Question Number: 23265

Law 5 - The Referee 5/5/2010

RE: REC Under 14

Chris of Sheffield, South Yorks UK asks...

Can a player be booked if the referee does not take the players name or advise him of the offence he has committed, either at the time of showing a yellow card or after the game?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
If the referee shows the player a yellow card that player has been cautioned. Clearly to report the caution the referee has to have the relevant details. In the UK referees are advised to
1. State that the player is being cautioned;
2. Enquire the player's name;
3. Warn the player about future conduct;
4. Show a yellow card as described above.
If the referee neglects to do any one of the 4 steps its does not negate the caution and the player concerned will be dealt with in accordance with the laid-down disciplinary procedures. You will note that at the highest level such as the Premier League referess dispense with steps 1 & 2. The full procedure is advised because some League do not use team sheets and player identification is only possible through asking for the name.
After the players have left the field of play and surrounds cards are not used so the referee must inform the player that he is being cautioned and his details taken. Having said that if a referee uses a card in say the changing room it also does not negate the caution just because the advised procedure was not followed.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes.

The formal booking steps that Ref McHugh quotes will enhance the referee's ability to manage the match. The referee's talk can be more effective at preventing future misconduct than simply showing a card. Sometimes, however, a 'quick' card is necessary to demonstrate that the referee has seen and is dealing with the misconduct, and to prevent an immediate and violent retaliation by the opponents.

Players do not escape the consequences of their misconduct when the referee does not use the customary (and more formal) booking procedures.