Disciplinary Rules
Disciplinary Rules
1. CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET
1.1 Code of Conduct
1.1.1 The CCA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the CCA and may be applied to cricket in general.
1.1.2 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.
1.1.3 Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.
1.1.4 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.
1.1.5 Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
1.1.6 Players and team officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.
1.1.7 Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.
1.1.8 Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and umpires.
1.2 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.
1.2.1 There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.
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. [Law 1.4]
Players’ Conduct
In the event of any player behaving in an unacceptable manner, the umpire concerned shall report the matter to the other umpire and inform the player’s captain. [Law 42]
1.2.2 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.
1.2.3 The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
· Time wasting
· Damaging the pitch
· Dangerous or unfair bowling
· Tampering with the ball
· Any other action that they consider to be unfair.
1.2.4 The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
· Your opponents
· Your own captain and team
· The role of the umpires
· The game’s traditional values
1.2.5 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
a) appeal knowing the batsman is not out
b) advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
c) 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.
1.2.6 Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
1.2.7 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.
1.3 Failure to comply with the provisions of this Paragraph 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the League.
DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS
2 Aims and Jurisdiction
These regulations shall apply to any player who plays for any club at any level under the auspices of the CCA and are intended to provide assistance and uniformity to all Clubs and Leagues in dealing with any alleged breach of the Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket (Paragraph 1).
It is intended that any breach of Paragraph 1 should in the first instance be dealt with by the player’s club who shall notify the Secretary of the League of the result of any action taken against its player.
3 Procedure
3.1 Any alleged breach of Paragraph 1 above shall be notified in writing (to be known as ‘a Complaint’) to the Secretary of the League.
3.2 Any complaint so initiated must be referred to the Chairman of the League or the Chairman of the League Disciplinary Committee.
3.3 Upon receipt of such complaint, and as soon as reasonably practicable, the Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee shall consider the complaint and resolve either:
3.3.1 To take no action except to record the complaint and notify the club; or
3.3.2 To endorse the disciplinary action taken by the club; or
3.3.3 To refer the matter for a Disciplinary Hearing which shall be convened by the Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee as soon as practicable.
4 Disciplinary Hearing
4.1 In any case which is referred for a Disciplinary Hearing, at least seven days’ notice in writing (which may include email or electronic message) of the hearing and of the offence(s) alleged shall be given to the player, or in the case of a club, its Secretary or other official.
4.2 The Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee shall convene a hearing as soon as is practicable and in any event within 21 days of the decision to refer. Any adjournments may be granted at the discretion of the Chairman of the Disciplinary Hearing.
4.3 The player and club shall be entitled to attend the hearing, state their case (in the case of a club by its Secretary or other official), to be supported by a colleague and to call witnesses.
4.4 The Hearing shall be conducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the League which shall consist of one or more persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach.
5 Penalties
5.1 If at the hearing the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate:
5.2 In the case of a player:
5.2.1 To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.
5.2.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.
5.2.3 To impose a fine (maximum 20 euros).
5.2.4 To suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated period of time.
5.2.5 To deduct League points from the player’s team.
5.2.6 To expel the player from the League.
5.3 In the case of a club:
5.3.1 To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.
5.3.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.
5.3.3 To impose a fine (maximum 100 euros).
5.3.4 To deduct League points from the club’s team(s).
5.3.5 To relegate to any lower division of the League.
5.3.6 To expel the club from any competition of the League.
5.3.7 To expel the club from the League.
5.4 The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to suspend the operation of any part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.
5.5 Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee (a finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty) shall be by majority vote; where necessary the Panel Chairman shall have a casting vote.
6 Appeals Procedure
6.1 A player or club shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Committee. Notice of Appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the Secretary of the League within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, together with a deposit of 5 euros.
6.2 If Notice of Appeal is given the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal, which shall take place as soon as is practicable.
6.3 The Appeal shall be by way of re-hearing before a different Committee. The composition of the Committee shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee and shall consist of one or more persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the Club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach. The player or club shall have the same rights of attendance and representation, and to call witnesses as they had before the Disciplinary Committee.
6.4 The Appeals Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and it shall have the power to increase the penalty and award costs of the Appeal hearing. Decisions of the Appeal Panel shall be by majority vote; where necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
6.5 The decision of the Appeals Committee or, if no appeal, of the Disciplinary Committee, shall be final and binding.
APPENDIX 1 – BREACHES OF DISCIPLINE
Certain conduct, whether on or off the field of play, amounting to a breach of the Laws of Cricket and/or the Spirit of Cricket, has been categorised into 4 levels which are set out below:-
Level 1
a) time wasting by either the fielding side or the batting side
b) abuse of the cricket ground, equipment or fixtures
c) showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action
d) using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and or the making of an obscene gesture
e) excessive appealing
Level 2
a) showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action
b) inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play
c) charging or advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
d) deliberate and malicious distraction or obstruction on the field of play, regardless as to whether such conduct is deemed to be fair under law 42.5
e) throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner
f) using language or gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, team official or spectator
g) changing the condition of the ball other than as permitted by Law 42.3
h) the bowling of fast short pitched balls that result in the bowler being disallowed from bowling further in that innings
i) causing avoidable damage to the pitch contrary to Laws 42.13 and/or Law 42.14 that results in a five run penalty being awarded
Level 3
a) intimidating an umpire
b) threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator
c) using language or gesture that 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
d) the deliberate bowling of any high full-pitched ball contrary to Law 42.8
Level 4
a) threatening an umpire
b) physical assault of another player, umpire, official or spectator
c) any act of violence on the field of play
d) using language or gestures that seriously offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person’s religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
The conduct listed in Level 1 to Level 4 above cannot be considered to be exhaustive.
NORMAL RANGE OF PENALTIES
Level 1
Letter of apology
Reprimand
For repeat offences – fine, suspension, points deduction
Level 2
Letter of apology
Reprimand
Fine
Suspension
Points deduction
Level 3
Fine
Suspension
Points deduction
Level 4
Fine
Suspension
Points deduction
Expulsion of player or club