Question Number: 19648

Law 1- The Field 7/25/2008

RE: Rec and Competitive Adult

sherisse of pasadena, ca usa asks...

Hello,
Just wondering if the ref can give a yellow card for touching or moving the corner flag during a corner kick? I recall our head ref saying they could but never thought anything of it until tonight, when a player was yellow carded because he accidentally knocked over the flag when he was setting up for a corner kick.
Thank you,
Sherisse

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A caution could be given, but generally only after warning the player not to move the flag. The kick must be taken with the flag in place.

If the flag is improperly placed - not on the corner, or leaning - the player could ask permission to try to fix it.

Accidentally hitting the flag in the process of taking the kick is simply that, an accident. Perhaps the referee didn't see it as such in your game, but thought the actions were deliberate to get the flag out of her way.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Hi Sherisse, the referee actually nevr gives yellow cards. The referee might caution a player and show the card but he has only one card and needs it for the next occasion. Yes, the referee can indeed caution a player for moving the corner flag. I sincerely doubt that the player got cautioned for 'accidently' knocking a corner flag over. If a player kicks the flag and sends it flying he will become much more familiar to me and see the colour yellow.

Typically players move the flag and the referre tells me to put it back in its right position. If the player does not do that than I will do it for him.Of course it will cost him caution.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Only if the referee deems it as unsporting or if the player persistently moves the corner flag post. Uusally the first time a simple warning will suffice. Of course this is up to the referee.