Member clubs are asked to consider this draft with a view to the LMC approving its adoption at its meeting on 18/01/07
In order to combat the increasing incidents of bad behaviour within the League, highlighted by the number of Disciplinary Hearings last season, it is proposed to introduce a revised system for 2007.
The new procedures will involve immediate verbal reporting by the Umpires for specified offences and the imposition of minimum penalties. Should clubs or players wish for a Hearing these will be conducted for 2007 season in line with the Handbook.
REVISED PROCEDURE.
Whilst it is still possible to adopt the Disciplinary Regulations set out in paragraph 3 of the Handbook a number of specific offences from the Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket have been outlined below along with Suspension Guidelines.
Where such incidents arise Umpires will advise the offending player(s), his/their captain and his/their club of the offences and that the same will be reported to the Umpires and Scorers Association ("the Association") and by the Association to the League.
The umpire(s) will report, initially verbally, to the Chairman or in his absence a Comittee Member or the Association. The Chairman or an appropriate committee member of the Association will forthwith verbally report the incident(s) in question to the Chairman or in his absense another member of the Executive committee of the League and a decision concerning any alleged offence(s) will be taken by at least 2 members of the Executive of the League.
The decision(s), reached together with the penalty/penalties imposed will be communicated, verbally initially and confirmed in writing to the Secretary or the League Representative of the Club concerned and such communication shall be deemed to be sufficiently served on any player(s) involved, it being incumbent on the said club to pass on to the player(s) concerned the contents of such communication immediatley on its receipt.
Provided that the initial verbal communication of the decision(s) referred to in paragraph 4 is made no later than the Tuesday following the offence(s) the club or the player(s) concerned shall have until noon on the following Friday to advise the League Secretary or, in his absence, another member of the League Executive either that they accept the decision(s) or to request a hearig before the Disciplinary Sub-Committee. N B: No extension to this time limit will be allowed and should no response be received from the Club it will be assumed that the penalty initially advised has been accepted and will stand.
Where appropriate the officers of the League dealing with the matter under Paragraph 3 may decide initially to refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee and the procedures laid down in the Disciplinary Regulations will again apply in these circumstances.
All written communication despatched under this procedure may be sent by e-mail or first class post. In the case of e-mail it shall be deemed to have been received the day it was sent and in the case of post it shall be deemed to have been received the day after posting.
OFFENCES & PENALTIES
ABUSE OF CRICKET EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, GROUND EQUIPMENT OR FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
The knocking of stumps, or the throwing or kicking of a bat, ball, helmet, boundary flag, rope or any equipment on the field of play.
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of one week.
ABUSE OF A PLAYER
Deliberate violent physical contact on a member of the opposing team.
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of five weeks.
N B: The severity of the violence will influence the appropriateness of the length of sentence to be imposed.
After any warnings due from the Captain, whether or not initiated by the Umpires, a player found guilty of any form of abusive behaviour towards one or more members of the opposing team or of making gestures to one or more members of the opposing teams or any act of violence on the field of play.
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of two weeks
N B: The guilty player’s CAPTAIN is liable to be suspended for a MINIMUM period of two weeks if it is found that reasonable steps were not taken to ensure good behaviour from the player.
ABUSE OF AN UMPIRE (including intimidation whether by language or conduct)
Deliberate violent physical contact or threat of assault.
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of twelve weeks.
N B: The severity of the violence will influence the appropriateness of the length of sentence to be imposed.
Verbal or Written abuse (including using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture)
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of three weeks.
Dissent by action or verbal.
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of one week.
RACIAL ABUSE
Any racially abusive comment or action will result in suspension, i.e. using language or a gesture that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, decent or national or ethnic origin.
Reports of such behaviour will result in action being taken under Disciplinary Regulations paragraph 3 immediately and any suspension period will be decided by the Disciplinary Committee.
MANADATORY REPORTING UNDER THE LAWS
The Umpires after consultation are instructed to report transgressions under the following headings:
Law 42.3 - Changing the condition of the match ball
Law 42.4 - Deliberate attempt to distract the striker
Law 42.5 - Deliberate distraction or obstruction of the batsman
Law 42.6, 7 & 8 - Dangerous and unfair bowling
Law 42.9 - Time wasting by the fielding side
Law 42.10 - Batsman wasting time
Law 42.11, 12, 13 & 14 - Bowler, fielder or batsman damaging the pitch
Law 42.16 - Batsman stealing a run
Law 42.18 - Players conduct
Player failing to comply with the above laws
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of one week
N B: The guilty player’s CAPTAIN is liable to be suspended for a MINIMUM period of one week if it is found that reasonable steps were not taken to ensure compliance by the player.
ACCUMULATED BAD BEHAVIOUR
Repeated infringements (at least 3) of the Spirit of Cricket by an individual, where it is decided that each infringement in itself does not merit any immediate disciplinary action, will result in a Disciplinary Hearing. Repeated infringements by a team are likely to result in the Captain being held responsible for the conduct of his team (whether or not individual players are also identified for disciplinary action) and being called before a Disciplinary Hearing. Umpires will be asked to report the items listed below:
1.Excessive appealing.
2.Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other member of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman.
3.Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play.
4.Charging or advancing towards the umpire or player in an aggressive manner when appealing.
5.Throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire, official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner.
6.Using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, team official or spectator, other than that already covered under Abuse of a Player & Abuse of an Umpire above.
N B: It is acknowledged that there will be verbal exchanges between players in the course of play. Rather then seeking to eliminate these exchanges entirely, umpires will look to lay charges when this falls below an accepted standard. In this instance, language will be interpreted to include gestures.
7.Threat of assault on another player, umpire, team official or spectator, other than that already covered Under Abuse of a Player & Abuse of an Umpire above.
8.Any other incident and not mentioned above but which is deemed to be against the Spirit of Cricket.
SUSPENSION: - MINIMUM period of two weeks.
When issuing the penalty, the Disciplinary Committee may take into account of instances of poor team discipline in previous years, particularly where the on-the-field captain is the same and the prior record of any individual charged.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Any breach of these additional Procedures - particularly players playing in matches under the auspices of the League whilst suspended - will result in an automatic Disciplinary Hearing per the handbook.
The revised Procedures will not interfere with a Club conducting it's own internal inquiry but the time limit will not be extended to facilitate such an inquiry. Should it however take place prior to the deadlines in the Procedures the results should immediately be advised to the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the League.
Should an incident that is reported take place during a League Knock-Out match deadlines will be advised at that time but in any event will not exceed 7 days from the date of the incident.
Suspensions will be imposed in weeks (7 days) commencing midnight Friday to midnight Friday and will apply to both League and Knock-Out fixtures occurring during that time.
Suspensions imposed for a period which extends beyond the end of the season will be continued into the following season and specific dates will be advised at that time.
In all cases and for all offences, an admission of guilt will almost certainly result in a lesser sentence being imposed than if the matter is contested - credit being given for the admission. Should the Club decide to take the case to a Disciplinary Hearing and the decision against the player(s) be upheld it is more than likely any penalties will be increased.
Likewise should the Disciplinary Committee uphold the initial decision the expenses in convening the Hearing - that is for both Committee Members and Umpires - will be the responsibilty of the Club concerned. In the event of more than one club being involved in the Hearing the costs will be equally shared.
