Question Number: 12064

Character, Attitude and Control 1/18/2006

RE: rec Under 19

Ronan Wrongnessy of Galway, Connaught Ireland asks...

If someone scores a goal and an opposition player prevents you from taking the ball out of the net, should that player automatically recieve a yellow card under FIFA rules?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is not a mandatory caution so the player wouldn't "automatically" be cautioned. The referee may, however, deem this action to be unsporting behavior or time wasting and caution and show the yellow card accordingly. Your scenario is a good example of why, after a goal is scored, the referee should not turn his back on the net while walking towards the center circle.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

There is no requirement the the LOTG which require this activity be sanctioned with a caution. However, the proactive referee or referee's assistant would be very helpful in situations such as this. Being aware of this potentiality by remaining focused on possible "hot spots" especially after a goal is scored, is paramount for the Assistant Referee nearest to where the goal was scored. An observent center referee will also be able to squelch this kind of activity by being present or at least looking -- instead of staring down at their game card to record the score. Referees can often keep the cards in their pockets with proactivity and awareness. A card in this situation isn't mandatory. But, it might be necessary (unsporting behavior includes "bringing the game into disrepute -- which is what this could be considered) if a referee hasn't anticipated this possibility and stopped it before it started.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Ronan,
There are very few AUTOMATIC anythings in soccer.
The referee tries to man manage situations as best he can so cards are not the first thing we reach for! They are at times an admission we failed to properly address a previous problem or the player in question has decided to be obtuse on this issue and leaves us no choice.

In general we try to get the restart up and going asap as the ball in play focuses their attention like nothing else!
Cards are a tool of man management which we COULD use , this implies choice but unfortunately it is not only the referee who chooses. The highly charged emotional passionate player is required to accept responsibility for their choice of actions as well. A quality referee crew will do their best to guide those choices but in the end we act on the NEEDS of the match according to law and the spirit of the game

As all of my colleagues and I agree the removal of the ball has possible effects of gamesmenship, time wasting , taunting etc... all classifed as USB behaviour.

Where the problem escalates in misconduct of a violent nature with grabbing and pushing we could see even harsher measures taken if it is allowed to get out of hand.

That is why a good referee and supporting ARs try to keep the players from destroying themselves in an emotional binge by being a calming presense with a quiet word " Lets go gentlemen" a warm smile and a bit of humour " I will add the time so it is a waste of effort" or a furrowed brow and eye contact with icy stare "That is a BAD idea!", or following a piercing whistle a roar of "Thats Enough!" and cards are a distinct possibility.
Cheers