Question Number: 23273

League Specific 5/6/2010

RE: Adult

Norman of Singapore, Singapore Singapore asks...

What happens when a player receives a red card on the last match of his contract with the club?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Norman
The disciplinary panel make a decision on the number of games that the player will be suspended for. The player will then carry that suspension to his next club in that League or affiliated Leagues. If he moves to a completely different Association area then unless there is an agreement in place between the two associations on serving suspensions the player will only serve the ban if and when he returns to the original association's Leagues.
Recently in England a manager had to serve a touchline ban when he took up a new temporary management position in a club after being out of the game for a number of years. He had received a touchline ban in the last game of a previous season with another club and then retired. As it was not served he was obliged to do so at the earliest opportunity. The same would apply to a player.