Disciplinary Procedure

WESTMORLAND CRICKET LEAGUE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
For Clubs and Players
Updated following AGM in December 2022

CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET
3. REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
4. DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS
5. APPEALS
6. PENALTIES
7. LAW 42

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Westmorland Cricket league (WCL) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. The WCL, operating within the jurisdiction of the ECB, takes this commitment very seriously.
1.2 The expression ‘player’ in this document shall be deemed to include all players, any member or official of any member club or any other person involved in any incident of alleged misconduct within the curtilage of the club premises.
1.3 The code places the emphasis on clubs and team captains who have the prime responsibility to deal with their own misconduct once an incident has been reported in a fair and speedy manner.
1.4 It is considered a disciplinary offence for a club to act in a manner which could prejudice the standing or interests of the WCL or to fail to act promptly to control and/or discipline a player.
1.5 CWOs may report any incident that relates to a child welfare issue independently of any other party reporting, and should follow the guidance given in the ECB Safeguarding Policy. All such incidents must first be referred to the County Child Safeguarding Team (details in the handbook) for guidance on the incident under consideration. If the incident is then deemed to be such that it can be determined by the WCL Disciplinary Sub-committee, the CWO may subsequently refer the incident to them and it will then be dealt with under the WCL Disciplinary Procedure as appropriate.

2. CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET
2.1 Preamble
The following preamble is taken from the introduction to the Laws of Cricket; it informs clubs of the way in which the WCL will approach all aspects relating to disciplinary matters.
2.2 Code of Conduct
2.2.1 The ECB and the WCL are committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct both on and off the field. All clubs and players, by virtue of their registration with WCL, explicitly agree to abide by this Code of Conduct, which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, and are bound by the provisions in these Regulations.
2.2.2 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.
2.2.3 Players and club 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.
2.2.4 Players and club officials shall not intimidate assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player, a club official or a spectator.
2.2.5 Players and club officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as ‘sledging’) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
2.2.6 Players and club 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.
2.2.7 Players and club officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.
2.2.8 Players and club officials shall not make any public or media comment which is detrimental to the WCL, clubs, umpires or the game in general. In this instance, media shall include press, radio, television, external websites, club websites, social networking sites and club match programmes.
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.
2.3.1 There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.
2.3.1.1 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.
2.3.1.2 Players’ 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.
2.3.2 Setting the Tone
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.
2.3.3 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.
2.3.4 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
2.3.5 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
2.3.6 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
Appeal knowing the batsman is not out
Advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
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.
2.3.7 Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

At the 2022 AGM, the WCL adopted the ECB's General Conduct Regulations in full, including the Summary Procedure. The League Management Committee appointed Tim Mansfield to act as the Disciplinary Officer, and a small number of individuals have agreed to act as Adjudicator, Disciplinary Panel Chair and Disciplinary Panel members as required.

The General Conduct Regulations are available on the ECB website or in the Information for Clubs section of this website https://westmorlandcricketleague.pitchero.com/downloads/for-clubs

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