Question Number: 15752

Mechanics 6/11/2007

RE: NSW Premier League Professional

Alex of Sydney, New South Wales Australia asks...

This has been debated rigourously for some time by the national and NSW state football bodies.

The situation is as follows:

It is the 90th minute. A player commits a cautionable or send-off offence. The referee awards advantage, as opportunity prevails. The referee intends to caution or send the player off (and the player is expecting it, too). However, for the entire duration of stoppage time, the ball never becomes out of play. The referee then blows the full-time whistle. Can/should the referee still caution or send off the player for the previous offence?

I believe that in accordance with the LOTG "the referee has full authority until he has left the field of play and its vicinity", that the referee can and should caution or send off the player. However, some claim that the referee should submit a report to the appropriate authorities. What do you think?

Btw, have you guys in the states switched, or are you switching from 'socccer' to 'football'? In australia, there's this huge thing about changing the name from soccer to football. eg the national body used to be called "Soccer Australia", but now it's called "Football Federation Australia", and the NSW state body was called "Soccer NSW", but is now called "Football NSW". I think it's a good idea. After all, its FIFA, not FISA or SIFA.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If misconduct occurs immediately prior to the end of a period of play, the end of the period is the next stoppage and thus the referee can show a card at the end of the first half, the end of the second half, or the end of any extra period of play under these circumstances. The restriction on showing a card after a match is over is only after the referee has left the area of the field of play and the teams have completely finished their process of exiting the field.

Changing the thing we call Soccer again? We used to call it Soccer Football. It used to be the Unites States Soccer Football Association but I'm sure the guys who dress in armor plating had something to do with the change. I call it Football because I learned this Game before the one with the pointy ball that can only be kicked when the team fails to advance.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The next stoppage is at the end of the game and the referee can administer a caution/send off at this time. It still needs to be done to effect games or suspensions.

Answer provided by Referee Jon [Withheld]

Yes the caution/send off can be administered after final whistle if this is the next stoppage. Also is something occurs after the final whistle you can then still caution send off. I've been called a few things after final whistle before that have found my hand reaching for that red thing in my back pocket!! Being English, it's Football over here. Understand Americans have pointy ball and aussies have AFL. FIFA is FIFA because its a french (F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association.) Your real reasoning should be it was invented in England therefore should be called their name ;0)

Regards