8.             Decision and Sentencing
8.1.          Decision
8.1.1.       Where the alleged offence is not admitted, the Disciplinary Panel shall first determine whether it has been proved.
8.1.2.       If the offence has not been proved, the Chairman shall so state and the Disciplinary Panel's finding shall be a bar to further disciplinary proceedings arising from the issues then before the Disciplinary Panel save in the case of an appeal by the RFU Disciplinary Officer or RFU President under paragraph 2.6.4 above.
8.2.          Finding and Sanction
8.2.1.       Where the alleged offence is admitted or proved and after the procedures set out in paragraph 8.1 above have been concluded the Disciplinary Panel shall have power to impose penalties in accordance with the sanctioning regime.
8.2.2.        For the avoidance of doubt "appropriate punishment" referred to in Rule 5.12 shall include, but not be limited to for a person, a reprimand, a financial penalty or suspension from playing, administration or both and for a Club, in addition to these penalties deduction of league points, relegation or exclusion or disqualification from any competition. Where a competition does not fall within the jurisdiction of the RFU a Club may be required to withdraw from that competition.
8.2.3.         When dealing with a sending off or citing, Disciplinary Panels shall apply the recommended penalties set out in Appendix 2.
8.2.4.         Disciplinary Panels shall undertake an assessment of the seriousness of the Player’s conduct which constitutes the offending and shall categorise the offence as being at the lower end, mid range or top end of the scale of seriousness in order to identify the appropriate entry point for consideration of a particular incident(s), where such incident(s) is expressly covered in Appendix 2. For offences categorised as the top end of the scale of seriousness of offending, the Disciplinary Panel is entitled to identify an entry point between the period shown as the top end in Appendix 2 and the maximum sanction.
8.2.5.         Such assessment of the seriousness of the Player’s conduct shall be determined by reference to the following features of offending:

a) The offending was intentional, that is, committed intentionally or  deliberately;
b) The offending was reckless, that is the Player knew (or should have known) there was a risk of committing an act of illegal and/or foul play;
c) The gravity of the Player’s actions in relation to the offence:
i. Nature of actions, manner in which offence committed including parts of body used i.e. fist, elbow, knee or boot; and
ii. The existence of provocation and whether the player acted in retaliation;
d) The effect of the offending Player’s actions on the victim (i.e. extent of injury, removal of player from game);
e) The effect of the offending player’s actions on the game;
f) The vulnerability of the victim player including part of the victim’s body involved/affected, position of player, and the ability to defend himself;
g) The level of participation in the offending and the level of premeditation;
h) Whether the conduct of the offending player was completed or amounted to an attempt; and
i) Any other feature of the player’s conduct which constitutes the offending.

8.2.6.     If  a  Disciplinary  panel decides that the offending is at the Top End of the scale of seriousness, it must then make a further assessment of an appropriate entry point between the length of suspension specified in the Appendix and the maximum suspension for the appropriate offence and then undertake the normal exercise of increasing or decreasing from that point.  In written judgments disciplinary panels should always specify what period they considered to be the starting point.
8.2.7.     Having identified the applicable entry point for consideration of a particular incident, Disciplinary Panels shall identify all relevant aggravating factors and determine what additional period of suspension, if any, above the applicable entry point for the offence should apply to the case in question. Aggravating features include:

a) An absence or lack of remorse and/or contrition on the part of the offending player;
b) The player’s status as a persistent offender of the laws of the game;
c) The need for a deterrent to combat a pattern of offending; and
d) Any other off field aggravating factor that the Disciplinary Panel considers relevant and appropriate.

8.2.8.       Thereafter, Disciplinary Panels shall identify all relevant mitigating factors and determine if there are grounds for reducing the period of suspension, if any. Mitigating factors include:

a) The presence and timing of an acknowledgment of culpability/guilt by the offending player;
b) A good record and/or good character;
c) The age and experience of the player;
d) The player’s conduct prior to and at the hearing;
e) Remorse to the player’s actions and the victim player;
f) Any other off field mitigating factor that the Disciplinary Panel considers relevant and appropriate.

8.2.9.         In cases involving offending of the least serious kind where there are compelling mitigating features and an absence of aggravating features, sanctions less than the lower end sanctions specified in Appendix 2 may be applied, and, in this respect only, the lower end sanctions set out in Appendix 2 are not minimum sanctions. Further guidance in this respect is provided by the Guidance Note 2 at Appendix 9.
8.2.10.       In cases of multiple offending, Disciplinary Panels may impose sanctions to run either on a concurrent or a consecutive basis provided that the total sanction is in all the circumstances proportionate to the level of the overall offending
8.2.11.       Disciplinary Panels shall in their written decisions set out the reasoning for their findings, including the finding on culpability, how they have categorised the seriousness of the offence by reference to the standard features of offending set out above, how they applied aggravating and mitigating factors, and concluding with the sanction, if any, imposed.

Suspension

8.2.12.        Any period of suspension imposed by a Disciplinary Panel may:

a) Be back-dated to start at such date as it thinks fit if it wishes to take account of any effective disciplinary action taken by the Club of which the player or other person to whom the report relates is a member arising out of the same incident; or
b) Include or exclude the whole or any part of the closed season taking into account any tours or other games to which the player or other person to whom the report relates is committed.

8.2.13.         For cases involving illegal and/or foul play, a Disciplinary Panel may not suspend the effect of any sanction to be imposed.
8.2.14.         In Rule 5.12 cases, a Disciplinary Panel may suspend the effect of any sanction to be imposed.
8.2.15.         If a Disciplinary Panel imposes a period of suspension it should:

a) Make it clear whether the period of suspension is from playing or administration or both.
b) Specify the exact dates between which the suspension will take place, the commencing and finishing dates to be inclusive of the period of suspension. The period of suspension may be split into two distinct periods if it is desired to exclude the whole or part of the closed season.
c) The player or Club shall furnish the Disciplinary Panel with a list of Club's Competitive Matches relevant to a suspension at the conclusion of the hearing or within 4 days thereafter.

8.2.16.         When dealing with a Club under the “bad disciplinary record” provisions under paragraph 2.5.9 above, the Disciplinary Panel has power to suspend the whole Club, a specific team or individuals from playing or taking part in the administration of Rugby Union Football, or both, for such a period as it may think fit.
8.3.              Costs
8.3.1.           A Disciplinary Panel may order that the player and/or the Club shall pay the costs of the hearing, or a part thereof, or a fixed contribution towards those costs. However, a Disciplinary Panel shall have no power to order a player whose case is dealt with under paragraph 5.2 of these Regulations to pay the costs of a hearing other than the Disciplinary Panel's usual administration fee.
8.3.2.           Where at a hearing a player is ordered to pay costs, such costs, unless the Disciplinary Panel grants a longer period for payment, shall be paid within 21 days of the receipt by the player of the written judgment including the order to pay costs. If such costs are not paid in full by the date specified in the order, the player shall be or remain suspended from playing from the day following the date by which the costs were ordered to be paid in full until the date when they are so paid unless the Disciplinary Panel which heard the case orders otherwise. The player shall be entitled to apply to that Disciplinary Panel for a review of the date or manner of payment when the Disciplinary Panel may make such orders as to payment and suspension as it considers reasonable.
8.3.3.            In a citing or Rule 5.12 case:

a) Where the complaint is not proved, the Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to order the party citing or making the complaint under Rule 5.12 to pay the costs of the hearing, any part thereof, or a fixed contribution towards those costs. Failure to pay any costs so ordered shall be an offence under Rule 5.12;
b) No party shall be required to pay or contribute towards the legal costs incurred by the other party.

8.4.                Notification of Decision
8.4.1.             The Disciplinary Panel shall at, or within four days after, the conclusion of the case, deliver a written judgment to the player, the Secretary of the player's Club, League Organising Committee and to the Secretary of the Referee Society of which the Referee is a member.
8.4.2.             In addition, the Disciplinary Secretary of the Constituent Body shall report the decision of the Disciplinary Panel to his own Committee, the RFU (on the prescribed form in the case of a sending-off), the Secretary of the Club to which the player or other person to whom the report relates belongs or where the decision relates to the Club itself, in the case of a sending-off, the Secretary of the Referees Society to which the Referee belongs and the Union or Affiliated Organisation in the case of a citing.
8.4.3.             In all case considered by a Constituent Body Disciplinary Panel the short form written judgement, shown at Appendix 4, must be produced and a copy  passed to the player at conclusion of the hearing. If the suspended player exercises his / her right to appeal, the Panel Chairman shall within 96 hours of the appeal, being lodged, produce a full written judgement. 
8.4.4.             In cases outside the jurisdiction of the Constituent Body the RFU Disciplinary Manager shall notify the above mentioned parties with the exception of the RFU and his own committee.
8.4.5.             At level 5 and below the Secretary of the Disciplinary Panel should inform the relevant Constituent Body competitions’ representative of the outcome of the hearing and any suspension imposed.

9.                   Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection
9.1.                Referral of Cases
9.1.1.             The RFU may become aware of child protection cases from the following sources:

a) Criminal Records Bureau (“CRB”) report;
b) a report of criminal action or a criminal investigation (which may be pre or post conviction); or
c) a complaint.

9.2.                 CRB Report - In the case of a CRB report, the following procedure will be followed:
9.2.1.              The CRB report will be considered by the RFU’s Child Protection Department.
9.2.2.               If any child protection issue arises, the matter will be referred to the Referral Management Group (“RMG”).
9.2.3.               The RMG will assess the risk and decide whether to take further action.  They may decide:

i. there is no risk.  In these circumstances, the Child Protection Department will notify the Club and/or Constituent Body that the person concerned can work unsupervised with children;
ii. that further information is required.  The Child Protection Department will then make further enquiries and once they have completed their enquiries, the RMG will then reassess the risk; or
iii. to recommend that a Temporary Suspension Order (“TSO”) is issued.

9.2.4.                If the RMG recommend a TSO, this will be considered by the RFU’s Legal Officer who will decide whether to issue a TSO and the specific restrictions in the TSO to be placed on the individual concerned.
9.2.5.                The TSO will be subject to a right of appeal to the RFU’s Disciplinary Officer within 28 days of the date of the TSO.
9.2.6.                Once the 28 day appeal period has expired, the TSO will become a Permanent Suspension Order (“PSO”).   The person who is subject to this PSO may request that it be reviewed after 5 years.
9.3.                    Report of criminal action or criminal investigation
In the case of a report of criminal action or investigation the following procedure will be followed:
9.3.1.                 The report will be given to the RFU’s Legal Officer who will issue a TSO.
9.3.2.                 If the police investigation is ongoing the TSO will remain in place until the criminal proceedings have been determined.   This TSO will be subject to a right of appeal to the RFU’s Disciplinary Officer within 28 days of the date of the TSO.
9.3.3.                 If there is a criminal conviction then the Legal Officer will issue a PSO subject to a right of appeal to the RFU’s Disciplinary Officer within 28 days of the date of the PSO.
9.3.4.                 If the criminal investigation results with no conviction then the Legal Officer may decide t

i. rescind the TSO; or
ii. refer the matter to a disciplinary hearing in accordance with the RFU’s disciplinary procedure on the basis that there is still a child protection issue regardless of the lack of a criminal conviction.

9.4.                     Complaint - In the case of a complaint, the following procedure will be followed:
9.4.1.                  The complaint will be considered by the RMG, who will decide whether to take further action.   In particular, they may decide:

i. There is no risk and therefore reject the complaint.  In which case, the Child Protection Department will notify the complainant;
ii. that further information is required.  The Child Protection Department will then make further enquiries and the RMG will then reassess the risk and decide whether to recommend further action;
iii. to recommend that further action be taken.  This may include, but is not limited t
a) a recommendation to the Legal Officer that a TSO be issued;
b) a recommendation that the Club and/or Constituent Body be notified of poor practice and that they investigate the matter further;
c) a recommendation that a coach attend or re-attend a relevant coaching course.  This may include a recommendation that a TSO be issued and remain in place until the coach has completed the relevant course; or
d) a recommendation that disciplinary proceedings be commenced.

9.5.           Minor departures from this Protocol will not invalidate the imposition of a TSO or PSO. 

10.            Schools and Youth Rugby Disciplinary Matters
10.1.         Applicability
10.1.1.      The procedures below shall apply for school and Club youth rugby up to and including U18 teams.
10.1.2.      Where a player is 17 or over and is playing in an U19 or an adult team, he shall be subject to the RFU rules which apply to all adult players, as outlined elsewhere in these regulations.
10.1.3.      Each CB RDP will appoint a CB Youth Disciplinary Secretary and each CSU will appoint a CSU Disciplinary Secretary (these roles may be combined into a single CB Schools and Youth Disciplinary Secretary – CBSYDS). 
10.1.4.      The person(s) appointed under 10.1.3 shall be a member of the CB Disciplinary Committee responsible for disciplinary issues relating to youth within their CB.
10.2.         Jurisdiction
10.2.1.      Schools matches - If a player is sent off or cited in a school match, then that player’s head teacher shall be responsible for taking disciplinary action against him or her under the guidance of the CBSYDS/CSUDS.
10.2.2.      Club youth matches - If a player is sent off or cited in a Club youth match, that player’s Club secretary (via the Club Disciplinary Panel) shall be responsible for taking disciplinary action against him or her, under the guidance of the CBYSDS/CBYDS.

Representative Rugby

10.2.3.       District, County, CB or Divisional matches and trials
If a player is sent off or cited in a District, County, CB or Divisional match or trial, then his CBSYDS (or the CSUDS and CBYDS) will, in consultation with the National Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary, convene a Disciplinary Panel to deal with that player.
10.2.4.       Representative Rugby
10.2.4.1.    A player who is sent off whilst playing Representative Rugby will be disciplined by the Union for whom he was playing, following these guidelines.
10.2.4.2.    Any suspension imposed will be binding on school and Club matches.
10.2.4.3.    The Union will advise the head teacher/Club secretary and the National Schools and Youth Disciplinary Secretary/National Education Manager/RFU Disciplinary Secretary of their decision.
10.2.4.4.     If a player is cited for an incident occurring in a Representative Rugby match, that player’s case will be heard by a Disciplinary Panel, set up as soon as possible by the player’s CBDYDS (or CSUDS/CBYDS as appropriate), and consisting of:

a)  The player’s head teacher or Club secretary, or their respective nominees; and
b)  A minimum of three independent people familiar with youth rugby.
Such independent members may be drawn from outside the Constituent Body. No one appointed should have an interest in the outcome nor should they have witnessed the incident.

10.2.5.         International matches
10.2.5.1.     If a player is Sent off at U16 level, the ERFSU will set up a panel to hear his case.
10.2.5.2.      If a player is Sent off at U17 or U18 level, the RFU will be responsible for convening a panel with the appropriate expertise.
10.2.6.         Tours abroad 
If a player is sent off whilst on tour abroad, the case shall be adjudicated on as soon as possible (and in any event within 24 hours) by the player’s head teacher/Club Secretary, in consultation with a representative of the Host Union.
10.2.7.          Incoming Schools and Youth teams on tour
If a visiting player is sent from the field of play (red card) during a match, it is expected that the visitors will invoke the procedures of their own Union, in consultation with a representative of the host Union. The host school or club must notify the National Education Manager or the RFU Disciplinary Manager of the decision taken within 24 hours.  If the visiting team’s own Union are unable or unwilling to invoke their procedures the NSYDS will make appropriate arrangements.
10.2.8.        Cross Border Fixtures
10.2.8.1.     If a visiting player from a school or Club youth team of one of the Six Nations is sent off in a match, the Referee must send his report for onward transmission to the visitor’s Union.
10.2.8.2.     If a home player is sent off in a match against a School/Club Youth team of one of the Six Nations, the guidelines should be followed in the usual way.
10.2.8.3.     If a player is sent off in an away match against a School/Club Youth Team of one of the Six Nations, that Union will notify the RFU, who will then contact the head teacher/Club secretary and his CBSYDS. The guidelines will then be followed in the usual way
10.2.9.        National and Representative Teams on tour
10.2.9.1.     If a member of a team is ordered off the playing enclosure of any match during the visit, his case shall, when ever practicable, be adjudicated upon within 24 hours. The hearing to be convened by the secretary, or his deputy, of the home Union, with a chairman and one official from each team involved in the game.
10.2.9.2.    A chairman will be appointed prior to the match by the home Union and he will be an experienced official well versed in the laws and playing of the game as set down by the iRB.  The National Education Manager or the NSYDS will make such an appointment in the event of the iRB not doing so.
10.2.9.3.    The Referee must submit a written report and if the player is ‘sent off’ as a result of a Touch Judge’s intervention, the Touch Judge must also submit a written report.  Such reports must be made available to the player and the panel as soon as practicable prior to the hearing.
10.2.9.4.    The Referee, and if appropriate the Touch Judge, must attend the hearing. The player ordered off must also attend the meeting.
10.2.9.5.    The panel shall have full discretion as to procedure and as to what evidence is required, but it must hear the evidence of the referee and, if appropriate the touch judge. The player ordered off shall have the right to be heard if he so desires.
10.2.9.6.    The panel may suspend or impose an appropriate punishment on the player.
10.2.9.7.    A player ordered off may not take part or be selected for any further game until his case has been dealt with.
10.2.9.8.    The panel shall convey its findings forthwith to the player.
10.2.9.9.    Bearing in mind the immaturity of schoolboy players it might be advisable to allow the player to be accompanied by an adult member of his group.
10.2.9.10.  The iRB does not give guidance on the problems of language difficulties. It is suggested that if such cases arise it is the duty of the home Union to provide an interpreter.
10.2.9.11.  Video evidence should be presented immediately if available. It should be noted that no witnesses are called and no character references necessary. All results from disciplinary meetings must be passed to relevant parties, particularly to the next district or country to be visited in the case of a tour.
10.2.9.12.  The appeal will be heard by a single senior official appointed by the home Union. If circumstances are such then the senior official of the next home Union will consider the appeal. Where the case involves the last match of a tour the player’s appeal will be heard by the player’s home Union.
10.2.9.13.  The player has the right to appeal against the verdict of the panel. The appeal must be lodged with the home Union within twenty-four hours of the original verdict.
10.2.9.14.  The person conducting the appeal shall receive all the written evidence, including the referee’s report and, where necessary, the touch judge’s report, plus the verdict of the original disciplinary hearing. He shall hear the appellant’s plea, or his representative, and shall then confirm the original verdict, increase or decrease the original sentence. His verdict is final.
10.2.10.     Tournaments, festivals, and competitions
10.2.10.1.  In certain tournaments, festivals and competitions, it may be that being sent off will ban a pupil from further participation in some or all of the subsequent matches in that event.  Only a CSU, a CBRDP, a Division or the ERFSU may sanction such regulations.
10.2.11.2.  If a player is sent off or cited in a tournament, festival or competition for an offence which is so serious that it would normally attract a sentence of 4 matches or more such as kicking, biting or headbutting an opponent, or abusing or assaulting an official, that player’s head teacher/Club disciplinary panel should be invited to consider the case with a view to deciding whether or not additional punishment should be imposed.
10.2.10.3. If a player is cited in a tournament, festival or competition for any offence, then, owing to the time delay, that player’s head teacher/Club disciplinary panel should consider and deal with the matter.
10.2.10.4. If a player is sent off in an international tournament or festival, the disciplinary regulations pertaining to that event shall be followed.
10.3.          Referral
10.3.1.       Referees of school/Club youth matches should report, in writing, any sending off within 48 hours to the player’s head teacher /Club secretary.
10.3.2.       If possible, this should be done before the Referee leaves the ground, with the Referee passing his written report to the player’s head teacher/club secretary via his or her teacher/coach.
10.3.3.       The Referee should also send a copy of his report to the CBDYDS (or CSUDS/CBYDS as appropriate).
10.3.4.       If the referee is a member of a Referee Society, a copy should also be sent to his Society Secretary.
10.3.5.       The Head teacher/Club Secretary should receive the Referee’s Report before he or she takes any further action. However, the lack of a Referee’s Report should not prevent a case being heard, nor should it delay the case by more than 72 hours, as delays in proceedings should be kept to an absolute minimum.
10.3.6.        Citings shall be dealt with according to the procedure in Appendix 7 below.
10.4.           Contested hearing
10.4.1.        Whilst the Referee is the sole judge of fact during a game, in disciplinary proceedings his decision may be challenged.
10.4.2.        If a player disputes his sending off, or an allegation in a citing, a hearing must be convened.
10.4.3.        The hearing will be heard by a Panel convened by the head teacher, Club disciplinary panel or Union as appropriate, in consultation with the CBDYDS/CSUDS/CBYDS.
10.4.4.         If the citing took place in representative Rugby then the Panel shall be convened by the CBYDS or the National Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary.
10.4.5.         Such a Panel should consist of three people, at least one of whom shall be independent.
10.4.6.         The player must be heard and can be represented.
10.4.7.         The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the RFU Disciplinary Regulations  set out above, adapted as necessary in the circumstances.
10.4.8.         The panel will decide, on the balance of probabilities, whether they find the case proven or not. They should provide the player with reasons for their finding.
10.4.9.         Their sentencing powers will be the same as those of a head teacher/Club disciplinary panel, had the player pleaded guilty from the onset. The panel has no power to levy a fine but may award reasonable travel costs incurred by witnesses against the player’s school/Club.
10.4.10.       The principles of natural justice, as they apply to RFU Disciplinary matters, should be applied. The player must be advised of his right to appeal any decision to an independent body and that he must do this within 7 days of the hearing.
10.5.             Sanction
10.5.1.          Sanctions imposed on schools and youth players should apply to all rugby matches. If a school pupil is subject to sanctions which result from misconduct in a Club youth match, head teachers are requested to honour and enforce those sanctions, and vice versa.
10.5.2.          Mutual enforcement of sanctions should be encouraged by the CBSYDS (or CSUDS/CBYDS).
10.5.3.          The head teacher or Club disciplinary panel may, following consideration of the Referee’s Report (where one is available), decide that:

a) the sending off was in itself sufficient punishment;
b) a caution should be given, laying down expectations about future good conduct; or
c) the player should be given a period of suspension from all rugby matches.

10.5.4.           Such decision should be based on the sentencing tariff for youth rugby at Appendix 3, or on advice from the CBDYDS (or the CSUDS/CBYDS, as appropriate).  In so doing he must decide on the appropriate entry point for the offence.
10.5.5.           The head teacher or Club disciplinary panel should, in making their decision, take into account:

a) the player’s age;
b) the player’s experience;
c) the player’s disciplinary record;
d) the circumstances of the offence;
e) any mitigation; and
f) the remorse shown.

10.5.6.            In particular, a player’s period of suspension should be for a specified number of matches, and should take into account:

a) the player’s programme, including both school and youth matches; and any representative matches he was likely to be selected for; and
b) that the sanction should not be so severe as to discourage players from continuing to play; and
c) that if a sending off occurs at the end of the term or the season, match bans can extend to any remaining school or club rugby in a player’s programme, including representative trials and matches or sevens tournaments.

10.5.7.           Suspensions from playing extend to representative trials, but do not prevent a player from training or participating in internal matches.
10.5.8.           To give an effective punishment, a non-rugby sanction may need to be imposed on the player. Schools will have their own disciplinary procedure, but in rugby clubs this may include:

a) in extreme situations, banning a player from membership; or
b) in less serious situations, banning a player from the clubhouse and all social activities, in or out of the season.

10.5.9.            If a school or Club imposes what appears to be an unduly lenient sanction, they will be asked to review this and justify it to the CBSYDS (or CSUDS/CBYDS).
10.5.10.          If the CBSYDS remains unconvinced that an appropriate sanction has been imposed, then the matter will be considered further by the National Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary who can by consent re-open the case and request an independent panel sits to sentence, or can refer the case to the RFU Disciplinary Officer to see if paragraph 2.6.4 above applies.
The CBSYDS may review sanctions imposed by Schools or Clubs under 10.5.9 or on his own motion.  If he believes the sanction is unduly lenient he may refer the case to the National Schools and Youth Disciplinary Secretary who may:
 
a.    re-open the case and request the relevant (CBSYDS) CBSY Disciplinary Secretary to consider further action in consultation with the CB Disciplinary Secretary; or
b.    re-open the case and request/instruct an independent panel considers further action; or
c.    refer the case to the RFU Disciplinary Officer for action under paragraph 2.6.4."

10.6.              Reporting of hearing outcome
10.6.1.           The head teacher/Club secretary should inform the CBSYDS (or CSUDS/CBYDS as appropriate) of the decision taken, within 7 days of the incident.
10.6.2.            If the case is adjourned for a contested hearing, the CBSYDS (or CSUDS/CBYDS as appropriate) should be advised of this and notified of the outcome within 48 hours of the conclusion of the hearing.
10.6.3.            Once notified of any sentence in a disciplinary case, the CBSYDS will (or the CSUDS and CBYDS will confer with each other and) notify any Referee Society that may be involved, and others as appropriate to ensure that any suspension that is imposed is enforced.
10.6.4.            A player of a visiting team from abroad who is sent off will be dealt with as above, but in addition the CBSYDS/CSUDS/CBYDS will notify the RFU Disciplinary Manager who will notify the player’s Union.
10.6.5.            Where a player is cited in a Representative match, the Union dealing with this case should advise:

a) the player’s head teacher or Club secretary; and
b) the National Schools and Youth Disciplinary Secretary, or the National Education Manager, or the RFU Disciplinary Secretary of their decision.

10.6.6.             A failure by a school or Club to report the results of disciplinary cases may lead to action being taken against that school or Club by the CBSYDS or NSYDS which could entail their suspension from CB or National competition.
10.7.                Appeals
10.7.1.             The player may appeal against the panel’s decision, by giving notice in writing, setting out the grounds for appeal, served upon and received by the National Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary within 7 days of the decision being announced.
10.7.2.              A schools and youth appeal panel will comprise three people appointed by the National Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary, or the RFU National Education Manager in consultation with the player’s Head teacher or Club Secretary.
10.7.3.              The Referee shall be invited to attend or be available for consultation by telephone.
10.7.4.              The schools and youth appeal panel’s verdict will be binding. If they find the player guilty they may vary the original sentence up or down. They have no power to levy a fine but may award reasonable travel costs incurred by witnesses against the player’s school or club.
10.8.                  Summary for Disciplinary Action. 

AGE OF PLAYER	MATCH IN WHICH SENT OFF	RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH PLAYER	REGULATIONS TO BE APPLIED	RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMING CB SCHOOLS / YOUTH DISCIPLINE SECRETARY
U13-U18	School match	School – Head Teacher	Schools and Youth tariff [See Appendix 3]	School
U13-U18	Club Youth match	Club Disciplinary Panel	Schools and Youth tariff [See Appendix 3]	Club
17, 18, 19	Club U19 match	CB (County) Disciplinary Committee	Adult Tariff [See Appendix 2]	CB Disciplinary Secretary
17, 18, 19	Club Adult match	CB (County) Disciplinary Committee	Adult Tariff [See Appendix 2]	CB Disciplinary Secretary

In all cases of players sent off in a School or Club Youth match, it is strongly recommended that the School or Club should consult with the CB Schools/Youth Discipline Secretary before imposing any penalty.

In addition: 

5.12 ACTIONS PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE GAME	RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH REPORT
Coaches, parents and other adult supporters reported for ill-discipline on the touchline at a School or Club Youth match	CB (County) Disciplinary Committee