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Disciplinary policy

The English Korfball Association follows a Disciplinary Code which ensures that participants in the sport of korfball act in the best interests of korfball at all times, and not in a manner that is improper or may bring the game into disrepute.

Download the Disciplinary Regulations, which is an Appendix to the EKA Rules and Constitution.  There is also a Flow Chart to illustrate the process. 

The following is guidance in order to further explain the sorts of offences that players may get carded for, and for referees when to know to think about giving cards. All codes shown here shall be prefixed with P if by a player, C if by a coach and X if by another person – e.g. PP1.

When can a referee give a yellow card for general playing offences?

  1. Not taking the correct distance for a free pass or re-start having been warned at least once by the referee. (PG1)
  2. Disrupting or trying to influence the taking of a penalty (normally the penalty is ordered to be re-taken and a warning given but it becomes misbehaviour if repeated at the same or subsequent penalty). (PG1)
  3. Intentional spoiling tactics and non-aggressive infringements with the intention to unfairly influence the play of an opponent or result of the match. (PG2)
  4. Rough play showing a serious lack of care towards an opponent (including repeated examples of unintentional rough play which have been dealt with by an informal warning or warnings) (PG3)
  5. Continual rough play considered by the referee to be intentional can lead to a direct red card or just a yellow depending on how severe the referee deems the offence. Included in this category are continued examples of intentional clinging to an opponent, holding off an opponent or running down an opponent. (PG4)

When can a referee give a yellow card for non-playing infringements towards an opponent?

  1. Use of a strong phrase towards an opponent. (-P1)
  2. Incorrect use of words towards an opponent. (-P1)
  3. Irritation or provocation (probably best described as deliberately ‘winding an opponent up’) either verbally or in the manner in which one plays. (-P1)
  4. Instigating an incident with an opponent probably causing both players to be guilty of misconduct due to the opponent’s response. (-P1)
  5. ‘Indirect insult’ – described as ridiculing the opponent or making remarks to or about an opponent with a hidden insult. These can take the form of either verbal insults or by gesture. (-P2)
  6. ‘Direct outrage’ – described as either a serious kind of insult made by gesture or verbally. If considered serious enough an immediate red card should be given for this offence. (-P3)
  7. Threat by attitude, remarks or movement towards an opponent in an aggressive manner. (-P4)
  8. A knocking or kicking movement made with little or no contact being made. (-P5)
  9. Aggressive behaviour whilst clinging to an opponent or aggressively knocking an extended hand or arm away or aggressively pushing away an opponent. (-P6)

The following would normally merit an immediate red card:

  1. Serious aggression like kicking, knocking or punching an opponent (-P7)
  2. Intentionally throwing the ball fast, or kicking the ball hard, towards or directly at an opponent (-P7)
  3. Sexual intimidation (-P8)
  4. Sexual or racially discriminatory remarks. (-P8)

 

When can or should the referee give a card for misbehaviour directed against himself or his assistant?

 

  1. Non-insulting criticism. This can be any of the following, either individually or a combination (code –R1): verbal dissent; critical remarks even when not said directly to the referee but made to a team mate or coach in such a way that the referee can hear what has been said; body language like facial expressions, excessive shaking of the head after a decision, sarcastic applause etc; use of a strong phrase or inappropriate use of words (no matter to whom it is addressed).
  2. Indirect insult. This includes (code -R2): ridicule; remarks with a hidden insult; light forms of insult, either verbally or by gesture.
  3. Refusal of cooperation or insufficient response to requests. (code -R3)
  4. Failing to notify the referee of a substitution. (code -R3)
  5. Aggressive attitude towards the referee, including deliberately obstructing the referee. (code -R4)

 

 What offences would normally warrant an immediate red card?

 

  1. Serious kind of insulting behaviour either by gesture or verbally. (code –R5)
  2. Threat by attitude, movement or verbally. This shall include making a knocking or kicking movement towards an official with little or no contact taking place. (code –R6)
  3. Aggression with physical contact like clinging to; knocking away an extended arm or hand; pushing away. (code –R7)
  4. Serious aggression like kicking, knocking or punching an official or intentionally throwing the ball fast, or kicking the ball hard, towards or directly at an official. (code –R8)
  5. Sexual intimidation or making sexual or racially discriminatory remarks. (code –R9)
In many instances, especially when the punishment is a yellow card, the referee may choose to first give an informal warning to the person concerned. This is not obligatory and should only be used for the first offences of light forms of misbehaviour. With respect to behaviour towards the officials one might give a warning for the first instance of dissent but punish accordingly if the player does not take the advice to behave in an appropriate manner. However, direct insults as defined above should not be tolerated and the appropriate card should be shown without any previous warning.