Norfolk Hockey Association Norfolk

Bad Behaviour, and Red Cards

The issuing of a red card is quite a rare event considering the number of games played. If you have shown a red card to a player during the 70 minutes playing time (and including half time) you need to fill out a Red Card Report Form. These do change from time to time as the officer’s details can change. If you wish to report a "Red Card" offence which occurred outside of the match period then there is a slightly different procedure to go through, but it is essentially the same process. These are known as Matchday Misconduct Offences (MMOs). England Hockey have just reviewed and simplified red card/ MMO procedures and the details can be found here on their Ethics & Behaviour pages. Everyone involved in Hockey is bound by this Code of Conduct.

You can download the latest version of the Red Card / MMO report form here. The categories of offence are:-

a)     □ where physical violence is not used, attempted or threatened.  

b)     □ where physical violence is used/ attempted or threatened to a player or any other person

c)     □ where physical violence is used/ attempted or threatened on an umpire or properly appointed tournament or match official.

Read about the Red Card procedure

If you are involved in a red card incident then try to observe the following procedure. Firstly, during an incident watch carefully who does what and what is said by the participants. Do not physically get involved. Try to remember exactly what happened during the incident, regardless if it was you or your colleague who issued the card. Make notes as soon as you can in a quiet place. You must not discuss the incident with the player (or players) concerned , or with the club officials, other than to establish name(s)/shirt number(s) and to inform the club/captain that a red card has been issued or you are reporting them for a MMO. Having collected your belongings it is best to leave the venue ASAP. Contact the county discipline officer as soon as possible after the event or their deputy. They will guide you through what needs to be done. It is then down the relevant Hockey authorities to decide what is to be done next re: punishments/bans. Sadly, umpires are never told of the outcome, but rest assured that the authorities take these incidents seriously and action will be taken.

Aside from incidents arising during a match, others offences may occur which might come under the broader heading of "bringing the game into disrepute". England Hockey have outlined this offence here, EH Disrepute Regulations and you can download the Disrepute Incident report form.

We sometimes get complaints about umpires. Umpires (and match officials) operate under and are bound by the same code of conduct & behaviour as the players.

If you have a complaint about an umpire's behaviour then please contact Rod Larwood, secretary of the NHUA in the first instance; details below.

Guidance notes for Pitch Side Conduct

The Norfolk County Discipline Officer is Julia Hutchinson phone 01603 411924 e-mail jules-hutchinson@tiscali.co.uk Deputy and secretary of NHUA is Rod Larwood phone 01953 717937 e-mail rodlar88@btinternet.com

Red Cards issued to Norfolk Club players this season:-

Gavin Johnstone, Pelicans H.C. 4th October; b - 60 days (2nd December)

Damian Bunting, Gorleston H.C. 8th November; b - 30 days (7th December)

David Grady, Pelicans H.C. January; a - 16 days

updated 3rd March 2009