REGULATION 17 (c) shall, in respect of meaningful off-season application of sanctions, set out the reasons why it or he considers those Matches to be meaningful; (d) may, at its/his discretion in assessing the playing consequences of a sanction apply the suspension to scheduled pre-season and/or socalled friendly Matches, provided such scheduled pre-season and/or so-called friendly Matches have, in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer concerned, a meaningful playing consequence for the Player. In making their assessment Disciplinary Committees and Judicial Officers may, in their discretion, take account of such factors as they consider relevant including, for example, the proximity of the Match to the commencement of the season, the identity and stature of the opponents, likely quality of teams to be selected, and the general Match profile; (e) must, if a Player's suspension has not terminated by the end of the current playing season, continue the suspension until a stated date in the next playing season, unless the Player has been selected for a closed season tour, or he has made plans to play during the close of season in another Union. In this event (and subject to the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer receiving satisfactory verification of such tour or playing arrangements), the period of the tour or the fact that he intends to play in another Union shall be taken into account in determining when the suspension shall come to an end; and (f) may divide the suspension into two separate periods in order to exclude the whole or part of the closed season provided that the Player is not permitted to play during such closed season. 17.19.12 In respect of offences not referred to in the World Rugby Sanctions in Appendix 1, appropriate sanctions may be imposed at the discretion of the relevant Judicial Officer, Disciplinary Committee, Appeal Officer and/or Appeal Committee. 17.19.13 Notwithstanding the World Rugby Sanctions in Appendix 1 and/or the provisions of this Regulation 17.19 in cases where the Player’s actions constitute mid range or top end offending for any type of offence which had the potential to result and, in fact, did result in serious/gross consequences to the health of the victim, the Judicial Officer and/or Disciplinary Committee may impose any period of suspension including a suspension for life. 17.20 Costs 17.20.1 As a general principle and subject to Regulation 17.20.2 and 17.20.3 below, the Host Union or Tournament Organiser shall ordinarily bear the cost of holding the hearing, including the travel, accommodation and/or costs of the Disciplinary Committee members or Judicial Officer and/or Match Officials, Citing Commissioner and other witnesses called by the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer as well as the costs of Last update: 14 January, 2015 257
World Rugby Handbook
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