CODE OF CONDUCT

1. As a result of the League’s concern about falling standards in general of discipline, the Management Committee has decided to raise the profile of disciplinary standards by issuing a Code of Conduct which it expects all Clubs and players to follow. Clubs are to ensure that the Code and the League disciplinary procedures are brought to the attention of all players and copies displayed prominently in dressing rooms.

2. All Clubs and players must uphold the properly constituted Rules of the Lees Brewery Lancashire County League.

3. Clubs and players should ensure that matches are played within the spirit, as well as the rules of the game. Captains have a particular responsibility for the conduct of players, both on and off the field, from the time of arriving to that of leaving the ground after the game.

Clubs and Captains as well as the players concerned may be liable to Disciplinary action for breaches of discipline committed by team members.

4. Clubs and their officials must take positive steps to lay down the standards of behaviour expected of their playing members; be prepared to notify the League of such steps; and take disciplinary action within the Club where appropriate, notwithstanding any disciplinary matters which may be reported through the League disciplinary procedure.

5. THE OFFENCES LISTED BELOW WARRANT DISCIPLINARY ACTION although the list should not be considered as exhaustive. The League recognises that cricket is a competitive and sometimes intense game, and that under some headings, the degree of indiscipline will determine whether or not disciplinary action is initiated by those responsible.

L.C.L. Disciplinary Suspension Guidelines to Clubs and Players-2006

1. ABUSE OF CRICKET EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, GROUND EQUIPMENT OR FIXTURES AND FITINGS

The knocking of stumps, or the throwing or kicking of a bat, ball, helmet, boundary flag, rope or any equipment on or off the field of play
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of one game.

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 physical contact on the field of play, e.g. pushing.
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of two games.

The guilty player’s Captain is liable to be suspended for a MINIMUM period of two games 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 or written abuse (inclusive of using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an abusive gesture):
Suspension:- MINIMUM period of three games.

Dissent by action or verbal:
Suspension: - MINIMUM period of two games.

4. RACIAL ABUSE

Any racially abusive comment or action will result in suspension, i.e. 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 when 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 games. The ECB guidelines for such an instance is four weeks which will be noted by the Disciplinary Committee in making a decision, having taken account of any suspension 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. DRESS

Failing to appear in appropriate and conventional dress i.e. white or cream trousers, shirts (with collar) and sweaters, white/grey socks, cricket boots or shoes and caps or soft white/cream hats. No baseball caps or similar.

7. DISREPUTE

Making public of Press comments relating to matters which are subject to Disciplinary action or which might otherwise bring the League into disrepute.
Suspension:- PERIOD will be decided by the Disciplinary Committee.

8. 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 game.

The guilty player’s captain is liable to be suspended for a period of a MINIMUM of one game if it is found that reasonable steps were not taken to ensure compliance by the player.

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 an umpire or player in an aggressive manner when appealing.

5. Deliberate and malicious distractions 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 finds the person charged to be guilty of more than one offence, it 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. An umpire requested to attend a disciplinary hearing will receive expenses of 25p per mile. Following a Disciplinary Committee hearing should the offending player or team be found to be in breach of these Rules, he/they will be required to pay the costs of the Disciplinary hearing. In the event of more than one player/team being in breach of these Rules, the cost will be equally shared.

2. Suspensions will be imposed in weeks (seven days) for suspensions of four weeks or more, commencing midnight Friday to midnight Friday. Suspensions for less than four weeks will be in games.

3. All matches within the auspices of the ECB, LCB or LCL 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 suspensions 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 in 2 above.

6. The Disciplinary Committee will call on umpires, players, independent witnesses and any other person(s) whom it may consider to be of assistance in their enquiries. The LCL Umpire’s Association is to encourage its members to include details of independent witnesses within their report wherever possible.

7. Dependent on the severity of the incident, the Disciplinary Committee may decide to impose a monetary sanction on the player or captain in addition to any suspension handed out.

8. Points penalties may be appropriately deducted in the case of a club where a significant number of the members of a team have contributed to the breach of discipline.

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. Suspension of four weeks duration or more will be reported by the League to the Lancashire Cricket Board for national circularisation. Such suspensions will normally apply to all cricket played under the auspices of the ECB.

APPEALS PROCEDURE

1. Notice of appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, whether as to verdict or sentence, to be given in writing to the Secretary of the League within 7 days of the decision of the Committee (together with a deposit of £30). The notice of appeal should record the decision against which the appeal is made and the grounds and basis of the appeal.

2. Any penalty imposed by the Disciplinary Committee will not take effect until the appeal has been heard.

3. The Appeal Committee must have no connection with the individual or the club or their opponents, or a club which might directly benefit from any disciplinary action (e.g. by the deduction of points).

4. An appeal against the verdict will take the form of a complete re-hearing. The accused person or club shall have the same rights of attendance and representation and the ability to call witnesses as they did at the first hearing.

5. At an appeal against the sentence, the accused person or club shall have the same rights of attendance and representation as they did at the first hearing.

6. Decisions of the Appeal Committee shall be by majority vote with the Chairman having a casting vote where necessary. The decision of the Appeal Committee is final and binding.

7. The decision of the Appeal Committee and if appropriate the penalty will be communicated to the accused person/club in writing within 21 days.

8. Following an appeal, if any new evidence comes to light within 14 days of the result of the appeal, the club/player is entitled to request the Management Committee to review the case, again accompanied by a deposit of £30.

NOTES:

A. The prime reason for the League’s decision to publish the above Code is to help Clubs, Officials, Players and Umpires AVOID conduct which will or might lead to Disciplinary action being taken and the setting up of time-consuming disciplinary meetings.

B. The League considers that Captains and also Club Officials should assume a greater responsibility than hitherto for discipline within the team. Captains shall be the main channel of communication between players and Umpires – and should be used by both – when issues of discipline arise whilst the game is in progress.

C. Clubs are encouraged to augment the League’s Code by issuing their own instructions to players aimed at improving general standards of discipline and behaviour, and thus the image of the League. These might cover adhering to agreed meeting times, prompt attendance at matches, ensuring that all essential pre-match tasks are undertaken, and any other requirements the Club may wish to lay down.

D. Standard Forms are given to clubs prior to the start of the season for completion by Umpires and others who may wish to initiate a complaint about indiscipline. Clubs are also reminded of their responsibilities in the detailed completion of Umpire’s Report forms when the Club itself wishes to comment on an Umpire’s performance.