Question Number: 25867

Law 5 - The Referee 1/3/2012

RE: Competive Adult

Leonard Fitzgerald of Cork, Ireland asks...

Can a ref enter addressing room after game over to give a card to a player or should he say to club official that the said player is going to be reported in his report

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A player can be cautioned or sent off after the match is over, but a card should not be shown after everyone has left the field. The information about the misconduct is presented in the match report.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A card should not be shown in the locker room. The referee may report misconduct that occurs after the match and he may inform the player and his coach but once everyone has left the immediate vicinity of the field, no more cards

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Leonard
A player can be sent off after the game is over including in the changing rooms. As cards are used for communication purposes their uses is restricted to the field of play and surrounds. While the use of cards by a referee in the changing room is not correct as per the advice to referees that does not negate the sending off offence for which the player will be reported for.
Indeed having attended disciplinary hearings referees are always asked if a card was shown and many times it causes difficulties when the referee says that a card was not shown as many are not familiar with the Law. Many administrators would prefer that cards are shown even if contrary to the advice.
I would also point out that the player should be advised directly by the referee of his dismissal not second hand through a club official. Personally I would advise referees to ask a club official to bring the player out of the changing room so that the player can be advised of his dismissal. However heated situations in the changing rooms are best avoided and perhaps circumstances dictate that showing a card to a player may be the 'best' way of handling it to avoid further difficulties.