SEMLA Advice to LaxForums Users

[Chilli]

At last night's SEMLA General Committee meeting it was agreed that all players and Clubs should be reminded of their responsibility to ensure that comments made on LaxForums or any other public forum are not libellous or likely to lead themselves or their Club into a charge of 'bringing the game into disrepute'
References to referees in particular will be closely monitored in this respect.

Such a charge could result in either serious penalties for the individual or the Club such as the loss of League points, fines or match bans.

Clubs are asked to ensure that their members are aware of this warning and avoid all such dangerous comments, Club officials will also be informed directly and cannot avoid responsibility.

LaxForums is the best channel for the UK lacrosse world to talk with each other, don't let a few individuals spoil it for the majority

[ray1]

At last night's SEMLA General Committee meeting it was agreed that all players and Clubs should be reminded of their responsibility to ensure that comments made on LaxForums or any other public forum are not libellous or likely to lead themselves or their Club into a charge of 'bringing the game into disrepute'
References to referees in particular will be closely monitored in this respect.

Such a charge could result in either serious penalties for the individual or the Club such as the loss of League points, fines or match bans.

Clubs are asked to ensure that their members are aware of this warning and avoid all such dangerous comments, Club officials will also be informed directly and cannot avoid responsibility.

LaxForums is the best channel for the UK lacrosse world to talk with each other, don't let a few individuals spoil it for the majority

maybee if there is some guidence offered to club members on what may not be said.some people that play lacrosse may not know what libellous means.i dont think this should stop debates on any subject as long as the comments are not offensive or dained libellous, there is nothing wrong with good feedback that is how progresion is acheived.

[jameskellam]

As regards allegations that players or refs are dishonest, biaised or dangerously incompetent, my view is this:

If you really think you have been cheated or endangered by a player or a ref then you ought to be raising it officially not griping about it on a bulletin board.

If you don't really think you have been cheated or endangered by a player or a ref then you shouldn't be saying you have been here or anywhere else.

[Chilli]

As James said if there are genuine reasons for a complaint then there is an official process in the SEMLA Byelaws that allows Clubs to register complaints then all allegations can be made and investigated properly.

As with all sports referees are the most important people on the field as without them there is no game.
So anyone who is sufficiently committed/brave/stupid/thick-skinned enough to do it should not be discouraged by the verbal or written insults of others.

SEMLA is actively trying to solve the problem of the shortage of referees the only way that is possible which is through the development of a culture and environment where a retiring player actually wants to give back to the game by refereeing without the sure knowledge that they will be abused/questioned/given the evil eye/mocked by players who have a very poor knowledge of the rules anyway.
Once we have sufficient referees we can start to have a fully independent referee panel and referee assessors who can help referees to develop and ensure decisions and rule interpretations are consistent within and across the Leagues.

[jameskellam]

Everyone loves Magical Trevor. http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/magical+trevor/

[Mr.Stanford]

i love that web site.

[Chilli]

Brilliant, love it!

[Dave@Reading]

Tour stories etc from Salou and dublin will no doubt bring about a certain amount of disrupute to the game just by the nature of Hundreds of students getting slightly INEBRIATED.

what should be done: No real mention on laxforums, a section for it with a disclaimer?

Any ideas or am i reading a bit too much into this and let everyone get on with it and
if it gets messy let the mods do their job.

Dave

[cjlax]

It's for SEMLA to clarify these points, it's their laws that sipulate who is bringing the game into disrepute, but the forum will be happy to post them for members if the advice exists....

[G-DoGg]

GENIUS!!!!!

[Chilli]

We could take ages discussing and defining a list of rules, but as everyone knows, immediately there's a list of rules people start to look for loopholes, different interpretations etc, it's kept lawyers rich for centuries.

Then more time would be spent arguing about any infractions, all time that the few volunteers involved would much rather spend on developing lacrosse.

As in all walks of the life, it's best when people police themselves through reasonable behaviour and respect for others.

LaxForums is a fantastic resource but cannot be used as a way of expressing ourageous opinions that in any reasonable person's eyes are insulting or defaming to a person's or organisation's reputation, character and credibility.

The 'disrepute' charge is a 'catch-all' offence to cover a potential wide range of circumstances that can affect the reputation of the individual or the sport as a whole both inside the lacrosse worlds and even potentially to the wider public.

[Delmonte]

was just wondering how it may work for radio stations like when a fan rings up and slags off a ref? or a managers decision for a game, isnt that damaging reputation and insulting?

[mandy]

bit different for a spectator to have disagreements than a someone form the club who when he speaks will be representing himself and his club as an offical (in pro sports an employee) or player

every time a manager or player does slag off a ref they get called up on disrepute charges and generally fined

[cjlax]

but all this goes out of the window when someone does it who isn't registered with a club?!?!?

[jpfathead]

i think there needs to be some leeway. i understand saying the ref was a biased c@#* is disgusting and should be dealt with. but there needs to be some room for criticism if its constructive, or some rivalry between clubs which actually keeps the leagues fairly friendly.

or have i completely missed the point

[donkey]

People will always always be annoyed by players and especially by referees, but as this sport is still very much in need of growing, SEMLA the ELA and even LaxForums have to protect the referees as much as possible.
As with anything to do with Law...

"it may not be perfect, but its the best we've got."

If you get annoyed speak to your captain, or do what everyone else does, have a few drinks after the game and forget about it.
There's always next week.

[Chilli]

With the re-introduction of the Refs and Rules Committee in SEMLA last year, it was notified to Clubs that with the focus on increasing the number of referees there would inevitably be a number of situations where newer referees made mistakes or needed assistance with game management.
Equally experienced referees may also need this help.
Clubs were reminded that all such concerns should be sent by email to the Secretary of the SEMLA Refs Committee, where the concern would be considered and the best course of action followed to help the referee if required.

Referees are not immune to criticism and the grant of a refereeing badge is not an escape from criticism for life
What cannot be tolerated is abuse or criticism of the referee during the game.
The captain remains the legal route for teams to discuss matters with the referee

Repeated concerns about particular referees will build up a profile of any problems that individual referees may have and allow the best support to remedy the situation. In extreme cases where after support and guidance, people who cannot referee games within the rules and for the safety of the players can and will be removed

A number one priority for SEMLA is to create an environment where people want to become referees and we can enjoy at least two referees per game.
We will only get there by working together

[Dining Room]

Surely if someone says something out of order on a Chat Forum, they get suspended or expelled from that Forum.

How can SEMLA act on words posted on a privately owned forum?


CAN OF WORMS !

[Chilli]

It's a privately owned forum but made publicly available.
Newspapers are privately owned but a footballer mouthing off about a referee doesn't mean that he is immune from disciplinary action

All sports bodies have the right (and duty) to protect the interests of their game to the best of their ability.
SEMLA would deal with any such instances according to the specific circumstances
LaxForums would also deal with any such cases according to their own considerations for the game and the role of the Forum.

In the specific case of referees, I have tried to point out above that there is a better and more effective way of complaining about a referee by registering the concern with the SEMLA Ref's Secretary.

[LPierce]

Magical Trevor is the best thing I have ever seen.