Direct Disqualification

In most cases, the FIP code of conduct uses a progressive three-stage penalty system — warning, then warning with point penalty, then warning with disqualification. However, certain offences are severe enough that they bypass this ladder entirely and result in immediate disqualification.

Offences That Trigger Immediate Disqualification

The following acts may result in direct disqualification at the referee’s or tournament supervisor’s discretion:

Physical Violence

• Physical assault of any person on or near the court — including opponents, partners, referees, line judges, ball boys/girls, or spectators
• Attempted assault — an aggressive physical act directed at another person, even if no contact is made
• Spitting at another person

Extreme Verbal Conduct

• Severe verbal abuse directed at an official — language that goes far beyond a frustrated comment and constitutes a direct, sustained attack on a referee’s character or competence
• Discriminatory or hate-based language — racial, ethnic, religious, gender-based, or other discriminatory abuse directed at any person
• Threatening behaviour — credible threats of physical harm towards referees, opponents, or officials

Deliberate Damage

• Deliberate damage to the court or its permanent fixtures (glass walls, net posts, court surface) beyond what would be penalised as equipment abuse under the standard ladder

Match Integrity

• Match fixing or deliberate loss of points under the best efforts rule, if confirmed by the tournament supervisor during the match

The Decision Process

Immediate disqualification is not a decision made by the on-court referee alone. The standard procedure is:

1. The referee stops the match and informs the players that a potential disqualification situation has occurred
2. The tournament supervisor or tournament director is contacted and reviews the situation
3. If the supervisor confirms the disqualification, the opposing team is awarded the match
4. The disqualified team forfeits any prize money for rounds not yet completed (per the specific tour regulations)

In extreme situations — for example, if a player physically assaults someone — the referee may suspend the match immediately while the supervisor is summoned.

Consequences Beyond the Match

Direct disqualification may have consequences beyond the single match:

• The incident is reported to the federation or tour’s disciplinary committee
• Further sanctions (fines, ranking point deductions, suspension from future events) may follow
• In cases of physical assault or match fixing, the matter may be referred to national or international sports governing bodies

Summary

Offence	Outcome
Physical assault	Immediate disqualification
Attempted assault	Immediate disqualification
Spitting at a person	Immediate disqualification
Severe discriminatory abuse	Immediate disqualification
Credible threats against officials	Immediate disqualification
Deliberate court damage (severe)	Immediate disqualification
Match fixing (confirmed in-match)	Immediate disqualification

See also: Penalties and Sanctions for the full progressive penalty ladder.