SWDCB Disciplinary Procedures
ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
FOR THE SWD CRICKET BOARD
1. Disciplinary Committee
1.1 The Vice-President, as mandated by the Executive Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee consisting of at least three members who need not be members of either the Board or the Executive.
1.2 This committee may, upon finding any club or person guilty of improper or disgraceful behavior or misconduct, or any other conduct in breach of these bye-laws, impose any one or more of the following penalties:
1.2.1 a reprimand or severe reprimands;
1.2.2 a suspension for such period it may deem fit, which
suspension may be suspended in whole or in part for such
period and upon such conditions as may be deemed fit;
1.2.3 a fine in an amount not exceeding R10 000,00 which may be suspended in whole or in part for such period and on such conditions as may be deemed fit;
1.2.4 severance of all relationships such club or person may have with the Board;
1.2.5 any other, penalty which may be deemed appropriate.
2. CODE OF CONDUCT, SPIRIT OF CRICKET AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
The Spirit of Cricket
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it
should be played not only within its laws, but also within the spirit of the game.
Any action, which is seen to abuse this spirit, causes injury to the game itself.
The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the Captains.
There are two Laws, which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.
a) Responsibility of Captains:
The Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the game as well as within the Laws.
b) Player’s Conduct
In the event of any Player failing to comply with the instructions of an Umpire, criticizing his decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the Umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other Umpire and the Player’s captain requesting the latter to take action.
c) Fair and Unfair Play:
According to the Laws, the Umpires are the sole judges of Fair and Unfair Play. The Umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the Captain to take action where required.
The Umpires are authorized to intervene in cases of:
Time wasting
Damaging the pitch
Intimidatory bowling
Tampering with the ball
Any action that they consider unfair.
The Spirit of the game involves Respect for:
Your opponents
Your own Captain and team
The role of the Umpire
The game’s traditional values
It is against the Spirit of the Game:
To dispute an Umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
To direct abusive language towards an opponent or Umpire
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
Appeal knowing the batsman is not out
Advance towards an Umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.
Seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.
Violence:
There is no place for any violence on the field of play.
Players:
Captains and Umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.
DISCIPLINE AND OFFENCES:
Clubs are responsible for the behaviour of the officials and players and for ensuring that they understand the League and the SWDCB Code of Conduct. The highest standards both on and off the field are to be observed in keeping with the dignity and best traditions of the game.
A disciplinary offence occurs when:
a) Any club official or player who in the course of or in connection with a match misconducts himself or acts at any time in a manner which prejudices the good name or interests of the SWD Cricket Board or breaches the Code of Conduct.
b) Any club, which fails to properly control or discipline its players or acts in a manner which prejudices the good name
or the interests of the SWD Cricket Board or breaches the Code of Conduct.
c) Any club plays an ineligible player
d) Any club fails to fulfil a fixture
e) Any breaches of the League rules requiring specific action in defined time-scales.
DISCIPLINARY FINES AND PENALTIES
Level I – Minor Offences:
Formal warning reportable to the SWDCB disciplinary committee- no action but recorded for 2 years, although further reportable offences in the same season may result in action being taken. (Guide, a formal Warning, up to a maximum of 2 weeks suspension) included:
Showing dissent to an umpire’s decision by word or action;
Physical contact between players in the course of a game i.e. deliberate obstruction;
Verbal obstruction of player(s) in the course of a game;
The bowling of fast short-pitched balls that result in the bowler being disallowed from bowling further in that innings.
Note: the above examples are intended as a guide only.
Level 2 – More Serious Offences:
Formal warning reportable to the SWDCB disciplinary committee and action taken (Guide, a minimum of 2 but up to 6 weeks suspension) include:
A repetition of a Level I offence;
Deliberate and malicious distraction or obstruction on the field of play;
Showing serious dissent to an umpire’s decision by word or action;
Intimidating an umpire;
Threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator;
Throwing the ball or other implement at or near a player, umpire or official in a wholly inappropriate and dangerous manner;
Note: the above examples are intended as a guide only.
Level 3 – Most Serious Offences:
Formal warning reportable to the SWDCB disciplinary committee and action taken (guide a minimum of 6 weeks to sine die suspension) include:
A repetition of a Level 1 or 2 offence;
Threatening an umpire;
Physical assault on another player, umpire, official or spectator, any act of violence on the field of play;
The deliberate bowling of any high full-pitch balls contrary to the Laws;
Using language or gestures that seriously offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
Note: the above examples are intended as a guide only.
SWD CRICKET BOARD: DISCIPLINARY HEARING PROCEDURES
1. Outline of proceedings by chairman of Disciplinary Sub-
committee.
2. Confirm presence of Accused (Proceed in absence – Yes/No)
3. Details of allegation (s) to be read out.
4. Accused asked to confirm Guilty or Not guilty.
5. Prosecution Witness (s) called to give evidence to support allegation (s).
6. Statement (s) supporting allegation (s) read out.
7. Questioning of Witness (s) by Accused and Sub-Committee members.
8. Accused person’s/team/club version of events.
9. Defence Witness (s) called to give evidence to support Accused person’s/ team’s/club’s version of events.
10. Character Witness (s) called to give evidence to support Accused.
11. Questioning of Witness (s) by Accuser and Sub-Committee members.
12. In Private – Deliberation (Proved/Not-proved) by Sub-committee.
13. Review of any previous disciplinary outcome of the Accused.
14. Details and review of any mitigation of the event.
15. Decision of Punishment (if any) and all relevant persons and organizations informed.
16. All correspondence and committee minutes to be filed by the Secretary.
17. The accused will have the right to appeal.
1. Rules of the Code
1.1 Players must not assault or attempt to assault a spectator, another player or an umpire.
1.2 Players must not abuse or dispute, as distinct from question, an umpire's decision, or react in an obviously provocative or disapproving manner either towards an umpire, his decision, or generally following an umpiring decision.
1.3 Players must only wear and use approved clothing and equipment. The wearing or display of an unauthorized commercial logo and Provincial clothing is not permitted.
1.4 Players must not use crude and/or abusive language, or engage in conduct detrimental to the game. (An umpire would be expected to caution the player and advise the captain of his concern before reporting any player for this type of behaviour).
1.5 Players must not indulge in conduct detrimental to the game.
1.6 Players must in no way use crude or abusive hand signals.
1.7 Players must at all times abide by the playing conditions, rules and regulations, bye-laws and contracts of the SWD Cricket Board.
1.8 Players must not engage in public acts of misconduct, or unruly public behaviour, whilst representing the SWD or his Club.
Any player who by way of his actions or statements brings the game of cricket into disrepute shall be guilty of misconduct.
1.9 Clubs, especially Home Clubs, must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players, umpires and officials. Therefore, the onus and liability lay upon Home Clubs to ensure the safety and security of, umpires, players and Administrators against violent supporters and spectators.
1.10 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
If there is any breach of the Spirit of the Game by a player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, or criticizing his decisions by word or action, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner, which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall immediately report the matter to the other umpire.
The umpires together shall
(i) Inform the player’s captain of the occurrence, instructing the latter to take action.
(ii) Warn him of the gravity of the offence, and tell him that it will be reported to higher authority.
(iii) Report the occurrence as soon as possible to the Executive of the player’s team and the SWD Cricket Board, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and player or players, and, if appropriate, the team concerned.
2. Eligibility to lodge report
Procedure for reporting a breach of the Code
A report may be submitted by:
2.1 Either one of the captains participating in a match in which an alleged breach occurs.
2.2 Either or both umpires.
2.3 Either the Club's President/Chairman.
2.4 The President of the SWDCB.
2.5 A SWDCB Board member.
2.6 The General Manager SWDCB.
2.7 A Manager of either of the participating Club teams.
3. Breaches - Procedure
4.1 Reports (on-field, off-field)
4.1.1 Lodged by captains
Where a captain participating in a match believes a player participating in the same match has breached the Code he shall at the end of the day's play complete the report form and advise the other captain, the umpires and the player who is the subject of the report and Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee.
4.1.2 Lodged by Umpire(s)
Where an Umpire wishes to report a player for an alleged breach of the Code, he shall at the end of the day's play complete the report form and advise the player and his captain.
4.2 Hearings
Upon receiving the report form
4.2.1 The Convenor of the SWDCB Disciplinary Committee will promptly arrange a hearing, which must be attended by the player who is the subject of the report, his captain and the initiator of the report.
4.2.2 If the report is against the captain, then a club representative, the team manager or the coach will attend. The representative of the Disciplinary Committee will then hear evidence and decide on the report and immediately submit all reports and evidence including recommendations, conclusions and opinions to the Convener of the SWDCB Disciplinary Committee.
4.2.3. The Convener of the SWDCB Disciplinary Committee shall, after consultation with the SWDCB Disciplinary Committee, advise his decision to the player concerned, the General Manager (who shall confirm in writing) and the initiator within forty-eigth hours of the hearing. The Convener of the SWDCB Disciplinary Committee must ensure that the decision is entered on the report form and forwarded immediately to the Executive of the SWDCB.
4.3 Media Advice
Only the SWDCB President or SWDCB General Manager is authorized to notify the media of a report and its outcome.
5. Penalties and Payments
5.1 Penalties
Where a player has been found guilty of a breach of the Code, he could be fined and/or suspended and/or, for a first offence only, be reprimanded in accordance with the SWDCB bye-laws.
6.2 Payment of fines
Any fine imposed on a club and/or a player shall be paid to the SWDCB offices within seven days or as otherwise agreed between the player and the SWDCB. Disciplinary Committee. Any failure to meet this requirement will render the club and/or the player ineligible for selection in any fixture under the control of the SWDCB.
Notes:
(a) If a captain is unavailable or is the reported player then the Vice-captain will be responsible for all matters assigned to the captain in the foregoing.
(b) If the Executive Committee representative or the Chairman of the SWDCB Disciplinary Committee cannot be contacted within the twenty-four hours stated, then the timing requirements of the above will be met by contacting the General Manager within twenty-four hours.
Approved and signed at _________________________on this the _________________date
of ______________________2007.
_______________________________
APPOINTMENT:_____________________________
Witness: ______________________________
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Witness: _______________________________
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