Question Number: 22947

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/15/2010

RE: Under 17

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21746

I know I've asked this before, and please excuse me if I'm being dense, but I just want to be completely sure on this.
At referee conference I was told by a high level ref that once you have restarted the game, you cannot go back and issue a red card to someone who committed a violent conduct offense.
For an example:
Defender clears the ball upfield and an opposing player (or team mate for that matter) punches him in front of the AR.
AR tries his best to signal but ref does not see him.
The ball goes in and out of play 3 or 4 times. (throw-ins, goal-kicks, etc.)
Ref then notices that his ARs have colapsed from exaustion from trying to get his attention. When they come to, they tell him (even though they've nearly lost their voice) about the punch.
Can he send the offender off now?
I was under the impression from this site that in the above example, you could send off the player for punching.
Thanks for your help and forgive me if I've misunderstood and also keep in mind that the other ref may had misunderstood my question.
Where is this information found?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
In the case of serious foul play or violent conduct where the referee has missed his assistants referee's signal the player can and should be sent off for SFP/VC even if play has restarted. It would not apply in a caution situation. It is the only exception to the situation where a referee can go back to a decision after play has restarted. The only requirement is that if the referee has restarted play and then stops for the signal the restart is a dropped ball not a DFK or penalty for the original offence. If play has already stopped then the restart would be not change.

This is what the ADVICE TO REFEREES 6.4 has to say
''6.4 MISSED ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
.....Although the general rule is that a card for misconduct must be given at the next stoppage of play and that, if this does not occur, the opportunity to punish the misconduct has passed, the International Board's 'Interpretations' section has stated that this does not apply to serious foul play. However, in order to make handling such incidents credible, certain conditions must apply. The most important requirement is that the assistant referee must have signaled the original misconduct and maintained the signal despite it not being seen by the referee. USSF has indicated that this requirement should be discussed thoroughly in the pre-game and that the referee should clearly indicate what sorts of misconduct would qualify for this treatment. The International Board spoke specifically of 'serious foul play' but USSF guidelines include any form of violence (including 'violent conduct'). If the referee becomes aware of the assistant referee's signal for misconduct at a subsequent stoppage of play, the restart (after the misconduct is handled) would remain the same based on what stopped play in the first place. If, upon becoming aware of an assistant referee's signal for misconduct, play is stopped solely for this reason, the restart will be a dropped ball where the ball was when play was most recently stopped*. *
To avoid such situations, the referee should make eye contact with the assistant referees as often as possible. In addition, the assistant referees must be alert for and mirror each other's signals if needed to assist the referee.''
* Erratum. Restart amended per 5.13
I believe you can be pretty certain on this one now.
Thank you for your interest

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

You are not dense! As with most rules, even those set in stone, there are exceptions.

The set in stone rule was once play has been restarted, the referee's opportunity to issue a card for misconduct is gone. The exception, recently added by the IFAB, FIFA and now USSF, is when violent conduct has occurred, is seen by the AR, but the referee remains unaware until the ball has gone out of play and restarted. Here is the pertinent piece from the Interpretations and Guidelines addendum to the LOTG, 2009/2010, under Law 6:

'Whenever the assistant referee signals for violent conduct and the signal is not seen immediately:
? if play has been stopped for disciplinary action to be taken, the restart must be in accordance with the Laws (free kick, penalty kick etc.)
? if play has already restarted, the referee may still take disciplinary action but not penalise the offence with a free kick or penalty kick'

Ah, and if you can find said "high level referee" (I do hope this isn't a national level person) show them the paragraph in the I&G and the the Advice to Referees section 5.13. Perhaps this will convince them.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ever since Zindane used his head to the chest of his Italian opponent last World Cup final and got caught by the JumboTron after play had restarted started and restarted again, IFAB has tried to find a way to justify his being sent off. SInce the VC was seen by the 4th Official (Probably also via the Jumbotron) the referee sent Zindane off. Now the IFAB has codified it into Law and this is reiterated by USSF in Advice.