Question Number: 26407

League Specific 6/1/2012

RE: Competive Adult

mubashir of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia asks...

the game between 2 teams finished 2-1, after the final whistle they both fought with each other on the field. wat should be the points given or action taken on these teams. they are 15 teams in this soccer tournament.

because of the fight, the team who lost the match did not turn up the next day to play against the other team in the group. the management has decided to give 3 points to that other team but its still disadvantage for this other team as they need 3 points plus goals so that they can increase there goal score. please feed back on this asap. thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The laws of the game do not provide any answers to your questions. How do deal with such action is left entirely to the league's disciplinary committee.

As a general practice, however, league rules often publish in advance the number of points that are deducted for red cards. When there are brawls and events that bring the game or the league into disrepute, most leagues will decide on a case by case basis what is the correct sanction.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mubashir
The answer to this lies in the competition rules which can include disciplinary matters as well.
In the case of a melee that is witnessed by the referee and assistants the players guilty of violent conduct should be sanctioned with dismissals and suspensions. The match report will include the details of what was seen and who committed what.
An organising committee can also decide to take disciplinary action against the teams for the misconduct and the sanction can include fines, suspensions, award / loss of points etc depending on what is in the rule book for the competition or the general rule book for the organising body.
Generally when a team does not field the accepted norm is that the match is awarded to the opponents with a score of 3-0