Question Number: 26238

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/25/2012

RE: Top school Div Under 16

Ethan of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25273

Hi all,
I know this is alate follow up but I've just had a though. Looking back, I definetly aggree with your decision, but who would he caution. Would he pick th closest player, or the worst offender (even though everyone was equal in thier paticipation), or the captain, or all involved.

Thanks heaps.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

It's a good question. Realistically theres no reason why you can't caution all offending players - after all, they've all done the same wrong thing. Just one of those things I guess, not really how we're supposed to 'manage' the situation.

It is a little different to the situation of the wall breaking, when 2-3 players run in too early, but it can be managed the same way.

Probably best to only caution one player, and let it serve as a warning to the rest. How do you pick that player?

You're already on the right track. I'd either pick the worst offender (the one who yelled loudest / longest), or the first offender.

Incidentally, I could envision a few scenarios of this type where more than one player is doing it so blatantly that perhaps multiple cautions may be justified, but I'd recommend trying to avoid doing that unless you feel like you absolutely have to.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The opportunity to choose which to caution is a a gift opportunity, and the referee should use it thoughtfully. Some general notions:

a) Don't choose someone already on a caution. Sending off a player should be the last option, not the first.

b) Don't choose someone who is or might be helpful in match control. Sometimes a team's true leader is not the captain (note who runs the warmups or who calms down upset teammates).

c) Do choose someone's whose overall conduct in the match may be influenced by receiving the first card.

d) The captain is usually my last choice. (See (b).)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
I would certainly not caution all of the offenders. That will look like cards are being thrown around like confetti and as it never happens it will be considered inappropriate, damaging the referee's credibility
I would pick the most serious offender. I might also take into account perhaps who is already on a caution, additional misconduct such as dissent, a player that I have already warned previously or simply the position of the player.
I would not caution the captain unless he was involved in the incident.