Question Number: 13310

Law 18 - Common Sense 7/10/2006

RE: Rec--Select Under 15

John York of Waynesboro, VA USA asks...

This is about Zidane's send-off for VC (there should be a third card for unbelievable VC--black, maybe) I couldn't tell from TV, but did the AR signal a foul before it was replayed on the giant screens around the pitch? If not it brings up an interesting question about what the ref does when he sees the instant replay. Had I been center (glad I wasn't) I think I would have asked the AR if saw the foul and purposely omitted anything about whether he saw the foul, or whether he just saw it on TV. If he says yes, turn around before he can say another word and show the card. That would be the just thing--also the prudent thing since otherwise there would have been a riot...;)

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I believe he saw it live. He had too as he was right in position to see it.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI John,
The AR likely did not clearly see the misconduct, possibly because as he was concentrating on the offside and looking up field along the touchline. While we are told to look for incidents of tension in reviewing the tape I saw no real lead up to the incident which from a touchline would have me focused just on these two .

I belive it was the 4th official who ACTUALLY saw the incident BECAUSE if the AR HAD seen it the flag would be waving frantically for the headbutt into the chest. As AR he would be screaming into the headphone, mike or buzzer. Big problem we have a violent incident in behind play. The opposing AR would mirror the flag signal and point back if he was in eye contact to the referee. THERE WAS NO REPLAY of the incident in the STADIUM where the match was played . NO replay review could be used to MAKE a case.

These men who honour us by representing all referees at the pinnacle of their career are in my opinion so far above what you suggest it is impossible to imagine for me. Naive as I might be I believe the events occurred and the officials communicated and arrived at a decision as the law accords them and the game demanded.

You must put what occurred into a time frame and consider the effect such an incident created in the HEARTS and mind of the officials as well as the rest of the world.

Zidane headbutted Materazzi and it was violent conduct. He has no excuse despite whatever was said by the Italian. The act is undefendable even if Materazzi deserved a punch in the nose later in the parking lot. At the WC stage in respect for the GAME, his teammates, his country and the world watching he disgraced himself . I forgive him as a human being no one is perfect but as a a role model it was pathetic and what is more he knows it and will endure the misery of what he did for as long as the memory of it survives

The foul along with its VIOLENT CONDUCT occurred in behind and out of the sight of the referee!

There is some confusion as to when the ZIDANE incident occurred in respect to the dynamic play at the opposing end of the field where the referee was awarding a FOUL in favour of France who took the direct free kick quickly. It is not important in law if the ZIDANE incident occurs prior, same as or while play was stopped to the DFK restart awarded to France.
It is CRUCIAL though if the incident occurred AFTER the DFK restart.
WHY?
The referee stops play to deal with a injured Italian player AFTER the DFK restart by the French. If new information is made available to him by his neutral officials he can CHANGE the dropball to a DFK if that foul occurred AFTER the French restart
Law 5 The Referee begin quote
"Powers and Duties
acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents that he has not seen;
Decisions of The Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match"
end quote

I added the quotes to show why since he has restarted there can be no other restarts allowed except for those that occur after. Plus it shows that the MISCONDUCT of the act is not

There is a misconception that if an incident occurs out of sight of the referee and no cards are shown prior to a restart the opportunity to card is gone

THIS is FLAT OUT WRONG!!

A referee who is AWARE of the incident, in law is prevented from changing a decision but ONLY if he has ACTUALLY made one!

A referee allows play to continue for advantage ONLY if he sees the incident and if there is cardable material present when play is next stopped he MUST DECIDE if he will or will not show a card before restarting.

A referee who stops play to award a foul MUST DECIDE at that time to show a card or allow the restart.

In the quote above it states a referee can act upon information by his neutral assistants for things occurring out of his view. Once this information exchange occurs the referee makes a decision to card or not card based on LAW 12 Decision 1 start quote
"A player who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on or off the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a team-mate, the referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offence committed."
end quote

If we take a moment to consider the mechanics and communication that likely occurred I suspect something like this.

Horacio Elizondo the referee indicates French free kick.
Just as after the free kick the buzzer on the arm and the headsets screams, "Injured player in behind play" I suspect by the AR as he was only caught a part of the headbutt but saw the player in obvious distress squirming on the ground

Flags are up,Whistle goes to stop play as the players realize an injured player is down and the referee now DEMANDS to know just what in the thunderation happened.

The AR is caught stammering I think there was an altercation between Zidane and Materazzi I think Zidane hit him? I was focused on the offside and the touchline.

The 4th official adjusts his mike and pipes in, YES, there was an altercation I saw Zidane headbutt Materazzi definite red card .

Horacio heart stops voice goes deathly quiet amid the roar that is surrounding him in the stadium. He speaks into the mike, What did you say? The 4th repeats it was unbelievable Zidane went nuts and smashed his head into Materazzi

Referee; What did Materazzi do to Zidane?

AR and 4th; We saw nothing obvious it must of been something that was said??

Referee ;you mean there is nothing on Materazzi you sure he did not spit or I am going to have to send off only ZIDANE is there anyway I could only caution?

4th I saw no spit, kick or strike only Zidane headbutting it was way too violent it has to be red

The referee runs over to talk with AR and 4th directly Red ? Red !
Zidane goes off amid howls of disbelief by some, righteous applause by others. and you can believe a HUGE disappointment by the officials.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Yup there should be another card available to the referee. Lets demand the International FA Board institute a change in the Laws of the Game so those of us who don't understand can have it our way. Not!