Disciplinary Procedures

If misconduct does occur, the procedure is as follows:-

The Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. has disciplinary responsibility in:
(a) All Inter-Association matches involving Local Associations affiliated to the Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. except where a higher body (E.S.F.A.) has responsibility.

(b) Inter-Association matches in County competitions.

(c) Inter-school matches in County Cups.

(d) Inter-school matches where the two schools are members of different Associations.
In the case of disciplinary action being taken in a County representative game, the Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. shall deal with the matter unless a higher body (e.g. the E.S.F.A.) has a disciplinary responsibility.
In the event of an incident in a match organised by the Association requiring discipline (i.e. an official caution or sending off), the referee MUST send a written report to the Secretary within 3 days of the match.
A copy of the Referee’s report will be sent to the Head Teacher of the school which the pupil attends and to the Local Association Secretary concerned.
Where a player has been sent from the field of play, the Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. Secretary (or a member of the Committee deputed by him) will forward to the player through their School/ College/Association a copy of the referee’s report and a copy of the disciplinary charge sheet.
Sanctions for disciplinary offences:

(a) For a first or second caution in a season, the Association recommends that a player is interviewed by the Headteacher or a designated member of staff of the school they attend.

(b) For a subsequent caution in the same season, a one match suspension will be administered.
*There is no appeal against cautions except in the case of mistaken identity.*

(c) If a player is sent from the field of play, a post dated period of suspension may be imposed as follows:

1 match suspension:

Denying a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by foul play or by deliberately handling the ball.

2 match suspension:

(i) Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.

(ii) Serious foul play.

3 match suspension:

(iii) Violent conduct.

(iv) Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures directed at Match Officials.

The following offences will carry a minimum of a 3 match suspension

(v) Spitting or other unseemly behaviour directed at an opponent or any other person.

(vi) Head to Head butting or attempted Head to Head butting or butting other parts of the body.

(vii) Refusing to give a name to the referee when ordered to do so or the giving of a false name.

(viii) Refusing to leave the field of play when ordered to do so and/or causing the match to be abandoned.

(ix) Threatening Match Officials.

(d) Procedure for Sending Off Offences

The referee’s report shall form the basis of a charge of misconduct against the player. The player may, within fourteen days of receiving the charge, take one of the following courses of action:

(i) Accept the charge and the standard recommended punishment.

(ii) Accept the charge but not the standard recommended punishment. In this case, the player shall submit a written plea in mitigation.

(iii) Reject the charge and request a personal hearing.
In the event of a request for a personal hearing, a Disciplinary Commission shall be formed of no less than 3 and no more than 5 members of the Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. Committee.
Should an appeal be made against the findings of a Commission, then the procedure shall follow the guidelines of the English Schools’ F.A. (see E.S.F.A. Handbook).

The Association also has a reciprocal disciplinary arrangement with the Nottinghamshire Football Association.

If a player is suspended for an offence committed in a match under the jurisdiction of the Nottinghamshire F.A. (e.g. In Youth or Adult Saturday or Sunday football), the Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. and its member Associations will support their disciplinary action as follows:

A player suspended by the Notts. F.A. for 7 or 14 days ... 1 match ban in schools’ football
A player suspended by the Notts. F.A. for 21 days ... 2 match ban in schools’ football
A player suspended by the Notts. F.A. for 35 days ... 3 match ban in schools’ football
A player suspended by the Notts. F.A. for over 35 days ... Such a case would be judged on its merits by the Nottinghamshire Schools’ F.A. Disciplinary Committee.

Suspensions in schools’ football should be in order of seniority, i.e. County representative match, Association representative match, inter-school match:

A three-match suspension for a County representative player would be served as one match each at County, Local Association and School level.
A two-match suspension for a County representative player would be served as one match each at County and Local Association level.
A one match suspension for a County representative player would be served at County level.
A three-match suspension for a Local Association representative player would be served as one match at Local Association level and two at School level.
Players not playing at representative level would serve any suspension at school level.
A two match suspension for a Local Association representative player would be served as one match each at Local Association and School level.
Players not playing representative football would serve any suspension at school level.

Match bans will only be served during the same period as the Nottinghamshire F.A. suspension. Where no schools’ football is played during the period of the suspension, no match ban would be served.

PLAYERS GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT IN SCHOOLS’ MATCHES WILL BE SIMILARLY SANCTIONED BY THE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

The Schools’ representative to the Nottinghamshire Football Association, who attends all disciplinary hearings relating to players of school age, will inform schools and colleges (by letters to the Head Teacher and the Head of P.E.) of a Nottinghamshire F.A. suspension and how this affects their schools’ football.