LDCC Disciplinary Suspension Guidelines to Clubs and Players - 2003
1. ABUSE OF CRICKET EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, GROUND EQUIPMENT OR FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
The knocking of stumps, or the throwing or kicking
of a bat, ball, helmet, boundary flag, rope or any equipment on the field of play.
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of one week.
2. ABUSE OF A PLAYER
Deliberate violent physical contact on a member of
the opposing team.
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of five weeks. The severity of the violence will influence the appropriateness of the
length of sentence to be imposed.
After any warnings due from the Captain, whether
or not initiated by the Umpires, a player found guilty of any form of abusive behaviour
towards one or more members of the opposing team or of making gestures to one or more
members of the opposing team or any act of violence on the field of play.
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of two weeks.
The guilty player’s Captain is liable to be suspended for a MINIMUM period of two weeks if it is found that reasonable steps were not taken to ensure good behaviour from the player.
3. ABUSE OF AN UMPIRE (inclusive of intimidation whether by language or conduct)
Deliberate violent physical
contact or threat of assault:
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of twelve weeks. The severity of the violence will influence the appropriateness of the
length of sentence to be imposed.
Verbal Abuse (inclusive
of using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of
an obscene gesture):
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of three weeks.
Dissent by action or
verbal:
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of one week.
4. RACIAL ABUSE
Any racially abusive comment or action will result
in suspension, ie using language or a gesture that offends, insults, humiliates,
intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of
that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
Suspension:- PERIOD will be decided by the Disciplinary
Committee.
5. ACCUMULATED BAD BEHAVIOUR (as laid down in ECB guidelines)
Repeated infringements (3) of the Spirit of Cricket by an individual, where it is decided that each infringement in itself does not merit any immediate disciplinary action, will result in a Disciplinary Hearing. Repeated infringements by a team are likely to result in the captain being held responsible for the conduct of his team (whether or not individual players are also identified for disciplinary action) and being called before a Disciplinary Hearing. The penalties available include suspension. When issuing the penalty, the Disciplinary Committee may take account of instances of poor team discipline in previous years, particularly where the on-the-field captain is the same and the prior record of any individual charged. Captains should ensure they understand their responsibility for the "on-the-field" behaviour of themselves and their team members.Umpires will report the items listed in the Appendix to these guidelines.
If suspension is the penalty, this will normally
take place immediately.
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of two weeks. (The ECB guideline for such an instance is four weeks which will be noted
by the Disciplinary Committee in making a decision, having taken account of any
suspensions imposed (and served) or suspended suspensions currently in force which have
been previously imposed by a player’s club.)
NOTE:- Following two incidents being dealt with by a club, a third incident regarding a player at that club will automatically cause a Disciplinary Hearing to be called.
6. MANDATORY REPORTING UNDER THE LAWS
The umpires after consultation are instructed to
report transgressions under the following headings:
Law 18.5 – Deliberate short runs
Law 24.2(c) – Fair delivery – the arm
Law 42.3 – Changing the condition of the match ball
Law 42.4 – Deliberate attempt to distract the striker
Law 42.5 – Deliberate distraction or obstruction of batsman
Law 42.6, 7 and 8 – Dangerous and unfair bowling
Law 42.9 – Time wasting by the fielding side
Law 42.10 – Batsman wasting time
Law 42.11, 12, 13 and 14 – Bowler, fielder or batsman damaging the pitch
Law 42.16 – Batsmen stealing a run
Law 42.18 – Players’ conduct
Player failing to comply with the above Laws
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of one week.
APPENDIX
1. Excessive appealing.
2. Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other member of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman.
3. Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play.
4. Charging or advancing towards the umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.
5. Deliberate and malicious distraction or obstruction on the field of play.
6. Throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner.
7. Using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, team official or spectator.
N.B. It is acknowledged that there will be verbal exchanges between players in the course of play. Rather than seeking to eliminate these exchanges entirely, umpires will look to lay charges when this falls below an accepted standard. In this instance, language will be interpreted to include gestures.
8. Threat of assault on another player, umpire, team official or spectator.
9. Separate incidents in the course of a match will mean umpires will lay separate charges. If the Disciplinary Committee find the person charged to be guilty of more than one offence, they will impose separate penalties in respect of each offence. Penalties are cumulative and not concurrent.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
1. Clubs are expected to convene an internal club enquiry within five days following the day of the match where an incident(s) took place.
2. Suspensions will be imposed in weeks (seven days), commencing midnight Friday to midnight Friday.
3. All matches within the auspices of the ECB or L&DCC (including the 'Liverpool Echo Knockout') during such period will apply.
4. Clubs and/or Disciplinary Committee will take into account the past history of a player’s behaviour in deciding appropriate suspension, etc.
5. Suspensions imposed for a period which extends beyond the end of the season will continue into the following season with specific dates defined as in 2 above.
6. The Disciplinary Committee will call on umpires, players, independent witnesses and any other person(s) whom they may consider to be of assistance in their enquiries. The MCUA is to encourage its members to include details of independent witnesses within their report wherever possible.
APPROPRIATENESS OF PENALTIES
1. In all cases and for all offences, an admission of guilt will almost certainly result in a lesser sentence being imposed than if the matter is contested – credit being given for the admission.
2. Suspensions of four weeks duration will be reported by the Competition to the Lancashire Cricket Board for national circularisation. Such suspensions will normally apply to all cricket played under the auspices of the ECB.
(AGM - Tuesday 4th February 2003)