Question Number: 24223

League Specific 10/23/2010

RE: Competative High School

David of Montville , CT USA asks...

In CT High School soccer, a player that receives a yellow card must leave the pitch for ten minutes. Is there any consequence for attempting to substitute the player back into the match before the ten minutes has expired? A player received a yellow, was sent off, and allowed back on the pitch after only five minutes. The opposing crowd and coach 'reminded' the referee of the proper time, and after consultation with his equal, (for some reason we play with two referees and no line judges) it was determined that it was indeed a mistake to let the player back on so early. Should the coach have gotten a card for sending the player on early?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
Yet another local modification of a NFHS rule and this is akin to the principle of the 'sin bin' in other codes.
When modifications are introduced it is also important to fully understand how it will be implemented.
Is it a role for the timekeeper, scorer or is it up to the head or trail referee to record/enforce the time? The referees have a lot to deal with on the field of play and if they inadvertently forgets to note the exact time of the caution then who is responsible? Should the responsibility be placed on the player's coach to ensure the 10 minutes dismissal is served?
The answer to those questions determine what action should be taken. Personally I would go with the Head referee's call on the day and he felt that the best way to handle the situation was to ask the player to leave and serve out the remainder of the time and leave it at that. While there may have been unhappiness with the request to allow the player to return early, the referee may have felt that it was his error to allow it to happen, hence his decision.
Obviously CT High School soccer use the Dual Officiating System which like all refereeing systems has its benefits and deficiencies. There is nothing wrong with any system and they all work well when properly implemented.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The tournament rules don't specify who is to oversee the 10 minute holdout, although this should fall to the timekeeper. The decisions of the referee are final and not subject to protest - regardless of whether they are right or wrong under the rules. The referee can consider whether to revisit a decision or not - but is not required to do so.

'DECISIONS BY GAME OFFICIALS -- Protests arising from the decisions, interpretations and misapplication of the National Federation or CIAC game rules by officials during the contest will not be considered. The decisions and interpretations of the rules by the officials are final.'

Unless there is a document somewhere else that specifies that a coach who subs in a held out player early is guilty of unsporting conduct, or even if there isn't, it is up to the referee to determine whether this is a cautionable offense for the coach. If the referee determines it is or isn't, that is the end of it.