Question Number: 20133

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/2/2008

RE: High School but not high school league Professional

Roxanne Wicks of Brookings, SD USA asks...

My son got a red card at the last soccer game because of using inappropriate language towards a player of another team. This was after the other team member said some inappropriate things about my son. The referee only heard my sons response. Which is unfortunate because it started with the other player. They should both have gotten a red card.
This friday is the last soccer game he will play at the high school level. He felt so bad about it. Does he truely have to sit his last game out. It is such a let down and sad way to end the season.
Please respond if there is some kind of rule or exception to this rule.
Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If there is an appeals process, your son's coach can start that. However the appeal would be turned down if the only thing you can say is, 'The other guy did it too.' Referees don't catch everything. But quite often they are alerted to something going on, and they focus attention just in time to catch the retaliation. Sometimes retreating from a confrontation to play again another day is the better choice.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Sorry Roxanne,
as it is a sad moment perhaps some solace as a reminder why retailiation on the pitch works so poorly. While the ethical use of language is always difficult subject matter to say what is truly required and can be overlooked it rests as an opinion of the referee. The sanction of missing a game, if upheld, is a fact that you will have to abide by. I do not know how they enforce its application. Whether they use id cards just tell the school etc.. Hopefully there are other recreational soccer games in the future outside of highschool!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

While it is sad, and I doubt there is anything that you can do about it (aside from petioning the coach to play him anyway and hope not to get caught), this could be a really good life lesson for your son.

He will remember that sometimes in life it's the negative reaction to someone else's offense that is caught and punished. In essence he was serving up his own 'vigilante justice' which ended up getting him a suspension while the other idiot walks away scott free.

There is always the club season that he can look forward to!