Issue 26/24 18th July 2024
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE
A Scunthorpe Alphas player was disqualified from their game on July 14th for a Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct Foul. However, the disqualification has been cancelled after the crew concluded that the action did not meet the definition of a Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Foul.
Lee Taylor - Deputy BAFA Disciplinary Officer
discipline@britishamericanfootball.org
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Nicholas Farrell | 1 | Glasgow Tigers | FUC | 4 | With 1:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, #1 repeatedly challenged an opposition player to a fight despite being repeatedly told to walk away by an official. | 21st July 2024 v Highland Stags | |
Nickson Massa | 7 | London Blitz | TUF | 3 | At the end of a down, while involved in an incident with an opponent, unrelated to football, #7 threw himself to the ground and rolled around like a soccer player in an attempt to trick the officials into believing that he had been fouled and injured. Somewhat later, in the same dead ball interval, #7 was seen to be gesturing and shouting at opposing players in an unsportsmanlike manner. There was sufficient time between the two incidents that they were considered two completely separate acts. | 21st July 2024 v South London Renegades | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Anthony Baffoe | 81 | Leigh Miners | TUF | 4 | In the fourth quarter, #81 verbally abused an official after a play was over. Later in the fourth quarter, with 00:45 remaining in the game, #81 was upset at a late hit, which was penalised, and directed a vary loud tirade of abuse at the officials. This was penalised as a second Unsportsmanlike conduct foul. | 21st July 2024 v Lancashire Wolverines and next game thereafter (likely 1st game of 2025 season) | |
Aina Adeniran | 55 | London Warriors (NWFL) | FGT | 4 | With 1:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, after the play was over, #55 was seen to engage with the opposing #77 and multiple attempted blows and kicks were exchanged. | 20th July 2024 v Leeds Chargers | |
Toby Breedon | 27 | Sheffield Giants (U19) | FGT | 2 | With 9:29 remaining in the second quarter, #27 was engaged with an opponent and, after the whistle was blown, was told to disengage by the Referee. He then grabbed his opponent's facemask and dragged him forcibly to the ground, then dropped on top of him and began punching him repeatedly. | 21st July 2024 v Chester Romans (U19) | |
Victoria Mackenzie | 77 | Solent Thrashers (NWFL) | FGT | 4 | With 1:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, after the play was over, #77 was seen to engage with the opposing #55 and multiple attempted blows and kicks were exchanged. | 20th July 2024 v Birmingham Lions | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Chester Romans | No team areas were painted, however the area was marked with cones. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | Unknown |
East Kilbride Pirates | No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 4th August 2024 v Merseyside Nighthawks |
Glasgow Tigers | No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. There was a 12-minute delay for treatment to an injured player in the first quarter Henry Richardson #25 | Unknown |
Kent Exiles | Excellent gameday management and a well-marked 90-yard field, only missing nine-yard marks or field numbers. The changing room allocated to officials was extremely spacious but not lockable. Crews should account for the 5+ minute walk to the field. The main door to the changing areas was locked before the game started so the crew needed to use the separate bar/club entrance to get to and from the car park. Phil Clarke #262 | Unknown |
London Blitz (U16) | Two 50-yard fields with ten-yard end zones marked in white and yellow. No team areas were marked and one sideline was crooked. Fields marked too close together allowing insufficient space for teams and supporters without interference. No down boxes or operators were supplied for either field. Lockable changing room but with too few seats and coat hooks. Tim Ockendon #481 | Unknown |
London Blitz (U19) | Some main lines were not straight. Hash marks and short yard-line extensions were unevenly spaced, both with regards to distance from the sidelines and the space between them. Markings were also quite feint and hard to see with the sun out. No limit lines. Coaching boxes and team areas marked with cones. There were a few uneven patches on the field surface, although it was playable. Peter Parsons #321 | 4th August 2024 v London Warriors |
London Warriors | 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones marked faintly in blue with other sports markings in yellow, white, and red. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Large shared changing room in SU but not lockable. Down Box only shows 2, 3, and 4. Graham Smith #149 | Unknown |
London Warriors (U19) | 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones marked faintly in blue with other sports markings in yellow, white, and red. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Large shared changing room in SU but not lockable. Down Box only shows 2, 3, and 4. Graham Smith #149 | Unknown |
Merseyside Nighthawks | No coaching or team areas were marked. Liam Wooton #478 | Unknown |
Nottingham Caesars | The pitch has been remarked in red although, the short yard-line extensions are half the length they should be and the coaches' boxes are still too close to the sideline. Several changes to the chain crew throughout the game. Joel Pearson #405 | Unknown |
Nottingham Caesars (U19) | The pitch has been remarked in red although, the short yard-line extensions are half the length they should be and the coaches' boxes are still too close to the sideline. One change of chain crew at halftime. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th August 2024 v Sheffield Giants |
Portsmouth Destroyers | The field was marked in blue on long grass, making markings difficult to see. Some yard lines did not match up at the sideline and inbounds. The field surface was uneven in places. The changing room was not lockable but had private toilet facilities and showers. The chain crew were poor throughout. One ball person changed at half time. Jim Briggs #31 | 21st July 2024 v London Hornets |
Sandwell Steelers | The game was suspended at the start of the second quarter at the request of the medical staff whilst they treated a seriously injured Lancashire Player. After 50 minute suspension, due to the nature and severity of the injury, Lancashire decided not to resume the game and conceded. Andrew Lovell #559 | Unknown |
Scunthorpe Alphas | Well-marked 90-yard field. No three-yard marks. The team areas were incorrectly marked out between the 25-yard lines. David Hewitt #607 | Unknown |
Sussex Thunder | 90-yard field with no numbers and no three-yard marks. Changing rooms provided had no private shower or toilet. Darren Urben #438 | Unknown |
Tamworth Phoenix | No nine-yard marks or numbers. No team areas were marked. First-class game management and sideline crew, chains, and ball persons. Brian Yates #29 | 11th August 2024 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Tamworth Phoenix (U19) | With 1:50 remaining in the third quarter, due to injuries sustained by Tamworth players, both coaches agreed to reduce the playing time to 0:00 for the remainder of the game. Krister Halvorsen #77 | Unknown |
Yorkshire Academy (U16) | Both 5v5 fields were marked solely with cones. Pylons were used to mark the goal line. One field was initially laid out five yards too narrow but this was rectified prior to the first game kicking off. Ian Rogers #625 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Birmingham Lions Academy (U19) | Markings were slightly faint, which will be corrected for the next game. Krister Halvorsen #77 | 21st July 2024 v Nottingham Caesars |
East Kilbride Pirates (U19) | No numbers or nine-yard marks. No limit lines. No Team area marked. Henry Richardson #25 | 4th August 2024 v Chorley Buccaneers |
Edinburgh Wolves | The field was marked out in mostly red lines but the end lines were very faint white. Game Management should be reminded in advance, prior to the next game, if it has been repainted. The field also had white athletics markings across the pitch but the red lines used for the game were solid and visible. Team/player area marked out in cones. The excellent chain crew helped game flow without interruptions. Shawn Sombati #15 | 21st July 2024 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Gateshead Senators | Endzones were uneven in length. The field is due to be remarked as several lines are faded and this should be rectified by the next home game. Ali May #42 | 21st July 2024 v Darlington Steam |
Hertfordshire Cheetahs | Well marked 100-yard field. Changing rooms are approx. 200 yards from field but large enough for the crew. A second one is there if needed. Graham Smith #149 | 21st July 2024 v London Blitz |
Humber Warhawks | No nine-yard marks or three-yard marks. Joel Pearson #405 | 28th July 2024 v Yorkshire Rams |
Leeds Chargers (NWFL) | No limit lines. No nine-yard marks or numbers. The game day medical cover was delayed getting to the ground but, fortunately, a suitably qualified person was able to step in until the medic arrived. It meant no delay to kick-off. David Hewitt #607 | 20th July 2024 v London Warriors |
Leigh Miners | The field was marked as a 100-yard field, but with non-standard IFAF-yards (shorter than a standard IFAF-yard). The goalposts were slightly offset from the endline. Team areas were absent. Paul Todd #289 | 21st July 2024 v Lancashire Wolverines |
London Blitz | 100-yard grass field with ten-yard end zones marked faintly in white. Field surface was sandy in places but was level throughout and a considerable improvement on previous years. No limit lines, numbers, or nine-yard marks. Team areas too small and the coaching line and team area line on one side of the field were too close. Goals too wide and one was out of alignment until Game Management improvised a solution. Good size lockable changing room but with too few seats or coat hooks. Tim Ockendon #481 | 4th August 2024 v Bristol Aztecs |
London Olympians | The field had been re-marked to 100 yards with ten-yard end zones. Unfortunately, the goals were then five yards deep in the end zone and immovable, so the goal lines were moved to the five-yard lines and the field was shortened to 90 yards. The field was marked in blue with other sports markings in white and yellow. No numbers, limit lines or coaching lines, and inbounds lines at incorrect depth (approximately 54 feet). Rugby markings were approximated for nine-yard marks and team area lines. Two changing rooms were provided; one was a good size for a crew of five and the other had private toilet and shower facilities but neither was lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | 21st July 2024 v London Blitz B |
Manchester Titans | 80-yard field. Other sports markings present. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 21st July 2024 v Newcastle Vikings |
Manchester Titans (NWFL) | Freshly marked 80-yard field. The home team's jerseys were illegal due to non-contrasting numbers. Therefore the home team were penalised in accordance with Rule [1-4-5-c]. Steve Hall #512 | 3rd August 2024 v Teesside Steelers |
Manchester Titans (U19) | The field was well-marked but lines were becoming faded and difficult to see in bright sunlight. Multiple changes to officials' assistants. John Roberts #145 | 21st July 2024 v North East Giants (U19) |
Newcastle Shield Maidens (NWFL) | Cones used to mark one sideline and no centre line. Kenneth Glover #71 | 27th July 2024 v Caledonia Chaos |
Newcastle Vikings | There were permanent soccer markings on the field, however the home team had painted this out in dark green. Plaudits to Newcastle on doing this, while fairly common to do elsewhere, Newcastle are the first UK team that I have seen do this. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No limit lines were marked, but there was a barrier at the edge of the field area. The Coaching line was marked, but the line at 12ft was not. Team areas were marked between the 25-yard lines. The light in the officials' toilet was not working and there was no natural light, other facilities were available. The changing room was not lockable. Ben Griffiths #228 | 4th August 2024 v Tamworth Phoenix |
North East Giants (U19) | No three-yard lines. Ali May #42 | 4th August 2024 v Manchester Titans |
Sheffield Giants | 90-yard field marked in black with other sports markings present in a variety of different colours. There were no team or coaches areas but these were lined with cones and both teams managed to remain within their respective areas extremely well. Lee Taylor #183 | 21st July 2024 v Scunthorpe Alphas |
Solent Thrashers (NWFL) | Team areas marked to 25-yard lines. Lines at ten yards different to the rest of the field. Goals overhang endzones slightly. Oliver Maskell #221 | 20th July 2024 v Birmingham Lions |
Somerset Wyverns | Officials Changing Room were very, small, the crew had to change in shifts or arrive dressed/partially dressed. The crew were allowed to use a Meeting Room for Pre-Game. Albert Lambert Jnr #461 | 21st July 2024 v Bournemouth Bobcats |
South London Renegades (U19) | The field had been re-marked to 100 yards with ten-yard end zones. Unfortunately, the goals were then five yards deep in the end zone and immovable, so the goal lines were moved to the five-yard lines and the field was shortened to 90 yards. The field was marked in blue with other sports markings in white and yellow. No numbers, limit lines or coaching lines, and inbounds lines at incorrect depth (approximately 54 feet). Rugby markings were approximated for nine-yard marks and team area lines. Two changing rooms were provided; one was a good size for a crew of five and the other had private toilet and shower facilities but neither was lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | 21st July 2024 v London Blitz (U19) |
Staffordshire Surge | Very well marked our field. The only issue was that the line for the coaches’ box was only about four inches from the sideline. John Roberts #145 | 21st July 2024 v Sandwell Steelers |
Teesside Steelers (NWFL) | The field had been marked as 85 yards with the distance between some "five-yard" lines being marked with 5 short yard-line extensions and measuring six yards. The field was shortened to 80 yards and played in one direction to accommodate this. Ali May #42 | 20th July 2024 v Peterborough Royals |
Wembley Stallions | Well-marked 100-yard field. The changing room had no private toilet or working shower. The game had to be paused at half-time for an additional 30 minutes as the ambulance took a player to hospital at the start of the half-time interval. Darren Urben #438 | 21st July 2024 v Oxford Saints |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: It is 4th and 10 at Midfield. Team A line up in a Scrimmage Kick Formation. The Ends are numbered 23 and 34. The Offensive Line is numbers (from left to right, 50, 62, 5, 71, 79), the Punter is wearing number 7 and the three personal procters/up-backs are number 47, 33 & 39. Number 5 is the long snapper. Shortly before the snap A47 moves to a position under centre, pauses for a second and then receives the snap. He throws a forward pass to A23 at the B-30 where A23 catches the ball and is immediately tackled. There is 10:00 remaining in the second quarter.
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Last week | Play: 4th and 10 from the A-30. Team A’s punt is blocked, crosses the neutral zone and is untouched by Team B beyond the neutral zone. It rebounds behind the neutral zone before Team B clips at the A-25. The ball is loose at the time of the foul. A-99 recovers the ball at the A-20 where he is down by rule.
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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: Upon arrival at the venue it is noted that the hash marks are marked 70 feet 9 inches from the sideline not 60 feet. (I.e. in accordance with NFL field markings not IFAF field markings). It is not possible to correct the marking on game day. The Visiting Team Coach requests that if the ball becomes dead in a side-zone, the ball is spotted where it would be if NCAA hash marks were present.
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Last week | Game Situation: Team A, 4th & 12 at the B-24. Team A attempt a forward pass. A9 catches the ball close to the sideline at the B-9 yard line, there is 2:09 remaining on the game clock in the 2nd quarter. The game is being played with a Video Judge. As this is a close call the covering official reports over the crew radio that he ruled it a catch because he saw A-9 get one foot down in-bounds with possession of the ball prior to going out-of-bounds. Without stopping the game, the Video Judge then confirms he has seen a replay that confirms the call is correct. The Team B Head Coach then takes a timeout to request a review of the play. Answer: Even though the Video Judge has informally reviewed the play, when the Team B Head Coach requests a review of the play, the game must be stopped and the Video Judge should undertake a formal review of the play. If the ruling on the field is not changed, the Team B Head Coach should be charged a timeout and he his privilege to request further reviews will be revoked for the remainder of the game. It would be appropriate for the Wing Officials near the Team B Head Coach to tell the coach informally that the play isn’t worth challenging prior to him making a request for a formal review. |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Stuart Tabberer | Operations | Oliver Maskell | ||
Recruitment | Susannah Taylor | Training | James Ford-Bannister | ||
Director without Portfolio #1 | Peter Parsons | Director without Portfolio #2 | Steve Tonkinson | ||
The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and not necessarily of BAFRA or its Directors. All Incident Reports to be submitted via www.bafra.info. Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.info) is midnight Tuesday. |
