Discipline

MIDWEST DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

TITLE	NAME	E-MAIL
Minnesota	Megan Braun (Chair)	vp.discipline@midwest.rugby
Allegheny	Bill Battistone	william.battistone@gmail.com
CARFU	Marques Plummer	discipline@chicagorugby.org
Indiana	Sam DiFilippo	hoosierprop@gmail.com
Iowa	Erin Detterbeck	edetterbeck@gmail.com
Michigan	Glenn Hasenmyer Jr.	mr.glennhasenmyer@gmail.com
Ohio	David Mullen	dmullen86@gmail.com
Wisconsin	Phil Winkler	disciplinarian@wisconsin.rugby

DISCLAIMER: This guide explains what participants can expect during the Midwest Rugby Union Disciplinary Process. It summarizes applicable World Rugby, USA Rugby, and Midwest Rugby Union procedures, but it does not replace the official bylaws, regulations, or published procedures. Missed timelines or procedural issues generally do not invalidate a decision unless they materially affect the fairness or reliability of the outcome.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A RED CARD

• Do not play again until cleared: You may not participate in another match while awaiting sanctioning, a hearing, or an appeal.
• Watch for communication: You may be contacted by phone or email about the report, hearing options, timing, and next steps.
• Gather information: Save any relevant video, witness names, match details, schedules, or other information that may help explain what happened.
• Respond promptly: Review the report and evidence when provided, ask any procedural questions, and submit your response or supporting materials by the stated deadline.
• Prepare for the hearing: Decide whether you want a one-person hearing or a three-person Disciplinary Committee hearing, and confirm whether you will have a representative.

OVERVIEW OF DISCIPLINE

The disciplinary process usually begins when a player receives a red card or a second yellow card for foul play during a match. These matters are generally handled under World Rugby Regulation 17. Misconduct matters, including unsporting, insulting, unruly, or ill-disciplined conduct on or off the playing enclosure, are generally handled under World Rugby Regulation 18.

A disciplinary matter may be reported by a match official, referee, coach, player, or citing commissioner. Match officials and referees should submit a Discipline Report through the Midwest Rugby Union website within 48 hours after the match.

DISCIPLINARY PROCESS TIMELINE

1. Report is submitted: The match official or referee submits the Discipline Report within 48 hours after the match, typically by Monday for a Saturday match.
2. Report is assigned: The Vice President of Discipline and Compliance receives the report and generally assigns it to the relevant Local Area Union.
3. Accused person is notified: The accused person is contacted by phone or email. If needed, the Judicial Officer or Disciplinary Committee may contact the club for current contact information.
4. Hearing format is selected: The accused person may choose a one-person hearing before a Judicial Officer or eligible Disciplinary Committee member, or a full three-person Disciplinary Committee hearing. Decision-makers must not have a conflict of interest.
5. Hearing is scheduled: Parties receive at least 36 hours’ notice. Hearings are usually held virtually and often take place during the week after the report deadline.
6. Evidence is reviewed: The accused person receives the report and available evidence, such as video or witness statements, and has at least 24 hours to review the materials.
7. Decision is issued: After the hearing, the Judicial Officer or Disciplinary Committee issues a written ruling that explains the decision, any sanction, and appeal rights.

HEARING PROCEDURES

• Before the hearing: Players and clubs should submit any written response, video, witness statements, match schedules, or other evidence in advance whenever possible.
• During the hearing: The decision-maker decides whether the conduct meets the red-card threshold and, if so, what sanction applies. The accused person may review the evidence, respond to the charge, present relevant evidence, and be represented by counsel or another representative. Cross-examination is not permitted.
• Sanction considerations: World Rugby recommended sanctions apply at all levels. Decision-makers may consider the seriousness of the conduct, disciplinary history, mitigation, aggravation, remorse, admission, and other relevant conduct before or during the hearing.
• After the hearing: The written ruling explains whether foul play was found or admitted, the seriousness level, sanction entry point, aggravating or mitigating factors, sanction imposed, and appeal rights.

A player may not participate while awaiting sanctioning, a hearing, or an appeal. The player may return only after a ruling has been issued and the sanction has been served.

APPEALS

An appeal must be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee and must explain the reason for the appeal. Common reasons include mistaken identity, video evidence that conflicts with the written report, or aggravating or mitigating information that was not available during the sanctioning process.

• An Appeal Committee or Appeal Officer may decide whether to hear or deny the appeal.
• If the appeal is heard, it may focus on selected parts of the original decision or proceed as a new hearing.
• Appeal decision-makers must not have been involved in the original ruling and must not have a conflict of interest.
• The appeal outcome may affirm, cancel, change, reduce, or increase the original sanction.
• The appeal decision will be provided in writing and will explain the process, participants, due process considerations, and outcome.

Effective immediately, any appeals require a $100 deposit. Please review this document for details.

AUTHORITY & REFERENCES

When deciding a sanction, decision-makers first assess the seriousness of the foul play and categorize it as lower end, mid-range, or top end. They then consider mitigating and aggravating factors before setting the final sanction.

• Seriousness factors may include: intent, recklessness, the nature of the act, provocation, retaliation, self-defense, effect on the victim or match, vulnerability of the victim, level of participation, premeditation, whether the conduct was completed or attempted, and any other relevant conduct.
• Mitigating factors may include: acknowledgement of foul play, disciplinary record, youth or inexperience, conduct before and during the hearing, remorse, and other relevant off-field factors.
• Aggravating factors may include: a pattern of offending, need for deterrence, poor conduct before or during the hearing, and other relevant off-field factors.

Resources

• World Rugby Regulation 17: Discipline and Four Play
• World Rugby Appendix 1 –Sanctions for Foul Play
• World Rugby Appendix 5 – Summary Disciplinary Process
• World Rugby Regulation 18: Misconduct and Code of Conduct
• World Rugby Regulation 20: Disciplinary and Judicial Matters
• USA Rugby Disciplinary Procedures
• World Rugby Head Contact Process

Questions should be directed to vp.discipline@midwest.rugby

Updated: 08/27/2026