2014 TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
SEMINAR
INFRACTION REPORTS
WHY SHOULD WE MANUALLY COMPLETE
DETAILED INFRACTION REPORTS?
They are the record of what YOU, the Technical Official saw when the
swimmer committed a breach of “The Swimming Rules”.
Infraction Reports (IR’s) are the primary link in the chain of events which
lead to the potential disqualification of a swimmer.
It therefore follows that the written IR must cover everything which
occurred and where it occurred.
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WHY AM I GIVING THIS TALK?
Because:
I’ve recently seen IR’s completed with the following basic errors:
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Either no event / heat number or an incorrect event / heat number.
Either no stroke box ticked or an incorrect stroke box ticked.
Either no gender box ticked or the wrong box ticked.
“Reason” box marked with the compiler’s own “reason” which doesn’t comply
with the rules.
IR’s which are unsigned.
A written IR on the SV pink slip is the only form of IR acceptable at SV Meets.
A written IR on the SAL pink slip is the only form of IR acceptable at SAL
meets.
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HAVE I SINNED? Yes of course I have!!
NOW, LET’S START FROM THE BEGINNING:
Who can issue an IR?
A Referee, a Judge of Stroke and a Starter.
An Inspector of Turns can, subject to their restricted role, prepare an IR, refer it to the
Chief Inspector of Turns to clarify if necessary, after which the Chief IOT shall convey
it to the Referee as soon as possible.
When to do it?
If you saw a breach of the rules at a specific place, e.g. immediately after the start,
during the 1st lap, at the 2nd turn, after the 3rd turn or in the last lap etc. You need to
record that fact and record the appropriate Rule number on the IR. You should also
record those details on your own program as a mind-jogger for possible later use.
Note that new SAL “Quick Reference Infraction Cards are now available for your use.
Those attending today will have them in their handout folders.
Why include all those details?
Because: They are relevant and if you don’t, the Referee should ask you to do so.
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IS THERE ANOTHER REASON?
Yes there is!!!
Observers in the Stand may well be recording the race on video and may in the
event of lodgement of a formal protest, use the video as evidence in that protest
procedure or in any subsequent hearing at a Jury of Appeal.
Remember: Cameras are becoming incredibly small and sophisticated and almost
everyone now has one to hand at all times.
Why will the Referee ask for full details?
Because: The Referee must first be satisfied that the grounds for the IR are
sufficient to warrant their counter signature of the IR which will result in a DQ.
(In addition, if the location where the infringement occurred was later seen to be
not covered by a video, the video will not be relevant).
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Why must the Referee be satisfied?
Because: The benefit of the doubt, if any, must be given to the swimmer.
If the IR is accepted by the Referee and the DQ is announced, the relevant Referee
may be subject to a query either from the swimmer or from their authorised
representative. If this happens, the Referee should hand control of the meet over to
a suitably qualified official in order to be in a position to personally review the matter
and to inform and satisfy the enquirer of all of the facts which led to and which
justify the DQ.
Why?
Because: If the Referee can’t do so, the person who was disqualified (or their
authorised representative), has the right to lodge a protest by paying a fee ($100)
within the prescribed time (which is 30 minutes from the finish of the relevant
event).
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WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT?
Disqualified Swimmer Lodges an Official Protest in Writing
Written protest received and fee of $100 paid by the complainant within the
prescribed time limit.
Result: If it is a question of fact and those facts as recorded can be shown to be
true, the protest will be dismissed.
How can it be shown to be true or for that matter, false?
The evidence has been clearly and effectively recorded on the IR. Additionally, the
originating official/s, if questioned, can provide clear evidence in support of the
written IR. The more detail on the IR, the easier this will be.
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What can the complainant do to counteract this evidence?
The complainant can argue that the official who prepared the IR was mistaken, that the official wasn’t in
a position where the offence could have been clearly seen, that the Starter picked or recorded the wrong
lane number etc. The complainant may also submit any film or video evidence in support of their case
and this should be reviewed.
If the Protest is upheld, the swimmer is reinstated and the protest fee is returned to the complainant.
If the Protest is dismissed, the Referee must state their reasons in writing, explicitly and in wording
which is as close as possible to that of the FINA Handbook.
The protest fee is forfeited to the organisers of the meet.
In the event that the Protest is dismissed, the Referee must also advise the complainant of their right to
have the decision considered by a Jury of Appeal.
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PREPARED
BY:
Level 3, MSAC,
Aughtie Drive
Albert Park, Victoria 3206
SANDY FRAME
PO Box 230
CHAIRMAN
South Melbourne
Victoria 3205
SWIMMING VICTORIA
Telephone
03 9686 5222
TECHNICAL
OFFICIALS
Facsimile 03COMMITTEE
9682 7888
www.swimmingvictoria.org.au