Lengthy Ban Demonstrates Zero Tolerance of Abuse of Match Officials.  

A Warwickshire Club player appeared before the Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday 26th October 2011 charged with Match Official Abuse directed towards a member of the Warwickshire Society of Referees. The abuse had taken place at a Sevens Tournament towards the end of season 2010 – 2011.
The Panel was chaired by John Brennan (RFU Judiciary Officer) who was assisted by Geoff Payne and Don Robbins from Warwickshire RFU; the Secretary to the Panel was Malcolm Murphy.

The player had pleaded guilty to the charge of Match Official Abuse.  Due to the severity of the offence the Panel placed it at Top End (TE) because of “Threatening words or action towards a match official, sustained and very intimidating.”  The sanction against the player was 156 weeks; he will be able to play again on 4th October 2014.

In Warwickshire we will always take firm action against any player, coach or spectator who appears before us for Match Official Abuse.  For Verbal Abuse of Match Officials at Low End the sanction is 6 weeks but because we have introduced a Zero Tolerance Policy on back chat to referees we will add 3 weeks as a need for a deterrent.

Warwickshire Disciplinary Committee.

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