Question Number: 23302

Law 5 - The Referee 5/13/2010

RE: Travel Under 13

Brad Phillips of Ashburn, VA USA asks...

I am an Asst Ref and have had two instances where a center ref did not have their yellow and red cards with them and needed them. One got them at halftime and the other did not have them at all. My question would be can a ref card a player even if they don't have their cards with them. Things happened in both games where a card should have been given but were not because the ref did not have his cards. Common sense I would think a ref could give a card even if they did not have them, to avoid losing controll of a game. One game a defender caught the ball that would have gone in the goal preventing a goal. The ref said if I had my cards you would have recieved a red card and been sent off. The other game was more dangerous with a play grabbing, pulling and tackling late, making a comment one time that she didn't care if she got a card. I spoke with the center at halftime since I was the AR and told him I was suprised he did not give her a card and he told me he left his cards in his bag, but would give her one if she fouled in the second half, which she did but should have been a second yellow by then.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is conceivable that a referee might arrive at the field to discover that red/yellow cards were missing. It is unacceptable that the referee would start the match without borrowing them from one of the assistant referees. It is unforgiveable that the referee would fail to caution or send off a player only because the referee has no cards.

A player can be cautioned or sent off for misconduct even if the referee fails to follow the correct procedure in showing the proper card. The original purpose of the cards was to clearly communicate the decision to caution or sendoff, and thus, it remains critical that the players, captains and coaches understand what has happened.

For the good of the game, please contact your referee assignor and tell them what happened in the two matches. The players deserve better.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Totally unacceptable that a referee would come unprepared without cards. However if he/she lost the cards many referees ask their assistants to carry spares so that they can be replaced easily during the game.
As regards the caution/dismissal during the games these can be still administered without the card being shown and the caution/ dismissal is done verbally. The fact that the card is not shown does not negate the dismissal or the caution. Indeed for older players and referees the game was played without cards up until 1970.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While showing of the card is a visual demonstration of the misconduct, and should be done, it is not the showing of the card that is the sanction.* It is generally the last step in the process of a caution or sending-off. The first parts are to inform the player of the offense, and state that she is cautioned or sent off. Cards were only introduced in the 70's as an aid to players that may speak a different language than the referee. One fellow was surprised to find out in the newspaper report that he had been cautioned the day before.

* - except in one league rules I worked under, where the rule was worded 'as evidenced by the showing of the red card'. I don't know how a send-off without showing a card would work in that league.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There are times when even if you have the cards, you might not display them, and yet, that player will still be written up. Granted - that will be rare, as it should be. Not having the cards is a professionalism defeat - not carrying your tools is the same as showing up late, wearing the wrong uniform, etc. Everyone can be forgiven the once in a blue moon oopsie, but there is no excuse for not asking your ARs for a spare.

ARs are expected to bring all the same equipment as the referee: whistle, badge, cards, pens, coin, flags, watch, etc. It is always possible one of them will need to step in and/or lend something to the referee.

Please DO report this referee behavior to the assignor, as it needs to be addressed for the good of the game.