Following a lengthy and exhaustive consultation process involving The FA, the Premier League, the Football League and the Football Conference as well as feeder leagues, the PFA, the LMA and referees, the new disciplinary process will improve speed and clarity while maintaining fairness.

Complying with FIFA’s directive on next-game bans for red cards, the new code will be a pilot scheme for 2004/05 season and will be reviewed next summer and can be modified further if it is not satisfactory.

Why does the fast-track not apply to all cases?

We have implemented a fast-track system for primarily on-field, player-related cases affecting players’ participation in matches (i.e. for sending-off offences not seen by the match officials). Runs parallel to FIFA-compliant system of next-game bans for red cards.

Why are improper conduct offences not included?

These are generally offences that carry sanctions in the form of fines rather than match bans, and therefore do not affect a player’s participation in matches.

For the coming season they will be dealt with as quickly as possible but do not fall under the fast-track deadlines.

Why does the fast track apply to players only?

The vast majority of on-field cases relate to players, and the priority was to ensure that issues relating to their participation in matches were dealt with as swiftly and fairly as possible.

This benefits all parties, as the club and players know within a minimal delay which matches the player will miss, exactly as he would do if sent off. It not in the interests of any of the parties involved for cases to take a long time to resolve.

Can The FA cope with this fast-track system?

The key issue is viewing cases and deciding upon the appropriate course of action swiftly and efficiently. Compliance will be staffed appropriately with extra staff recruited.

Can the system be "played"?

There is provision for penalties for frivolous appeals. This would be a judgement made by a Disciplinary Commission, which has the discretion to increase any sanction already imposed.

Furthermore, attempts to obstruct the procedures could be classified as misconduct, and sanctioned accordingly.

For example: failing to provide a video; frivolous mistaken identity or wrongful dismissal claims; frivolous denials of charges; abuse of process.

Why do players not have the right to personal hearings now for certain cases?

The difficulty of arranging personal hearings involving witnesses and legal representation was one of the main causes of delays under the previous system.

Under the new system, for red card offences unseen by the match officials but under their jurisdiction, the system is designed to reflect what would have happened had the player been sent off.

This provides a level playing field: there is no reason why a player committing a red card offence unseen by the referee should have an advantage over a player sent off for committing the same offence.

It is important to remember that in such cases The FA does not have any representation either: the case is judged on submissions only.

The player will be "offered" the sanction that corresponds to the charge/offence. If he accepts, an extra layer of processes is removed and his suspension commences with immediate effect.

If he denies the charge, it goes to a Commission hearing within a week, followed by immediate start of any suspension. There is still provision for a personal hearing at the appeal stage in certain cases.

For incidents outside the jurisdiction of the match officials, which do not have a clearly defined sanction under the Laws of the Game, personal representation is permitted.

Why was the Video Advisory Panel discontinued?

The VAP added an extra layer of consultation that is not workable under the fast-track system. In any case, the VAP role was to recommend only: decisions to charge were taken by Compliance and this will continue to be the case.

The co-opted Disciplinary Commission members will provide additional expertise in the decision-making process.

Are you confident that you will get video evidence on time?

We believe we have a system in place that will deliver videos in time for charges to be issued within the timeframe.

Who decides whether a video is sent?

The main deciding factor is the report from the match officials, just as it was under the previous system. These reports must be received by The FA by 12 noon the day after a match.

In addition, assessors in the crowd will provide a secondary tier of feedback on any incidents that require review.

Lastly, The FA has the discretion to requests video footage of any incident that comes to its attention.

Can written reasons be supplied in time by Commissions? In the Rio Ferdinand case this took two weeks…

The cases dealt with under the fast-track system are generally straight-forward cases involving on-field incidents. These do not necessitate extensive written reasons.

The timing of more complex cases such as doping control, financial matters, child protection, etc. will be determined by Disciplinary Commissions.

Who forms the pool of laypeople and how are they chosen?

The composition of the layperson pool is: Robbie Earle, Alan Jones, Gary Mabbutt, Gordon McKeag, David Rose, Graham Taylor. Members were nominated by the Premier League, the Football League, the Football Conference and approved by the FA Disciplinary Committee.

What will happen in cases like Rio Ferdinand?

Complex cases will be dealt with as quickly as possible but do not come under the fast-track system. Inevitably, such cases may result in lengthy bans, and involve greater amounts of evidence and submissions, as well as witnesses and personal representation.

How does the new system apply to cup matches?

The fast-track system will also apply to players of Premier League, Football League and Football Conference National teams when playing in league and cup competitions (The FA Cup,The FA Trophy, League Cup, LDV Vans Trophy).

Are there any cases hanging over from last season?

The main cases are Maurizio Taricco (E1 – improper conduct, E2 – violent behaviour), Millwall mass confrontation (E21a - with Sheffield United), Manchester City vs. Leicester City (E21a), Steffen Freund (E1 - improper conduct).

They will be dealt with under the old system. We are pressing to get these cases dealt with as soon as possible.