1. ECB CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET

1.1 Code of Conduct

1.1.1 The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB and may be applied to cricket in general.

1.1.2 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.

1.1.3 Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.

1.1.4 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.

1.1.5 Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.

1.1.6 Players and team officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.

1.1.7 Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.

1.1.8 Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and umpires.

1.2 Spirit of Cricket

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1.2.1 There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of Captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Player’s Conduct

In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, requesting the latter to take action.

1.2.2 Fair and Unfair Play

According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

1.2.3 The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:

• Time wasting
• Damaging the pitch
• Dangerous or unfair bowling
• Tampering with the ball
• Any other action that they consider to be unfair.

1.2.4 The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:

• Your opponents
• Your own captain and team
• The role of the umpires
• The game’s traditional values

1.2.5 It is against the Spirit of the Game:

• To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
• To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
• To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance
a) appeal knowing the batsman is not out
b) advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.

1.2.6 Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

1.2.7 Players

Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

1.3 Failure to comply with the provisions of this Paragraph 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the League.

REGULATIONS FOR CRICKET LEAGUES

2 Aims and Jurisdiction

These regulations shall apply to any player who plays for any club at any level under the auspices of the ECB and are intended to provide assistance and uniformity to all Clubs and Leagues in dealing with any alleged breach of the ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket (Paragraph 1).

It is intended that any breach of Paragraph 1 should in the first instance be dealt with by the player’s club who shall notify the Secretary of the League of the result of any action taken against its player.

3 Procedure

3.1 Any alleged breach of Paragraph 1 above shall be notified in writing (to be known as ‘a Complaint’) to the Secretary of the League.

3.2 Any complaint so initiated must be referred to the Chairman of the League or the Chairman of the League Disciplinary Committee.

3.3 Upon receipt of such complaint, and as soon as reasonably practicable, the Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee shall consider the complaint and resolve either:

3.3.1 To take no action except to record the complaint and notify the club; or
3.3.2 To endorse the disciplinary action taken by the club; or
3.3.3 To refer the matter for a Disciplinary Hearing which shall be convened by the Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee as soon as practicable.

4 Disciplinary Hearing

4.1 In any case which is referred for a Disciplinary Hearing, at least seven days’ notice in writing of the hearing and of the offence(s) alleged shall be given to the player, or in the case of a club, its Secretary.

4.2 The Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee shall convene a hearing as soon as is practicable and in any event within 21 days of the decision to refer. Any adjournments may be granted at the discretion of the Chairman of the Disciplinary Hearing.

4.3 The player and club shall be entitled to attend the hearing, state their case (in the case of a club by its Secretary or other official), to be supported by a colleague and to call witnesses.

4.4 The Hearing shall be conducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the League which shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach.

5 Penalties

5.1 If at the hearing the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate:

5.2 In the case of a player:

5.2.1 To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.

5.2.2. To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.

5.2.3 To impose a fine.

5.2.4 To suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated period of time.

5.2.5 To deduct League points from the player’s team.

5.2.6 To expel the player from the League.

5.3 In the case of a club:

5.3.1 To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.

5.3.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.

5.3.3 To impose a fine.

5.3.4 To deduct League points from the club’s team(s)

5.3.5 To relegate to any lower division of the League.

5.3.6 To expel the club from any competition of the League.

5.3.7 To expel the club from the League.

5.4 The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to suspend the operation of any part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.

5.5 Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee (a finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty) shall be by majority vote; where necessary the Panel Chairman shall have a casting vote.

6 Appeals Procedure

6.1 A player or club shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Committee. Notice of Appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the Secretary of the League within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, together with a deposit of £ (to be set by the League).

6.2 If Notice of Appeal is given the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal, which shall take place as soon as is practicable.

6.3 The Appeal shall be by way of re-hearing before a different Committee. The composition of the Committee shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the League or of the League Disciplinary Committee and shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the Club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach. The player or club shall have the same rights of attendance and representation, and to call witnesses as they had before the Disciplinary Committee.

6.4 The Appeals Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and it shall have the power to increase the penalty and award costs of the Appeal hearing. Decisions of the Appeal Panel shall be by majority vote; where necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

6.5 The decision of the Appeals Committee or, if no appeal, of the Disciplinary Committee, shall be final and binding.

REGULATIONS FOR CLUBS

7 Internal Club Enquiry

7.1 The club of its own volition and without any need for the receipt of a written complaint or other prompting shall, where any alleged case of conduct which is not fair and proper occurs as stated in Paragraph 1 above, or otherwise as the club may think fit, forthwith convene an Internal Club Enquiry.

7.2 The purpose of the Internal Club Enquiry shall be to establish the facts and, where appropriate, to take the necessary disciplinary action so as to ensure that the club does not fail properly to control or discipline its player or players and to ensure that the club acts in a manner designed to protect the good name of the club and of cricket generally.

7.3 Any player requested to attend such an Internal Club Enquiry, or any Appeal therefrom, shall be entitled to be accompanied at the Enquiry by a friend or other representative.

8 Penalties

8.1 If the Internal Club Enquiry finds the misconduct proved, the club shall have the following powers:

8.1.1 To require the player to write letter(s) of apology within a specified time

8.1.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.

8.1.3 To impose a fine.

8.1.4 To suspend the player’s right to be considered for selection by the club to play in one or more matches.

8.1.5 To suspend the player’s membership of the club for a period.

8.1.6 If the conduct constitutes gross misconduct the club shall have the power to terminate the player’s membership forthwith.

8.2 The club for the same offence may, if it is thought fit, impose more than one of the above penalties.

9 Appeals Procedure

9.1 The player shall have the right to appeal to the President of the club or to the President’s nominee for a review of the findings of the Internal Club Enquiry and of the penalty or penalties imposed.

9.2 The decision of the President or his nominee in all cases shall be final and binding.