Last week we looked at the first part of Law 19 and part 1 of that Law and the Obligation to Report. This week we will look at some of the specific reportable offences and their interpretations. However before we do so please note the next part of Law 19, which should create interesting conversations amongst people:
19.2 REPORTABLE OFFENCES
19.2.1 Degree of Intent — Clarification
Where any of the Reportable Offences identified in Law 19.2.2 specify that conduct may be intentional, reckless or negligent:
(a) any report or notice of report which does not allege whether the conduct was intentional, reckless or negligent shall be deemed to, and be read, as alleging that the conduct was either intentional, reckless or negligent; and
(b) the Tribunal or other body appointed to hear and determine the report may find the report proven if it is reasonably satisfied that the conduct was either intentional, reckless or negligent.
Let’s now move on to some of the specific offences.
19.2.2 Specific Offences
In total there are 16 specific reportable offences labelled (a) to (p) and within part (g) there are a further 11 prescribed specific offences, under the heading Intentionally, Recklessly or Negligently.
On many occasions umpires ‘cop’ a fair amount of abuse and criticism during a game and sometimes players have a tendency to go ‘over the top’. If so they then can be expected to be dealt with accordingly by our umpires. In the first instance, our umpires are instructed to issue a 50 metre penalty (or 15 metre in junior grades). Generally that tends to defuse many situations but occasionally some players will continue to react, so our umpires are instructed to react themselves by issuing another 50 metre penalty and the appropriate send off. However, if the umpire deems the abuse to be too severe, he will automatically issue a red card and send off. Those reportable offences are:
(c) using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language towards or in relation to an Umpire;
(d) behaving in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards or in relation to an Umpire;
(e) disputing a decision of an Umpire;
(f) use of an obscene gesture;
Note offence (e). In many games, we are criticised and abused because players don’t like the decision we have made and so they react by telling us in no uncertain terms. Those players should consider themselves extremely lucky that umpire’s issue a 50 metre penalty (15 metre in lower grades) in those instances and don’t take the matter further by reporting a player. But umpire’s can, and will, report players if they think that the player disputing the decision is behaving in an abusive, threatening or insulting manner.
At all times, commonsense must occur. Our umpires are guided in applying the Spirit of the Laws to the Spirit of the Game. Players, Coaches and Officials should themselves be mindful of the Spirit of the Laws and the way in which the game is played. Everyone will make mistakes in a game – tolerance and respect!
Last Modified on 15/07/2010 18:08