Rule 50. Awarding of Flags

In plain English

Flags. Yellow is a warning that accumulates; red counts as two.

• A flag can be given on top of any penalty, and usually follows dangerous play, unsportsmanlike conduct or persistent breaches. Where it is for unsportsmanlike conduct after a foul, the penalty moves up the field.
• Both umpires must agree; if they do not, the referee decides and that is final. The player and their captain have to acknowledge the flag.
• Red flag: available at any point, including for a first offence and including after the final chukka. Leaving a game before the final bell without permission is an automatic red. It counts as two yellows for accumulation.
• A red sends the player off for the rest of the match, with a substitute allowed after two minutes of playing time - except for the walking-off offence, where no substitute is permitted. Umpires and referee file a report, the player's statement goes to the HPA within 12 hours, and the player is suspended for their next two matches in the tournament, which the disciplinary panel may then raise or lower.
• Yellow flag: one for an offence, or two at once if the umpires think it deserves the sin bin. A second yellow, or starting the game on one, means the sin bin.
• The sin bin is two minutes of playing time in a place the club designates, with no interference in the game. A flag flies while it runs and comes down when the time is up; the player rejoins once they are onside. It can run across two chukkas.
• Accumulation: four yellows and the player starts their next four top-level matches already on a yellow, so any further flag is at least a sin bin. Six across those matches, or four in a single 22-goal tournament, sends the player to the disciplinary panel, which can carry the yellow start through the season, suspend, or fine.
• The Disciplinary Review Panel is five people appointed by the HPA chief executive. Its decisions can only be appealed where a suspension was increased or came from accumulated yellows.

A flag may be awarded in addition to any penalty awarded for the breach of any rule but will usually be awarded for dangerous play, unsportsmanlike conduct or persistent breach of the rules.

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 50

Read rule 50 in the Blue Book 2026

Under which conditions can a flag be awarded in a game?

• For any violation of the rules
• Mainly for dangerous play, unsportsmanlike conduct or persistent breach of the rules ✓
• For missing a goal
• For hitting the ball out of bounds

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the effect of awarding a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct after a foul?

• The game is paused
• The player awarded the flag is immediately sin binned
• The penalty is moved up the field ✓
• The penalty is moved down the field

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Who must agree to the awarding of a flag?

• The umpires and the referee ✓
• The team captains and the umpires
• The referee and the team captains
• The player at fault and the umpires

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Who should the umpires obtain acknowledgement from when a flag is awarded?

• The opposing team's captain
• The player(s) awarded the flag and their team captain(s) ✓
• The audience
• The referee

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Under what conditions may a player be awarded a red flag?

• If he makes a significant error in the game
• If he disrespects the opposing team's captain
• At any stage, including for a first offence, or if he leaves a game before the final bell without the umpire's permission ✓
• Only after accumulating two yellow flags

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What does a red flag count as for accumulation purposes?

• One yellow flag
• Two yellow flags ✓
• Three yellow flags
• Four yellow flags

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the consequence for a player awarded a red flag?

• He has to apologise to the other team
• He is sent off for the rest of the match ✓
• He is suspended for the next match
• He has to pay a fine

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

After how long can a player, who has been sent off after being awarded a red flag, be substituted?

• Immediately
• After 1 minute of playing time
• After 2 minutes of playing time ✓
• They cannot be substituted

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Can a player who has been awarded a red flag for leaving the game before the final bell without the permission of the umpires be substituted?

• Yes, after 1 minute of playing time
• Yes, after 2 minutes of playing time
• No, they cannot be substituted ✓
• Es, they can be immediately substituted

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the required course of action after a player is awarded a red flag?

• The player is required to issue a public apology
• The umpires and referee complete a report detailing the incident, and the player provides a statement ✓
• The team captain is responsible for penalising the player
• The player is immediately ejected from the league

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the immediate consequence for a player who is awarded a red flag?

• The player is suspended for up to 3 matches
• The player is referred to a Disciplinary hearing
• The player is suspended for his next 2 matches in the tournament ✓
• Both A and B are correct

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the minimum fine for a player receiving a red flag with no matches left to play at VL level?

• £500
• £750
• £1000 ✓
• £2000

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

If a player is awarded a red flag during or after the last match in the tournament, and no matches are available in the equivalent level, what will happen?

• The suspension is lifted
• The player is required to play at a lower level
• The suspension applies to another match or matches of nearly equivalent standing as decided by the HPA ✓
• The player is fined an additional amount

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What could happen after the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) confirms a player's red flag?

• The player's suspension could be decreased
• The player's suspension could be increased
• The player could be directed to start future matches on a yellow flag
• All of the above are possible ✓

Disciplinary Review Panel.

What may happen to a player who commits an offence not severe enough for sin binning?

• The player will be sin binned immediately
• The player will be awarded a red flag
• The player may be awarded one yellow flag ✓
• The player will be excluded from the game permanently

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

If a player's offence or demeanour is serious, how many yellow flags can they receive for that single offence?

• One
• Two ✓
• Three
• Four

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Under which condition is a player sin binned?

• After receiving a red flag
• After receiving one yellow flag in a previous game
• After receiving a second yellow flag in the same game ✓
• After scoring an illegal goal

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Is it possible for a player to be sin binned several times within a chukka and/or game?

• Yes, if the player continues to commit offences ✓
• No, only once in a chukka
• No, only once in a game
• Yes, but only twice in a game

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the protocol for reporting yellow flags?

• The referee who awarded the flag reports it via mail
• The umpire who awarded the flag reports it on the Umpires WhatsApp ✓
• The player who received the flag must report it to the HPA
• The coach of the player who received the flag reports it on the team's website

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What should be included in the report of a yellow flag?

• The name of the player and the reason for the award of the flag
• The date, club and tournament, and a short statement stating the reason for the award of the flag ✓
• A video recording of the incident
• A witness testimony

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What happens when a player accumulates four yellow flags?

• The player is banned from the tournament
• The player will start the next four VL matches on a yellow flag ✓
• The player is required to pay a fine
• The player is sent off for the rest of the match

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What must a player who has started on a yellow flag due to accumulation of four yellow flags do to remove this status?

• The player must apologise publicly
• The player must pay a fine
• The player must provide the HPA a form with details of the games played and any further flags incurred, signed off by the host club ✓
• The player must take a sportsmanship course

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What will happen if a player who starts a match on a yellow flag due to previous accumulation incurs another yellow flag during that match?

• The player is given a red flag
• The player will be sin binned as a minimum ✓
• The player will have to sit out the next match
• The player is removed from the team roster

Thus, any yellow flag incurred during those games shall result in a sin bin as a minimum.

For 22 goal Victor Ludorum tournaments, what is the rule regarding the accumulation of yellow flags from other tournaments?

• Yellow flags from other tournaments carry over to the high-goal tournament
• Players start each high-goal tournament with any yellow flags they may have incurred in other VL tournaments
• Players start each high-goal tournament without any yellow flags that they may have incurred in other VL tournaments ✓
• Yellow flags are not applicable in high-goal tournaments

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What happens if a player incurs three yellow flags in one high-goal tournament?

• The player is disqualified from the tournament
• The player will start all further matches in that tournament on a yellow flag ✓
• The player is banned from participating in VL tournaments for a year
• The player must pay a fine

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

If a player incurs a yellow flag in a 22 VL goal tournament, how does this impact the player's total of yellow flags?

• The yellow flag doesn't count towards the player's total
• It is counted towards the player's total in that specific tournament only
• It is counted towards the player’s total of yellow flags incurred to date in all 22-goal and/or VL tournaments ✓
• It is counted only if the player incurs a second yellow flag in the same tournament

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What happens if a player incurs a red flag in a high-goal tournament?

• The usual red card procedure in rule 50a applies ✓
• The player is disqualified from the tournament
• The player will start all further matches in that tournament on a red flag
• The player is suspended from all VL tournaments

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What happens when a player accumulates six yellow flags in all Victor Ludorum (VL) matches?

• The player is banned from all future VL tournaments
• The player is fined £2000
• The player's conduct is reviewed by the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) who may direct that they start all remaining VL games in the season on a yellow, be suspended for the next 2 VL games, and/or be fined ✓
• The player must attend a disciplinary hearing

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What are the possible consequences for a player who accumulates four yellow flags in a single 22 VL goal tournament?

• The player is disqualified from the tournament
• The player's conduct is reviewed by the DRP, and they may direct that the player start all remaining VL games in the season on a yellow, be suspended for the next 2 VL games, and/or be fined ✓
• The player is required to attend a disciplinary hearing
• The player is banned from all future 22 VL goal tournaments

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What is the fine for a player who has accumulated 6 yellow flags in all VL matches or 4 yellow flags in a single 22 VL goal tournament?

• The player is fined £500 per yellow flag
• The player is fined £1000 and £200 per yellow flag thereafter ✓
• The player is fined £2000 and £500 per yellow flag thereafter
• The fine is determined by the Disciplinary Review Panel

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

What happens to a player who starts all remaining VL games in a season on a yellow flag?

• Any yellow flag incurred during those games will result in immediate disqualification
• The player is banned from participating in VL tournaments for a year
• Any yellow flag incurred during those games will result in a sin bin as a minimum ✓
• The player must pay a fine for each yellow flag incurred during these games

Thus, any yellow flag incurred during those games shall result in a sin bin as a minimum.

Who appoints the members of the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP)?

• The team captains
• The tournament organisers
• The Chief Executive of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) ✓
• The players themselves

Disciplinary Review Panel.

How many members does the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) usually consist of?

• 3
• 4
• 5 ✓
• 6

Disciplinary Review Panel.

Who typically chairs the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP)?

• The Chief Executive of the HPA
• The Disciplinary Officer ✓
• The head umpire
• A team captain chosen at random

Disciplinary Review Panel.

What is the function of the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP)?

• To oversee the organisation of the tournament
• To review a player’s conduct in any of the 22 goal or Victor Ludorum (VL) tournaments of 4 goals and above ✓
• To make decisions about rules and regulations of the game
• To award penalties and flags during a game

Disciplinary Review Panel.

Under what circumstances can a player appeal a decision of the Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP)?

• If they disagree with any decision made by the DRP
• If the suspension has been increased or is a result of an accumulation of yellow flags ✓
• If they have been given a red flag
• If they have been fined or penalised in any way

Disciplinary Review Panel.

To whom should such an appeal be made?

• To the Chief Executive of the HPA
• To the umpires
• To the HPA Board ✓
• To the DRP itself

Disciplinary Review Panel.

Which paragraph of the HPA Rules and Regulations for Polo provides the powers of the HPA Board in this context?

• Paragraph 2.5b
• Paragraph 3.5b ✓
• Paragraph 4.5b
• Paragraph 5.5b

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

Is the decision of the HPA Board on an appeal final?

• Yes, there is no further appeal possible
• No, the decision can be appealed to the DRP
• No, the decision can be appealed to an Appeal Board as provided for in paragraph 3.8 ✓
• Yes, but only if the player agrees with the decision

(ii) A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted.

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