Question Number: 18271

Mechanics 1/20/2008

RE: Any

Nick of Norman, Ok USA asks...

I am a 08 referee. I have refereed for 9 years and have had my fair share of issuing cautions and sending-offs. As I was watching the most recent mens world cup, I noticed that upon issuing cautions the referee would check the card or book to make sure it wasn't his second. My question is: Is it necessarily a bad thing if I keep track of that information in my mind and just automatically issue the second caution, or should I not and refer to the book?

I don't want it to seem as if I am specifically targeting those individuals, but I also don't want it to appear as if I haven't been paying attention.

Is it my discretion as to what I do? I assume so, but I just want to make it clear for others as well.

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 5 specifies your duties, and one of them is to keep a record, an accurate record, of the match. That includes any cards for misconduct, to whom they were issued, when and for what reason. You cannot fail in this duty and say you are discharging your responsibilities as the referee - that to fail to physically record it is "within your discretion". Referees who "keep track of that information in their mind" can (and do) make mistakes, even those who do write it down make mistakes like Graham Poll in the World Cup you refer to - he did not issue a send off for a second yellow, and it cost him the final. It is a major, almost unforgiveable, error on the part of the referee, and there is NO excuse. What are you going to say? I forgot? If your habit has been to not write down your cautions and send-offs, I urge - no, beg - you to acquire a new habit - for your sake, but more importantly for the game's sake.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Every match has the potential go north as it has to go down south! Up as it could be down. Each referee carries the attention span of focus to the degree he decides and as Mr. Graham Poll found out to his dismay the best of records and the support of staff whose job it is to monitor such things an oooops is not always preventable. So a single referee or one working with limited experience and support staff should follow the procedures simply to minimize the oooops from occurring too often. We can never fully safeguard a moment of inattention or indecision. What we can do is lessen them by following safe practical guidelines that allow us to recheck and refocus.

While I like to keep a game moving and play exciting there is ALWAYS time to do what needs to be done in a way that ensures accuracy and professionalism even at the grassroots. The procedure to issue a caution requires separating the culprit while ensuring your safety look over the recordsto ensure this player is not in that book, taking his or her name and number explaining what caution is being implemented as you WRITE it down. Display the appropriate color card in a calm manner and always recheck with your ARS before restarting ensuring they too are aware of who and why you did what you did! I also record player numbers with reguards to PI (persistant infringment) so I can pull them aside and reasonably recall the need to sanction. A booking is a significant moment in the match it MUST fill a need to make the match better or safer not just for the sake of that match decision but for all decisions to follow! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee needs to record the info. Usually before the card is given. In certain cases though it may be necessary to issue card before recording.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Sometimes there is a need to show a card immediately, for example to protect against retaliation. Normally however, the procedure is to talk to the player informing him of your intentions, write (record) the pertinent information, and then show the card. If you follow this for all cautions, first or second, it won't look like you're targeting anyone.

I think you're not seeing the refs on TV checking whether it really is a second caution; rather, they are following the talk/write/card procedure.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Nick, if you are keeping track of everything that goes on just in your mind only, you are either a genius or crazy. You choose which one. Me, I'm writing every caution down and even if I have to give one quickly without checking my book, I'm checking before play is restarted to make sure I don't have to issue a send-off for a second caution.