Question Number: 22737

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/20/2010

RE: Rec, High School High School

RefRichard of Mesquite, TX US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22561

In follow up, In a High School match last week, I inadvertently issued a caution for Taunting. After the match, I realized my mistake. Would it have been proper to amend the paperwork and note the infraction as a send-off?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee's report should indicate both what the referee did on the field, (a yellow card was shown) and the mistake: the exact conduct, that the misconduct was taunting, and that the player should have been disqualified and shown the red card.

It's a good idea to alert your assignor about the mistake. Better they learn from you than from inquiry from the league.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Richard
Referee Wickham is correct about reporting what happened on the field of play during the match. Any change to that will require a detailed report outlining the circumstances and the reason for the change. It should not be done just as an amendment of paperwork.
There are times after a match when when we have all reconsidered a decision and then felt that a better decision could have been made. My view is that the referee makes the decision on the field of play and then lives with that decision. The important part is to learn from it and not to repeat it again in the future.
Perhaps it is more likely that the incident was a cautionable offence rather than taunting and you may have made the correct decision? I am a great believer that sending off offences will usually present as pretty clear cut to referees at the time of the incident and we can second guess ourselves afterwards by over analysing it .
As an example I can look at a tackle during play as a cautionable offence and then after the game when I have given it further consideration, in the comfort of my armchair, felt that it should have been serious foul play resulting in a dismissal. First instinct is usually correct IMO and it is made in the circumstances prevailing at the time on the FOP. It goes down on the report card as a caution.
I know colleagues who have rescinded dismissals or reduced them to cautions but rarely the other way.

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

Referee Richard

I agree with Referee McHugh.
The concept of taunting as it is covered in all high school sports (as well as high school soccer) is analogous to Abusive Language/Gestures under soccer laws, which is a red card offense.

Taunting is an action meant to provoke an aggressive response by the opposing player. Taunting is an act that should be immediately discernible by the near-by referee.

Therefore, it is possible, that you witnessed Unsporting verbal behavior and cautioned the player appropriately. Consider that possibility as you re-check your memory and write your report to the league, the two athletic directors, and your assignor. For, if you wish to note after-the-fact that the caution should have been a dismissal, you must report that to all four of those entities.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I'm answering twice to note I also agree with Ref McHugh.

If your judgment in the moment was that this was cautionable as unsporting conduct and showing the yellow card was appropriate. There is no reason to report that, upon reflection, you wish you had sent off the offender for taunting. Your gut in these circumstances is almost always right.

I read your post that you judged the conduct to be taunting, a disqualification under NFHS rules, but erred by showing the yellow card instead of the red card.