If a Player, Club, or Official receives a Misconduct charge, they have the option to attend a Discipline Hearing where they can put forward their evidence or mitigation in person.

If pleading Not Guilty, the Referee of the match in which the incident took place, together with any other individuals that submitted a statement that the County FA will rely upon, will also attend the Hearing to give their evidence. 

If pleading Guilty, the Player, Club, or Official can attend a Hearing and provide a Verbal Plea. This is mitigation only, and the Referee will not be in attendance and no questions of any reports can be asked.

More information on Discipline Hearings can be found in The FA's Essential Guidelines for Clubs at Step 5 and Below.