Code of Conduct

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game both on and off the field. Remember from the time you arrive at the meet point or home venue you are representing the club and your actions, good or bad, will directly reflect on the club and its reputation.

Players tell us they want a referee for every match, yet thousands of match officials drop out because of the abuse and intimidation they receive on and off the pitch. Respect your referee today and you may just get one for every match this season.

Play your part and observe the club’s Code of Conduct for players at all times.

On and off the field, I will:

• Adhere to the Laws of The Game
• Remember we all make mistakes.
• Display and promote high standards of behaviour
• Promote Fair Play
• Always respect the match officials’ decisions
• Never engage in public criticism of the match officials
• Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour
• Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment
• Speak to my team-mates, the opposition and my manager with respect
• Win or lose with dignity. Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the end of every game.
• Never engage in any action or deed that may reasonably be interpreted as bringing the club into disrepute

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by the club:

• Be required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager
• Receive a warning from the manager
• Receive a written warning from the club committee
• Be dropped or substituted
• Not be selected for the team
• Be required to serve a suspension
• Be fined
• Be required to leave the club.

Disciplinary Code & Disciplinary Guidelines

The Purpose of these Guidelines is to deal speedily with misconduct, reduce the number of offences by illustrating to the membership the seriousness with which the Club Committee view discipline and to reduce the administration work involved.

Procedure

1. All misconduct cases, whether “bookings”, “sendings-off,” or “bringing the club into disrepute” will be dealt with under this procedure.
2. Any booking or sending off recorded by the referee in any game MUST be reported by the Team Captain to the Club Secretary as soon as is practically possible.
3. The Club Secretary shall impose a fine or suspension on the player in accordance with the scale of fines and suspensions as set down by the Club Committee in the Scale of Fines/Suspension document. If necessary the Club Secretary will consult with the Team Captain, or any other Officer of the Club, to assess the level of fine or suspension.
4. Fines or suspensions imposed under this procedure may be higher than, longer than or over and above any suspension or fine imposed by the County FA.
5. An offending player who does not pay to the Club, when required, any fine imposed upon him either by the County FA or under this procedure by the Club shall not play for the Club again until such fine is fully paid.
6. The scale of suspensions and fines that shall be enforceable by the Club under these guidelines shall be agreed annually at the Club Annual General Meeting,  though may be varied by the Club Committee if required.
7. The Club Secretary shall advise the Club Treasurer of any decision where the payment of a fine is involved and the Club Treasurer shall ensure the fine is paid.
8. The Club Secretary shall advise the Club Committee of all decisions made under this procedure.

Reigatians Afc – Scale of Fines/Suspension 2014/15

Bookings:

First Caution in any season:

If for dissent – £5 club fine plus AFA fine

For any other offence – AFA fine

Second Caution in same season:

If for dissent – £10 club fine plus AFA fine

For any other offence – £5 club fine plus AFA fine

Third or subsequent Caution in same season:

If for dissent – £20 club fine plus AFA fine

For any other offence – £10 club fine plus AFA fine

Fifth caution in same season

£20 club fine plus AFA fine plus suspension until the end of the season

Sendings-Off:

Sendings Off carrying two AFA disciplinary points (e.g. for two cautionable offences, for preventing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity):

If for dissent – £20 club fine plus AFA fine

For any other offence – £15 club fine plus AFA fine

Sendings Off carrying three disciplinary points (e.g. Attempting to Kick or Strike another player) - £15 club fine plus AFA fine plus a club suspension for one game.

Player also to be warned that any further sending off offence will result in suspension to the end of the season.

Offences carrying four disciplinary points (e.g. Serious Foul Play, Kicking or Striking another Player, Head to Head Contact, Use of Offensive Language or Gestures directed at a match official, Refusing to give a name to a referee or giving a false name) - £20 club fine plus AFA fine plus a club suspension for two games.

Player also to be warned that any further sending off offence will result in suspension to the end of the season.

Offences carrying five or more disciplinary points (e.g. Violent Head to Head butting, causing amatch to be abandoned, Improper Behaviour Towards Match Officials, Threatening Match Officials) or any person found guilty of serious misconduct - £25 club fine plus AFA fine club suspension until at least the end of the season (to be reviewed at the AGM, with a view to possible expulsion)

Serious Misconduct/Disrepute Charges:

Any allegations of serious misconduct or of bringing the club into disrepute will be considered on the individual merits of the case. A disciplinary panel consisting of, in normal circumstances, the Chairman, Chairman of Selectors, Club Secretary and Team Captain will consider each case.

Please note that the above fine/suspension scales are only guidelines and in exceptional cases the punishment imposed could be higher or lower than these guidelines.