Question Number: 26531

Law 5 - The Referee 7/3/2012

RE: Premier Adult

Ibrahim Ishiaku of Lokoja, Kogi Nigeria asks...

A referee mistakingly issued a red card to a player intead of yellow card. Can the referee reverse his decision and re shown a yellow card to the player? This is not a question but a request. I am humbly requesting for officiating materials like the current laws of the game, wisttle, displinary cards (red and yellow cards). I will very glard if these materials can reach me in deu time, it can be sent through the address bellow. c/o Ibrahim shaibu, Kogi State Sports Council, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ibrahim
Yes if the referee shows a red card in error he can rescind the card and show a yellow card instead. It has happened at the highest level as can be seen here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY_otan4_Ro

However if a player is correctly dismissed the referee cannot change his decision after play has restarted or rescind the red card after the game.
It is also not good match control to issue a red card for an offence and then perhaps after protest the referee changes his mind. The referee can act on advice from an assistant or 4th official in the case of mistaken identity when the wrong player is shown a red card. That card can be changed to the correct player being shown the card and dismissed.
In the case of a rescinding a card after the game the referee can explain his decision to the competition organisers who can make the necessary decision regarding further sanction.
As regards your request for referee materials I suggest you write to your governing body or to FIFA.
The Laws of the Game can be downloaded from this link

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame/index.html

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The Laws of the Game and the Interpretations and Guidelines can be downloaded from the fifa website.

Law 5 addresses how a referee has the power to change any decision so long as play has not restarted. Once play restarts, the card must stand. But, the referee must include the details in the match report so that the league can take appropriate action.