Club Colts v HKDC Hearts – 28 January 2007: Incident involving Club Colts Player

The Disciplinary Sub-committee (DSC) of the Yau Yee League reviewed a report from the match official and the teams on an incident involving a Club Colts player immediately following the above match.

The DSC concluded based on the reports that the Club Colts player had directed foul and abusive language at the referee after the end of the match. Such an action constitutes oral abuse of officials under League Rule 43. Disciplinary Guideline 7 sets out penalties for intimidation of match officials, including oral abuse, and in line with this guideline, the DSC imposed the minimum two-match ban on the Club Colts player.

In accordance with the Rules, Club Colts appealed this decision, and asked the DSC to review its rationale for banning the player for two matches, arguing that the player’s actions amounted only to dissent, and should therefore be punishable by only a one-match ban.

Having reviewed the grounds for appeal, the DSC upheld its decision, with members taking the view that approaching the referee after the match and abusing him using foul language amounted to intimidation, albeit not of the most serious type, hence the imposition of the minimum ban. Members also noted the precedent case involving Swiss XI, reported earlier this season.

Teams are reminded that abuse of League officials is seen as a very serious offence. Lengthy suspensions have been handed down for cases of intimidation in the past. If teams wish to report on the conduct of a referee, they may file an appropriate report under Rule 48 within 48 hours of the match in question. – Hon. Secretary Wilson Hon