Question Number: 23756

Law 5 - The Referee 8/10/2010

RE: Rec Under 16

Tim O'Neill of Merced, CA 95341 asks...

If a coach gets out of control and I ask him/her to leave the vicinity would I show a red card or just tell him/her to leave and keep his card?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Cards are not shown to coaches or other bench personnel; they are for players only. You would dismiss the coach from the field and its surrounds, and report him for not behaving in a responsible manner. Whether or not his pass card is kept is a league rule.

Some leagues and state youth organizations have made a rule that cards are shown to coaches. In that case, since you accepted the assignment in that league, you follow the league rules and show the card.

Some leagues want you to use the same misconduct reporting system for coaches as you do for players. So for example you would need to mark that the coach was sent off for offensive, insulting or abusive language. But in your written report you must still use the words 'not behaving in a responsible manner' because that is the only reason given in the Laws of the Game for dismissing a coach.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Coaches are dismissed for irresponsible behavior.
Under the laws of the game, only players, substitutes, and substituted players are shown cards. I recommend, however, that you ask your recreational league if they have adopted a different rule.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Cards should never be shown to coaches per FIFA and USSF rules but local leagues continue to modify LOTG where they clearly should not. But as Ref Voshol states, if you accept the assignment you abide by their rules

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Showing cards to coaches is okay under some local rules, the reasoning being it is easier for a youth referee to communicate with the cards that a coach has lost it. We expect adults to be able to deal with coaches and their people without the use of cards. Be sure to check the local rules and see what is expected.

The Laws of the Game clearly indicate that showing cards may ONLY be done with players, substitutes and substituted players. In anything over youth leagues, coaches should be dismissed or warned, but no displays of cards.