Rugby Clubs are responsible for the behaviour of their players, coaches and supporters towards Match Officials and are expected to take steps to protect Officials from any form of Abuse. Abuse of Match Officials is defined as;

"Individual perception of personal degradation be it mental or physical, before, during and after the game including (but not limited to)

- verbal or physical assault

- intimidatory conduct

- racial or sexual harassment"

The RFU Code of Conduct Regulation states that a person

- "shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other Match Official, whether on or off the field of play (20.1.10) and

- Shall not use crude or abusive language or gesture towards referees, touch judges or other Match Officials or spectators (20.1.11)"

Failure to comply can result in the player (if during the match) or the club (if coaches, players off the field or supporters) being referred to the Rugby clubs' Committee for possible disciplinary action.

Clubs should make all players, coaches and regular supporters of clubs aware of the provisions of this Code and may wish to remind them that abusive behaviour can be harmful to the reputation of the Rugby club.

We are expected to adhere to the Code. In so doing, Rugby clubs will commit themselves to take all reasonable steps to ensure that Match Officials are protected from abuse. These steps should include

- preventing spectators from being in close proximity to touch lines by means of temporary barriers, if appropriate

- ensuring that replacements, coaches and medics comply with game regulations in respect of technical areas

- having a designated member of staff who will take responsibility to deal with any inappropriate behaviour which has been reported or witnessed.

Encroachment by spectators onto the playing area during the game cannot be permitted. In such an eventuality, the game will be stopped by the referee and will not resume until he is satisfied that the game can continue without interruption . Rugby Clubs' Committee and the RFU Branch would view any such encroachment very seriously and would require clubs to take a similar view within their policies and procedures.

Thanks
WHRUFC COMMITTEE