Discipline

5 Jul 2024 | 26 min |

Constituent Body (CB) Match Official Abuse cases 2023-2024

Constituent Body (CB) Disciplinary Panels hear all discipline cases relating to the Community Game (Regional 1 and below, formerly known as Level 5 and below).

Cases which involve disrespect, verbal or physical abuse of a Match Official will continue to be heard by the appropriate CB Panel but the outcome of these cases will be reported to the RFU and published on this site for the 2023-24 season. 

For more detailed guidance on the different categories of Match Official Abuse please click here.

Cases involving Match Official Abuse (to include disrespect, verbal abuse, physical contact, threatening words or actions and physical abuse) from 1 Janaury 2024, will be subject to the Notice of Aggravation issued by the RFU Head of Judiciary, Richard Whittam KC. The full memoranda is available here - click here.

Name of CB Name of Club Name of Player, Individual, Coach or Team Role of Individual  Date of Match or Incident Charge details  Ban length  Details of any alternate sanctions
ARU    Tevita Gadekiniusiladi  Player 20/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 4 matches N/A
Leicestershire Coalville RFC Tom Blake Coach  05/04/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 5 matches Coach to write written apology to match official.
Warwickshire Old Wheatlyeans RFC Aaron Graham Player 23/09/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 match N/A
Warwickshire Alcester RFC   Player 30/09/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) Not proven N/A
Warwickshire Nuneaton RFC Supporters Spectator 10/01/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  Warnings given N/A
Warwickshire Coventrians RFC Callum McCluskey Spectator 30/09/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  2 matches - touchline ban / no playing N/A
Warwickshire Rugby St Andrews RFC Matthew Butlin Player 04/11/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  8 matches N/A
Warwickshire Trinity Guild RFC Mark Ellis Coach 04/11/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 3 matches - Touchline ban N/A
Warwickshire Coventry Welsh RFC   Coach 05/11/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute Not proven N/A
Warwickshire Sutton Coldfield RFC Steve Corbett Coach 03/12/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 matches - Touchline ban N/A
Warwickshire Old Laurentians RFC Stuart Heritage Spectator 21/01/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 2 matches N/A
Warwickshire Barkers Butts RFC Darryl Morris Coach 10/02/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 3 matches - Touchline ban N/A
Warwickshire Manor Park RFC Adam Bennett Player 06/04/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  12 matches N/A
Warwickshire Coventrians RFC Alex Kelly Player 13/04/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 5 matches N/A
Gloucestershire Cheltenham north Adam Simmonds Player 16/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  9 weeks N/A
Gloucestershire St Mary’s Old Boys Jack Farlet Player 20/04/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  5weeks Presentation to club junior section and players on core values , importance of referees and accepting decisions 
Gloucestershire Drybrook  S Greenman Player 15/05/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  9 weeks N/
Leicestershire Hinckley RFC Ben Ashfield Coach 23/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  5 matches None
Leicestershire Hinckley RFC Jim Benger Spectator 23/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 5 matches None
Staffordshire  Trentham RUFC Henry Tremble Player 27/04/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 3 weeks, 1 week at end of current season, 2 weeks at beginning of 2024/25.  
Dorset & Wilts North Dorset RFC Huw Willetts Support staff 9/10/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 8 weeks  
Dorset & Wilts Lytchett Minster RFC James O'Shea Support staff 9/16/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 4 match ban  Letter ot apology to be sent
Dorset & Wilts Puddletown RFC Unknown  Spectator 9/23/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute None Club unable to identify the Spectator
Dorset & Wilts Marlborough RFC Unknown Spectator 10/21/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute None Club unable to identify the Spectator
Dorset & Wilts Marlborough RFC Villiami Hakaolo Player 11/4/2023 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 11 match ban   
Dorset & Wilts Chippenham RFC  Unknown Spectator 2/25/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute None  Whole Club required to undertake Active Bystander Training
Sussex Heathfield & Waldron Harry Slinnhawkins  Player 4/27/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  5 matches + 3 matches suspended  
Sussex Heathfield & Waldron Sam Goatcher Coach 4/27/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 2 match day ban + 4 suspended match day ban  
Hertfordshire Chess Valley RFC  Robert Jordan Coach  27/04/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 7 weeks   
Hampshire Basingstoke Ian Pearson Spectator 3/10/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 weeks Reminded of Core Values
Hampshire Basingstoke Paul Adams Coach 3/10/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 weeks Reminded of Core Values
Sussex Heathfield & Waldron RFC Toby Simpson Player 4/27/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  5 matches  
Durham South Shields Jason Smith Player 4/6/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 5 weeks To send written apology letter to referee
Durham South Shields Declan CRAWFORD Player 4/6/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 5 weeks To send letter of apology to referee.
Durham South Shields Ryan DOWENS Player 4/6/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 4 weeks To write letter of apology to referee.
Staffordshire Tamworth R.F.C. Jeremy Barber Coach 4/7/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 14 weeks suspension from all Match Day coaching activities, no interaction with Match Officials.  
Somerset  Combe Down RFC Josh Ridewood-Williams Player 4/6/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 5 matches  
Somerset  North Petherton RFC Michael Stevens Player 2/17/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 4 matches  
Somerset  Nailsea & Backwell RFC Joe Reed Player 4/20/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 3 matches Assist with age grade training to instill core values of rugby
Club will be undertaking Bystander training
Staffordshire Bloxwich R.U.F.C. Adam Lindsey Player 4/13/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  9 weeks  
Staffordshire Bloxwich R.U.F.C. Martin Maclean Player 4/13/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  6 weeks  
Yorkshire Pontefract Pontefract Coach 2/4/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 0 5.12 Charge Upheld
Yorkshire Harrogate Simon Lewis Coach 3/17/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  15 weeks  
Yorkshire Moortown   Club Officer 4/6/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 0 Did not meet the disrespect definition - advisory letter sent
Gloucestershire Cheltenham north A Simmonds Player 3/16/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  9 weeks/a   
Cornwall Illogan Park RFC Mike Gilman-Hill Player 3/23/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  7 matches  
Buckinghamshire High Wycombe RUFC 1st XV - Spectators abuse that caused game to be abandoned. Spectator 3/23/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 2 Match Ban for all Adult Male Senior Teams (1st, 2nd, 3rd league/cup games) from start. of 2024/25 season - 8 match ban suspended for season 2024/25 Club required to put measures in place to prevent MOA happening again
Oxfordshire Abingdon Josh Strong Player 9/23/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 week  
Oxfordshire Oxford Harlequins James Smith Player 12/16/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 week  
Oxfordshire Henley Gordon Kerins Player 2/3/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  3 weeks  
Oxfordshire Oxford Harlequins Jack Allinson Player 3/29/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  5 weeks Although the panel found this to be a Low End Sanction they aggravated the sanction under the new RFU judiciary guidance from 01/01/2024 for extra weeks to be added.
Yorkshire Stocksbridge Andrew Lawrence Coach 3/9/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official  17 weeks  
Yorkshire Whitby RFC  Anthoney Craig Coach 23/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 9 weeks  
Yorkshire Stocksbridge RFC  Andrew Lawrence Coach 09/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 17 weeks  
Cornwall Illogan Park RFC  Mike Gillman-Hill Player 23/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 7 matches  
Buckinghamshire High Wycombe RFC 1st XV Spectator Unknown 23/03/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 2 Match Ban for all Adult Male Senior Teams (1st, 2nd, 3rd league/cup games) from start. of 2024/25 season - 8 match ban suspended for season 2024/25 Club required to put measures in place to prevent MOA happening again
Oxfordshire Oxford Harlequins RFC Jack Allinson Player 29/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 weeks  
Oxfordshire Oxford Harlequins RFC James Smith Player 16/12/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 week  
Oxfordshire Abingdon RFC  Josh Strong Player 23/09/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 week  
Oxfordshire Henley RFC Gordon Kerins Player 03/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 3 weeks  
Sussex  Heathfield & Waldron RFC Min Bevacqua Club Officer 24/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) None Panel concluded this failed to meet the criteria as laid down in the guidance notes.
Written reprimand issued.
Sussex Heathfield & Waldron RFC Robin Gale Club Officer 24/03/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute   1 yr ban from holding office (President) suspended for 1 yr.
Statement to include apology published on club website.
 
Eastern Counties Hadleigh RFC Jackson Crisp Player 18/11/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 4 matches  
Cheshire Wilmslow RFC  Dan Jones Spectator 10/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 6 matches  
Hampshire Andover RFC Kieran Jenvey  Player 30/09/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 3 weeks Letter of apology to be sent to Referee
Hampshire Havant RFC  Joel Knight Player 18/11/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 weeks  
Hampshire Chineham RFC  Jack Soper Player 09/12/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 weeks  
Hampshire University of Southampton George Ward Player 13/12/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 4 matches  
Hampshire Tottonians RFC  Josh Andrews Player 16/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 matches Letter of apology to be sent to Referee
Hampshire Fordingbridge RFC Liam Hobbs Spectator 13/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 4 weeks Letter of apology to be sent to Referee
Gloucestershire Kingswood RFC C Smith Player 09/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 matches  
Gloucestershire Lydney RFC S George Coach 17/03/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 11 matches Presentation to be given to Colts/Junior members
Hertfordshire Watford RFC Hayden Cole Player 24/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 10 weeks  
Hertfordshire Berkhamsted RFC Matthew Cain Player 09/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 11 weeks  
Durham Sedgefield RFC Paul McCormack Coach 16/03/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 3 weeks suspension from all coaching/team management.  
Durham Sedgefield RFC Tom Walkere Spectator 16/03/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute   Banned from attending any Club games as a spectator
Yorkshire Morley RFC Tony Yates Coach 03/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 6 weeks  
Yorkshire Leeds Corinthians RFC Aime Mills Spectator 02/03/2024 9.28 - Physical Contact with a Match Official 15 weeks  
Yorkshire Rotherham Phoenix RFC  Brandon Botham Player 16/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 weeks  
Yorkshire Hull University RFC  Reuben Shelton Player 20/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 7 weeks  
Staffordshire Rugeley RFC Bradley Tranter Player  09/03/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 7 weeks  
Staffordshire Cannock RFC Josh Humphreys Player  23/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 5 weeks  
Staffordshire Longton RFC Richard Line Coach 17/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 3 week touchline suspension suspended until January 31st 2025 To undertake R.F.U. Play it Safe Safeguarding training course
Cheshire Stockport RFC William Trollope Player 03/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 6 matches  
Cheshire Prenton RFC Stephen Evans Player 27/01/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 6 weeks  
Cheshire Dukinfield RFC  Bevan Player 09/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 6 matches  
Surrey Cobham RFC Douglas Rodman Player 18/05/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 match  
Surrey Sutton & Epsom RFC Oscar Goodrich Player 30/09/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 3 matches  
Surrey Old Blues RFC Alastair Shaw Player 11/11/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 1 match  
Surrey Old Blues RFC Aaron Randall Player 11/11/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 3 matches  
Surrey London Irish Amateur RFC Douglas Rowe Coach 19/11/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 3 matches  
Surrey Old Rutlishians RFC David Cecil Player 02/12/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 3 matches  
Surrey Purley John Fisher RFC Rhodri Lewis Coach 16/12/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Officia 3 matches  
Surrey Farnham RFC Karen Webb Player 18/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 matches  
Surrey Old Reigatians RFC Raymond Smith Coach 10/03/2024 5.12 - Bringing the Game in to Disrepute 12 matches  
Yorkshire West Park Leeds RFC James Cause Spectator 24/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 11 weeks Banned from all RFU Grounds from spectating
Yorkshire Hemsworth RFC Danny Key Player 27/01/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 13 weeks  
Yorkshire Bradford & Bingley RFC Alexander Leadbeater Player 24/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 8 weeks  
Yorkshire Wetherby RFC Jonathan Boulton Coach 03/03/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 7 weeks To attend RFU Introduction to Refereeing Course
Army Rugby Union Redacted Redacted Player 06/02/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 4 matches  
Eastern Counties Cottenham Renegades RFC Aaron Stevens Player 02/12/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 3 matches  
Eastern Counties Sudbury RFC Craig Thomas Player 07/10/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 4 matches  
Eastern Counties Sudbury RFC Craig Thomas Spectator 18/11/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 18 matches  
Eastern Counties Thetford RFC Jason Lumbard Player 13/01/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 10 matches  
Eastern Counties Lowestoft & Yarmouth RFC Jordan Yeates Caoch 18/11/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 matches  
Eastern Counties Norwich RFC Darren Smith Spectator 10/12/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 8 weeks Letter of apology to Referee and copy of apology to be sent on the team Whatsapp group
Cornwall St Austell RFC Paul Curnow Coach 28/01/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 9 weeks Referees course and presentation to U11 Parents.
Leicestershire Melton Mowbray RFC Christopher Jeremiah Player 17/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 weeks  
Somerset Bridgwater & Albion RFC James Brakes Player 17/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 10 weeks  
Yorkshire Old Crossleyans RFC Cameron Brannan Player 10/02/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 3 weeks  
Yorkshire Dinnington RFC Mark Pinder Coach 21/01/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 6 weeks 2 weeks suspended until the end of the season
Yorkshire Roundhegians RFC Jo Durbin Spectator 28/01/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 4 weeks  
Yorkshire Sheffield Tigers U17s U17s Spectators 11/02/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official   Written warning to Club re crowd behaviour
Yorkshire West Park Leeds RFC Colin Harrison Coach 21/01/2024 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 5 weeks Suspended until the end of the season
Cheshire Prenton RFC Stephen Evans Player 27/01/2024 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 6 weeks  
Gloucestershire Coney Hill RFC C Fritchley Player 09/09/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 matches  
Gloucestershire Lydney RFC 2nd XV R Watling Player 23/09/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 matches  
Gloucestershire Frampton Cottrell RFC Z Smith Player 21/10/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 6 matches plus 3 suspended   
Gloucestershire Drybrook 3rds J Jeffs Player 07/10/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 matches  
Gloucestershire Cheltenham Tigers  L Neal Player 04/11/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 4 matches plus 2 suspended  
Gloucestershire Kingswood RFC J Wilmott Player 11/11/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 3 matches plus 2 suspended  
Gloucestershire Yate RFC S Clark Coach 02/12/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 matches plus 2 suspended  
Gloucestershire Cotham Park RFC R Gibson Player 16/12/2023 9.28 - Disrespecting the Authority of a Match Official (Dissent) 2 matches  
Gloucestershire Southmead RFC B Cottrell Team Manager 16/12/2023 9.28 - Verbal Abuse of a Match Official 5 matches