Grievance and disciplinary matters under the NSFA’s jurisdiction are dealt with by Review Panel, the Protests, Disputes & Disciplinary Committee (PD&DC) and the Appeals Board in accordance with Competition Regulations 4. Grievance and Discipline.
The Review Panel is a sub-committee of the PD&DC that makes efficient initial determinations of sanctions from match day incidents and various other matters (such as mistaken identity) without any requirements for a hearing of the PD&DC, with decisions based on incident reports, the relevant Participant’s disciplinary history, and any other materials it determines are relevant. However, serious matters must be referred straight to the PD&DC.
The PD&DC has broad jurisdiction to hear challenged sanctions and investigate and determine the appropriate outcome in respect of a broad range of matters as set out in the regulations, including serious matters referred by the Review Panel.
The Appeals Board hears appeals against determinations of the PD & DC.
Indicative approach to match day incidents
- Report processing: All incident reports from the weekend are processed by the NSFA on Monday / Tuesday.
- Initial sanctions: The Review Panel aims to issue initial sanctions by Tuesday. Serious matters will be referred straight to the PD&DC for consideration.
- Serious matters: The PD&DC decides how to handle serious matters, including applying an initial sanction or going straight to a hearing.
- Challenging an initial sanction: If you want to challenge an initial sanction, you must submit an Intention to Challenge form within 3 working days (usually by Friday if sanctions are issued on Tuesday). A $200 fee applies, and any video evidence must be provided at the same time.
- PD&DC Hearings: The PD&DC will schedule hearings for challenged matters or serious matters that go straight to hearing.
- Appeals: To appeal a PD&DC determination to the Appeals Board, you must submit an Intention to Appeal form within 7 days. There are limited grounds of appeal set out in Section 4.8.3 of the regulations. A $500 fee applies.
- Further appeal to Football NSW: If appealing the Appeals Board’s decision, this must be done within 7 days as outlined in Section 4.9 of the regulations and Section 10.6 of FNSW’s Grievance and Disciplinary Regulations.