Hearing into alleged breach of Reg 7.2 by 2 German players.
In the match Germany v New Zealand on the 19th August 2008 2 German players – Hauke and Korn had clearly visible black shorts beneath the red shorts.
At the Manager’s Meeting the managers were reminded of Regulation 7.2 and reminded that breach of this Regulation could amount to a breach of the Code of Conduct.
7.2 Any additional items of clothing worn by a player during a match must be of the same colour specified for the adjoining piece of clothing.
In my view the continued breach of this Regulation amounts to a breach of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct requires that participants comply with the Regulations.
In my decision of the 17th August 2008 published to all teams I suspended the New Zealand manager for a breach of this Regulation. That decision ought to have acted as a general deterrent.
I determined that this breach was best dealt with by hearing from the German Manager, Jochen Heimpel. Accordingly I advised him of my view and the reasons for it and I convened a formal hearing and required his attendance.
The hearing was held at 5.30 pm on the 19th August 2008
Mr Heimpel told me that the breach was admitted
Finding
I find the breach of Reg 7.2 has occurred as admitted.
Penalty
In addressing the appropriate penalty Mr Heimpel said
1. This was not a repeated breach by Germany.
2. The breach occurred due to inadvertence on his part.
3. It is fully accepted that inadvertence is not an excuse.
4. Suspension for more than 1 game will involve a medal game, which is a game of much greater importance than a round game.
5. He was truly sorry that this has occurred and is certain it will not be repeated.
6. The first time I was aware of the breach was when informed by the ATD just prior to half time. I ordered the players concerned to alter their clothing and they did that at half time.
Decision
This is another example of a deliberate breach of Regulation 7.2 in circumstances where the Manager is able to prevent the breach. It follows immediately on the decision in the New Zealand matter.
I had initially considered a penalty of two matches to be appropriate but having heard from Mr Heimpel and taken into account the matters put by him (particularly his remorse and the fact that this was an inadvertent and not deliberate breach) I consider that the appropriate penalty is to suspend Joachim Heimpel for Germany’s semi final match to be played on the 21st August 2008.
In my decision of the 17th August 2008 I noted the need for a general deterrent but I said that to suspend the players would be an excessive penalty. In the event that this second decision does not ensure that players comply with this simple regulation suspension of a player may be inevitable.
Ken Read
Technical Delegate
17th August 2008
