New disciplinary rules for 2004/05
The FA has today unveiled details of the new disciplinary code of conduct for the coming season. It will apply initially only for 2004/05 as a 'pilot' and can be modified further after that, if necessary. The FA says it hopes the changes will improve speed and clarity of decisions whilst maintaining fairness.
The major changes are as follows:
- Automatic suspensions for indicents seen and dealt with by the ref: suspensions will now come into effect immediately, unless a claim for wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity is lodged.
Clubs must notify The FA by 12 noon the next working day of their intention to submit a claim for wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity. The claim itself (along with relevant documentation/videos/fee, etc.) must be lodged by 12 noon the following working day.
All claims will be dealt with within four to five working days of a fixture. No Video Advisory Panel: claims go straight to Commissions. Players are permitted to play while their claims are being considered.
- Incidents not seen by match officials but captured on video (sending-off offences only, not yellow-card offences): will be dealt with as if the ref HAD seen it, punishment in the form of match bans not fines. Charges will be issued within two working days. Should the player deny the charge, the case will be heard within a week. If upheld, ban to commence immediately after the hearing. Appeals only permitted if ban exceeds three matches and appeal can only apply to the part of the ban that over and above three matches. Appeals may be lodged against both the decision and the ban.
- Incidents outside the ref's jurisdiction (eg failure to leave the field after a sending-off, incidents after final whistle, etc): FA to issue charge within 2 working days, personal hearing scheduled for next available date.
- Bans following an accumulation of yellow cards: These bans (eg after 5 / 10 / 15 yellows, etc) will now come into effect after only 7 days after the last card, not 14 days as previously.
The new disciplinary code applies to the Premiership, Football League, Conference, FA Cup, FA Trophy, League Cup and LDV Vans Trophy.
