The RFU are taking a much tougher stance on Match Official Abuse (MOA) and spectator abuse. They are determined to prevent rugby from descending into the sort of behaviour often seen in football and recognise that referees must be protected because, quite simply, without them we do not have a game. The RFU has made it clear that clubs are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse and misconduct by players, coaches, members and spectators. Evidence of proactive communication, robust policy and clear procedures can be taken into account if disciplinary issues and sanctions arise.

We have been advised that Percy Park can help mitigate any potential sanctions by being proactive with communication, having robust policies in place, and providing clear guidance to all members on how our disciplinary system works and who the key personnel are.

Following that guidance, and with assistance from RFU documentation, the club have created two disciplinary policies—one for Senior Rugby and one for Junior Rugby—together with an accompanying flowchart.

CLUB DISCIPLINARY POLICY

Effective from: 01/09/2026
Review date: 30/08/2027
Policy owner: Club Chair / Club Disciplinary Officer

The Club is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour, sportsmanship, respect and integrity both on and off the rugby field.

This policy establishes the Percy Park’s procedure for dealing with disciplinary matters involving players, coaches, officials, members, volunteers, spectators and other persons participating in Percy Park activities.

The policy is intended to operate consistently with RFU Regulation 19 – Discipline, the World Rugby Laws of the Game, applicable RFU Regulations, the Club's constitution and any applicable league or competition regulations.

Where RFU Regulation 19 applies, it takes precedence over this policy. Nothing in this policy is intended to prevent or interfere with any disciplinary investigation, hearing, sanction or appeal that falls within the jurisdiction of the RFU or the relevant Constituent Body.

This policy applies to:

The policy applies to conduct occurring:

Everyone covered by this policy is expected to:

Particular importance will be placed on preventing abuse of match officials. The Club recognises the RFU's specific approach to Match Official Abuse and will treat such behaviour seriously.

Where a player is ordered off, receives a red card, or is cited for an alleged act of foul play, the matter will normally be dealt with under the applicable RFU Regulation 19 process.

The Club will:

RFU disciplinary sanctions may have wider application than the particular Club fixture in which the incident occurred. The Club will not permit a player to participate where an applicable rugby disciplinary suspension prevents them from doing so.

The Club may investigate conduct including, but not limited to:

Where the conduct also falls within the jurisdiction of the RFU or another rugby authority (e.g. Constituent Body), the Club will liaise with that authority and will not seek to undermine or duplicate its disciplinary process.

Any member may report a disciplinary concern to:

Club Disciplinary Officer: Keith Atkinson
Email: keithatkinson67@protonmail.com
Telephone: 07909998801

Reports should be made no later than seven days or as soon as practicable and should include:

Anonymous reports may be considered where appropriate, although the ability to investigate and take action may be limited.

Serious safeguarding concerns must be reported through Percy Park’s safeguarding procedure and, where appropriate, to the RFU or relevant statutory authority.

The Club Disciplinary Officer, or in their absence the Junior Discipline Officer (JDO), will conduct an initial assessment.

The purpose of the assessment is to determine:

An interim restriction is a precautionary measure and does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Where RFU Regulation 19 requires or permits an RFU or Constituent Body process, that process will take precedence.

Where an internal investigation is appropriate, the Discipline Chair will or will appoint an investigator who is sufficiently independent of the incident.

The investigator will:

Investigations will normally be conducted as promptly as reasonably possible while allowing sufficient time for a fair process.

Where the investigation indicates that a disciplinary hearing is appropriate, the person concerned will normally receive written notice setting out:

The hearing panel should normally comprise at least three appropriate persons, where practicable, and should not include anyone who has a conflict of interest or was directly involved in the incident.

The panel will consider the matter fairly and determine whether the allegation is established on the balance of probabilities, unless a different standard is required by an applicable RFU or other governing regulation.

Depending on the circumstances, the Club may impose one or more of the following:

Any Club sanction must be consistent with RFU requirements and must not purport to replace or reduce an RFU, Constituent Body or competition suspension.

Where a matter is subject to an RFU disciplinary sanction, the Club will recognise and enforce that sanction in accordance with the applicable regulations.

When determining an internal sanction, the Discipline Chair and their panel should consider:

Where the RFU's disciplinary regime applies, the Club will not substitute its own sanctioning framework for the RFU's prescribed process or sanction guidance. RFU Regulation 19 requires disciplinary panels to consider the seriousness of offending and relevant mitigating and aggravating factors.

A player who is sent off the field of play or cited must comply with all applicable RFU and competition procedures.

The Club will assist the player in understanding the process but will not coach, influence or interfere improperly with evidence or witnesses.

Players must not:

The Club will provide reasonable administrative assistance to a player attending an RFU or Constituent Body hearing.

A person subject to an internal Club disciplinary decision may appeal where the Club's appeal procedure permits.

An appeal should normally be based on one or more of the following grounds:

The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Club Secretary within [7/14] days of the decision.

The appeal will be considered by an appropriately independent panel.

Nothing in this section alters the separate appeal rights, deadlines or procedures established under RFU Regulation 19. RFU disciplinary appeals must be brought in accordance with the applicable RFU provisions.

Disciplinary matters will be handled confidentially and information will be shared only with people who have a legitimate need to know.

Confidentiality does not prevent the Club from:

Members must not publish confidential disciplinary information or attempt to identify or intimidate participants in a disciplinary process.

The Club will maintain appropriate records of disciplinary matters, including:

Records will be retained securely and for no longer than necessary, subject to applicable legal, safeguarding, insurance and RFU requirements.

Any person involved in investigating or determining a disciplinary matter must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest.

A person should not participate in a decision where their involvement could reasonably call their impartiality into question.

Where the matter concerns an age-grade player, the Club will follow the applicable RFU Age Grade disciplinary procedures and sanction provisions.

RFU Regulation 19 Appendix 6 contains specific procedures for Age Grade Rugby and should be followed in preference to the adult procedure where applicable.

Safeguarding considerations will take priority where there is any concern about the welfare of a child or young person.

The Club will cooperate fully with:

Where an RFU or Constituent Body investigation is underway, the Club may defer its own disciplinary process until the external process has concluded, where doing so is appropriate.

A Club process may nevertheless proceed where necessary to protect members, manage Club activities or address matters within the Club's own jurisdiction.

Any member who knowingly breaches an applicable disciplinary sanction may be subject to further disciplinary action.

This includes attempting to participate in rugby while suspended or deliberately assisting another person to evade a suspension.

The Club will seek to ensure that disciplinary procedures are fair, proportionate and consistent.

A person accused of misconduct will normally:

The Club will seek to avoid unnecessary delay while ensuring that disciplinary decisions are properly considered.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and whenever there is a material change to:

The current RFU regulations and associated appendices should always be consulted before making a disciplinary decision. The RFU identifies Regulation 19 as the regulation governing discipline and publishes separate appendices covering matters including yellow cards, sanctions, citings, practice notes and age-grade procedures.

The Club's overriding objective is to promote a safe, respectful and enjoyable rugby environment.

Discipline will be administered consistently and proportionately, with particular regard to player welfare, respect for match officials, the integrity of the Game and the requirements of RFU Regulation 19.