Disciplinary Powers, Procedures & Terms of Reference Season 2025-2026
- The powers of the Berkshire County RFU are granted by the provisions of RFU Regulation 19 and the sanctions for Adult players are governed by Reg 19 Discipline (Appendix 2) whilst sanctions for Age Grade players are governed by Reg. 19 (Appendix 6).
- The Berkshire Disciplinary Panel has the power to deal with all disciplinary matters arising from alleged misconduct by players, officials, spectators and others affiliated to Clubs in Berkshire (even if the match concerned is played elsewhere) and this relates to all teams playing at level 5 and below including Age Grade matches. This includes sending – off (red cards), match official abuse & disrespect, citing’s and complaints of actions or behaviour which are deemed to be against the best interests of the game and which may bring the game into disrepute.
- Should the player or named person decide to plead not guilty the alleged perpetrator will be required to appear before a Disciplinary Panel and the Hearing will be fixed as soon as possible (after the party and the Club have responded to the allegation in the required form) before Panel members who are independent of the Club or person / player concerned.
- A player sent off (red – carded) is not permitted to play again until his case has been heard by a properly formulated Disciplinary Panel and an appropriate sanction has been given by the Panel.
- In the event that a guilty plea is entered to a properly made allegation an appropriately constituted Disciplinary Panel (independent of the Club and the person concerned) will decide, based on the circumstances, severity and nature of the offence and taking into account the details included in the Report of the Club’s internal disciplinary hearing, whether to accept such plea of guilty by email or post.
- Should the Panel take the view that the sanction proposed by the Club is not appropriate then the offender shall be required to appear before a properly constituted Panel as soon as possible thereafter.
- The Disciplinary Panel will follow the RFU procedures under RFU Regulation 19 as updated on 31 July 2025 and where applicable the relevant sanctioning guidelines.
- In accordance with RFU Regulation 19 (Appendix 3) all cases heard by Constituent Body Panels, each CB may set their own disciplinary administration fees for hearings, save that they shall not exceed £125. The current minimum fee set by Berkshire RFU CB is currently £40.
- Clubs are reminded of their obligation under RFU Regulation 19.6.3 that any disciplinary matters must be reported to the Berks CB Secretary of the Disciplinary Panel, Mr David Hamilton thatchamrfcchairman@gmail.com – 07920 015199within 48 hours following the completion of the match in which the alleged offence was reported. Failure to do so will result in the administration fee being increased to a minimum of £60.00.
More detailed information and relevant Forms can be found by using the link below on your browser:
https://www.englandrugby.com/run/rules-governance/discipline/discipline-forms-and-guidance
