The Committee decided that in publicly criticising Mr Gareth Simmonds for his refereeing of a recent Celtic League game between Caerphilly and Ebbw Vale, Mark Ring had breached an accord to which the Clubs and Union had agreed.
The Union would like to re-affirm its commitment to protecting the Integrity of its match officials, and it will take immediate action against participants who are in breach of that agreements.
A “Code of Conduct” has long been agreed to by the Union and its clubs in order to protect those involved in the game. Premiership Clubs were reminded of that agreement prior to the commencement of the current season.
A process of complaint has also been agreed to and there is an official avenue open to anyone who feels the need to discuss a problem or express a grievance.
On behalf of Mark Ring, the Caerphilly Club stressed to the Disciplinary Committee that their Head Coach was in the early stages of his career and was expressing frustration arising from his team not taking their opportunities in the match against Ebbw Vale.
They had reminded him of his responsibilities to the wider game in Wales, and that he now accepted that any future representations should be done through the agreed channels to the Referees Department.
Mark Ring stressed that he had a good relationship with Gareth Simmonds And that his remarks were not in any way personal, but geared towards the good of the fast and open game agreed between the National Team management, Premier Coaches and leading Referees.
