Question Number: 24641

League Specific 3/3/2011

RE: House league Under 17

Fran of Gibsons, BC Canada asks...

My son has received a yellow card in 4 non-consecutive games this season. They have suspended him from his first playoff game because they say 4 yellows/season calls for one game suspension. Ref said it was Fifa rules. I can't find that anywhere and it seems arbitrary to me. Does that rule exsist?

Re his yellows: Nothing malicious or cheap-according to the same ref- more tackling into player with the ball.

If it's a rule I am fine with it. If not, it's not teaching them fair play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is the competition authority (i.e. the league) that sets up and administers suspension policies. Not FIFA and not the referees. The referee's only role in the matter might be to note that your son wasn't playing in the game in which he was supposed to be suspended. Four cautions in a season seems like a reasonable number.

I would expect your son's cautions to NOT be cheap shots - that would be a red card, immediate dismissal, and sit out at least the next game. (That is a FIFA rule, a minimum of a one-game suspension; leagues can make it more.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Fran
It is up to the competition organisers to set the disciplinary rules in relation to the accumulation of cautions/yellow cards and dismissals/red cards.
You will note that many competitions have a one game suspension rule after receiving two cautions such as the WC, Champions League while many leagues set a three, five, etc caution rule.
In general player expect to receive a sanction for the accumulation of cautions in a competition.
Those are competition rules set by the organisers not a FIFA rule. The only FIFA disciplinary rule that I am aware of is that if a player is sent off in a game he/she must miss the next game in that competition. Further game sanctions can be taken for the sending off as appropriate depending on the offence by the competition organisers.
Finally this has nothing to do with referees but rather a disciplinary matters for the student house league which I assume are played under local rules. Inquiries of this nature should be directed by referees to the competition organisers.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Perhaps his coach should have shared the league rules regarding accumulation of cautions or perhaps your son should have checked it out himself. An informed team can keep this sort of thing to a minimum.

But it is always a league decision as to what level it will be where a player sits after an accumulation of cards.