Billboard Disciplinary Code reminders for Bafana at World Cup

Bafana Bafana’s fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup will start with reminders of the latest edition of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Hugo Broos will lead the senior national team in the tournament opener against co-hosts Mexico on Thursday (21h00) in a game set to be watched by a global audience stretching towards 1,5 billion.

READ | Bafana’s World Cup footprint reality

The match will be played with the latest FIFA Disciplinary Code, adopted at the recent 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada enforced.

With regards to this World Cup, it stipulates in its annexe under Misconduct of players and officials (in relation to Article 14 of the new code) that there will be a fine of USD10 000 (approx. R165 000) for a yellow card.

An indirect red card will carry a fine of USD15 000 (approx. R247 000) while a straight red will be accompanied by a USD20 000 (approx. R330 000) fine.

Team misconduct will go with a USD15 000 (approx. R247 000) fine.

"Such fine would be imposed in addition to the individual fines in case individual disciplinary sanctions are imposed by the referee on five or more players of the team during the relevant match," reads the code.

"For the sake of good order, it is to be noted that the list of disciplinary measures developed in the present annexe is not exhaustive, nor binding, and is without prejudice to the general principles established under article 25 of this Code.

"As a matter of fact, the decisions are rendered on a case-by-case basis and the type and extent of the disciplinary measures are determined by the relevant judicial body in accordance with the objective and subjective elements of the offence, taking into account both aggravating and mitigating circumstances," further reads the Code.

There will be a one match suspension for players sent off for denying opponents a goal or an obvious scoring opportunity while other red cards will carry prohibitive bans.

"At least one match or an appropriate period of time for unsporting behaviour towards an opponent or a person other than a match official.

"At least one match for officials who are sent off for dissent by word or action.

"At least one match for deliberately receiving a yellow or red card, including in order to be suspended for an upcoming match or to ultimately have a clean record.

"At least two matches for serious foul play.

"At least two matches for provoking spectators at a match by any means.

"At least two matches or a specific period for acting with obvious intent to cause a match official to make an incorrect decision or supporting their error of judgement and thereby causing them to make an incorrect decision.

"At least three matches for violent conduct.

READ| Mofokeng’s peculiar transfer dynamics ahead of World Cup

"At least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at or hitting an opponent or a person other than a match official.

"At least four matches or an appropriate period of time for unsporting behaviour towards a match official.

"At least 10 matches or an appropriate period of time for intimidating or threatening a match official.

"At least 15 matches or an appropriate period of time for assaulting a match official, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting," reads part of the Code.