Handbook – Page 3

• Tournament Guidelines
• All Stars
• Medical
• Disciplinary Procedures

XII Tournament Guidelines

• A. FRU shall have the responsibility for sanctioning all tournaments held within the jurisdiction of the Union. A “tournament” shall include all festivals, invitationals and competitions where eight (8) or more teams participate. Note: Only Full Members of the FRU can host tournaments.
• B. Clubs desiring to host a tournament must file a Tournament Approval Form, along with a check for $100 payable to “FRU” with the Tournament Chairman no later than 180 DAYS ahead of the date the tournament will be held.. All financial obligations to the FRU must be current. If a written follow up report of the tournament is received and accepted by the Executive Committee within two weeks after tournament end date, the $100 tournament application fee shall be refunded or forwarded as application fee to the next year’s tournament application.
• C. The Tournament must carry insurance coverage. All players/reserves must carry at least $100,000 medical coverage and clubs must have liability coverage for a minimum of $1,000,000. A health care professional must be present for the duration of the tournament. All Players must have CIPP cards. Tournament host is responsible for checking cards.
• D. The Tournament Chairman, after sanctioning a tournament, will contact the Referee’s Society regarding the number of referees required. A fee will be charged by the Referee’s Society to be paid by the host club. The Referee’s Society will appoint a Head Referee for the tournament. This referee and the Tournament Director will make arrangements to invite referees from outside Unions if necessary. Clubs cannot invite outside referees without contacting the Florida Referee’s Society first.
• E. Host clubs must arrange (at least 3 weeks prior to the tournament) for a representative of the FRU to tour the facility. As a result of the inspection, the FRU will determine if the tournament will be sanctioned. Sanctions given ahead of time will be “conditional” and depend upon approval of the field. The Tournament Chairman will notify the host club, in writing, as to the acceptance or denial of sanctioning for the tournament.
• F. The Disciplinary Committee shall have the additional responsibility for taking appropriate action against individuals and/or teams that:
  • a. Do not honor tournament commitments.
  • b. Act in any manner which is detrimental to the tournament or the spirit of rugby.
    c. Attempt to play any ineligible players.
    Note: Any player sent off the field during a tournament is ineligible to play for the rest of the tournament.
• G. On receiving acceptance from a team outside the FRU jurisdiction, the club’s Tournament Chairman must notify the FRU Tournament Chairman promptly. The FRU Tournament Chairman will then contact the home union of the outside team to determine if any discipline reports have been filed against the team or any of its members. He will also determine if the club is “in good standing” within that Union. If discipline reports have been filed, or the club is not in good standing, the FRU Disciplinary Committee will make an appropriate recommendation to the club’s Tournament Director/Committee. The FRU Tournament Committee may refuse to sanction a tournament for failure to follow the Disciplinary Committee’s recommendation.
• H. It is the responsibility of the club’s Tournament Director or Committee to invite only members in good standing from any Union. There will be no recourse through the Union should a club allow non-members to participate in their tournament and an incident, or incidents, occur that would normally warrant disciplinary action.
• I. The list of participating teams in the tournament must be sent to the FRU Tournament Chairman and Florida Referee’s Society Match Secretary no later than three weeks before the tournament.
• J. It is recommended that teams try to schedule tournaments early in the playing season, or out of season, in order to secure referees. Tournaments scheduled during the season cannot be guaranteed referees even if approved by the Union.
• K. Any scheduling conflicts will be decided by the FRU Tournament Committee.
• L. Teams holding and/or attending any unsanctioned tournaments will be subject to disciplinary action and fines.
• M. Referee’s Society Note: The Referee’s Society will not assign referees to any tournament permitting non-members unless it is a representative side and the following conditions are met:
  • 1. A complete roster of the team is sent to the Referee’s Society Secretary at least two (2) weeks before the tournament.
  • 2. A letter from each of the players’ clubs in submitted with the roster certifying that they are a dues paying member of a club who belongs to a recognized union.
• N. Tournament responsibilities
  The Florida Referee’s Society will coordinate the supply and arrangements for referees for all FRU-sanctioned tournaments provided that the following policies are adhered to by the host FRU club:
  • 1. The Florida Referee’s Society Match Secretary will provide your Referee Coordinator (please appoint one) A Tournament Appointment List assigning a Head Referee along with other referees as availability allows. Close contact with the Head Referee shall be maintained regarding all referee business during the final weeks of preparation.
  • 2. The final format including tournament rules, pairings (brackets) showing teams, kick-off times and assigned field number, along with a clear map-directions to the tournament site and party location must be received by the Head Referee no later than two (2) weeks before the tournament. All teams planning to compete should have registered by now (with payment of the tournament fee) or else should be dropped. Again, close contact, preferably by phone, is urged to avoid any unforeseen complications of miscommunications.
  • 3. Clubs will be assessed appropriately by the Florida Referee’s Society for the appointed referee. A check for the total amount due should be given to the Head Referee on the last day of the tournament.
  • 4. The host club is responsible for providing each referee with comfortable accommodations (preferably a motel/hotel) for an overnight stay during a two-day tournament (this may include Friday and Saturday).
  • 5. The host club is to provide each referee, by mail, with all information regarding directions to the tournament site and housing, along with a set of the tournament rules.
  • 6. All scheduling of referees for the tournament games and official Florida Referee’s Society liaison with the host club during the tournament (for expenses, rulings, etc.) will be the responsibility of the Head Referee.
  • 7. A meeting of tournament officials, referees and team captains should be held prior to the start of the tournament (usually about an hour before first game kick-off). All questions about rules, pairings, or any other concerns should be answered a that time. Proof of insurance and CIPP can also be verified at this meeting.
  • 8. All participating clubs should be asked (in your communications with them) as to the availability of any of their players or associates as referees during the tournament. The Head Referee should be kept informed as the information is known.
  • 9. All participating clubs should be advised that they must be prepared to provide a competent touch judge for each game they play (with the exception of the championship game, when referees will be utilized).
  • 10. All participating clubs are to be reminded that their club must carry liability insurance and all players/reserves must have adequate medical/health insurance per USARFU requirements.
  • 11. The host club must have made arrangements for a grounds inspection by the FRU (see tournament guidelines). Once approved, all fields must be lined in accordance with The Plan, found in Law 1, or elsewhere in this Handbook.
  • 12. The host club should provide high quality game balls for use at each field. The finest quality ball should be held from use until the Championship match.
  • 13. The host club should know, in advance, the jersey colors of all participating clubs. This will avoid conflicts in similarly.
  • 14. All participating clubs should be advised, in advance, of how many games (win or lose) they are expected to play. They should also be advised that failure to play in any of these games (especially in the consolation bracket) will subject them to subunion disciplinary action. Any player ordered off may not play in any remaining tournament games and is subject to disciplinary action.
  • 15. The host club must provide a 5-meter spectator rope (on both sides of the field) during the Championship match. This will allow free movement for the touch judges, avoid spectator interference and reduce the chances of injury to players and spectators.
  • 16. The host club must provide proper medical services: a medical kit and a health care professional must be on-site. Ambulance services should also be obtained well in advance.
  • 17. The host club should make arrangements to check player CIPP cards, as well as having extra CIPP forms available for those players not yet enrolled. All players must have CIPP cards.
  • 18. All clubs must be enrolled in CIPP. The host club should arrange to have extra forms available for clubs not yet enrolled.

XIII.All Stars

• A. Duties of Select side Chair
  • 1. Coach
    • a. Member of Selection Committee.
    • b. Attends and conducts all practices.
    • c. Attends all matches.
    • d. Conducts all trials.
    • e. Develops selection guidelines.
    • f. Develops training program.
    • g. Develops testing guidelines.
    • h Build a player pool ranking system to identify current or potential All-Star candidates, with the assistance of the Selectors and the Assistant Coach.
    • i. Choose Selectors from a representative cross section of clubs.
    • j. Convene the Selectors as required.
    • k. Stay in close working contact with the other All-Star coaches.
  • 2. Assistant Coach
    • a. Member of Selection Committee.
    • b. Assists Coach in numbers 2 to 10 above.
  • 3. Selectors
    • a. Must have knowledge of what each position requires.
    • b. Must have knowledge of particular players’ past history, i.e. attendance at past practices and matches, teams vs. individual effort.
    • c. Attend all trials, practices and matches.
    • d. Responsible to contact players regarding selections.
    • e. Will be available to help the coaches with their duties, if requested.
    • f. Assist in the construction of a play pool ranking system to identify current or All-Star candidates.
    • g. Attend as many local club/college matches as possible to identify the progress of All-Star players and hopefuls.
  • 4. Manager
    • a. Notify players of trials and practices.
    • b. Attend trials and practices to obtain players’ contracts and take attendance.
    • c. Secure a pitch for trials, practices and home matches.
    • d. Contact the club whose field will be used for the match, in writing, confirm that it is a proper-sized pitch, properly marked with correct goal posts and spectator barriers. In general, work closely and follow up with the club hosting All-Star activities.
    • e. Notify, in writing, the Referee’s Society of the home matches so that referees can be assigned.
    • f. Contact other Union managers, in writing, for confirmation of matches, site, date, time, maps, medical coverage, etc.
    • g. Arrange transportation, if necessary, for away matches. Collect fees for bus/vans.
    • h. Distribute maps/directions to players for away matches.
    • i. File match reports (line up, scoring, venue, referee, etc.) for all All-Star matches with Union Secretary.
    • j. Responsible for Union Kit (storage, cleaning and repair).
    • k. Keep and update an inventory list of all jerseys, shorts, socks, balls, etc. (any Union-owned equipment).
    • l. Keep and maintain a medical kit.
    • m. Work with Union Medical Chairperson to ensure proper medical coverage at home matches.
    • n. Assume overall responsibility of the side while on tour.
    • o. Coordinate and assist Managers of the College Men’s and Women’s programs as requested.
• B. Duties of Host Club
  • 1. Responsible for all aspects of the field and surrounding area, obtaining party site and medical personnel to be at the pitch with assistance of Union Medical Chairperson.
  • 2. Must provide All-Star Manager with maps to pitch, location of showers and party site at least one month in advance.
  • 3. Communicate with All-Star Manager on all pre- and post-match activities/arrangements.

XV.Medical

• A. Being Prepared for Game Injuries
  Most injuries are best avoided by keeping fit, doing an adequate warm-up, and following all-around safe play. When injury does occur, however, access to a properly equipped medical kit is essential. A First Aid Kit can be established for team use at minimal expense.
  • The basic medical kit should include:
  • Bandages: 4″ x 5″ gauze pads
  • 2″ x 2″ gauze pads
  • 1″ adhesive tape
  • rolled gauze bandage
  • assorted sizes of Band-Aids
  • ready-made butterfly bandages of “Steri-Strips”
  • assorted sizes of Ace bandages
  • pre-cut cloth for making arm slings
  • Solutions: hydrogen peroxide or antiseptic solution
  • antiseptic ointment
  • smelling salts
  • eye wash solution
  • bandage scissors
  • instant chemical cold pack or ice bag
  • penlight or flashlight
  • tongue depressor with padded tip
  • assorted splints
  • joint immobilizers
  • elastic tape for use in pressure dressings
    blanket.
  • Supplies should be kept clean and dry and be replaced as soon as possible after use.
    It is important that someone from the home pitch be familiar with directions to the closest hospital should an injured player require more treatment than can be provided on site.
• B. USARFU Directive: Concussion
  A player who is suffering definite concussion should not participate in any match or training session for a period of at least three weeks from the time of injury, and then only subject to being cleared by a proper neurological examination.
• C. USARFU Policy: Lesions
  “No player shall be permitted to play with any skin lesions without a doctor’s statement that states that the skin lesions are not contagious.”
  It will be the responsibility of the play with lesions to prove to the satisfaction of the referee (and possibly, other players) that he or she is not contagious. Clubs should also police their own players.
  Note: All players should read their current USARFU Law Book regarding medical conditions.

XVI. USA Rugby Disciplinary Regulations and Procedures

To Be Used at all USA Rugby, Territorial Union and Local Area Union Events and Matches

USA Rugby has established the following regulations and procedures for itself and its members.

• I. USA Rugby has appointed a Disciplinary Chair, who shall appoint a committee of not less than four. The Chair shall choose the committee members based on qualifications established by USA Rugby. At least 20 percent of the membership of the committee shall be “international athlete representatives” as defined in USA Rugby’s By-Laws. Each Territorial Union (TU) member of USA Rugby, and each Local Area Union (LAU) within the jurisdiction of those Territorial Union members shall have a standing Disciplinarian or Disciplinary Committee. That Disciplinarian or Committee must follow the requirements of these regulations and procedures.
• II. Disciplinary Structure:
  • A. USA Rugby’s Disciplinary Committee is responsible for the following:
    • 1. Incidents involving a touring team from a Union other than USA Rugby (not to include teams in international test matches) playing a United States team or at an event within the United States.
    • 2. Incidents at a USA Rugby championship series event, and the USA Rugby Super League.
    • 3. Unresolved differences between two or more Territorial Unions.
    • 4. Appeals of decisions reached by Territorial Union discipline processes or procedures.
  • B. The Territorial Union Disciplinarian or Committee is responsible for the following:
    • 1. Incidents at a Territorial Union event, including Territorial League matches. The Territorial Union of the home team shall be the responsible union.
    • 2. Incidents between two or more LAUs and/or their member clubs within the TU. If the LAUs are from different TUs, the matter should be forwarded to the USA Disciplinary Committee..
    • 3. Off-field incidents (including those that affect rugby in a negative fashion) by clubs or players or supporters that occur at a location outside the club’s or player’s or supporter’s home LAU.
    • 4. Appeals of decisions reached by member LAU Disciplinarians or Committees.
  • C. The LAU Disciplinarian or Committee is responsible for the following:
    • 1. Incidents at LAU events, including all matches played within the LAU if not covered in Section A or Section B above..
    • 2. Off-field incidents (including those that affect rugby in a negative fashion) by clubs or players or supporters that occur within the jurisdiction of the LAU.
  • D. Every Club should appoint a Disciplinary Panel charged with the responsibility of maintaining standards of discipline within the Club. (vid. Section IV.B.3 of these regulations).
• III. Player Sent Off by a Referee
  • A. Any player who is sent off for the remaining duration of a match for any reason is suspended for eight days, or one match, whichever is the longer, pending a review of the send-off report by the responsible disciplinary committee. The player has a right to a timely appeal.
  • B. The referee and qualified touch judges, and the club or clubs, involved must fulfill their responsibilities as required by Law 6A.14 and Law 6B.7. That is:
    • 1. Reports must be filed with the Disciplinary Chair of the Match Organizer on a timely basis, which shall be no more than forty-eight hours after the incident by phone, with a written follow-up in no more than seventy-two hours. Such follow-up may include communication via e-mail or fax.
    • 2. The Disciplinary Chair or Committee or their designee will review the reports immediately and render a decision within forty-eight hours (two business days) of receiving the report. If there is no dispute noted in the clubs reports and no questions arising from the Referee’s Report, then the Disciplinary Chair shall act according to the guidelines in Section III C below. If there are questions, the Chair shall interview all those involved, and others at the Chair’s discretion, and request additional information and/or documentation of the incident. If necessary, or if requested by the player sent off, a hearing will be convened prior to the end of the period of automatic suspension. Prior to the hearing the individual who is the subject of the disciplinary action shall be informed of the specific conduct that is at issue. At that hearing, which may be conducted by telephone, all involved may make statements relating to the incident and may be represented by counsel. The individual who is the subject of the disciplinary action shall have an opportunity to review all evidence, and the hearing shall be consistent with traditional notions of due process. The committee will render its written decision within forty-eight hours (two business days) of the hearing. Such decision may be communicated by mail, fax, or e-mail and followed up by regular mail as appropriate.
    • 3. If a club that is a party to a send off does not file a report with the Disciplinary Chair of the Union responsible for dealing with the send off, it will be treated as an undisputed send off.
  • C. When a player is sent off the field for the following reasons, the sanctions shall be in the range set forth below. These penalties are inclusive of the eight day, or one match suspension.
    • 1. Non Violent Technical Infringements (holding, obstruction, time-wasting):
      First Offense: – 8 days – 2 weeks.
      Second Offense (within one year): – 3 – 4 weeks.
      Third Offense (within one year): – two months.
    • 2. Minor Physical Offense (pushing, barging, over-the-top calls, early or late tackles):
      First Offense: – 2 – 3 weeks.
      Second Offense (within one year): – 4 – 6 weeks.
      Third Offense (within one year): – 3 months.
    • 3. Major Physical Offense (kicking, punching, dangerous rucking):
      First Offense: – 2 – 6 weeks.
      Repeat Offense (within one year): – 4 – 10 weeks.
      • a) If these strikes were directed to the head or groin: First Offense: – 3 – 12 weeks. Repeat Offense (within one year): – 6 – 12 months.
      • b) If this type of offense is directed at a player who is in a defenseless position, or situation, and/or in the referee’s opinion were delivered with the intent to injure, the suspensions shall be increased as follows: First Offense: – increase by additional 6 – 8 weeks. Repeat Offense (within one year): – increase by an additional 3 – 6 months.
    • 4. The suspensions noted above shall be interpreted as implying one week equals one regularly scheduled match – whichever is the longer suspension. Clubs accused and found guilty of scheduling additional fixtures to circumvent these regulations will be subject to additional penalties. For repeat offenses, the time calculation shall be the elapsed time since the last infraction. An individual shall be subject to the penalties for “second,” “third” or “repeat” offenses only if there has been a prior suspension or disciplinary penalty imposed.
  • D. Player Sent Off – Offenses against a Referee or Touch Judge, or a game related offense reported by a Referee or Touch Judge:
    • 1. Because of the seriousness of these offenses these sanctions must be strictly adhered to: a) Persistent criticism/disputing of calls:
      First Offense: – 1 – 3 matches.
      Second Offense (within one year): – 4 – 6 matches.
      Third Offense (within one year): – Formal hearing. A formal hearing shall be defined as a meeting of the Disciplinary Chair plus two LAU, Territorial Union or National Officers depending on the level of the hearing. This requirement shall be satisfied by a meeting of the full Disciplinary Committee of the Union that is hearing the complaint, or of a Committee constituted for this purpose as defined in the By-Laws of that Union.
    • b) Verbal abuse and/or threatening a Referee or Touch Judge:
      First Offense: – 3 – 5 matches.
      Second Offense (within one year): – 6 – 10 matches.
      Third Offense (within one year): – Formal hearing.
    • c) Continuation of a) or b) above, and/or nonviolent contact with a Referee or Touch Judge after a send off, or at the end of the match:
      First Offense: – 6 months.
      Second Offense (within one year): – one or more years.
    • d) Physical or Attempted Physical Assault of a Referee or Touch Judge on or off the field, during or after the match:
    • 1. Player is suspended immediately.
    • 2. A formal hearing must be held within two weeks of the incident. The hearing must include the representation from the Disciplinary Committee at the next highest level of rugby administration. If the event, or match, or incident occurs at a USA Rugby event, then a representative of the accused individual’s LAU Disciplinary Committee must be included in the hearing.
    • 3. Unless overwhelming evidence is presented that would mitigate the situation a minimum suspension of five years will be assessed the guilty party.
  • E. Tracking Offenders
    • 1. It is the responsibility of the Chair of all Disciplinary Committees to provide a written report to the National Office of USA Rugby of any action taken in Sections C and D above. For all individuals suspended for three or more months the report must contain a recent photograph of the suspended individual. USA Rugby will periodically circulate information on all suspensions throughout the United States. Methods of circulationg such information will include, but are not limited to: posting to a WEB site, Club Newsletters, and other electronic or printed media. Any club that allows a suspended player to participate in matches while suspended will be subject to additional penalties by their LAU or Territorial Union, or both Disciplinary Committees.
• IV. Undetected Foul Play / Off Field Misconduct – Action to be taken is the same for both situations.
  • A. When an act of foul play occurs but is undetected by the Referee or Touch Judges it is the responsibility of the witness(es) to report it to the Referee as soon as practical after the incident. If it is not practical to report the incident to the Referee it is the responsibility of the witness(es) to send a written report of the alleged act of foul play to the Disciplinary Chair of the Match Organizer, or the Union of which the player’s club is a member within the time-limits noted in Section III B above. Where more than one Union is involved the report should be addressed to the Disciplinary Chair of USA Rugby. Likewise, off field behavior that is detrimental to the image of the game of rugby should be reported to the appropriate Disciplinary Chair in the same timely manner.
  • B. Upon receipt of these types of reports, the Disciplinary Chair must contact the accused within fortyeight hours (two business days). After receipt of the comments of the accused the Chair will follow the procedures established in Section III B above.
    • 1. From this point forward, the procedures of Section III B 2 should be followed including the opportunity for a hearing and for the individual subject to the disciplinary action to review all the evidence prior to such a hearing.
    • 2. Foul play incidents, if found to be true, should be penalized as in Sections III C and D above.
    • 3. Off field incidents will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Proven allegations of misconduct that tends to place the game in disrepute are to be dealt with in the strongest manner. As a reminder, clubs are responsible for the activities of their members and supporters as they relate to the image of the game. Clubs are expected to provide for the discipline of their members and supporters who bring the game into disrepute.
• V. Appeals Procedure
  • A. An individual or club may appeal a decision they feel unjust. This does not apply to suspensions related to players sent off if the initial report was not addressed by the individuals or the clubs deemed guilty.
  • B. A written notice of appeal must be made within ten days of receipt of the notice of suspension. The appeal must be made to the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee that made the suspension decision. A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the President of the Union to which the Disciplinary Committee reports. The Disciplinary Chair shall initiate a hearing by contacting and securing the services of two officers of the Disciplinary Committee’s governing body not involved in the case. The appellant shall do the same. The Disciplinary Chair and the four persons selected from the governing body shall be the Appeals Committee.
    • 1. The Disciplinary Chair shall copy and forward all information regarding the case to all members of the Appeals Committee. A hearing date, time and place shall be determined by the Chair and sent to each member of the Appeals Committee and to the appellant. Such details of the hearing shall be agreeable to all parties, subject to them not withholding consent unreasonably.
  • C. The Hearing
    • 1. All parties involved shall be given an opportunity to present all pertinent information, and counsel the may represent the appellant.
    • 2. Upon completion of the hearing, the Appeals Committee shall reach a decision by majority vote. A written copy of the decision shall be sent to the appellant and to the members of the Appeals Committee within forty-eight hours of the hearing.
  • D. Decisions of the Appeals Committee may be appealed if it is felt evidence was not entered, or if extreme bias was present. The appellant must notify the President of the next level of rugby administration in writing within ten days of receiving the Appeals Committee decision. The President shall gather all the material pertinent to the case and review this and any new evidence, or claim of bias, that is presented by the appellant. Within forty-eight hours (two business days) of receiving the case file from the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, the President shall issue a decision on the case. That written decision will be sent to the appellant and to the Chair of the Disciplinary/Appeals Committee. This decision shall be final and no appeals shall be heard or entertained above this level except as provided in the By-Laws of USA Rugby.
• VI. General Information and Requirements
  • A. Officials at every level (LAU, Territorial Union, National) have a responsibility to ensure that all their members are fully aware of and follow these procedures. For its part, USA Rugby will cause these regulations to be posted to its WEB site, Club Newsletters, and via other electronic or printed media. 1. Reciprocity is mandated. Players and/or clubs sanctioned in one LAU are sanctioned in all LAUs. 2. All members of USA Rugby must keep their LAU, Territorial Union and National Office appraised of address changes.
    • B. It appears that a small minority of players has a disregard for fair play and the overall good of the game. This fact and the increasing mobility of American society make the following procedures necessary:
      • 1. Each LAU, Territorial Union, and the National Disciplinary Committee shall maintain written records of all decisions reached and actions taken. The information may be brief, but must include name, CIPP number, address, date and type of incident, action taken, etc. Details on how long to keep this information on file will be circulated. These files must be kept in a professional manner and passed to new Chairs of Disciplinary Committees. The information is required in order to determine whether an individual is a repeat offender. The information is only to be used during the “sentencing” portion of any hearing or action, and only if there has been prior disciplinary action taken. It may not be utilized in determining the guilt or innocence of the individual.
      • 2. If an individual has been found guilty of an offense and the party moves to a new location, the file(s) of any incidents must be copied and the copy sent to the Disciplinary Chair of the LAU in the new location. This will ensure continued awareness of past problems that will need to be addressed if the individual is again accused of misconduct.

Appendix 1. Yellow Cards.

• In order to address the issue of repeat offenders and professional fouls the following disciplinary procedures will be implemented.
• (a) If a player receives two yellow cards in a game that player will be ejected from the game and will receive an automatic minimum suspension of eight days or one competitive game, whichever is the longer, pending a review by the Disciplinary Chair of the Union under whose jurisdiction the game was played. The competitive game will be the next match following the expiration of the time for appeal against the yellow card(s).
• (b) If a player receives a yellow card in successive games that player will receive an automatic minimum suspension of eight days or one competitive game, which ever is the longer, pending a review by the Disciplinary Chair of the Union under whose jurisdiction the games were played. The competitive game will be the next match following the expiration of the time for appeal against the yellow card(s).
• (c) If a player receives four yellow cards during a twelve month period that player will receive an automatic minimum suspension of sixteen days or two competitive games, which ever is the longer, pending a review by the Disciplinary Chair of the LAU of which the player’s club is a member. The two competitive games will be the next two matches following the expiration of the time for appeal against the fourth yellow card.
• (d) If a player receives six yellow cards during a twelve month period that player will receive an automatic minimum suspension of twenty days or three games, whichever is the longer, plus a disciplinary hearing before the Disciplinary Chair of the LAU of which the player’s club is a member. A player may appeal against being given a yellow card within 14 days of being given that yellow card by giving notice in writing to the Disciplinary Chair of the LAU of which the player’s club is a member who shall then convene a hearing as soon as is conveniently possible. The hearing of an appeal against a yellow card shall follow the procedures set out in Section V of these Guidelines where a player has been sent off but pleads ‘not guilty’ save that: The Disciplinary Panel may impose the punishment that would have been appropriate had the player been sent off for the offence, or cancel, or confirm the giving of the yellow card. Where a player appears before the Disciplinary Panel having been given a yellow card or cards in addition to having been sent off the Disciplinary Panel is entitled to take those yellow cards into consideration and decide they shall form no part of future computations under these Guidelines.

The proceedings, findings, or decisions of a Disciplinary Panel shall not be invalidated by reason of any minor defect, irregularity, omission or technicality unless such defect, irregularity, omission or technicality raises a material doubt as to the reliability of the proceedings, findings or decisions. Notice of appeal given by fax or email is acceptable provided a hard copy is posted within three days of the fax or email..

Appendix 2. Procedures applicable to citing in domestic games pursuant to Section IV of these Guidelines.

1. Citing occurs where a player commits an act of foul play that was not detected by the match officials and either of the Unions or Clubs participating in the match have the discretion to cite that player to show cause why that player should not be held accountable in the same way as a player who has been ordered off.
2. Who can cite? Only Unions or Clubs in membership with the Unions participating in the match.
3. How to cite in domestic games
   1. The citing must be in writing and signed by an official, or nominated person acting on behalf of the Union or Club seeking to cite. A citing by fax or email is acceptable provided a hard copy is posted within three days of the fax or email.
   2. 3.2. The citing must be addressed to the Disciplinary Chair of the Union of which the player’s club is a member within the time-lines noted in Section III B above. Likewise, off field behavior that is detrimental to the image of the game of rugby should be reported to the appropriate Disciplinary Chair in the same timely manner. In cases of doubt, or where two Unions are involved, the citing should be addressed to the Disciplinary Chair of USA Rugby.
   3. 3.3. The citing must state:
      1. Date, venue and teams participating in the match.
      2. Details of the alleged act of foul play including as accurately as possible the time elapsed in the game, the score, and the position on the field where the alleged incident occurred.
      3. The identity of the player or players alleged to be guilty of foul play, or provide the means of doing so..
   4. Receipt of a written citing.
      1. Upon receipt of a written citing whether direct or through USA Rugby, the Disciplinary Chair shall consult the match officials, which in this context shall mean the Referee and any touch judges officially appointed (and not appointed by a participating club) to determine whether they had detected the alleged act of foul play which is the subject of the citing.
      2. In the event any official detected the alleged act of foul play which is the subject of the citing, and having detected the act considered that it did not constitute foul play, the citing shall be dismissed, and no further action shall be taken other than advising the Complainant that the citing is dismissed together with the reasons for doing so.
      3. Where the alleged act of foul play was not detected by any of the match officials the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee shall consider the complaint and unless he considers it to be frivolous or vexatious the player cited shall be advised in writing of the allegations made in the citing.
      4. If the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee considers the complaint to be frivolous or vexatious the Complainant will be so advised. The Complainant, if aggrieved, may refer the matter to the USA Rugby Disciplinary Chair whose decision shall be final and given within four days of the reference. Any such reference to the USA Rugby Disciplinary Chair shall be in writing and posted within three days of the Union of the affiliated Club being informed the complaint is considered frivolous or vexatious.
      5. Where the player, having been advised, admits the allegations the player may invite the Disciplinary Committee to deal with the complaint under the provisions of Section IV.B of these regulations.
      6. A player who has been cited is presumed innocent until proved guilty and may continue playing pending the hearing of the complaint whether or not the player admits allegations of foul play.