Initial Draft reads:
VERBAL DISCIPLINE
Dear All,
Following recent events, all of the members of the Cayman Islands Rugby Union Referees Society have discussed the issue of verbal discipline by players of the Cayman Rugby Football Union.
It has been noted that there has been a marked change for the worse in the behaviour or a number of players who appear to have brought a football-style approach to their dealings with the referee. Whilst not universal, there appears to be an increasingly common trend to appeal, comment and advise (these terms are used loosely) during open play and, upon the giving of a penalty or free-kick decision, an expectation that the referee should justify his decision in order to mollify an apparently outraged offending team.
Players (and coaches) in the Cayman Islands might choose to consider that the standard of refereeing in Cayman is exceptionally high compared with any other Caribbean country, with a majority of local referees having been involved in international fixtures. Just as the players in the Cayman Islands make a greater number of errors than elite international players, it is to be expected that referees will, despite their best efforts, make a greater number of errors than World Rugby's elite panel.
There is no doubt that the regularity with which the same players see the same referee in Cayman creates a difficult dynamic, but there is a strong feeling among the referees that there has been an unreasonable depreciation in the level of respect shown to referees who are, after all, volunteers doing their best and with zero vested interests.
Accordingly, all members of the Cayman Islands Rugby Union Referees Society have agreed to adopt the following zero-tolerance policies for all remaining matches of the AA Cup. Whether the policies can be subsequently relaxed to a more "normal" standard will likely depend on the impact that such policies have on the current unfortunate trends.
- The first incidence by each team of advice, dissent, expression of disapproval or backchat, however instinctive, minor or apparently trivial, will be met with either a free kick or a penalty depending on severity (or advantage played for a free kick/penalty, with a word to the captain and relevant player afterwards if advantage is gained, making clear that this is the "first strike").
NOTE: If the incident occurs after the giving of a penalty / free kick, the penalty / free kick will be advanced 10 metres and this will count as the "first strike".
- The second such incidence will result in a full penalty regardless of the severity (or advantage played for a penalty, with a word to the captain and relevant player afterwards if advantage is gained, making clear that this is the "second strike").
NOTE: If the incident occurs after the giving of a penalty / free kick, the penalty / free kick will be advanced 10 metres and converted into a full penalty, where applicable, and this will count as the "second strike".
- Thereafter, each incident (again, however instinctive, minor or apparently trivial) will result in a full penalty (or advantage, as above) and a yellow card.
NOTE: Even where advantage is gained, a yellow card will be issued.
NOTE: If the incident occurs after the giving of a penalty / free kick, the penalty / free kick will be advanced 10 metres and converted into a full penalty, where applicable, and a yellow card will also be issued.
Teams should also expect any penalty or free kick which they may have received to be reversed if, prior to, at the time of or following the relevant offence, they either appeal, complain or advise the referee.
The referees do regret that this is likely to result in an increased number of free kicks, penalties and yellow cards whilst players adjust to these policies and such an approach is not adopted lightly, but the society is already short on numbers and cannot risk losing members through disaffection with the behaviour of players.
It should also be noted that we have a number of "specialist" assistant referees who give up their time to patrol the touch lines. Abuse,
however instinctive, minor or apparently trivial, of assistant referees is also not acceptable and, where fed back to the referee, will result in the same sanctions.
Finally, we would also ask that management teams take care regarding their behaviour. We fully understand that management teams are passionate in their support of their team, will be frustrated by some decisions and do not interact directly with the referee. Thus, whilst the same strict standards will not (and cannot reasonably) be applied, we would ask management teams to consider carefully their approach in light of the foregoing.
Finally, we set out a non-exhaustive list of some examples of "advice" that might be considered too trivial to be captured by these policies but which we wish to make clear ARE caught and are not acceptable, at least for the duration of this zero-tolerance period:
"Knock on sir!"
"Offside!"
"Hands on!"
"Oh sir!"
"Holding!"
"He's got to release!"
"Not straight!"
"He's got to roll away!"
"Forward!"
"High tackle sir!"
CAYMAN RUGBY UNION REFEREES SOCIETY
