Q What choices do I have when I receive the Referee’s report and a disciplinary charge?
A The choices are on FORM D1.3 PART 2.
Q What do they really mean?
A If you agree with the report entirely, you can tick Box A and accept the charge. Sometimes, such as for a simple sending off, the punishment and dates of any suspension are already shown. If it is a more complicated charge, the punishment will be decided by a Commission and notified to your club.
Q Suppose I accept I did wrong, but feel there was a reason for it?
A By ticking Box B, you are allowed to submit a letter of mitigation for consideration by a non-personal Commission before any punishment is considered.
Q What is a letter of mitigation?
A It is a letter that sets out the incident from your point of view. It should accept that the Referee acted correctly in Law, but it could point out that you consider the circumstances at the time of the incident gave rise to your actions. It may also point out that you have a good disciplinary record or that there were other extenuating circumstances prevailing.
Q Suppose I think the Referee was totally wrong?
A Then you have the choice of asking for a personal hearing by ticking Box C. Forward the Personal Hearing Fee together with the Administration Fee.
Q Is that the only cost of a Personal Hearing?
A No. If your explanation is not accepted by the Commission after they have heard all the evidence and the case against you is proved, you will forfeit the Personal Hearing Fee (currently £25, as decided by The FA) and be liable for the costs of the hearing, in addition to any fine that may be applied. Currently, the costs of the hearing are about £20, plus the expenses for any Match Officials involved, which depends to some extent on how far they have to travel. You could easily find that the total costs, before any fine, amount to £60 per case.
Q Is it a bad idea to tick Box C?
A No. But you must seriously consider that you are totally innocent and feel certain that you can prove your case, otherwise you risk paying the costs outlined above.