Substantive offences

What to focus on while you read

Match misconduct and other substantive disciplinary breaches (Art 14 cluster)

A large share of the disciplinary bank tests substantive offences — especially assault and serious misconduct against match officials and opponents. The exam expects accurate sanction floors and correct characterisation of the conduct, not generic 'unsporting behaviour' labels.

Key points

• Assaulting a match official (including elbowing, punching, kicking, and similar acts) attracts severe minimum suspensions measured in matches or an appropriate period of time.
• Offence articles in this cluster cover on-field and related misconduct distinct from match-manipulation / failure-to-respect rules.
• Correct identification of the victim (match official vs opponent vs other) often changes the applicable provision and sanction floor.
• Study the offence elements first; only then map to the sanctions catalogue from the previous lesson.

Exam traps

• Applying a soft 'few-match' suspension where the Code sets a high minimum for assaulting a match official.
• Confusing ordinary misconduct with match manipulation (Art 20) or failure to respect decisions (Art 21).
• Assuming verbal abuse of a match official always carries the same floor as physical assault.

Unit outline

1. Article 11

2. Article 12

3. Article 13

4. Article 14

5. Article 15

6. Article 16

7. Article 17

8. Article 18

9. Article 19