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Bishop Auckland Rugby Club

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At the request of the Disciplinary Panel, I have been asked to circulate this letter outlining the concerns of both the Panel and the County Union with the recent rise in the number of MOA cases being handled. The numbers are increasing and we are appealing to everyone concerned with the game here in Durham to ensure that this problem is eradicated.
kevin hazard

RE: INCREASE IN INCIDENTS OF MATCH OFFICIAL ABUSE WITHIN DURHAM COUNTY

Dear Sirs,
I am writing to all Durham County RFU affiliated clubs with regard to the worrying increase of incidents of Dissent/Match Official Abuse which have arisen during the course of the season to date.

Those involved in this disturbing escalation have not been only players but have also included Senior team coaches, Youth & Junior coaches and spectators/supporters. The dissent and abuse has ranged from relatively minor to much more serious and personalised comments and has taken place at games at all levels from Senior to School games.

As we approach the half way point of the season it is of deep concern that of all the cases dealt with by the DCRFU Disciplinary Panel this year approximately 50% have involved varying levels of dissent/verbal abuse towards match referees' and/or touch judges. This is a statistic which the County Committee, the Disciplinary Committee and I am sure the majority of people involved in the game find totally unacceptable. I am therefore asking every club to take strides to try and eradicate this form of behaviour from our game.

Having regard to this type of offence, it must be acknowledged that many clubs have few or indeed no problems with this type of behaviour whereas within others it is far more common. Regardless of whether your club has had previous problems of this kind none of us should become blasé and think it is "someone else's problem." This type of behaviour is not restricted to any particular club or indeed team but can take place anywhere, on any given match day. For us to try and eradicate it we must all look at our selves both as individuals and as clubs and we must be prepared to challenge persons responsible for such indiscretions.

To try and stress the possible repercussions for individuals and indeed clubs resulting from behaviour of this sort, I would draw the attention of all your players, members and spectators to the range of sanctions which could be imposed against them and their club.

VERBAL ABUSE OF MATCH OFFICIAL

Sanction Entry Points start at 6 weeks suspension with a maximum sanction of 52 weeks suspension being available.

THREATENING WORDS/ACTIONS TOWARDS MATCH OFFICIAL

Sanction Entry Points start at 12 weeks suspension with a maximum sanction of 260 weeks suspension being available.

PHYSICAL ABUSE OF MATCH OFFICIALS

Sanction Entry Points start at 24 weeks suspension with a maximum sanction of life suspension being available.

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In the case of an Individual being charged under Rule 5.12 of the RFU Regulations an 'appropriate punishment' as referred to in the regulations can include, but not be restricted to, a Reprimand, a Financial Penalty, or Suspension from playing, administration or both.

In the case of Clubs, any misconduct by their Players, Members, Supporters or Spectators can lead to the club facing charges under Rule 5.12. Possible punishments in addition to those set out above can include, Deduction of League points, Relegation or exclusion/disqualification from any competition.

I would appreciate if you would draw the attention of all Club members and supporters to the content of this letter and make every effort to ensure that the prevalence of this form of offence does not continue to escalate even further. There have been cases elsewhere in the country where clubs have been subjected to deduction of league points and /or relegation following problems of this kind. Please let us all try and make sure it does not have to happen here in Durham.

I thank you for your assistance in this matter.

John Dove

DCRFU Discipline Secretary.

ref: http://www.bishopaucklandrugby.co.uk/pages/home/contact-us/rfu-letter.php