Question Number: 24154

Character, Attitude and Control 10/13/2010

RE: Varsity College

Tina DaSilva of Mississauga, Canada asks...

If a referee attends a game with no proper red and yellow cards and nothing to write the cautions on and during the game gives out 12 cautions combined to both teams and is just using his memory to remember the players numbers who got the cautions and what teams they were on is there a way if proven by a video of the game that all the cautions can be dismissed?

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Oh, dear!!!

I heard of going back to one's bag and ceremoniously throwing the yellow card onto it - basically telling the teams that the only card left is the red, and to take heed, but not having the cards is another story.

Coming without one's equipment is pretty poor. Perhaps one could be missing the actual cards, but have nothing, not even in your car to write upon if needed? Tsk. Should have asked one coach for a piece of paper and the other for a writing implement.

I would DEFINITELY protest the cards issued in this game, and ask the referee where his proof is - especially since both teams can testify that no cards were shown, and I'll wager the referee has no proof of to whom he gave the cards. It would be very interesting to see the report handed into the league on this one!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tina
Very unprofessional of the referee to turn up at a game without the proper referee equipment.
As regards whether the cautions are valid or not the answer is yes. Failure to show a card does not negate the caution/dismissal. Indeed for us older referees we remember a time when cards were not shown but simply the player was informed of the caution and the player's name was taken.
Now as regards memory of the caution details I'm not sure how that happened. Did the referee have team rosters or a match card? If he had then it was very simple to mark the roster or match card as a caution.
For a number of years I was involved in match card administration in Underage Leagues. I noticed that many referees showed the card and simply noted the caution on the match card and then filled out the relevant caution report afterwards from the match card. Referees also used the card to note scorers and any other relevant information.
However if I was a player and I was reported for a cautionable offence which did not happen nor was I cautioned verbally by the referee I would appeal the decision.