(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – In order to provide a safe environment for all USA Fencing members, including athletes, coaches, parents, referees and spectators, the USA Fencing Board of Directors approved updated black card policies to take effect on Oct. 18, 2019.

Per the Black Card Retention and Review Policy, black cards issued at tournaments at all levels will be tracked and monitored by the National Office and Ethics Committee. This includes local, regional and national tournaments.

All tournament organizers are to send any black card reports at the conclusion of the tournament to the USA Fencing National Office. This may be done either during the results upload through the USA Fencing database or via email at blackcard@usafencing.org.

All black cards must be reported and will be tracked, including black cards that were issued at the strip and later rescinded. Black cards given and rescinded will be recorded and must: 1) include the reason for the initial black card, 2) include rationale for the removal for the card clearly provided and 3) be stored in the black card database to be reviewed by the National Office and Ethics Committee.

All black cards will be categorized and tracked as Level 0 (Administrative and P Black Cards), Level 1 (Standard Black Card) or Level 2 (Severe Offenses).

In certain situations, as detailed below, a Black Card Review Group may be convened. The Black Card Review Group is comprised of two members each from the Tournament Committee, Athlete Council, Referee Commission and Ethics Committee to review both given and rescinded Black Cards annually and convene as needed in the cases of Level 2 and multiple Level 1 black cards received inside of the probation period.

The complete policy is as follows:

All black cards issued by tournament officials shall be tracked and draw additional action as follows, effective October 18, 2019: