Question Number: 17956

Mechanics 11/19/2007

RE: rec Under 15

Cliff of Bedford, MA usa` asks...

A defensive player in the penalty area handles the ball prior to the ball continuing into the net. The referee applies atvantage and allows the goal. After the goal, the referee issues a red card to the defender for denying a gooal scoring opportunnity.

Questions

1. As the ball went into the net, wouldn't the card be a Yellow at most?

2. Is there any remedy after the game for the incorrect card being issued. Not just the outcome of the game, but also the player being required to sit out the following game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This was US Soccer policy until World Cup 2006 demonstrated everyone else just cautioned this act. Shortly afterwards US Soccer says if a goal is scored after an advantage is played the player attempting to deny the goal is only cautioned. This applies to any advantage situation that results in a goal being won by the team given the advantage, not just a handling infraction.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

1. The defender didn't actually deny the goal did he? Attempting to deny a goal isn't a send-off offense. Now up until about 2 years ago, the official USSF position was that if the ball was put into the net by a subsequent play - the ball rebounds to the player who took the shot or to a teammate - then indeed the handling did deny the first goal, and the player should have been sent off. Perhaps the referee was thinking of this interpretation.

2. Most leagues have appeals processes. The league shouldn't be able to waive the suspension, but shouldn't and doesn't are two different things. Although as my colleagues note, this was a misapplication of the Laws. Generally a protest based on that is to have the game replayed. I don't know if it could also be used to lift the suspension.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The referee, if he recognized the error, should have made a note on the game card that the red should have been yellow. If he didn't, he needs to be asked to make a formal USSF game report, and the coach of the player should protest but that had best be done ASAP, or the system won't have time to work before the next game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well Cliff, you can't have it both ways can you? Either there was a goal or a goal was denied. How on earth can you award a goal and then red card someone for denying the goal you just allowed?!? Hopefully the referee will recognize what he has done and write in his report the send-off was incorrect. In any case, the player should formally protest this with a report of his own for this egregious misapplication of the Law