What can I do when a player commits misconduct, and what happens to a dismissed player?

Under Section 16 of the International Laws of the Game, when a player commits misconduct the referee may, at their discretion:

• caution the player
• temporarily suspend the player (the sin bin; the RFL sets the length by age in the community game)
• dismiss the player

Cautions: you can caution a whole team, in which case every player counts as individually cautioned. When you give a final caution, record the offence and the time, and quote them if the player is later dismissed. When giving a final caution to a player who keeps breaking the Laws, tell the captain so they can move the player to another position if they wish. You can't order a player to change position.

Temporary suspension is not meant as a lenient alternative when the misconduct deserves a dismissal.

Dismissed players take no further part in the match, and must not take up a position near the playing area where they are likely to provoke further trouble.

Every dismissal must then be reported to the Competition Officer within 72 hours.