Cards

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Cards

At an EDVA meeting on 18/10/07, a discussion was held about how to increase the number of referees prepared to officiate at league matches.

One of the reasons given for new referee’s getting put off officiating wasabuse/backchat from players, undermining their authority, especially from Division 1 players (who should know better). Whilst we know that it is usually a “heat of the moment” comment, even for more experienced referees, it can still distract a referee’s concentration for the following couple of points.

It was agreed that the EDVA wanted to improve the conduct of matches in Division 1 this year and to that end encourage referees to apply the proper discipline sanctions against players out of line, remembering that it is only the captain who is allowed to address any comments to the referee during the match. All club representatives were requested to go back to their teams and advise them of the discussions and remind them to watch their behaviour on court.

Please refer to Chapter 7 of the FIVB Volleyball International Rules. Below is an extract of some of the more pertinent ones we are trying to address:

Sporting Conduct

  • Participants must accept referees’ decisions with sportsmanlike conduct, without disputing them. In case of doubt, clarification may be requested only through the game captain.
  • Participants must refrain from actions or attitudes aimed at influencing the decisions of the referees or covering up faults committed by their team.

Fair Play

  • Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of FAIR PLAY, not only towards the referees, but also towards other officials, the opponents, team-mates and spectators.

Misconduct and its Sanctions

Minor Misconduct

  • Minor misconduct offences are not subject to sanctions. It is the first referee’s duty to prevent the teams from approaching the sanctioning level by issuing a verbal or hand signal warning to a team member or to the team through the game captain. This warning is not a sanction and has no immediate consequences. It should not be recorded on the scoresheet.

Misconduct Leading to Sanctions

  • Incorrect conduct by a team member towards officials, opponents, team-mates or spectators is classified in three categories according to the seriousness of the offence.
  • RUDE CONDUCT: acting contrary to good manners or moral principles, or expressing contempt.
    • First offence by any member is sanctioned by a Penalty, Yellow card, loss of rally and 3 EDVA Penalty Points
    • Second offence by the same person is sanctioned by Expulsion, Red Card, player leaves the playing area for the remainder of the set and 5 EDVA Penalty Points
    • Third offence by the same person is sanctioned by Disqualification, Red+Yellow jointly, player leaves the sports hall for the rest of the match and 6 EDVA Penalty Points
  • OFFENSIVE CONDUCT: defamatory or insulting words or gestures
    • First offence by any member is sanctioned by Expulsion, Red Card, player leaves the playing area for the remainder of the set and 5 EDVA Penalty Points
    • Second offence by the same player is sanctioned by Disqualification, Red+Yellow jointly, player leaves the sports hall for the rest of the match and 6 EDVA Penalty Points
  • AGGRESSION: physical attack or intended aggression.
    • First offence by any member is sanctioned by Disqualification, Red+Yellow jointly, player leaves the sports hall for the rest of the match and 6 EDVA Penalty Points

Misconduct before and between sets

  • Any misconduct occurring before or between sets is sanctioned according to the above rules and sanctions apply in the following sets.

Any sanctions given during the course of the match should be recorded on the scoresheet in the referee’s comments section (bottom right). It only needs to include the name of the player, team they are playing for, the sanction given and what for (e.g. foul language, talking to the ref, ball abuse, dangerous play etc.).

Referee’s of Division 1 matches are advised to remind the Division 1 team captains at the start of the match, that infringements will not be tolerated and for them to warn their players. No more than one warning per match should be issued to each team, thereafter remember to use your cards!! Referees should also where possible help to educate Division 2 teams, initially by the use of warnings, that the above conduct is not acceptable and players can still be carded in Division 2 for continuous or significant breaches of the rules, at the referees discretion.