Question Number: 18454

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/2/2008

RE: Under 12

matt of liverpool, merseyside england asks...

What is the correct procedure for sending off players after the final whistle, how long can the match end before you cant send them off...also what is the situation with sending coaching staff from the touchline.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Matt,
the referee COULD still show a red card at the end of the match while players are still on the field before they exit.
In the 2000 European Championship semi-final between France and Portugal . During the sudden death phase of overtime (golden goal) the Austrian referee Gunter Benko controversially awarded a pk for a penal foul of handles the ball delibeately after Abel Xavier blocked a shot from Sylvain Wiltord. The Referee based his decision on the information provided by the Slovak linesman Igor Sramka.
France's Zidane scored and the match was ended but the Portugese players were infuriated at the AR. They ran over and while still on the field they phyically assulted shoving screaming and spitting at the AR Mr Sramka.
Abel Xavier, Nuno Gomes and Paulo Bento were given lengthy suspensions and fines for their actions but the moment that I remember is the referee Mr. Benko showing the red card AFTER the match was over standing in front of the AR and the Portugese players trying to grab it away while still inside the field .

This misconduct is of course not a normal send off as in the game play is not missed but future matches including the very next one is a certainty, more depending on the disciplinary findings. Also if there is misconduct away from the field say parking lot ot change area while no red card need to be shown if the actions are send off worthy expect match bans to follow. The referee is obligated to record and report these actions.

It is a sad moment if a referee must intervene to remove a coach. A coach is expelled not sent off, a send off is reserved ONLY for players.
The laws ask that coaching staff hold themselves accountable to reasonable behavior and convey tactical instructions and support to their team from within the confines of the technical area.

To argue with refs or continually abuse or dissent sets a poor standard for their players, the game and those watching. Contrary to what many coaches think this is not a power struggle or a ego boost that a referee can choose to do this. Removing a coach is in my opinion the single worst decision a referee can be FORCED into.

Whether the coach deserves to be expelled or the referee is not doing the most credable job of officiating is not the point it shows that we are NOT on the same side when we agree to disagree. At the youth level when this occurs it is again the single worst thing to SHOW to the kids as an example of how adults relate!

A referee who has said this game will not continue with you present must wait until that expelled staff is away from the playing area and field to a point where the expelled coach NO longer has ANY impact. This includes, uttering threats, screaming obscenities from the stands, revving the motor of the car and screeching around the parking lot near where the referee's car is parked. LEAVE the field area and be a NON factor in the rest of the match. Failure to comply the referee will terminate the match and record and report all actions to the league for disciplinary review. Match bans, fines, expelled from coaching, non admittance to the park even jail time who knows but I assure you the result is NOT good!

I referee, I coach, I play, I am a fan! I want the game to be better but we all must work to that end. Perfection is an illusion but cooperation and effort are ALWAYS doable! We simple need to choose to do so! Free will is a gift it does not mean we must agree but we can agree to disagree and still be on the same side!
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 18541