Protests and Disputes

Tribunal date:

12-03-2024

Tribunal personnel:

David King, Steve Kemp, Shamez Rashid

Tribunal convenor:

Steve Kemp

Umpire:

Peter Bennett also present Norm Harris

Name:

Geoffrey Perera

Club:

Phoenix

Advocate's name:

Craig Stewart, Mark Iannello, Ezekiel Masih, Jeremy Dowsett

Report:

David King advised Mr Perera that he had been issued 2 Prescribed Penalties under by-law 65b (v) Kicking or knocking stumps over deliberately - Two (2) playing dates ban AND (xvi) Abusing or swearing at an opposition player, teammate or spectator - Four (4) playing dates ban. David king asked Mr Perera if he pleaded Guilty or Not Guilty of this offence. Mr Perera advised "well I'm here, so obviously "Not Guilty".

Tribunal notes:

Umpire Peter Bennett then read his statement of events. The Umpire advised that he heard Mr Perera verbally abuse the EFCC playing group. Mr Perera gave his version of events, outlining that he and other PCC players received a significant amount of verbal abuse from EFCC players and supporters across both days of the match. These sentiments were shared by Mr Masih, who was batting with Mr Perera at the time of the Prescribed Penalties. Mr Masih advised that he was also abused by EFCC players during this incident, despite not having any involvement in the incident. The Umpire was asked if he heard any of this abuse from EFCC to either PCC player. It was advised that amongst all that was going on, he knew that the PCC players were being spoken to, but, couldn't discern what was being said to them and he did not want to speculate as to what was said. Mr Perera advised that he did not intentionally knock over the stumps and that this was an accident. The P&D phoned the other officiating Umpire, Jason Patten, who confirmed that he too heard Mr Perera abuse the EFCC playing group.

Penalty:

The Panel discussed these matters and found that Mr Perera was Not Guilty of the Prescribed Penalty under by-law 65b (v) Kicking or knocking stumps over deliberately. This was dismissed. In addition to this, the Panel then upheld the Prescribed Penalty (xvi) Abusing or swearing at an opposition player, teammate or spectator - Four (4) playing dates ban. In addition to this, as Mr Perera received a Caution earlier in this season, an additional 4 playing date suspension has been added to the upheld prescribed penalty (total 8 playing dates suspension). Craig Stewart, as Captain of PCC, was commended for his efforts to quell poor spectator behaviour from PCC supporters. PCC and Mr Perera were advised that they could appeal the findings of the P&D under by-law 67, should they so wish, within 24 hours of this hearing. PCC, Mr Stewart and Mr Iannello were all advised that, if they are experiencing poor player behaviour from their opposition that they must report it. The P&D wish to improve player behaviour across the association, and only mentioning poor player behaviour of the opposition when your Club has a player Reported is not acceptable.

Signee's name:

Steve Kemp, P&D Tribunal Convenor