Question Number: 19072

Kicks From The Penalty mark 5/13/2008

RE: Rec Adult

Pam Bridges of Jacksonville , FL USA asks...

A game goes to PK's. Right before the PK's a player gets red carded leaving only 6 players. Must the game be abandoned or may it continue with 6 players.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

By PK's I assume you mean Kicks from the Penalty Mark to decide a winner. Unless the rules of the competition declare otherwise, they may continue with fewer than 7 players. (See Advice to Referees 3.12)

You mentioned that the red card which reduced the team to 6 players was received "right before PK's". If that means while the game was still in progress, then the game would be abandoned. Yes, in the 90th (or 120th, with overtime) minute, some bonehead could screw up the entire game!

On the other hand, if someone is sent off or is injured in the interim between the final whistle and the taking of the first kick, the other team does not reduce to match numbers. Reduce to equate is based on the numbers present at the final whistle, not by things that happen after the game ended.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The Advice to Referees lays out the requirements in these circumstances in 3.19. If a team falls below 7 players before the final whistle and the referee feels they cannot return, the game is abandoned. The reduce to equate only applies to the number of players ON THE FIELD (or temporarily off due to injury, uniform, etc.) at the final whistle. So, a team that had11 players at the final whistle against the 7 on the other team would need to choose 4 to leave the field. If, on the other hand, a team finishes the game (up to the final whistle) with at least 7 players, and after the whistle, one or more are sent off or cannot continue due to injury, there is no further reduce to equate allowed. For instance, if the team with 7 players at the final whistle lost one to a red card after the final whistle, the opposing team will be kicking with 7 players vs. the 6 from the other team.