Hearing into alleged breach of Reg 7.2 by 3 New Zealand players.
In the match New Zealand v China on the 17th August 2008 3 New Zealand players – Child, B Shaw and Hopping had clearly visible black shorts beneath the white shorts. In its previous match the same occurred and the New Zealand Manager Kevin Marr was spoken to by the ATD in relation to this.
At the Manager’s Meeting the managers were reminded of Regulation 7.2 and reminded that breach of this Regulation could amount to a breach of the Code of Conduct.
7.2 Any additional items of clothing worn by a player during a match must be of the same colour specified for the adjoining piece of clothing.
In my view the continued breach of this Regulation amounts to a breach of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct requires that participants comply with the Regulations.
I determined that this breach was best dealt with by hearing from the New Zealand Manager, Kevin Marr. Accordingly I advised him of my view and the reasons for it and I convened a formal hearing and required his attendance.
The hearing was held at 9.05 pm on the 17th August 2008
Mr Marr told me that the breach was admitted.
Finding
I find the breach of Reg 7.2 has occurred as admitted.
Penalty
In addressing the appropriate penalty Mr Marr said
1. The colour is a national colour and therefore not outside the type of colours worn by the team
2. The players do not have white under-shorts
3. The playing shorts they have were made extra long and it was expected that this would cover the under shorts completely.
In my view this is a deliberate and repeated breach of Regulation 7.2 by three players in circumstances where the Manager is able to prevent the breach. I consider that this matter gives rise to the need for penalty that will act as a general deterrent as well as acting as a specific deterrent to New Zealand.
The Guidelines do not assist with a suggested penalty. To suspend the players would be an excessive penalty. Given that it was within the power of the Manager to require his players not to wear clothing that breached the Regulations I consider that the appropriate penalty is to suspend Kevin Marr for the match Germany v New Zealand on the 19th August 2008.
Ken Read
Technical Delegate
17th August 2008
