Question Number: 21900

Mechanics 9/6/2009

RE: 7 High School

Devin of Lenexa, KS USA asks...

So i was a spectator at a USSF sanctioned match recently and so a rather confusing situation. There was a through ball played about 25meters out of the goal and an attacking player received it and had a clear goal scoring opportunity. a defender comes and takes out attacking player in a completely deliberate fashion, well worth a send off. In the process of the foul, the defending player got a knee to the head and was knocked unconscious. The referee immediately recognized this and showed the red card to the keeper (it may have been the captain, i don't know. Whatever the case, it was the nearest teammate) and then explained to the keeper that he was only being shown the card in place of the person who actually received the card. The defending player was the one being sent off, but as a formality, the card couldn't be shown to a player who is unconscious. I seem to remember discussing suck a situation in one of my classes a few years back and from what I remember, that was the correct action. But i can't seem to find it in the handbook or guide. Was this the correct action. if so, can you cite where this can be found?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

This protocol can be seen from time to time. You may not recall, but in 1994 when the WC was played here in the USA, the US team played Brazil.

Tab Ramos of the US was holding Leonardo of Brazil right at the touchline - worthy of a caution. But before the referee could blow the whistle for this, Leonardo let fly with a vicious elbow that seriously injured Ramos, sending him from the game to the hospital.

Leonardo was sent off, correctly for the VC, and the referee then called the US captain, Tony Meola, and showed him a yellow card. The card was for Ramos, for the hold, but because he was injured and unable to stand and receive the card, it was displayed to the captain, and explained by the referee.

As Ref Wickham denotes, USSF doesn't follow that tradition. We are expected to show the card to the player as soon as they can stand or as expeditiously as possible, even if they are not standing, so as to be able to get the game underway again.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

By tradition players were not shown a card when injured, but that is not part of the laws of the game and no longer is a recommended procedure. Indeed, in recent years you will find great photographs of referees showing cards to a player on the stretcher leaving the field in international matches.

IMO, when someone is seriously injured, the referee must act with utmost respect. The tradition of informing the captains of the sendoff remains a good idea. The card, however, should be shown to the one sent off. The display of the card should be formal, almost ceremonial. It is the time to stand at attention, face the injured player, and quietly raise the red card over the referee's head.

In 2007, USSF answered a question about whether to show the card to the captain, coach or someone else:

'This 'tradition' is simply that, a tradition, but it is not part of the Laws of the Game nor of any procedures recommended by the U. S. Soccer Federation. It is normal to wait for the player to rise or be carried off, but that is not a requirement. The referee should show the card as soon as it is clear that the player is leaving the field or is able to rise and continue play. . . .'