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Sending Off Offences: (use the mnemonic below as a memory aid) 

Violet's Second Hand Goal-scoring Spit is Seriously Offensive.

This 'Sending-Off' page covers the following topics:  (a) Aim is to recognise the offences for which a player shall be sent off the field of play. (b) Law 5 Powers & Duties of the Referee. The Seven Sending Off Offences: 1. Is guilty of serious foul play 2. Is guilty of violent conduct 3. Spits at an opponent or any other person 4. Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area.) 5. Denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick. 6. Uses offensive, abusive or insulting language, and/or gestures. 7. Receives a second caution in the same match 8. Use of the elbow 9. Questions and Answers

(a)  Aim is to recognise the offences for which a player shall be sent off the field of play.

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After the game has commenced, a player sent from the field of play (under Law 12) may not be replaced (i.e. that team must continue the remainder of the match with one less player).

A player who has been sent off (under Law 12) before the game begins may be replaced by one of the named substitutes. (Law 3) A team may therefore commence a match with eleven players even when a player has been ordered off prior to the kick off. A further substitute to make up the maximum substitute numbers cannot be nominated.

A named substitute sent off (under Law 12) either before the kick-off or after play has started is not allowed to be replaced by another additional substitute to make up the substitute numbers, but this does not alter the number of players this team may have on the field of play. For example, if the competition allows for three named substitutes to be nominated, and one of the substitutes is sent-off before the game has started, the offending  team is only allowed to make a maximum of two substitutions during the remainder of the game. (see Law 3 Number of Players) They are not allowed to make their substitute numbers up to the competition's maximum allowance of three.

Only a player on the field of play or a substitute or substituted player may be shown the red or yellow card. Cards must not be brandished by the Referee when disciplining and dealing with team officials.

"A player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area".

The important stipulation above was added to Law 12 in season 2001/2002 and it is critical that Referees take note of this. A player who has been sent off will more than likely cause further trouble for the Referee if he is allowed to remain near the field of play. The Referee now has the power to ask a player who he has sent off - to leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area (this usually means going back to the changing rooms).

Question: There is some confusion over what constitutes the term "vicinity of play" now included in Law 12. Could you please provide us with FIFA's interpretation of the term.
Answer from FIFA: Again this is a matter of commonsense as all field layouts are different. I would suggest that the person removed should not be able to participate as he or she did previously.
The Acting National Coach Australia - added: Players or officials are required to go outside the boundary rope or fence surrounding the playing area in the event they have been ordered off.  (Source - South Australia Referees Circulars Numbers 1-6: 2002)

A player is shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences. The offences have been listed to correspond with the following mnemonic to help you remember them:

"Violet's Second Hand Goal-scoring Spit is Seriously Offensive".

A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences:…………

*See the  Goal-scoring Opportunity page for more detail.

(b)  Law 5 Powers & Duties of the Referee.         Go to the top of this page

Only a player or substitute or substituted player may be shown the red or yellow card.

The referee has the authority to take disciplinary sanctions, as from the moment he enters the fi eld of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle.

To remind you that a Referee MUST:

• provide the appropriate authorities with a disciplinary report.
• act on the advice of Assistant Referees regarding incidents which he has not seen. The Referee can only change his mind on the advice of an Assistant Referee, provided that the game has not been restarted. (You cannot act on the sending-off advice of a Club Assistant Referee linesman).
• take disciplinary action against players guilty of a sending-off offence. The Referee is not obliged to take this action immediately, and can allow advantage to the offended team, but the Referee must take action when the ball next goes out of play. (Note - it is nearly always best for the Referee to stop play immediately to deal with, and to administer a sending-off offence.)

3. The Referee must compile and post his report within two days (Sundays excluded). The Discipline Secretary will return the tear-off receipt slip at the bottom of each report and send the Referee replacement blank report forms.

4. If the Referee needs to stop a game to administer a sending-off where no other separate offence has occurred (for example, when a player uses 'insulting or abusive language' during play - the Referee should restart play with an indirect free kick to the opponents - at the place where the offence occurred.

5. If before or whilst the Referee is cautioning a player, this player commits another cautionable offence - then he should be sent off for a second cautionable offence. (For example, delays the restart of play, then shows dissent whilst being cautioned for the first offence.

6. A player sent-off from the field of play, is forbidden to take any further part in the game.

What about using him for a linesman ? Or is he allowed to sit on the bench ???

No and No.......

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7. Sending-off Questions And answers:

(i) A player uses abusive language to the Referee during the half time interval: What action should the Referee take ?
Answer - send him off.

(ii) An attacker has a clear goal scoring opportunity, then the goalkeeper who is in his penalty area, reaches outside the area and handles the ball - What action should the Referee take ?
Answer - send the goalkeeper off if this move by the goalkeeper denies a clear goal scoring opportunity.

(iii) The ball is still in play in the centre circle when a Red defender (who is in his own penalty area) thumps an opponent. The opponent then head buts the Red player. What action should the Referee take ?
Answer - send the Red defender off. Send the opponent off. Award a penalty.

1. IS GUILTY OF SERIOUS FOUL PLAY                Go to the top of this page

Football is a tough, combative sport - where the contest to win the ball should nonetheless be fair and sporting. Any such moves, even when sometimes vigorous, must be recognised and allowed by the Referee.

Serious foul play however - is misconduct of an extreme nature against an opponent in a playing situation, and the Referee must apply the Laws of the Game and send players off when this occurs, even if they have not already been cautioned. Broadly speaking, serious foul play occurs when a player commits one of the Direct Free Kick offences (or penalty if in the penalty area) by using a physical act of excessive force or violence, committed with the clear intention of hurting an opponent or stopping him from completing a skilful move. Serious foul play can only occur when the ball is in play and when a player unfairly challenges for the ball against an opponent using excess force.

You can usually tell when a player is trying to harm an opponent. If I (the Referee) wince during a tackle - then the player usually gets sent-off. A Referee must distinguish between what he considers to be 'foul play' and serious foul play'.

You need to differentiate between the following three levels, when awarding a Direct Free Kick or Penalty:

• No disciplinary action is deemed necessary. (Perhaps a strong word will suffice ?).
• Caution the player for being careless, reckless or for using excessive force.
• Send the player off for serious foul play when a player unfairly challenges for the ball against an opponent using excess force.

Some Sending-off Examples:

• Two footed tackles.

• When a player intentionally plays over the ball and makes contact with the players leg.

On 6 March 1998 the FA Board brought in a new Law 12 Decision no. 5:


A tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

Lastly - the Referee should be beware of overlooking misconduct of a serious nature, as this can result in players taking retribution themselves and can make the rest of the game very difficult for the Referee to control.

2. IS GUILTY OF VIOLENT CONDUCT                Go to the top of this page

Violent Conduct Against an Opponent:

• If the ball is in play, the player shall be sanctioned with the award of a Direct Free Kick to the opposing team at the spot where the offence was committed, or a penalty if the offence took place in the penalty area.
• If the ball was out of play, when the offence occurred, the game shall be resumed where it was stopped prior to the offence. For example, commence the game with a throw-in, goal kick etc.

Violent Conduct Against Others:

If a player attacks one of his team-mates, the Referee, a linesman, a spectator or an official etc

If the ball is in play and the incident occurs on the field of play, the player shall be sent off. The Referee should award of an Indirect Free Kick against the team of the guilty player, at the place where the offence was committed.

If the ball is in play and the incident occurs outside of the field of play  - play should be restarted with a dropped-ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped.

If the ball was out of play, when the offence occurred, the game shall be restarted naturally. For example, with a throw-in, goal kick etc...

Examples:

Whilst the ball is still in play:                        

Striking or head-butting an opponent with the intention of hurting or injuring that opponent.
The blow does not necessarily have to land to warrant a sending-off. If someone throws a punch or kicks out at an opponent and it misses due to the dexterity of the opponent, this does not lessen the seriousness of the offence.

Question: What action should the Referee take for the following incident:
Whilst the ball was still in play and in possession of a goalkeeper in his penalty area - the goalkeeper strikes an opponent (who is standing in the goalkeeper's penalty area) by throwing the ball at him.

Answer: Penalty, Send-off goalkeeper for Violent Conduct.

For spitting and striking offences and their restarts -  see here.

3. SPITS AT AN OPPONENT OR ANY OTHER PERSON        Go to the top of this page

The act of spitting at anyone is disgusting and must be sanctioned strongly. The culprit must be sent-off.

The spit does not necessarily have to make contact with an opponent to warrant a sending-off. If it was purposely aimed at anyone, then the perpetrator must be sent-off. 

For spitting and striking offences and their restarts -  see here.

REMINDER - SPITTING IS A DIRECT FREE KICK OFFENCE OR PENALTY !!!!!!!!!!!!

If the ball was out of play, when the spitting offence occurred, the game shall be restarted where it was stopped prior to the offence. Example, commence the game with a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick etc.

HEADLINE GEOFF GOBBER GETS SENT -OFF

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4. DENIES THE OPPOSING TEAM A GOAL OR AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY BY DELIBERATELY HANDLING THE BALL (THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO A GOALKEEPER WITHIN HIS OWN PENALTY AREA.)                 

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(Note - hand-ball = carries, strikes or propels the ball with hand or arm)

See the Hand-Ball page for a description of what hand-ball actually is!

This is usually the easiest sending-off offence to administer. Players know the punishment. AND it is the only Sending-off offence where the culprit will NOT normally argue.

When this situation happens at park level, both teams will very often try and persuade you NOT to send the player off. BUT YOU MUST APPLY THE LAWS. Handling the ball to prevent a goal scoring opportunity normally happens within the penalty area when an attacker shoots towards goal, and the ball is stopped from entering the goal by a defender using his hand.

But can occasionally occur outside of the penalty area also:

For example - an attacking player 'chips' the ball "up and over" the last defender. The defender purposefully handles the ball thus preventing it  progressing towards goal (for an obvious goal scoring opportunity).

This Offence also covers the situation when a defending goalkeeper comes out of his area and handles the ball to prevent a goal scoring opportunity.

Discipline & Restart Game by:

If incident in the penalty area - SEND-OFF PLAYER & AWARD A PENALTY

If incident was outside of the penalty area and prevented a goal or a clear goal-scoring opportunity: SEND-OFF PLAYER or GOALKEEPER & AWARD A DIRECT FREE KICK AT THE PLACE OF INCIDENT.

TIP: Allow a moment for two for any advantage to accrue before blowing your whistle. Very often in is type of situation, if you delay blowing your whistle for even a milli-second, the ball very often drops to an attacker who then scores. This then allows you to ONLY caution the offender for deliberate hand ball - INSTEAD OF HAVING TO SEND HIM OFF.

Webmaster's experience: During the last minute of a local game, where a defender handled the ball by deflecting it up onto the cross-bar and back into play, I blew immediately for a penalty. The ball dropped to an attacker who scored. Having already blown for the penalty, I had to disallow the goal. The penalty was missed. And the team failed to get the one point required for promotion. They never spoke to me for about three seasons !!!!!!!

Question: What action should a Referee take, if a goal keeper runs out of his penalty area and deliberately handles the ball to prevent an attacker gaining possession. There are four defenders behind the goalkeeper, two of them are on the goal line. Do you Send-off or Caution ???????

Answer - Caution the goalkeeper and award a direct free kick to the opposing team.
If there are two or more defenders between the incident and the goal, then this is not deemed to be a goal scoring opportunity.

See the  Goal-scoring Opportunity page for more detail.

5. DENIES AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY TO AN OPPONENT MOVING TOWARDS THE PLAYER'S GOAL BY AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A FREE KICK OR A PENALTY KICK. 

                           
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If an attacker is moving towards his opponents' goal WITH AN OBVIOUS OPPORTUNITY TO SCORE A GOAL, and he is intentionally and physically impeded by ANY unlawful means by a defending player - the defender can be said to have denied the attacking team a goal scoring opportunity.

It is usually fairly obvious when a 'denying a goal scoring opportunity' offence is committed. What is sometimes very difficult, is deciding if the attacking player was MOVING TOWARDS the goal when he was fouled. You will need to make a very quick decision AND STICK TO IT. Do not rely on assistance from a Club Assistant Referee linesman or an Assistant Referee when deciding if a goal scoring opportunity was denied or not - make the decision yourself.

Discipline & Restart Game by:

If incident in the penalty area - SEND-OFF PLAYER & AWARD A PENALTY (or an Indirect Free Kick if the player was impeded.)

If incident was outside of the penalty area - SEND-OFF PLAYER & AWARD A DIRECT FREE KICK AT THE PLACE OF INCIDENT (or an Indirect Free Kick if the player was impeded.)

Question: If an attacker in a goal scoring situation, and in the penalty area, is purposely obstructed by a defender:

How should the Referee restart the game - with an Indirect Free Kick, Direct Free Kick or Penalty kick ?

Answer: Even though the defender prevented a goal scoring opportunity, the offence of impedance (i.e. obstructing the progress of an opponent) only warrants an INDIRECT FREE KICK restart.

See the  Goal-scoring Opportunity page for more detail.

6. USES OFFENSIVE, ABUSIVE OR INSULTING LANGUAGE AND/OR GESTURES.  

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There is a growing concern expressed by those within football, and members of the public as a result of offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures being committed both on and near football grounds. The award of an indirect free kick or cautioning a player in these circumstances, without the offending player being sent off, is not permitted in Law.

Players, managers, coaches, Referees and administrators all have a responsibility in ensuring that the image of football is not tarnished either by use, or the acceptance of bad language.

The Referee is in a very difficult situation because if he sent-off every player who swears during a game - then he would not have a game to Referee. Common-sense is the key words here. Nowadays, most players use what is commonly known as 'factory language'. They can't seem to speak without swearing.  The Referee needs to decide exactly when a player's language is offensive, abusive or insulting. The 'Spirit of the Game' must be balanced against the 'Letter of the Law'. The one bit of leeway afforded to the Referee is in Law 5 Powers & Duties - where he is accorded discretionary powers.

Referees will hear a great deal of swearing both on the field of play and on televised matches.

The Laws state that:

" A player is sent-off and shown the red card if he uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures".

This stipulation is quite straight forward, so Referees can (if they want) legally send-off every player who swears.

Abuse can be directed at anyone or nobody in particular.

The louder the bad language is - the greater is the chance that the Referee will send off the player.

Some allowance may be given for muted frustration when a player misses the scoring a goal for instance, or when he misdirects a pass to a colleague. In these cases, the Referee giving some friendly words of advice to the player usually suffices. Referees should not tolerate loud and open bad language towards anyone, particularly towards the Referee. If bad language is directed at an individual - then the player should be sent off. Between these contrasting examples there will be a number of instances of the use of bad language upon which the Referee on the day can only decide, and this he will judge in relation to the context and spirit of the game in which each incident arises.

If the level of language is increasing within a game, problems can be prevented by the Referee telling players beforehand, by 'broadcasting' a warning.

Example - the Referee can shout "KEEP THE LANGUAGE DOWN LADS" or have a quiet word with any offender(s) before the situation gets out of hand.

Racist remarks constitute a dismissal offence in accordance with Law 12 (the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language) and must be punished accordingly.

Substitutes who commit offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures whilst they are watching the game, can also be sent off and shown the red card. The same goes for players who have been substituted and are watching the remainder of the game from the touchlines. These players are still under the jurisdiction of the Referee whether they are playing or not.

The Referee cannot be solely blamed for the behaviour of the players - no matter how bad a game the Referee is having. Players should be made to understand that displays of ill temper against Referees' will not be tolerated. Players need to take responsibility themselves for their bad behaviour instead of always blaming the Referee.

Referees MUST NEVER swear at players - even though it is sometimes difficult to be polite at ALL times.

Referees should remember to write down the exact words used when bad language results in a player being sent off. These words will be needed later when the Referee prepares his report. It is very easy to forget exactly what was said, particularly if there are several similar incidents for the Referee to contend with during the game. It is therefore important that the Referee writes at least some of the offending words in full against the perpetrator's name in his notebook. This will make discipline report writing after the game much easier for the Referee.

Unseemly hand gestures or racial comments are also abusive language and are deemed to be sending-off offences.

The Referee's prime responsibility is to protect the image of the game. In all cases where unacceptable bad language is directed at a Referee, an Assistant Referee, an opponent, or within hearing of a member of the public - the offending player must be dismissed.

Following offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures being committed, the Referee should restart the game by:   

• If the ball was still in play when the Referee stopped the game, it should be restarted with an INDIRECT FREE KICK AT THE PLACE OF INCIDENT.

• If the ball was out of play, when the offence occurred, the game shall be resumed where it was stopped prior to the offence. Example, commence the game with a throw-in, goal kick etc.
  

See Bad Language Mapping Help for Referees in deciding what words constitute a Red card offence or a Yellow card offence.

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7. RECEIVES A SECOND CAUTION IN THE SAME MATCH         Go to the top of this page

When a player receives a caution in a game, he is allowed to stay on the field of play and continue with the rest of the game. Nevertheless, if that player receives a second caution in the same game, the Referee must send him of the field of play. In other words, receiving two cautions in one game is equivalent to a sending off. When sending off a player for a second caution, the Referee should show firstly the yellow card, followed by the red card. Cards should not be flashed under the nose of the player being sent off, but lifted gently to one side away from the player who ideally should be facing the Referee.

When a player is cautioned or sent off, the showing of the card has nothing to do with legalising the caution or the sending off.  An offence is an offence and will be reported as such. The player being dealt with will already know what he is being disciplined for, because the Referee will have told him. The cards are only for everyone else's benefit, and are used as a communication to show those watching, what type of offence has been committed. If a Referee does not show a card, it makes no difference at all and does not negate the offence. Failing to show a card (or a sequence of cards) does not mean that the punishment(s) becomes void.

Some examples of receiving a second caution in a match are shown below:

• Reckless foul in the 5th minute of the game and delaying the restart of the game by kicking the ball away in the 30th minute of the game.

• Throwing the ball away in disgust (dissent) followed by verbal dissent. Invariably when a Referee cautions a player for dissent, the same player will continue to either verbally or physically continue showing dissent towards the Referee. If the Referee stops the game to punish dissent (or decides to caution for dissent during a stoppage in the game), the Referee is within his rights to administer a following second caution if the player shows dissent on two separate occasions. In most cases, the Referee should try and prevent further dissent occurring by telling the player to:
  
  "Calm down. If you continue with showing dissent I have no option but to send you off for a second caution"
  
  or words to that effect. This usually prevents further incidents occurring.

• Persistently infringes the Laws, and then verbally shows dissent towards the Referee when receiving the first caution.

• A player leaves the field of play and then re-enters the field of play without receiving the Referee's permission. These are two separate caution offences - but the Referee should use some common sense in such cases, and the administration of one caution usually suffices when this happens. But the Referee is within his rights to administer two cautions (leading to a sending off) if he feels that the player blatantly abused the Laws.

If a player is being cautioned (e.g. for unsporting behaviour) and he then refuses to give his name, then he Referee can dismiss that player for two acts of unsporting behaviour (i.e. two cautionable offences).

"What did you say you're name was - MICKEY MOUSE ??????????"

A player who has been sent off the field of play must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area. In other words, the player should make his way back to the changing room and keep well away from the area of the field of play.

Question : What is a second cautionable offence?

Answer : The idea of issuing the first yellow card (a caution) is to punish a player for breaking the Laws (or for misbehaving). It is a warning that if this player misbehaves again, or breaks the Laws again, he could receive a second yellow card (for a second cautionable offence). If a player receives 2 yellow cards (two cautions), then he must be sent off the field of play. Therefore, a second cautionable offence is the second time that an individual player has committed an offence that is punishable by a yellow card.

8. USE OF THE ELBOW:

Whilst football will always remain a contact sport, Referees must punish the deliberate elbowing when it is used violently, particularly about the head of an opponent. 
There are a number of factors that can be considered when deciding if an elbow has been used in anger or not. Although there is not enough time in a game for the Referee to consciously think of these factors every time that he makes a decision, the brain is capable of subconsciously analysing each situation in a matter of milli-seconds, and usually come up with the correct decision. This automatic analysis of a situation should be used to the full by the Referee. In other words, the Referee MUST trust his intuition and reading of each situation, and act positively on it without doubting his decsion. Aggressive, reckless challenges and the use of the elbow on the opponent's head MUST discouraged and severely penalized. It must be emphasised, that medical attention is always the first prerogative for a Referee to deal with, when head injuries and concussions occur as a result of reckless and aggressive challenges, and the use of the elbow striking an opponent on the head, under the pretence of challenging for the ball. The prime objective should always be the players' health.

To prevent or minimise uses of a violent elbow, the Referee must be aware of personal feuds in the game, and reacting to them by using preventative Refereeing techniques such as; readjusting positioning to be nearer to the feuding area until tempers die down; and by having quiet words with the perpetrators to let them know that they are being closely watched. Players are smart. If one of them is going to do anything nasty it will probably happen when he thinks the Referee is not watching. It is when the Referee turns to watch the ball behind him, that's when a player will look, see his chance, and then lash out at an opponent with his elbow. In fractious parts of a game, Referees can prevent (or minimise) violence by preventing frustration. Calling the simple holding fouls will reduce a player's tendency to lash out at opponents. Once game control has been achieved, then the Referee can allow the game to flow more freely.

The next stage in preventative-management in the use of a violent elbow is for the Referee to anticipate trouble, by moving into more advantageous viewing angles to be nearer potential trouble spots. The nearer the Referee is, and the better view he has, the more correct his decision will be, and the more chance the perpetrator will be aware of his presence; thus hopefully, making the perpetrators think twice before committing such violent conduct.

Blatant violent elbowing is easy enough to identify and deal with; it is the use of the elbow that borders between aggressive use and strong natural body movements when challenging for the ball, that are the most difficult to interpret correctly. In such cases, guilty perpetrators will always plead innocence; the Referee must be aware of this ploy, as he is the one who is responsible for interpreting each situation as it occurs, and making a decision one way or the other. An 'angry' innocent plea from a perpetrator is a good indication of his guilt, whereas a sincere apology, and a genuine show of concern for the injured player, is an indication that the contact may have been accidental. The Referee should not dismiss these signals from the players, but use them (along with all the other decision-making factors) to make his decision accordingly.

Another good pointer, is to look out for the perpetrator's fist. Is it clenched or not? A clenched fist indicates intent to elbow, whilst an unclenched fist indicates no intent. Of course, this means you have to anticipate the elbow and watch the fists of both players challenging as well as everything else, but if you have noticed the fist then it's a big help.

Players naturally use their elbows when jumping for the ball, and when running. It is use of the elbows in these situations that are the most difficult decisions for a Referee to sell with conviction.
The greatest piece of advice here, is whatever decision the Referee makes, it MUST be made very strongly without any doubt showing. Any weakness at this point will undoubtedly encourage anger from players looking for justice or personal retribution.

It would be impossible to provide slide-rule guidance in textual format to describe which use of the elbow is violent and which is not. It is more of a case of the Referee being able to read the perpetrator's intent. Nevertheless, the bullet points below are worth bearing in mind, and will help to focus the Referee's mind on the decision that he has to make (or not make, if the elbowing is accidental and caused no harm).


What elevates the use of the elbow to misconduct?

POINT OF CONTACT
- head
- on the body

DIRECTION OF CONTACT
- from the side
- from the front
- from behind
- upwards
- downwards
- whilst running
- whilst jumping
- whilst holding off

TIME OF CONTACT
- before ball arrives
- as the ball arrives
- after ball is gone
- during a "break away"

SEVERITY OF CONTACT
- careless
- reckless
- excessive force
- momentum of perpetrator
- build up

INTENT OF CONTACT
- intimidate
- retaliate
- injure
- accidental
- anger shown
- history of trouble
- importance of the game
- was the fist clenched? (a good sign if intent)

RESULT OF THE CONTACT
- triggers retaliation
- reaction and pain of the victim
- loss of referee control
- stopping a goal scoring opportunity
- type of restart (e.g. penalty)

POSITION OF THE CONTACT
- behind the Referee's back
- in view of Assistant Referee
- during a corner kick
- during a stoppage
- following a fracas
- after the game has finished
- whilst a player is making his way off the field
- after a goal has been scored

9. Questions and Answers:                                               Go to the top of this page

Question 1: You are the Referee. The Red team deliberately handles the ball in their own Penalty Area. You have awarded the Blue team a Penalty Kick. All of the players are legally positioned, the kicker has been properly identified, and the Goalkeeper is on his line. You blow your whistle for the penalty kick to be taken. As the kick is taken, an over-zealous photographer runs on to the field of play and stops the ball's entry into the goal. The ball has not touched the goalkeeper, crossbar, or either of the goal posts. The Blue team penalty kick taker then becomes livid and punches the photographer in the face, knocking him out cold. What is your course of action? What is the restart?

Answer 1: Infringements before the penalty kick takes place may be committed by the kicker, the goalkeeper or by the kicker's team-mates, or the defending team. Infringements after the penalty kick has been taken may also be committed by an outside agent. In this case, the infringement of illegally stopping the ball whilst it was in actually in play immediately after the taking of the penalty kick, was committed by an outside influence - the photographer.

Law 14 states that if the ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward, the penalty kick must be retaken: (An outside agent can be a dog, another person/spectator, overhead wires or trees, a photographer! another ball from the adjacent pitch - in short, an outside agent is any person, animal or anything that intrudes itself illegally onto the field of play.) Luckily, occurrences of interference by outside agents are rare, but when they do occur, the Referee should be prepared to take the correct action. The Referee must ensure that the outside agent is safely removed before the kick can be retaken.

The correct action to be taken by the Referee in this example is as follows.

1. Blow the whistle to stop play, and to indicate that an offence has occurred. There are two offences committed here. (a) The intrusion of the outside agent (the photographer) and (b) Violent conduct committed against the photographer by the Blue team penalty kick taker.
2. Keep your eyes on the active area and watch exactly what happens when the Blue player thumps the photographer.
3. Try and prevent further escalation of trouble, by imposing yourself between the offending Blue player, the photographer, and any retaliating persons. (In retrospect, you should have tried to anticipate the Blue player from committing the offence in the first place.)
4. Place yourself in such a position as to gain the best viewpoint of incoming trouble. This shows players that you can see any further offences should they be committed. This stance may prevent further trouble.
5. Summon medical assistance immediately to treat the injured photographer or to remove the photographer from the field of play. If no such facilities are available, ensure that the photographer is not harmed any further. In an incident of this nature, football takes second place. Do all you possibly can to ensure that the photographer (who has been knocked out) does not suffocate by swallowing his tongue – even if this means taking first-aid recovery action yourself, if no alternative is readily available.
6. Once the photographer is out of danger. Indicate to players that the penalty must be retaken. Do this both verbally and by pointing your arm towards the penalty mark to indicate to those out of hearing, that the penalty is to be retaken.
7. Remove the Blue offending player away from the immediate scene.
8. If required, seek the advice of your Assistant Referee. Take the particulars of the offending Blue player, and note the details in your Referee's notepad.
9. Show the Blue player the Red card (for violent conduct) and ask him to leave the field of play, directing him, to leave by the safest route to avoid further confrontation. For example, NOT past the photographer or the opposition players. Take the names of any witnesses of the incident. Witnesses may be needed to give evidence later.
10. . Organise the removing of the photographer and any other (non-players) from the field of play.
11. . Signal again, both verbally, and by indicating with the arm pointed towards the penalty mark, that the penalty is to be retaken.
12. . Identify the new penalty kick taker, and ensure that the goalkeeper knows who is retaking the penalty kick.
13. . Indicate to the players (by holding your whistle up in the air) that the penalty must not commence until you have signalled with a blow of your whistle.
14. . Ensure that all of the players are correctly positioned, and that all the non-players have left the field of play.
15. . Blow your whistle, and point your arm towards the goal to indicate that the penalty retake kick can now take place.
    
    

Remember! - a player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.

Question No. 2: If a Referee issued a second yellow card but forgot to send off the player because he had forgotten about the first yellow card, what happens after the game?

Answer No. 2: The question is a very interesting one, nonetheless it can only really be answered by the Football Association (FA), as it is they who decide such things after the game has finished, and not the Referees.
Nevertheless, if such a thing did happen.
The action (or lack of action) taken by the Referees, Assistant Referee and Fourth Official during the game would be thoroughly investigated by the FA and the appropriate action taken.  It is impossible to generalise, because each incident would be totally different. For example, if one team was winning 10-0, and this happened in the last minute of the game, it would be much different to if the incident happened in the 10th minute of a game, and the score was 0-0.

A similar incident 'nearly' happened in 2000 in the Premier English League. Whilst playing Arsenal at Highbury on 14 Oct 2000, the Oxford official Rob Harris showed Lee Hendrie a second yellow card in the 65th minute for a foul on the Arsenal player Pires, but forgot to send the Aston Villa midfielder off - until the crowd and the Arsenal players protested. As the game had not restarted until Referee Rob Harris noticed the error, there was no major problem (just a bit of embarrassment for the Referee to contend with) - despite the mix-up. Arsenal won the game 1-0.

Question No. 3: A player commits a foul, and the Referee plays advantage with the intention to caution the player when the ball next goes out of play. However, before the ball goes out of play, the same player commits another cautionable offence. Does the Referee show the player two yellow cards or a straight red card?

Answer No. 3: This situation is no different to any other occasion when a player has committed two yellow card offences - the player concerned will receive one yellow card for the first offence, followed by a Red card to indicate a second cautionable offence leading to a sending-off.

Question 4: During a U14's game the left back committed a foul on the attacking player.  A comment from the manager of the attacking team was " calm down lad ". The reply from the left back was in my opinion foul and abusive language towards that manager. What should have been my action ?.

Answer 4: If you (the Referee) believe that the language used by the left back was either, offensive, or insulting or abusive language, then he should be sent off in accordance with Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct). The language does not have to be directed at the Referee. It can be directed at anyone (including the manger in this case). It is not the direction or the recipient of the language that counts, it is the content and the type of language used.

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Question 5: If a player throws an object at an opponent (e.g. a stone, a shoe or any other missile), where should the offence be penalised?

Answer 5: Play is restarted by a direct free kick (or penalty kick) to the opponents' team taken from the place where the offence occurred, i.e. where the object struck or would have struck the opponent. (FIFA Site Law 12. Q18) Throwing an object at a player is deemed to be violent conduct.

Question 6: A goal keeper (in his own Penalty Area while the ball is in play) intentionally throws the ball at an opponent outside of the Penalty Area. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 6: The Referee should stop, play and send off the goalkeeper for violent conduct. Play is restarted by a direct free kick to the opponents' team taken from the place where the offence occurred, i.e. where the object struck or would have struck the opponent outside the penalty area. FIFA Law 12 Q18
(FIFA Site Law 12. Q18)

Question 7: A player picks up a plastic bottle that had been thrown on field of play and throws it at a spectator and hits him on the head. What action should the Referee take?

Question 8: An attacking player in an attempt to play the ball runs around a defender along the touchline, outside the field of play. The defender crosses the touchline and brutally elbows the attacker outside the field of play. What is the correct restart and consequences for the players?

Answer 8: The Referee cannot award a free kick for an offence committed outside of the field of play. Whilst the ball is still in play, the restart for any offences committed outside of the field of play is always dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the Referee stopped play. In this instance, the defender brutally elbows the attacker off the field of play. The correct restart is a dropped ball and a Red card for the defender. The attacking player is allowed to leave the field of play during a manoeuvre such as this. This manoeuvre is an accepted part of the game. Therefore, no action should be taken against the attacking player (apart from treating his face!)

Question 9: What action should the Referee take if a defending player throws an object at the ball, thus preventing the ball from entering the goal?

Answer 9: This should be treated as an extension of the player's arm, whereupon he should be dismissed for preventing a goal scoring opportunity, and a penalty kick awarded if the offence was committed in that player's penalty area, otherwise a direct free kick. (RA I&P)

If a  defender in his own penalty area, holds and uses an object such as the goalkeeper’s bottle, or a shin-guard to prevent the ball entering the goal, this is also seen to be an extension of the player’s arm, and the punishment should be the same as if he handled the ball and prevented a goal being scored; i.e. a penalty and a sending-off. 

Question 10: Why are players banned for a number of  weeks instead of a number of matches?

Answer 10: This is the official response from the England's FA's Disciplinary department via Joe Guest on 14 November 2001.

The recommended punishment for 5 cautions is a 7 days suspension and a £10 and this runs to the last day in February when the punishment is a warning as to future conduct.
The same applies to10 cautions with a 7 days suspension and £10 which runs until the second Sunday in April when it becomes a severe censure and warning as to future conduct.
With regards to match versus days suspensions, there are over 40,000 clubs in England of which only 303 are dealt with by match suspensions but once the National participants register is up and running it may be possible to put all Clubs on a match suspension bases. It must be noted that even match suspensions are still time based with a starting date and are completed at the end of a period covered by the appropriate number of matches.

Thanks to Roger Vaughn (Regional Referees' Manager England) for obtaining the above answer.

Question 11: Is there and stipulation covering the shape of yellow and red cards?

Answer 11: Ken Aston, the Referee was the originator of the cards used to indicate that a player is guilty of misconduct. Ken died on Tuesday 23 October 2001 in Ilford England. He was 86. Red and yellow cards were first used by FIFA referees during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, but not used in the English leagues until 1976. There is no specific requirement for the shape of Yellow and Red cards. Some manufacturers produce their Yellow cards in the normal oblong shape, and their Red cards with rounded arced tops and bottoms (or completely round). The reason for this, is to help Referees 'feel' for the correct card before it is produced from the pocket. This saves the embarrassment if a Referee brandishes a Yellow card, when he should have shown a Red. Most Referees keep their Red and Yellow cards in separate pockets. For example, the Red card is kept in the back pocket of their shorts, and the Yellow in the front pocket (thus allowing easy access to the most used colour! If you are canny whilst watching football at the highest level, you can anticipate which colour will be brandished by an individual Referee, before it leaves the Referee's pocket. Another point to watch for, is when the Referee has trouble getting his card out - this usually means a Red card follows. This is because the Red card is not very often used and placed in a less accessible position compared to the Yellow card which is kept in an easy access pocket for quick delivery. Other Referees keep both of their cards together inside their notebook, and use which ever card suits the offence. This method allows the Yellow followed by the Red to be brandished in quick succession when sending-off a player for a second cautionable offence. It can sometimes be embarrassing when a Referee who keeps the cards in different pockets, displays the Yellow with swift dispatch, but then fumbles around to try and find the Red card. It is therefore very important that each Referee develops the system that suits him/her - and one that can be used with the minimum of fuss. There is no standard method - each Referee uses the method that suits him/her. Rounded cards do have the annoying habit of slipping through fingers when the going gets wet!

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Question 12: If a new Referee uses the wrong Disciplinary code to report (off the field offences / disturbances) for example, spectator disturbance - can the report be nullified because of an administrative error on the part of the Referee?

Answer 12: It's much the same as sending-off a player but forgetting to show the red card. Forgetting to show a red card, or putting the wrong code (i.e. S1 instead S2 or quoting Law 5) does not negate the offence. It is the offence/disturbance that is the crux of the report, and admin mistakes will not make the slightest bit of difference. New Referees are always doing this, and I have done it myself on a number of occasions.

A quick phone call by the new Referee to the appropriate County Discipline secretary to explain the situation will suffice. We all make honest mistakes, it is all part of the learning and we should not be embarrassed to admit them. If the new Referee is too embarrassed, he could ask a senior Referee (or his mentor) to ring the Disciplinary Secretary on the new Referee's behalf, explain the situation to the Disciplinary Secretary, and then tell the young ref. that everything is OK. (Webmaster Julian Carosi)

Question 13: The phrase "two-footed tackle" is one I see and hear often on English message boards or EPL television broadcasts.  It does not come up here in the USA, either in our referee training or our own MLS television shows (at last not often). Could describe what is taking place in a "two-footed tackle" ?

Answer 13: the two-footed tackle does seem to be an English type of tackle. Apart from the ‘over the top’ tackle when a player stamps down violently over the ball and onto an opponents leg, the two-footed tackle is the most hated by players as it can do untold damage. Imagine running and jumping from some distance away into the swimming pool with both legs outstretched together (studs foremost) and making contact with the water with both feet at the same time. Substitute the water for the ball (or opponent’s legs) and you will get the picture!  This type of tackle usually results in a sending-off for the perpetrator (as serious foul
play).

Thanks to Karl Arps for the question.

Question 14: In the English Premiership League, we see players using all the foul language under the sun and not much is done about it usually. Do you think we as Referees should take more action against youth players using foul language to stop the language flowing into professional football in the future?

Answer 14: There is no doubt that there are varying tolerance levels throughout the football pyramid levels.

A single Referee starting a crusade on his own "to adhere strictly to the Law 12" and send off every player who swears will not get very far. Until we receive a mandate from above - this will continue to be a thorn in the side of Referees.

I would advocate not taking your measure from the English Premiership League, but to look closely at how Referees at your level (and area) deal with bad language. There is no easy answer for the new Referee. You have to adjust yourself to reach a fine balancing act in every game. The greatest impact we referees can have, is to talk to the players before it gets to the stage where talking is pointless. This is something that if we can all do together (and better), must improve the lot of those Referees who follow us the next week – or even the next ten years.

To take our steer from the way Premiership Referees deal with swearing goes against all that we less mortal Referees have been taught. Just because it happens in the top leagues, does not mean that it is right. In fact we know it is not. The reasons why swearing is dealt with in a different way in the top games can best be answered by those Referees that officiate such games. The rest of us can only ‘best-guess’ why they do it.

The consistency I strive for is taken from the way my local Referees handle swearing situations. This way, I can strive for a consistency in my own game that matches the local scene and NOT the TV scene!

As much as we Referees would like to adhere to the Laws in respect of swearing – a single Referee on his/her own (or a small group of Referees) cannot hope to change the price of bread. To try and do so on your own will quickly lead to being ostracised by players and appointment secretaries alike. The only way that I can see this ever changing, is if a dictate is received from above for all Referees to adhere strictly to the Laws with regards to swearing. And this, I think is a long way of in coming.

I do not personally have a problem with how I deal with swearing. I certainly take little or no notice of how it is depicted on the TV. I certainly put more emphasis on (a) how I was taught, and (b) how I fit in with my colleagues, and (c) how I use my integrity to gauge of ‘the spirit of the game’. (Webmaster).

Question 15: If whilst the ball is still in play, a defender standing inside his own penalty area strikes the Referee - what action should the Referee take?

Answer 15: The Referee should stop play and send the defender off for violent conduct. Play should be restarted with an indirect free kick to the attacking team to be taken from the place where the defender committed the violent offence against the Referee i.e. the position where the Referee was struck.

Question 16: During a match, it was noticed that the Referee brandished a red card to a substitute sitting in the technical area, and asked that substitute to go to the changing rooms. Is the Referee allowed to show a red card to players who are not on the field of play?

Answer 16: Yes. The players and the substitutes (and team officials) come under the jurisdiction of the Referee. It does not matter whether they are on the field of play or not. The Referee can yellow or red card the substitutes, and ask them to go into the changing rooms. By showing the red card to the substitute, the Referee has given a clear indication to all, that the substitute has been sent-off.  A card can also be shown to a substitute who has already been substituted.

Yellow and red cards should not be shown to team managers coaches, or any other non-players - they may not be cautioned or sent off or shown any card. Nevertheless, the Referee can (at his discretion) warn team officials regarding their behaviour. He can also dismissed them from the field of play and its immediate area (including the technical area). When a coach or other team official is dismissed, the Referee must tell them that he will be reporting their misdemeanour to the appropriate authority. The Referee must report such incidents using a normal disciplinary report form. A dismissed "medical trainer, sponge man, Doctor etc." or any other such medical assistant, can remain in the technical area (after being dismissed) to be available to treat injuries during the remainder of the game - but an appropriate misconduct report will still be sent in by the Referee after the game.

The Referee's match authority begins as soon as he steps on the field of play and continues until he has left that area at the end of the match. This authority includes (a) when the ball is not in play (because of temporary suspensions - for example whilst a player is being treated), (b) the half-time interval, and (b) during additional periods of play or 'kicks from the penalty mark' required by the Rules of the Competition. It can be argued that the Referee's jurisdiction lasts forever. For example, if two days after a match, whilst the Referee is quietly walking down the street, he receives abuse from a known player, relating to a recent match incident - the Referee should consider reporting this to the appropriate football authority. I certainly would!

Misconduct by anyone (including players) before the Referee steps onto the field of play or after the end of a match is to be reported as ‘misconduct’ quoting Law 5. The Referee is a representative of the Football Association and is therefore responsible for reporting ALL misconduct. This includes misconduct occurring in periods before, during and after the game, during any temporary suspensions in play, when the ball is out of play, whilst walking to/fro the dressing rooms, in the Bar after the game, and even whilst walking to/from your car or leaving/entering the ground.

Question 17: What is the difference between 'Serious Foul Play' and 'Violent Conduct'?

Answer 17: Serious Foul Play covers actions against opponents that are committed as part of the game action, and usually involve some attempt to play the ball.  For instance, a player who strongly slide tackles an opponent from behind, may make some contact with the ball during the tackle - but the strength of the tackle is dangerous to the well being of the opponent. This is deemed to be serious foul play because it was done against an opponent during play, and within a playing situation.
Violent Conduct is an action outside of the immediate game play and is simply when a player aims to inflict damage to another person such as fighting, thumping, barging, head butting etc... This can include fighting with opponents, colleagues, spectators, officials, managers,  you name it ...... Football Associations usually impose longer and stronger suspensions for Violent Conduct, so it is important that the Referee distinguishes between the two offences  (Serious Foul Play or Violent Conduct). Violent conduct happens away from the play action, and is committed with no reference to challenging for the ball.

Note: Kicking (or attempting to kick) is a violent conduct offence, as it has nothing to do with making a play for the ball, but everything to do with an attempt to commit a violent act on an opponent. 

Serious foul play is when a player commits a foul on an opponent, punishable by a direct free kick (or penalty kick) carried out whilst the ball is in play. For example, using excessive force when making a challenge for the ball. This can include instances when there is a good chance, little chance, or no chance at all of the perpetrator actually making contact with the ball. Serious foul play cannot be committed against a team-mate, the Manager, the Coach, the Referee, the Assistant Referee, a Spectator, a Substitute or any other person who is not a player. If a serious act is committed against an opponent whilst the ball is out of play, or not in an immediate game play situation, this must be penalised as violent conduct. (For example, if following a challenge for the ball which has now travelled some twenty yards away from the challengers - one of the challengers decides to elbow his opponent in the face - this is Violent Conduct and not Serious Foul play, because the misconduct did not take place in an immediate game play situation, but happened after the original play for the ball, away from the vicinity of the ball, and not whilst challenging for the ball).

In short - serious foul play is committed between opponents who are challenging for the ball in an immediate playing situation.

The restart following a serious foul play offence (must be against an opponent) is either a direct free kick or a penalty kick to the team who have been offended against.

Violent conduct can occur at any time - either on or off the field of play, and when the ball is out of play or when the ball is in play. Violent conduct is when a player (or substitute) is guilty of violent aggression towards an opponent when they are not contesting for the ball. Violent conduct can also be committed against a team-mate, the Manager, the Coach, the Referee, the Assistant Referee, a Spectator, a Substitute, a dog! or any other person. Violent conduct usually involves one or more of the following: fighting, striking, kicking, elbowing, throwing an object, violently charging or head butting.

Direct Free Kick (or a penalty kick if the incident occurred in the perpetrator's own penalty area) to be awarded if the ball was in play when violent conduct was committed on the field of play, and involved opposing players. Direct free kick to be taken at the place where the incident occurred. to be awarded if the ball was in play when violent conduct was committed on the field of play, and involved opposing players. Direct free kick to be taken at the place where the incident occurred.

Indirect Free kick to be awarded if the violent conduct offence is committed on the field of play against (non-opponents) e.g. Referees, officials, coaches, spectators or team-mates. Indirect free kick to be taken at the place where the offence was committed on the field of play. to be awarded if the violent conduct offence is committed on the field of play against (non-opponents) e.g. Referees, officials, coaches, spectators or team-mates. Indirect free kick to be taken at the place where the offence was committed on the field of play.

Dropped ball to be awarded if the violent conduct offence is committed off the field of play and whilst the ball was still in play. Dropped ball to be taken at the place where the ball was when the Referee stopped play. to be awarded if the violent conduct offence is committed off the field of play and whilst the ball was still in play. Dropped ball to be taken at the place where the ball was when the Referee stopped play.

Ball out of play. If the violent conduct offence occurs whilst the ball is out of play (e.g. before a throw-in takes place) - the game should be restarted where it was interrupted prior to the offence taking place- e.g. a goal kick, corner kick, throw-in, free kick, place kick etc.. If the violent conduct offence occurs whilst the ball is out of play (e.g. before a throw-in takes place) - the game should be restarted where it was interrupted prior to the offence taking place- e.g. a goal kick, corner kick, throw-in, free kick, place kick etc.

Note: New Referees should not worry too much about identifying 'which is which' in their disciplinary reports. The disciplinary report will not get rescinded just because the incorrect term was used. The important thing is to note down and report exactly what happened and to deal with the perpetrators by sending them off. New Referees who are unsure of whether an incident was Violent Conduct or Serious Foul play can contact a more Senior Referee colleague for assistance if required.

Question 18: Why am I taught as a Referee to follow the laws of the game and send off any player using offensive, abusive or insulting language, when, at the highest levels players are allowed to remain on the field of play and call Referees names that would make a ‘Saint’ blush........ Double standards?

Answer 18: I'm afraid that's the way of the World. It is a difficult balancing act trying to apply the Laws of the Game at local level, when it is abundantly clear that they are not applied in quite the same way at the top levels. Nevertheless, Referees from all over the World managed to officiate in thousands of games each week without overly worrying about this so called 'double standard'. The best way, is to look at how your local Referees manage to deal with bad language - and take your steer from them. It is no good trying to start a crusade yourself, because it will not work, and will lead to you NOT being asked to officiate in local games. Try not to worry too much about what goes on at the top levels, but concentrate on how you as an INDIVIDUAL can develop as a Referee. We are all different in one way or another, and are therefore not expected to be 'Law books on Legs'!. The only way that bad language will be eradicated is if FIFA send out an instruction to ALL Referees to deal immediately with bad language. To be honest, this will never happen, so you must learn to adapt in every game.

Question 19: A defending player attempts to block a shot on goal by diving towards the ball with his hands behind his head, but his elbows outstretched at 90 degrees to his body line. The ball hits just above his armpit, on the back of his arm. The Referee ruled that this player he had denied the opposing team a goal, and sent him off, and awarded a penalty kick to the attacking team. Was the Referee correct?

Answer 19:  The Referee is the sole decider in judging whether a player handles the ball ‘deliberately’ or not. Each incident is different and a decision has to be made instantaneously whether to allow play to continue, or to penalise the player for handling the ball. In this case, the Referee decided that the player put his arms in this position purposely to try and prevent a goal being score. Law 12 specifically states that it is a direct free kick (or penalty kick if it occurs inside the penalty area) if a ‘player handles the ball deliberately’ and handling includes using the upper arm.. Law 12 also states that a player should be sent off if he ‘denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball’.  Therefore, the Referee was correct in making his decisions.

Question 20: If a player receives a yellow card and then some time later, that same player commits an offence (e.g. Violent Conduct) that warrants a sending-off even if that player had not been cautioned, would the Referee show the yellow card then the red card (as would be the case if a cautioned player commits a second cautionable offence), or just the red card?

Answer 20: The Referee should just show the single Red card in this instance. The reason for this is to demonstrate to all those watching, that the Referee is sending the player of because he committed a ‘straight’ Red card offence as opposed to receiving a second caution. When a player is being sent off for a second cautionable (yellow card) offence, the Referee should show the yellow card,   quickly followed by the red card.

It must also be remembered that showing the cards is not for the benefit of the player (because the Referee will already have told the player that he is being sent off) showing the cards is for the benefit of everyone else watching.

Question 21: If a player commits a cautionable offence on an opponent, say a late tackle, then gets up and commits a sending-off offence, such as punching the opponent, what is the procedure? Do you show him a yellow then a red card? Or just a red and tell him he is being reported for the tackle as well?

Answer 21: The first thing to understand is that the showing of cards is NOT for the benefit of the player being disciplined. The player should have already been told by the Referee what he is being disciplined for. In this case, a caution for the late tackle, and a ‘straight’ sending-off for violent conduct (for punching an opponent). The showing of the cards by the Referee, is for everyone else’s benefit. Failing to show a card (or a sequence of cards) does not mean that the punishment(s) becomes void. To avoid ANY misunderstanding as to the seriousness of the situation, and to simplify the ‘card showing’ process, the Referee should show a single Red card. This will impart a clear message to both the perpetrator, and those looking on. This will allow the proper action to be taken by others, whilst the player is leaving the field of play. (For example, the player may be escorted away, rather than being left on his own – this may prevent further trouble.)

If in the original question, the Referee shows a yellow card followed by a red card – onlookers may interpret this as a lesser serious offence (i.e. a second caution). This may lead to further confrontation if the player is not prevented from relieving his frustration elsewhere.

The situation in the original question becomes even more complicated if the late tackle was a second caution, and the player then punches an opponent.

Keep it simple.

Showing a single red card may prevent further trouble all round, by minimising further confrontation. Man-management is not only a tool that can be used when dealing with confrontations, but it can be put to good effect in minimising further misconduct.

Question 22: 10. After twenty minutes play a referee issued a second caution to a player, but failed to send him off. The Referee was told of this at half time. He delayed the restart for an extra ten minutes while he sorted it out, and started the second half without the offender. Was this the correct approach.

Answer 22: . An official answer was sought of The Football Association, and John Baker replied "Page 14 of the Laws of Association Football gives the answer to your query. The first example of infringements indicates the restart is a dropped ball where play is when stopped. We believe this is correct. The referee would report the circumstances to the competition concerned and that body would decide if the game should be replayed or if the result should stand. There is no definitive decision in the Laws of the Game, or the Questions and Answers Booklet.
However, the booklet is being revised this year and I will try to get the question you asked included. We will then have an official answer from the IFAB (This may or may not be the one I have offered.)"
NOTE: The person who submitted this question also sought the views of George Cumming of the IFAB who was of the that if the Referee notices this early in the game he should restart the game. If later on, and unsure how long the additional player has been there, dropped ball restart, continue with the game after removing the extra player, then report to the competition for them to sort it out.
(Source Referees Associaiton) Feb 2003.

Question 23: A defending player, who has already been cautioned, commits another infringement by fouling an attacking player. The Referee applies the advantage clause, and allows the attacking player to run with the ball into a good shooting position. The Referee has already decided in his mind to consider punishing the defending player with a second yellow card (and a sending off) when the ball next goes out of play.

Question No. 24: Two opponents are contesting for the ball on the edge of the penalty area, when they both fall down to the ground.

Question 25: You are the Referee: A controversial goal is scored by the Red team, after your Junior Assistant Referee (correctly) did not signal offside following a close call. Immediately following the kick-off taken by the Green team, the Green Team lose possession, and the ball travels back into the Green team’s own penalty area, the Senior Assistant Referee patrolling the other far end of the field of play signals for your attention. You quickly turn around to see the Green goalkeeper sprinting towards the Junior Assistant Referee. The Green Team goalkeeper runs up to the Junior Assistant Referee and spits in his face. What do you (the Referee) do and what is the correct restart?

Answer 25: Firstly, I would castigate myself (the Referee) for not keeping my eyes on the active play in the Green team's penalty area."

The ball is in the Green penalty area and the Senior Assistant Referee (who must be down the other end of the field of play, because the Junior Assistant Referee is patrolling the ‘Green’ penalty area side) alerts the Referee who turns around. "TURNS AROUND!!!!!!" - why was the Referee NOT looking at the active play when the ball was in the Green team’s penalty area, as he should have been doing.

What do you (the Referee) do?

Again, I would castigate myself (the Referee) for not keeping my eyes on the active play in the Green team’s penalty area. If I had done so, then I would probably have been able to prevent the spitting incident happening by intervening between the Junior Referee and the offending goalkeeper. At the very least, I could have shouted a warning to the Green team’s goalkeeper as he ran towards the Junior Assistant.

As I (the Referee) had seen the spitting incident, and was nearer to the committed offence than the Senior Assistant Referee – I would be the main witness to the event. Law 12 states that a player must be sent off if he spits at an opponent or any other person. The matter of spitting at anyone is disgusting and must be sanctioned strongly. The culprit must be sent-off.

The spit does not necessarily have to land to warrant a sending-off. If it was purposely aimed at anyone, then the player must be sent-off.

I would stop play immediately by blowing my whistle. In the meantime, I would quickly make my way towards the incident to prevent further escalation of trouble, move the player away from the Junior Assistant, take the players particulars, and ask him to leave the field of play - then show a red card. Following this, I would speak to my Junior Assistant Referee to ascertain if he was OK, and to allow him time to note any particulars in his own notebook, and to see if he was fit to continue – and to offer him my handkerchief to wipe off any residue!

As the ball was still in play when I stopped the game, I would restart with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped. Law 8 (Start and Restart of Play) states that:

"A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary, while the ball is in play - for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game. "

It also states that:

"The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped."

The Referee should not bounce or throw the ball up in the air. The ball should simply be released from no more than waist level and allowed to fall to the ground.

In normal circumstances, when a player spits at an opponent, when the ball is in play, the offending player would be sanctioned with the award of a Direct Free Kick to the opposing team at the spot where the offence was committed, or a penalty if the spitting offence took place in his opponents penalty area.

If the ball was out of play, when the spitting offence occurred, the game would be resumed where it was stopped prior to the offence. For example, commence the game with a throw-in, goal kick.

In the incident mentioned in the question, I could not award a direct free kick to the opposition, because the offence was not committed against one of the opposition players, but against the Junior Assistant Referee – hence the ‘dropped ball’ restart.

Question 26: What is the best way for a Referee to deal with a melee of misbehaving players?

Answer 26: It is nearly impossible to get all of the perpetrators in a melee of players. I worked this out very early in my career! Try my simple method - it works a treat.

Question 33: As often happens in local football, a player can be sent off. But what is the requirement of this player, bearing in mind that changing rooms at local level are often locked, and in some cases several hundred yards from the field of play?
My question arises, after a player in the World Cup was sent off, and appeared to sit in the technical area for a while; which I believed was not allowed. Or are we allowed to use reasonable common sense, at local level?

Answer 33: Players are certainly not allowed (at any level) to sit the technical area after being sent off.

Law 12 stipulates that a player, substitute, or substituted player who has been sent off, must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area. 

The wording is written in such a way, that it allows the Referee to use his/her discretion, to allow for the various venues that football games take place in at local level. 

The actual words "leave the vicinity of the field of play, means that a player must be far enough away, so that he cannot directly influence the game. This can range from standing behind a barrier, to being asked to go back into the changing rooms. Another factor for consideration, is that a player who has committed an act of violent conduct, is more likely to re-offend, than a player who is sent off for instinctively using his hand to stop a ball entering the goal. 

At local level, a great deal of common sense is therefore required. But the bottom lines is, that the more likely a player is to cause further problems, the stronger you should apply the Law, and order him/her far enough away so that they can have no effect at all on the remainder of the game. 

This is the end of this Law 12 Sending Off page

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