Misconduct Offences

The form can be used to report isolated incidents or a series of actions that are alleged to be a breach of the Code of Conduct or have otherwise brought hockey into disrepute.  Once completed, the form must be sent to discipline@englandhockey.co.uk where it will be processed. 

If you believe that a person, group of persons or a club or association has breached England Hockey’s Spirit of Hockey - Code of Conduct (that is not already covered by separate Anti-Doping, Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Regulations or by the issuing of a Red Card), then you can file a Misconduct Complaint. This can be done by filling out a Misconduct Complaint Form. The form can be used to report isolated incidents or a series of actions that may have brought hockey into disrepute. 

Whether you are someone considering submitting a Misconduct Complaint, the recipient of a Misconduct Complaint or Club Disciplinary Officer, all the information you need, including the England Hockey Disciplinary Regulations, associated forms and guidance documents can be found on the England Hockey Discipline pages via this link https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/governance/rules-and-regulations/discipline-and-misconduct/misconduct-complaints. 

Note: England Hockey has launched a new Red Card/ Misconduct Complaint Form.

This form replaces previous Red Card/ Misconduct Complaint Form and must be used from the 12-09-2025.

The new form is a Microsoft (MS) Form which umpires/ complainants will complete online. The form is available via this link https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/URByvWx9pE

Please note, old style forms will no longer be accepted; if the correct procedure for issuing Misconduct Complaint is not followed this may have an adverse impact on the outcome of the disciplinary process.

Once completed, the form will need to be sent to England Hockey via discipline@englandhockey.co.uk where it will be processed. If you are unsure of whether your complaint falls under a Misconduct offence, please consult the flow diagram below. 

Misconduct Complaint Forms must be completed and sent to the discipline@englandhockey.co.uk inbox within 14 days of the alleged Misconduct Offence taking place. If the complaint is regarding a series of actions, the date of the last action must have taken place within 14 days of the form being sent (remember, the date of the incident is day one). Any forms received after this time will not be processed unless it is decided by England Hockey’s Disciplinary Panel that there are exceptional circumstances at play.

The Misconduct Complaint Form should provide as much information as possible relating to the alleged offence.  The complaint should be supported with signed and dated statements of any witnesses and all evidence which is relied upon in support of the complaint.

Once the complaint has been received, you may be required to provide further clarification of the issues raised within it.  Your complaint will be sent to the alleged offender usually via their club or other member body. 

Once a response has been received you may be asked to comment upon this if this is deemed necessary by the disciplinary panel that will consider the complaint.  Most complaints are dealt with based upon the written evidence provided but if the disciplinary panel determines that a hearing is necessary to make a decision, you and your witnesses will be asked to attend to present and support your complaint.

For more in-depth information about disrepute in hockey, please consult our new Disciplinary Regulations and the Code of Conduct.

The Misconduct Complaint Form will usually be sent to you via the disciplinary officer for your club or other organisation and they will contact you for consideration and response.  

Once the Misconduct Complaint From has been sent to your organisation, you will have 7 days within which to indicate whether you accept or reject the Misconduct Complaint (whether in whole or in part) and a further 7 days within which to respond to the complaint or offer statements in mitigation of it.  Your response should include any supporting statements from witnesses (which should be signed and dated) and other evidence you intend to rely upon.  

Your club or other organisation may assist you with this process.

A disciplinary panel will be convened to consider the complaint and response.  This will either be at Area or National level depending on the nature of the complaint.  The panel will consider all representations and may ask for further information or decide that a hearing needs to take place to make a decision on the case.  In most cases the matter can be determined based on the papers alone.  Once a decision is made it will be sent to all parties to the complaint and will include details of any sanction that may be applied. 

England Hockey reserves the right to publicise details of any disciplinary decisions.

For more in-depth information about disrepute in hockey, please consult the England Hockey Disciplinary Regulations EH Disciplinary Regulations

If a decision has been made that you have committed a Misconduct Offence, you have a right of appeal against this decision provided the grounds of your appeal meets certain requirements.  Details of how to appeal and the timeframe within which this should be done can be found in our Disciplinary Regulations.

The Notice of Appeal Form and details of the appeal fee and how to pay this can be found via this link Misconduct Complaints | England Hockey