Scottish Rugby Independant Disciplinary Panel

An independent disciplinary hearing involving Melrose head coach Craig Chalmers and centre Jamie Murray took place at Selkirk RFC’s Philiphaugh clubrooms last night. The duo was asked to attend following a complaint made to Scottish Rugby. The complaint, made by the Border Rugby Referees’ Society, referred to misconduct at a function after the Melrose club’s annual sevens tournament on Saturday 10 April and alleged both individuals acted in a manner towards a match official that contravened Rules 13.3.2 and 13.3.8 of the Scottish Rugby Disciplinary Procedures 2009/10. An independent disciplinary hearing involving Melrose head coach Craig Chalmers and centre Jamie Murray took place at Selkirk RFC’s Philiphaugh clubrooms last night. The duo was asked to attend following a complaint made to Scottish Rugby. The complaint, made by the Border Rugby Referees’ Society, referred to misconduct at a function after the Melrose club’s annual sevens tournament on Saturday 10 April and alleged both individuals acted in a manner towards a match official that contravened Rules 13.3.2 and 13.3.8 of the Scottish Rugby Disciplinary Procedures 2009/10. The independent discipline panel, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, arrived at the following ruling: Craig Chalmers – The panel determined it was unjust to uphold a charge of alleged misconduct by Craig Chalmers. The panel heard from nine witnesses whose evidence did not paint a consistent picture of the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, though the panel did determine there was an atmosphere of unpleasantness towards the match officials within the Melrose club’s Eildon Suite. The panel warned Craig Chalmers as to his future conduct and asked to ensure that, as a senior member of the Borders rugby community, he takes the warning seriously and seeks to ensure good relations exist toward match officials and the Border Rugby Referees’ Society. Jamie Murray – The panel found Jamie Murray guilty of misconduct, namely to have verbally abused a match official at a post-match function. From the following day (Sunday 11 April) Jamie Murray accepted the charge and apologised for his unacceptable behaviour. Apologies were given to the match official involved, Melrose RFC and Scottish Rugby. The player having accepted his behaviour constituted an act of misconduct, the panel determined the offence as one which merited a six weeks suspension. However, in light of the player’s apology, hitherto unblemished discipline record and conduct at last night’s hearing, the panel decided that he should serve three weeks suspension. The panel was told that the Melrose club had imposed a one week suspension on Mr Murray who missed his club’s Scottish Hydro Premier Division 1 match against Watsonians on Saturday 17 April. Jamie Murray is therefore suspended up to and including Sunday 23 May. Rule 13.3.2 – Acting in an abusive, insulting, intimidating or offensive manner towards any person, referees, assistant referees or other officials or any other person otherwise in attendance at the match as spectators or in any other capacity. Rule 13.3.8 – any breach of the Code of Conduct