Standard Charges
(Sending Off Offences, Red Card Offences)
Sending Off offences are issued to players, substitutes or a substituted player. There are
seven sending-off offences.
A standard charge is indicated with the letter S after the case ID number. These offences carry a
standard punishment for the offence committed which is implemented nationally. Below are the
recommended punishments for standard charges as outlined by The F.A.
ALL Standard Charges for Match Based Discipline ONLY will take place regardless of paperwork being
received 21 DAYS after the sending off.
“Player sent off on Saturday 1st October – Player starts suspension Saturday 22nd October”
A suspension for a sending off offence only applies to the type of football the player was dismissed
for.
“a player who has been given a standard charge for violent conduct in a Sunday League Competition
can play Saturday League Football during this period”
Football Suspension Types – defined as
Saturday football
Sunday football
Midweek football
Youth football
Schools football
Veteran’s football
Representative football
Different Rules apply to the above example for a participant who receives a Misconduct charge
Suspension
Match Based
Discipline
(matches)
Serious foul play
Violent Conduct
Attempting to kick or strike another player
Kicking or striking another player
Violent head to head butting
Attempting to head butt
Head to head contact
3
3
3
3
3
3
Spitting or similar unseemly behaviour directed at an opponent or any other person (not at a match official)
6
Denying a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by physical means or by deliberately handling the ball
1
Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures
2
Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language or gestures directed at match officials
2
Receiving a second caution in the same match
1
Important Information
These cases must be returned within 7 days of the date on the letter
These cases do not require a player’s signature; a player should be informed of his
suspension and payment responsibilities if applicable.
There is no opportunity to contest a standard charge, unless a claim of mistaken identity or
wrongful dismissal has been requested.
Suspensions will always commence 21 days after the offence regardless of paperwork being
received.
Qualifying matches to serve a suspension are dictated by the teams next scheduled fixtures,
there is no opportunity to be selective in this process.
Qualifying matches are competitive fixtures for the team (not club) that the player received
the sending off for.
Matches that are not completed in full will not qualify (changes to a players suspension
should be formally notified to the County FA on the D56 form)
If you do not receive correspondence relating to a fixture you must contact the Lancashire F.A.
within 7-10 days from the date of the offence.
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FAQ’s
The match was abandoned will my caution or sending off now be rescinded?
No, the match abandonment will be dealt with separately where in consultation with the
Referee and League the County F.A will establish the reasons for the match being
abandoned and deal with that appropriately. No matter what the outcome any cautions,
standard or misconduct charges that is sent to the club must be responded to in the manner
requested.
This also applies to player who has moved to another club and in circumstances where the
club/team resign from the League or Competition whether the offending or opposition
club/team.
Can I appeal a Standard Charge?
Match Based Discipline – There are only two grounds that you can Appeal a Standard
Charge, they are:
For a claim of Mistaken Identity
For a Claim of Wrongful Dismissal
In all cases the appeal fee, which must be submitted with details of your appeal is £50, for
Clubs outside the National League system the fee is £30.
Time limits for a Claim are strict, claims received late will not be considered
(If Bank Holidays fall within the period, the appropriate number of extra days will be made
available)
Wrongful Dismissal
(You must provide DVD/Video footage that the Match Official made a serious and obvious
error in dismissing the Player from the field of play)
A dismissal from the field of play for S6 (using offensive language and/or insulting and/or
abusive language and/or gestures) or S7 (receiving a second caution in the same match) is
not within the criteria for a claim.
A Club must, within one working day of the match, notify the County Association of their
intention to lodge a claim. They must submit to the County Association a DVD/video
recording, which shows the full incident leading to the dismissal of the Player, together with
written reasons for the claim of wrongful dismissal, any supporting evidence and the
relevant appeal within three working days.
Please be aware that the DVD/video must show that the Match Official made a serious
and obvious error.
If a claim is successful the appeal fee will be returned and the suspension/fine will be
removed from the Player’s record. However, the details of the dismissal will remain.
Mistaken Identity
(The Match Official dismissed the wrong Player from the field of play)
A Club must submit to the County Association written reasons for the claim, any supporting
evidence and the appeal fee, within three working days of the match. If a claim is successful
the appeal fee will be returned and the suspension/fine will be removed from the incorrect
Player’s record and transferred to the correct Player.
How can I pay a fine?
There are various ways that you can pay for a fine all of many of which are detailed on the
pro-forma.
Additional ways
If you have received a caution you can call the Discipline Department and pay for these over
the phone using a valid card as determined on the pro-forma. Please ensure you have the
case numbers to hand along with any mandatory information that is not complete on the
pro-forma you have been sent i.e. address, D.O.B etc. There will be no additional charge for
this service; it is advisable to ring a couple of days before the due date to avoid not being
able to get through during busy periods.
Please note we are unable to take phone payments for standard or misconduct charges as
they require signatures for records.
We are also able to accept clear faxed pro-formas with valid card details on 01772 624700
and in addition to this we can also accept scanned pro-formas that are e-mailed to
[email protected] .
Also ensure there is a contact number on the form in case there is any problems, it enables
us to track you down quicker and avoid any late fees that could incur.
When completing card details also ensure that you put the security number down as
required this is the last 3 digits that appear on the back of the card usually on the signed
strip.
For Fax and e-mail we are able to accept pro-formas for caution, standard and misconduct
charges provided the full details and signatures are completed as requested.
The Referee never showed me the appropriate card have I got a case?
If a referee omits to show the appropriate card when taking action against a player, this does not
nullify the caution or sending-off offence. However, the attention of the referee should be drawn to
the correct procedure.
Documents
Standard Charge Paperwork assistance
Football Leagues