Overview
When a player receives a red card in a match or a citing, the referee or citing commission should submit their report within 48 hours following the match. The report or citing should be sent to discipline@nerfu.rugby.
Any player who receives a red card or citing is entitled to have a hearing (which are conducted by Zoom/Google Meets, or similar technology). Hearings for red cards or citing shall be conducted in the week following the match in which the red card was given, unless the player agrees to a delay.
A player who receives a red card or is issued a citing (other than a team citing) is suspended from any further play until a hearing can be held, and a ruling is submitted.
Disciplinary hearings will be held starting at 6:00 PM (eastern) every Tuesday or Wednesday. Hearings will be held by a single Judicial Officer (JO) or a panel of up to three (3) members (Panel). The JO or Panel will make reasonable efforts to ensure that a hearing takes place the same week as the red card report or citing is received, but a same-week hearing is not guaranteed.
At any hearing, the offending player is expected to attend and may bring a representative (coach, captain, attorney) if desired, and may present any evidence they desire to submit (including video, photos, witness testimony). The relevance or admissibility of any evidence provided shall be determined by the JO or Panel pursuant to World Rugby Regulations.
Prior to the hearing, the player will be provided with a copy of the referee report and any other evidence that is being reviewed (if there is video, additional statements). The player may provide any evidence they may wish to submit (including other video of the incident) preferably prior to the hearing.
It is suggested that when preparing for the hearing, players and clubs review and consider the standard sanctions set forth in World Rugby Regulation 17 Appendix 1, so you may understand potential sanctions for the red card/citing. Regulation 17 can be found at this link. Regulation 17 also contains the provisions and information on mitigating and aggravating factors that are considered by the JO/Panel.
The hearing is composed of 2 parts. The first is for the JO/Panel to determine if this was a red card offense. If the incident does not meet the red card test (for example the referee failed to apply an on field mitigation which would reduce the card to a yellow), then the case is dismissed and the player is free to resume play. If it is deemed to have met the red card test, the second step is to determine the appropriate sanction. As part of the sanctioning process, players should be ready to discuss their disciplinary history (if any) and teams should be ready to provide their upcoming schedule.
