What is Match Based Discipline?
Under the Match-Based system, players will receive suspensions in matches rather than days. So, for example, rather than a player receiving a 35 day suspension for Violent Conduct, he will now miss just 3 matches from the type of football he was sent off in.
What is the history behind Match-Based Discipline?
Match-Based Discipline has arrived at Grassroots level due to a desire from players and clubs to receive the same suspensions as those in the higher echelons of the game. Match-Based discipline was first introduced to Grassroots football in 2006, when Steps 5-6 began using the system. Three seasons ago, Step 7 football was also included in the system. At the start of the 2011/12 season, we now see Match-Based discipline being introduced to ALL Open Aged football including Veterans, Womens and U21’s.
Which leagues does Match Based Discipline affect?
Within Herefordshire all Adult Leagues and College football are included in the system.
How do match-based suspensions differ from time-based suspensions?
Please click on link under Related Documents, entitled Further Match Based Q&As to view a table outlining the differences in types of suspensions.
How do match-based fines differ from time based fines?
Please click on link under Related Documents, entitled Further Match Based Q&As to view a table outlining the differences in fines for the different suspension types.
When will my suspension start?
Suspensions will automatically begin 21 days after the player has been sent off. If a player is sent off on 1st September, his suspension will automatically commence on 22nd September. Even if your club has not received the referee’s report, the suspension will still begin 21 days after the offence.
We do not have a game on the date the suspension is due to start. What should I do?
If you do not have a game 21 days after the player was sent off, the first qualifying match would be the first game that team then had at that level. For example, if the suspension was due to start on 22nd September, but the fixture was rained off, and your next game was due to be played on 3rd October, the first qualifying match would then be 3rd October.
What happens to my suspension if a game is called off or abandoned?
If a match is called off before the game starts or during the actual match, the game no longer counts as a qualifying fixture. You must contact the HFA as soon as possible, to inform them of the next date the player will miss. Even if the league decides that the result of the fixture will stand, the game will not count as a qualifying match.
How do I inform the HFA of any changes to fixtures?
Under Related Documents you will find a D56 form. This should be filled in and sent back to the County FA as soon as the club secretary is aware of any changes.
What happens if we do not receive a referee’s report when a player has been sent off?
If you have not received a report with your club statement, within 10 days of the sending off, please contact the HFA as soon as possible. We will be able to see whether the report is on its way to you or whether we need to chase the referee up.
How will I know which matches my player will miss?
Please click on link under Related Documents, entitled Further Match Based Q&As to view the answer to this question.
Which games count towards my suspension?
The club secretary is responsible for informing the County FA of the qualifying matches the player/s will miss. Please note that if a player is sent off playing for the Reserves, it will be Reserve team fixtures which need to be listed as qualifying games, and if a player is sent off for the First team, the club will need to provide us with the players First team matches.
The Qualifying matches must be League fixtures, League Cup fixtures, FA Competitions (such as The FA Cup, The FA Vase etc), as well as the team’s nominated County Cup Competition. If you have any queries with regards to which fixtures qualify, please contact us as soon as possible.
My player was sent off for his Saturday team, how will this effect my Sunday team?
As of 1st July 2011 if a player is sent off on a Saturday, he will be suspended from his Saturday teams fixtures only. Likewise, if he is sent off on a Sunday, he will just be suspended from his Sunday teams fixtures, allowing him to play on a Saturday.
However, this is assuming that the player has simply received a standard charge (i.e. receives a red card for Violent Conduct, Denying a Goal, Receiving a second caution in a match).
If for example, a player is shown a red card and continues to use offensive language or re-enters the field of play without permission for example, a further charge of misconduct could be reported. If a player receives a Misconduct Charge, the suspension will still be in matches, but it will be a suspension from ALL football and not just the type they were sent off playing for.
Can I appeal a Standard Charge?
No. There is no longer an appeal against Standard Charges. The only appeal is for Mistaken Identity and Wrongful Dismissal. However, if you believe your player has a claim for wrongful dismissal you must provide us with video footage that shows the Match Official has made an obvious error in dismissing the player from the field of play. If you feel your player has a claim for mistaken identity, your club and both players involved must submit, in writing, the reasons for the claim, and any supporting evidence and the appeal fee, within three working days of the match. If a claim is successful the appeal fee will be returned to the club and the suspension and/or fine will be lifted from the player, and the fine/suspension will be issued to the correct player.
Can I appeal a Misconduct Charge?
Yes. The options available in terms of appealing a Misconduct Charge remain the same as last season. The options available are:
a) I am pleading GUILTY to the charge and accept the report on which it is based.
b) I am pleading GUILTY to the charge and I wish to attend a Disciplinary Hearing to enter a verbal plea for leniency.
c) I am pleading NOT GUILTY to the charge and I wish the case to be dealt with in my absence.
d) I am pleading NOT GUILTY to the charge and I wish to attend a Disciplinary Hearing.
In all cases, all correspondence submitted concerning a case will go in front of the Discipline Committee, who will then decide whether any further action should be taken against the individual (i.e. whether a further fine and/or suspension should be added).
If my club/player does wish to appeal a decision, how much will it cost?
The Personal Hearing fee for clubs at Steps 5-7 is now £50.
The Personal Hearing fee for clubs outside the National League System is now £30.
What is Multi – Player Misconduct?
Your club will have an additional charge raised against them if six or more individual players are cautioned or dismissed during a fixture. The sanctions for multi-player misconduct can be found under Related Documents. Please see Further Match Based Q&As.
Please note, there is no appeal against a charge of multi-player misconduct.