Misconduct Report Writing

"Our Goal is Fair Play"

First of all you must ensure that the introductory section of the "Official Report Form for Referees" is completed in full (you will find copies of send off and incident reports under the "Referees Reports" on the website under "Referees Documents and Reports").

Describing the incident is probably the most difficult part and the following advice is offered for your consideration.

Whenever you send off a player or have an incident, you MUST report the matter, you have NO discretion. (Note: Send Off Reports are required for a second cautionable offence in GDSFA and for all Football NSW games).
Such a report MUST be submitted within 24 hours to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee (GDSFA Judicary or Football NSW).

FAILURE TO SUBMIT REPORTS RENDERS THE REFEREE LIABLE TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
You are the "eyes and ears" of the disciplinary committee and your report must reflect only information related to the incident.
Be accurate in your reporting of the incident - avoid confusing or conflicting statements.
Be brief - you are required to report only the incident leading to the caution or sending off. Information about the state of the playing surface or climate conditions should ONLY be included if you feel they play a part in the incident described.
Be clear - stick rigidly to a description of the incident; it is not for you to pass judgement. The Disciplinary Committee will make a judgement from the information you provide.

In the presentation of your report, try to make sure that what you write is clear, legible, correctly spelt and punctuated. It is often wise, particularly in the early days of your career, to seek approval of what you have written from a more experienced colleague.
What information should you include in the description of the incident ?

You MUST include:

Describing the incident itself - John Smith (Number 9) of Red Rovers deliberately brought down an opponent, from behind, in a dangerous manner without going for the ball. The time of the incident should be reported too together with an approximate location of where the offence took place.

Relating the incident to the OFFENCE, i.e. relating the action by John Smith to the offence of Serious Foul Play in an Unsporting Manner - this is the most difficult area in which to generalise, but you may wish to consider the inclusion of the following words or phrases:

thereby denying to that opponent a clear advantage.

with unfair contact that was very late / very high / very robust / crude / provocative / dangerous / reckless/making no attempt to play the ball/etc.

thereby causing the opponent an injury.

In each case an indication should be given that the Referee deemed the action to be Serious Foul Play and that you showed the player the red card and requested John Smith leave the field of play (if a further incident occurs related to the send off or other activity then exactly what happened should be reported i.e. After showing John Smith the red card he used foul and abusive language as he left the field of play).

NOTE: Don't forget to state how you restarted the game.