The Surrey County Football Association will determine appropriate charges upon receiving misconduct reports from referees. They may contact referees to clarify serious cases. Charged players have the right to a personal hearing regarding sending offs or misconduct, which the referee must attend if notified. Referees should dress professionally for hearings and provide factual testimony without elaborating or changing their reports.

1. PERSONAL HEARINGS PROCEDURES
Upon receiving a Misconduct Report Form from a referee, Surrey County Football
Association will determine the appropriate charge.
On some occasions it may be necessary for the discipline department/Governance
Officer to telephone and clarify some points on the misconduct report, especially in
serious cases.
The Surrey County Football Association charge letter and evidence supporting the
charge i.e. referee misconduct report form, are forwarded to the secretary of the
player(s)/participant(s) club for their attention.
A player is not permitted to request a Personal Hearing in respect of one/two
cautions, except in the case of a claim of mistaken identity. However, a player or
participant has the right to a Personal Hearing in respect of a sending off offence, or,
where they have been charged with misconduct, likely to bring the game into
disrepute.
The date, time and venue for a Personal Hearing will be notified to both the
player’s/participant’s club and to the referee. If for some reason, the referee is
unable to attend on a specific date or time, they must immediately inform the Surrey
County FA Disciplinary Department. Confirmation is required in writing on the
acknowledgement slip provided, stating that the referee is unable to attend, and
giving reasons for the non-attendance.
If you are attending your first Personal Hearing and have any queries with any aspect
please contact the Discipline Manager who will be happy to clarify any points and go
through procedures.
Failure to carry out the above procedure and/or not attending a Disciplinary
Commission can result in the referee being called before the Referee’s Committee
and/or Disciplinary Commission having been charged with misconduct under FA
Rules.

2. Key points
• If you, as Referee, are under 18 years of age, have to attend, you can
arrange for your mentor, a senior colleague or a member of the Referee’s
Committee/Society to accompany you but you will need to inform the Surrey
County FA Disciplinary Department in writing (email is acceptable) at least 7
days prior to the hearing taking place.
• Take a copy of your Misconduct Report and your ‘Match Record Card’ with
you. Recall your match incidents from memory.
• Your ‘Personal Appearance’ is important and will provide the Disciplinary
Commission with a ‘first impression’ of your credibility as to a witness for the
Personal Hearing. Be a credit to yourself and to your Referee colleagues,
please dress smartly.
• Arrive in plenty of time and use the room provided for you to ensure you do
not make contact with players/persons also attending the Commission. Toilet
facilities are provided.
• Make yourself known to the Commission Usher on arrival; they will also be
responsible for issuing your mileage/subsistence allowance.
• Where you have been requested to attend a case of ‘Assault’ the Commission
Usher will ensure your safety and, should there be the need, ensure you are
safely escorted from the premises. This also applies to any Personal Hearing
where you feel you may have a problem with an individual or club. If you
think there may be a problem please let us know prior to the commission
taking place.
• When you are in front of the Disciplinary Commission answer all questions
‘factually’ DO NOT over elaborate or change the content of your report if you
feel ‘under pressure’. You and your report may be the only evidence against
the player/participant.
• Remain co-operative throughout the Hearing. The final decision taken by the
Disciplinary Commission will be their judgement of the evidence presented
and NOT your ability as Referee on the field of play. Please remember you
are a witness for the Football Association and NOT on trial.

3. • The use of ‘Offensive, Insulting or Abusive language’ and/or ‘Gestures’ by a
player does not constitute a cautionable offence.