138 civ 01980 656438 or 07714 203209

Red Card Action

• When dismissing a player, note the following:
  • His name
  • His number
  • The time of the dismissal
  • The score at the time
  • The nature of his offence.
• Immediately after leaving the pitch make detailed notes of the incident and establish the name of the player.
• As soon as possible, and certainly within 48 hours, complete a Society Sending Off Report (pdf 90kb). The latest version may be found at www.rfu.com/ (Articles And Resources For Rugby Referees section). Note: Do NOT use the submit button in the document
• Email the completed Report to the ARURS Discipline Officer, Stephen Dowse at Stephen.Dowse465@mod.uk (use the Word version), who will forward it the relevant Constituent Body, after discussing it with you if necessary. If you can only submit a hand written report FAX it to 01980 672329, for the attention of Maj (Retd) S M Dowse.

Abuse

• If you are subject to abuse, do not react abusively or take any threatening action yourself. Try to identify the individual(s) concerned and note their names at the time. If possible, warn the individuals that you will be reporting their behaviour (this would not be appropriate if it were crowd abuse being reported, where it would be better to inform the club of the action you will be taking).
• Make detailed notes immediately after the game.
• Consult the ARURS Discipline Officer if you need advice – Stephen Dowse at Stephen.Dowse465@mod.uk or Tel: 94321 3345/01980 673345 or 07714 203209.
• As soon as possible complete a Society Match Official Abuse Report (doc 83kb) & Society Match Official Abuse Report – FOR REFEREES (doc 83kb). The latest version may be found at www.rfu.com/ (Articles And Resources For Rugby Referees section) and submit it via the Discipline Officer. Note: Do NOT use the submit button in the document

Citing

• There may be occasions when action may be taken to cite a player. This will be rare and can only happen where the referee has, for a number of reasons (unsighted, yellow card or penalty), not dismissed a player for an act of foul play.
• As soon as you become aware of any citing action being considered, make your own detailed notes about the game, as you would probably be called as witness at the subsequent disciplinary hearing.

Abandoning a Match

• If you have to abandon a match on disciplinary grounds, you have in fact dismissed both sides and will need to submit a Society Sending Off Report (pdf 90kb). The latest version may be found at www.rfu.com/ (Articles And Resources For Rugby Referees section). Note: Do NOT use the submit button in the document
• Discuss the situation with the ARURS Discipline Officer – Stephen Dowse at Stephen.Dowse465@mod.uk or Tel: 94321 3345/01980 673345 or 07714 203209.