Rugby Texas SYRO Disciplinary Regulations and Procedures

(World Rugby Regulations 17, 18, 20 and Appendix 3 – Age-Grade Rugby)

Authority and Scope

Rugby Texas utilizes World Rugby Disciplinary Procedures as adopted by USA Rugby, with specific application of Appendix 3 – Age-Grade Disciplinary Framework where applicable.

This document summarizes:

• Regulation 17 (Foul Play)

• Regulation 18 (Misconduct)

• Regulation 20 (Judicial and Disciplinary Powers)

• Appendix 3 (Age-Grade Discipline)

This guide is informational and does not supersede USA Rugby Bylaws or World Rugby Regulations. Questions should be directed to the Rugby Texas Disciplinary Committee (Rugby Texas DC).

Reporting Requirements

Referee Discipline Reports

Referees must submit card reports:

● By Sunday at 5:00 PM for Saturday matches

● Within 48 hours for matches played on other days

Manual Disciplinary Reports

May be used to report:

● Undetected foul play

● Sideline or referee abuse

● Coach, parent, or spectator behavior

● Request a Citing for undetected Foul Play

● Other match-related concerns

Disciplinary Overview

The disciplinary process begins when a player:

• Receives a red card, or

• Receives a second yellow card in the same match

• Receives a third yellow card in the same competition season

Reports are submitted to Rugby Texas DC and assigned to a trained Community Judicial Officer (CJO).

Provisional Suspension

A player who is sent off is suspended from play until a hearing and decision occur. A player may not return to play until formally cleared.

Scheduling a Hearing

The assigned CJO contacts the club to schedule:

• A pre-hearing call

• A disciplinary hearing

Hearings are typically held mid-week. If contact is not made by Tuesday at noon, the club should contact Rugby Texas DC.

Pre-Hearing Call

The pre-hearing call explains:

• The disciplinary process

• Hearing logistics

• Evidence submission expectations

Discussion of the incident itself should occur during the hearing.

Hearing Format Selection

During the pre-hearing call, the player may elect to have the matter determined by:

• A single Community Judicial Officer (CJO), or

• A three-person Judicial Panel

A single CJO hearing provides a prompt and proportionate determination.

A three-person Judicial Panel provides a more formal and deliberative process and is generally used for more serious or complex cases.

A responsible adult must be present when the player is a minor.

Hearing Procedure

Prior to the hearing, parties receive the referee report and any submitted evidence.

Two-Stage Review

1. Red Card Test – Was the red card justified?

2. Sanctioning – If upheld, sanctions are applied in line with World Rugby Regulations and Appendix 3 where applicable.

Written decisions are typically issued within 24 hours.

Team Citations for Undetected Foul Play

Clubs may submit a citing via Manual Disciplinary Report within 48 hours of kickoff with:

• A detailed description

• Unedited match video with a time stamp

Players are not provisionally suspended unless a citing complaint is formally issued.

Misconduct (Regulation 18)

Regulation 18 covers misconduct occurring on or off the playing enclosure, including conduct that is unsporting, abusive, threatening, insulting, or contrary to the values of rugby.

Misconduct does not include foul play already addressed under Regulation 17.

Misconduct may be reported by referees, coaches, players, citing commissioners, spectators, or other interested persons using the Manual Disciplinary Report.

A player subject to a misconduct allegation is not provisionally suspended. Any sanction takes effect only after a hearing and written decision.

Appeals

Appeals must be lodged within 72 hours of written disciplinary decision and must identify valid grounds such as:

• Error in law

• Procedural unfairness

• Disproportionate sanction

Players remain suspended during appeal proceedings.

Purpose

The purpose of Under 19 disciplinary proceedings is to promote player safety, education, and fair competition, while upholding the Laws, values, and spirit of rugby.

Rugby Texas Discipline Sanctions

The following is an updated, summarized view of Rugby Texas discipline sanctions. Personal information is masked to protect the privacy of minors. 

Contact

For more information or questions regarding discipline procedures please contact discipline@rugbytexas.org.