This Code of Conduct has been prepared to ensure that all Players and officials of teams competing in events sanctioned by the Philippine Cricket Association understand their responsibilities.
All players and officials must take positive steps to maintain the high reputation of cricket and that of the Philippine Cricket Association. Players must approach the game with a determined, winning attitude, i.e. play hard and fair whilst at the same time maintaining control of their emotions.
1. Players and officials shall at all times conduct themselves and play within the spirit of the game as well as within the Laws of Cricket and the ICC Code of Conduct.
2. The Captain is responsible at all times for ensuring adherence by themselves and players in their team to these standards of conduct. Nothing in this Code of Conduct alters the onus on the captain to ensure that the spirit of the game is adhered to as stated and defined in the preamble to the Laws of Cricket and the ICC Code of Conduct.
3. Players and officials shall at no time engage in conduct unbecoming to their status that could bring them or the game of cricket into disrepute.
4. No player shall fail to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticise his decision by word or action, show dissent or generally behave in a manner, on or off the field, which may cause embarrassment to an umpire or to the PCA.
5. If a player or official is in serious breach of this Code and is deemed to have brought the PCA and/or the game of cricket into disrepute, the person may be suspended from playing and /or duties in competitions or bodies under the PCA’s auspices, in accordance with the penalties set out in this code.
6. This code will take immediate effect. Any player or official taking part in a PCA sanctioned event will by their participation be deemed to have accepted to be bound and abide by this code of conduct.
7. The PCA Management Committee will be responsible for the administration of this Code.
8. The PCA Management Committee will only investigate complaints that are submitted in writing with regards to violations of this code which come from appointed match officials, PCA Officers (both employees and elected officers) or the Captains or other elected officers of member clubs or clubs competing in PCA sanctioned events.
9. On receipt of a complaint the PCA Management Committee will undertake an investigation. As part of this process the management committee may at its discretion depending upon the facts relating to the violation of the Code, request those involved or those who witnessed the alleged incident to attend an interview.
10. If it is found that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct a penalty will be imposed in accordance with the tariff set out in this Code. The player(s), or officials of the club involved will be informed of any penalty in writing.
11. Should they wish to appeal the finding of guilt or the penalty they must within 2 days of being informed, make a request in writing for a formal hearing before the PCA Management Committee. Once an Appeal is lodged any penalty imposed will be suspended until the appeals process is complete.
If no appeal is lodged within 2 days the PCA will consider that those involved have accepted the penalty imposed.
12. When a formal hearing is requested the PCA Management Committee will designate 3 of its officers or officials to hear the appeal.
13. When a player or official is found to have committed a violation of the Code of Conduct details of the offence and punishment will be published on the PCA Facebook page.
14. Should an offence occur during the course of a PCA sanctioned tournament. Any suspensions or penalties issued for a violation of tournament rules will not exempt a player or official from further action under this code.
Offenses
Level 1
The penalty for a Level 1 Offence shall be an official reprimand and/or a suspension of up to 2 matches.
Should a player or official commit a second offence then the PCA Management Committee will have the discretion to impose a further unlimited penalty.
1. Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.
2. Showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.
3. Using language or gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting. (It is acknowledged that there will be verbal exchanges between players in the course of play. Rather than seeking to eliminate these exchanges entirely, umpires will look to lay charges when this falls below an acceptable standard.)
4. Excessive appealing.
5. Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner by a bowler or other member of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman.
7. Failure by a captain to ensure that his team meets the minimum over rate requirements as detailed in the competition rules.
8. A bowler removed from the attack for bowling two fast, short-pitched balls, or two high full-pitched balls in one over on more than one occasion
9. Wearing of Philippine National Team kit in a domestic competition.
10. Arguing with team mates in public.
11. No articles or entries should be posted on social media which contain any criticism of the PCA, players or officials.
12. Any player should obtain prior approval before giving interviews to the media.
13. Captain failing to ensure that the behavior of his team accords with the requirements of this code.
Level 2
The penalty for a Level 2 Offence shall be a suspension of between 2 to 4 matches.
Should a player or official commit a second offence then the PCA Management Committee will have the discretion to impose a further unlimited penalty.
1. Showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision.
2. Serious public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on a match-related incident, match official, PCA Officer or the PCA and its policies.
3. Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play.
4. Charging or advancing towards the umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.
5. Deliberate and malicious distraction or obstruction on the field of play.
6. Throwing a ball (or other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player, umpire or official, or other third person, in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner.
7. Using language or gesture that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously obscene, offensive or insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator.
8. Changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3.
9. Any attempt to manipulate a match in regard to the result, net run rate, bonus points or otherwise. Any player involved and the captain of any team guilty of such conduct shall be held responsible.
Level 3
The penalty for a Level 3 Offence shall be a suspension for the player or team official of 5 matches to a full season.
Should a player or official commit a second offence then the PCA Management Committee will have the discretion to impose a further unlimited penalty.
1. Intimidation of an umpire whether by language or conduct.
2. Threat of assault on another player, team official or spectator.
3. Using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, gender, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
Level 4
The penalty for a Level 4 Offence shall be a ban of between five matches up to a life ban for the player or official concerned.
Should a player or official commit a second offence then the PCA Management Committee will have the discretion to impose a further unlimited penalty.
1. Threat of assault on an umpire or referee.
2. Physical assault of another player, umpire, referee, official or spectator.
3. Any act of violence on the field of play.
4. Using language or gestures that seriously offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, gender, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation