Introduction

This Code of Conduct is the “World Rugby Code of Conduct”, amended only so far as is necessary to apply to the game of Rugby in Scotland. Scottish Rugby is obligated to adopt the World Rugby Code of Conduct in this fashion and to ensure it is observed by all.

The Code

Code of Conduct for clubs, coaches, players and match officials and persons connected in anyway with the game of Rugby in Scotland.

(1) must ensure that the Game is played and conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour and acknowledge that it is not sufficient to rely solely upon the match officials to maintain those principles;

(2) shall co-operate in ensuring that the spirit of the Laws of the Game is upheld and refrain from selecting players guilty of foul play;

(3) shall not repeatedly breach the Laws of the Game;

4) shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of referees, assistant referees, match officials and all other rugby disciplinary bodies;

(5) shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which a referee or assistant referee handled a match;

(6) shall not publish or caused to be published criticism of the manner in which Scottish Rugby handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary matter resulting from a breach of the World Rugby Bye-Laws, World Rugby Regulations Relating to the Game, Championship/Cup Rules, other Scottish Rugby rules or processes or World Rugby Laws of the Game;

(7) shall not engage in any conduct or any activity on or off the field that may impair public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of a match, tour, tournament or series of matches (including, but not limited to, the supply of information in relation to the Game, directly or indirectly, to bookmakers) or in the integrity and good character of any person;

(8) shall not commit a breach of World Rugby Regulation 6 (Anti-Corruption and Betting)

(9) shall promote the reputation of the Game and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute;

(10) shall not commit a doping offence as defined in World Rugby Regulation 21 (Anti Doping);

(11) shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, assistant referee or other match official, whether on or off the field of play;

(12) shall not use foul or abusive language or gestures towards referees, assistant referees or other match officials or spectators;

(13) shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of their religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, colour or national or ethnic origin;

(14) shall not do anything which adversely affects the Game of Rugby Football, Scottish Rugby, any member club or other Union of World Rugby or any commercial partner of the Game in Scotland.

(15) shall abide by all other Codes of Conduct and policies issued by the SRU including inter alia the Scottish Rugby Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Children in Rugby.

Every person is under an obligation to comply with this Code of Conduct.

The Scottish Rugby Union is obliged to monitor compliance with and impose sanctions for breaches of the Code of Conduct by persons under its jurisdiction.

For breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Discipline Panel of Scottish Rugby may impose such penalties as it deems appropriate.

SRU Child Welfare Policy

SRU Disciplinary Procedures