DISCIPLINARY PANEL APPOINTMENT

The independent Disciplinary Panel or independent Single Judicial Officer are appointed by the independent Head of Judiciary Richard Whittam KC, or the Disciplinary Hearings Manager.

SANCTION

If a decision is upheld, the Disciplinary Panel or Single Judicial Officer will be required to consider the appropriate sanction under the sanctioning regime set down in RFU Regulation 19.

The seriousness of the player's actions is the first assessment the Panel must make in order to determine which of the three entry points (lower end, mid-range and top end) is the most appropriate.

The Disciplinary Panel or Single Judicial Officer will determine the appropriate entry point based on an assessment of a number of particular characteristics of the player's actions, including whether or not they were reckless or intentional, whether or not they caused any injuries and whether or not they had any effect on the relevant match.

After deciding the entry point, the Disciplinary Panel or Single Judicial Officer will then consider whether the suspension should be increased from the entry point to take account of certain specified aggravating factors, such as a poor disciplinary record or the need for deterrence, and/or decreased from the entry point to take account of certain specified mitigating actions, such as a guilty plea, a good disciplinary record, the player's conduct at the hearing and expressions of remorse.

SUSPENSION

A suspension is a blanket ban from playing rugby union anywhere in the world. Players are suspended on the basis that a one-week period of suspension would ordinarily result in a player missing one match. Suspensions take into account periods of inactivity (such as the close season), periods when a player is injured or otherwise not fit to play, and when a player is not available or not expected to play. Suspensions should also take into account any out-of-season matches which are not considered to be meaningful, or which are not close enough to the season to be a determining factor in a player's future selection.

For the sanction table relating to Foul Play, please refer to Regulation 19.

APPEALS

Both parties to the hearing (RFU and the player) have the right to appeal decisions. Appeals must be lodged within 24 hours (Aviva Premiership) or 48 hours (Greene King IPA Championship and Tyrells Premier 15s matches) from when the full written decision of the Disciplinary Panel or Single Judicial Officer is sent.

COMMUNICATION

In all cases, a press release will be issued in advance confirming the details of the charge against the Player, date, time and location of the hearing as well as details of the appointed panel (if confirmed). A second press release will be issued post-hearing confirming the outcome.

The full written decision will be available here when the disciplinary process is complete.