REGULATION 17 REGULATION 17. DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY Preamble A The underlying rationale for Regulation 17 is to maintain and promote fair play, protect the health and welfare of Players, ensure that acts of Foul Play are dealt with expeditiously and appropriately by independent means within the Game and that the image and reputation of the Game is not adversely affected. B This Regulation sets out a harmonised approach to the administration of discipline and the implementation of sanctions for Foul Play at all levels of the Game. The objective of this Regulation is to achieve consistency in the way in which discipline is administered and uniformity in the manner in which the assessment of the seriousness of Foul Play is conducted and sanctions imposed. Underlying the Regulation is the overall objective that the disciplinary process shall comply with the fundamental principles of natural justice. C This Regulation is drafted from the stand point of the international governing body of the Game. In recognition of the pyramid structure of international sport, the application and enforcement of this Regulation by Unions within their respective jurisdictions may necessitate suitable adjustments to cater for the imperatives of their competitions and domestic structures and as applicable to accord with national legislation. D All participants in the Game shall by means of their participation recognise and agree to be bound by this Regulation including the core principle of universality which means that Players who are suspended at any level of the Game shall have their suspension recognised and applied at all levels of the Game and in the territories of all Unions and Associations. World Rugby has identified certain Core Principles which must be implemented by all Unions and Associations at all levels of the Game in the implementation of disciplinary rules for Foul Play. 17.1 Core Principles 17.1.1 The principles set out below shall be the “Core Principles” which shall be mandatorily applied in disciplinary regulations at all levels of the Game are as follows: (a) The sanctions applicable to Foul Play shall be the same throughout the Game. Therefore all Unions and Associations shall adopt the World Rugby Sanctions for Offences within the Playing Enclosure (Appendix 1) and ensure that they are applied within their territory. (b) All Matches are equal. A Player suspended from playing the Game shall be suspended from participating in any Match at any level during the period of his suspension. (c) The core sanctioning process set out in Regulation 17.19 shall be applied to all disciplinary cases involving Foul Play at all levels of the Game. Last update: 14 January, 2015 237
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