Question Number: 22745

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/21/2010

RE: High Scool Under 16

Tony of fremont , california usa asks...

One of my players received a soft red card for abusive language to another player, and then the referee told me that I could sub her with another player. Now I have the other Coach saying that this was Illegal, and he is contesting the call of the ref because he says that I should have played with only 10 girls. This are High School Girls Varsity level. thanks for your time.

Tony Villasenor

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tony
From my limited knowledge of NFHS rules if the referee stated that this was a 'soft red card' situation then the team should not play short. You do not mention if the dismissal was for a second yellow or straight red card card dismissal.
I suspect that if the opponents appeal the referee's decision, he/she will have stated in his/her match report that it was a 'soft red' card situation and that will result in the protest failing.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I don't believe abusive language is one of the so-called 'soft red' offenses in NFHS rules. So your team should have been playing with 10, and the other coach could be correct to protest the game. However the referee might have written up the card as another reason which would have allowed you to sub for the dismissed player. You will have to check the game report.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Under NFHS rule 12-8-2, there are two types of misconduct for which the player is disqualified but may be replaced (the so-called 'soft red').
They are:
a) any delayed, excessive or prolonged act(s) by which a player(s) attempts to focus attention upon himself/herself and/or prohibits a timely restart of the game; or
b) a second caution in the match.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Coach! This is not a 'soft' red card offense. Ref Wickham correctly quotes the pertinent rule section for NFHS. A send-off for language is a regular red card and the team plays short