1. Introduction:
The Association is aware that the majority of players in our sport behave impeccably during matches and is thankful that this is the case. However, there are some who demonstrate behaviour which may unfairly affect an opponent, offend spectators or bring the sport into disrepute.
ITTA are concerned that there is a small but persistent level of bad behaviour by a minority of players and coaches and therefore has decided to bring in a Sanction Scheme. This type of behaviour can consist, among other things, using abusive language, deliberately breaking the ball or hitting it out of the playing area, kicking the table or surrounds and disrespect of match officials.
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2. Sanctions scheme:
Sanctions are penalties over and above ITTF rules which ITTA will impose on players or coaches who misbehave or bring the game into disrepute. A weakness of the ITTF rules is that a player or coach who regularly misbehaves could receive a yellow card in every match that he/she is involved in and receive no sanction at all. This is because the rules apply sanctions only when someone misbehaves twice in their individual or team match.

Any player or coach who is given cards on three occasions during a tournament will be sanctioned by being made ineligible for entry for the next event to be played. In the situation of a person being carded for the second time in the last event of the season, the ineligibility would apply to the first event of the subsequent season.

To be clear by carded three times we mean any of the following:

• A player or coach who is yellow carded in three separate matches, whether on the same day or different days, whether in the same event or different events.
• A player who is yellow carded in a match and then receives a yellow and red in the same match.
• A coach who is yellow carded and then receives a red card in the same match.

If a player or coach is carded five times during a season he/she will be ineligible for the first event of the next season.
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3. Appeal Procedure:
In the first instance the appeal would be the referee, on the day of the event who would have to be convinced that the umpire(s) in question had acted in a partisan or extremely unreasonable manner, or had applied the rules incorrectly in issuing the cards in the first place.
The second level of the appeal would be to the ITTA Umpires Appeals Committee, who would equally need to be convinced that the umpire(s) and/or the referee in question had acted in a partisan or extremely unreasonable manner, or had applied the rules incorrectly in issuing the cards in the first place. This appeal must be lodged within 7 days of receiving the card and the appeal determined within 14 days of the event concerned.

Note: The umpire’s decision as to matters of fact is not open to appeal.

4. Appeals Committee:
The Committee will consist of three qualified umpires chaired by an International Umpire, selected by the committee of ITTA Umpires Association excluding any umpires involved in the relevant incidents.

5. National and Provincial Application:
The Association is conscious that there are different levels of umpire availability in the different provinces, and that this could lead to a perception of unfairness. This sanction scheme will therefore be operated at two levels i.e. provincial and national.

By Provincial the Association means events, leagues etc. played by players from a single province and not open to players from other provinces. Cards awarded in these events would only be counted in terms of Provincial sanction, the penalty being ineligibility for the next provincial event.

By National the Association means all other events, including representative matches run under the auspices of the ITTA. Cards awarded in these events would be counted in terms of National sanction, the penalty being ineligibility for the next National event.
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6. New Season:
All players start a new season with no cards on their record, but any outstanding ineligibility will apply.

• The ITTA Umpires Association will maintain a register of cards awarded and make this available to event organizers.
• Equally, event organizers will inform the Umpires Association of any cards awarded at their event.
• Reports will be provided to ITTA as required by the ITTA Board.

Kenneth Strong, ITTA Secretary, July 2008