Misconduct by Players & Officials Against Match Official
This new rule below has been inserted into the FAI Rule Book and comes into force on the
12th of February: RULE 5
MISCONDUCT BY PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS AGAINST MATCH OFFICIALS
1. Where a Player receives a red card and/or is subsequently reported for misconduct against a Match Official, the overall suspension imposed, including the automatic one match suspension, shall be for:
a) at least three (3) matches for use of foul, insulting or abusive language that is used directly to- wards a Match Official in an offensive, intimidating or threatening manner;
b) at least twelve (12) matches for deliberately placing a hand on, brushing against or obstructing a Match Official. During this suspension, the Player shall be ineligible to play for any other club team or in any other competition;
c) at least twelve (12) months from all football related activity for assaulting (deliberately pushing, pulling, spitting at, striking, elbowing, punching, kicking etc.) a Match Official; at least a thirty-six (36) months suspension from all football related activity for assaulting i.e. deliberately striking a Match Official that involves head butting, repeated punching/kicking and/or assaults involving more than one player and/or official from the same team.
2. The overall suspension imposed on any Official for misconduct against a Match Official shall be for:
a) at least three (3) matches for use of foul, insulting or abusive language that is used directly to- wards a Match Official in an offensive, intimidating or threatening manner;
b) at least twelve (12) matches for deliberately placing a hand on, brushing against or obstructing a Match Official. During this suspension, the Player shall be ineligible to play for any other club team or in any other competition;
c) at least twelve (12) months from all football related activity for assaulting (deliberately pushing, pulling, spitting at, striking, elbowing, punching, kicking etc.) a Match Official; at least a thirty-six (36) months suspension from all football related activity for assaulting i.e. deliberately striking a Match Section 9 – Misconduct by Players & Officials Against Match Official Official that involves head butting, repeated punching/kicking and/or assaults involving more than one player and/or official from the same team.
3. Where a Player or Official persists in using foul and abusive language, having been sent from the field of play, a further sanction shall be applied.
4. Where a sanction is imposed under Part D, Section 2 Rule 5.1c. or d. or 5.2.c or d, the FAI Discipli- nary Committee may impose any other sanction available under these rules.
5. A Player or Official whom the Match Official has reported as having committed an assault on a Match Official before, during or immediately after a match shall automatically stand suspended until the disciplinary process has been completed.
6. Where a Player or Official has been reported as having committed an assault on a Match Official, the League shall immediately refer the matter to the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit and the matter will be decided by the FAI Disciplinary Committee in the first instance. The decision of the FAI Discipli- nary Committee shall be notified to all relevant bodies.
7. Where a Player or Official makes disparaging remarks or comments about a Match Official on their personal social media platform visible to the public that Player or Official shall be dealt with in ac- cordance with Part D, Section 2 Rule 19.
