Question Number: 24669

Law 5 - The Referee 3/9/2011

RE: Under 15

tommy heffernan of bray, ireland asks...

After a game, as the teams are walking to the dressing rooms,a player abuses the referee. Can the referees send the player off?. If so must he show him a red card and
how does he let the player's club be aware of the offence given that the manager did not know of the incident.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The referee's authority extends to the fields and its surrounds, both prior to and after the game. If something happens away from the field such as abuse, the player is sent off (even though techincally he's already 'off'). However, once players and referees have exited the field, no card is shown. As with any misconduct, the player is informed of the offense and caution or dismissal. If no team officials are around to inform of the send-off, the club will learn of the incident when the referee files his game report.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tommy
If a player uses offensive, insulting and abusive language to the referee before or after the game he must be dismissed.
On the field of play and pitch sorrounds the referee uses red and yellow cards to communicate his disciplinary decisions. Inside the changing rooms or elsewhere the player is informed that he is being dismissed/cautioned for his misconduct and he is not shown any cards.
There should be no doubt though that the player knows he is sanctioned for his behaviour. As regards communicating that to a club official there is no onus on the referee to do that. Perhaps out of courtesy I would inform the team manager/club official of the decision but if that is not possible or not advisable in the circumstances such as personal safety it is not required. The club will be informed by the disciplinary body of the League of their decision. That decision can be protested by following the necessary appeal procedures set down by the League. A club not knowing is not a defense that can be used by a club and a player that has been dismissed must not play in the next game so he must inform his club of the dismissal.