Question Number: 25601

League Specific 10/13/2011

RE: Competive Under 9

Mike of San Diego, California USA asks...

Can a Red Card be appealed and/or removed if there is video showing an error?

Can the league do anything? Or do the refs need to request the removal if they agree?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
It depends on the level of competition. Video evidence can be used at the highest level to either exonerate a player from further sanction or indeed to seek punishment for a player where the incident was missed by the referee such as in unseen violent conduct.
Typically its use is covered by a rule and procedure as set down by the governing body. In the absence of this it may be unlikely that a disciplinary panel will use video evidence.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The Presidio League in San Diego allows protests only for (1)
violation of the Presidio Soccer League or Cal South By-laws, (2) the misapplication of a playing rule by a Referee or (3) the use of an ineligible player will be considered. No protest will be considered involving a Referee's judgment.

The referee must report every card shown in a supplemental written report. If the referee believes an error was made (e.g., #6 was sent off and it should have been #8), the referee must still report the original card and should add in the match report the facts and circumstances that now indicate this was an error.