Question Number: 23444

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/9/2010

Brittany of Keswick, Ontario Canada asks...

I understand the rule regarding the removal of a jersey for the celebration of a goal, however, should a player be issued a yellow card for removing his jersey at any point during the match? Perhaps as a caution for 'acting in a manner which shows a lack of respect for the game'?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brittany
The referee has to ask why the jersey is removed. If the referee believes that the removal has some ulterior motive such as displaying a slogan, inciting opponents/ fans etc then the player could be caution for unsporting behaviour.
Simply removing the jersey would not in itself be a reason to caution.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The motto here is 'Don't go looking for trouble, for it will surely find you then!'

Unless there is a nefarious reason or one prohibited by the LOTG, like excessive celebration, the referee should not make a big deal out of this.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

As my colleagues have stated, it's only when the removal or lifting of a jersey is to celebrate a goal (by an player on the team) that it's a mandatory caution.

At any other time the referee would need to think of why the jersey's being removed.

Dissent is one possibility, as is removing the shirt to show an antagonistic undershirt (depending on what's shown on the undershirt, it would be possible to be sent off for this).

Some referees may also caution a player who removes their shirt while leaving the field to be substituted.

It isn't something I'd be too worried about - I've never felt the need to caution a player for shirt removal for any reason other than a goal celebration.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25128

See Question: 30421