Question Number: 26674

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/23/2012

RE: 5 a side Adult

Ryan of Manchester, England asks...

In a recent game of five a side I was sent off after the game!

The ref had cut the game short by 10 mins and for 10 mins the other team played with 7 players even after countless times we told him he took no notice!

After he then cut the game short for unknown reasons?

I said to my friend 'this is a f****** joke this refs a w*****' which he then tried to send me off

I was then told that I am going to get a ban is this right? Can I report the ref for being shocking? We pay each week to play and he cuts are games short how does that work fairly?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The Laws of the Game has seven sending off offences, one of which is
# using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.
The referee here, as he heard what had been said, correctly deemed what you said to be a sending off offence. It makes no difference who it is said to and when it is loud enough to be heard by the referee.
The Laws also states that the referee has the authority to take disciplinary sanctions from the moment he enters the field of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle. So again player can be sent off after the game.
What disciplinary sanction is given as a result of the sending off is not a matter for referees but for the competition organisers.
As regards complaints against officials the competition organisers should have set procedures although I suspect that some pay for play competitions do not. Some competitions are affiliated to the FA which means that regular football admin procedures are followed including complaints.
I am aware that many referees are reluctant to participate in non FA affiliated Leagues due to the lack of these proper procedures.
As regards the competition rules the organisers will want to esnure that the rules are followed in matters such as timing etc and it would not be in their interest for games to be cut short when it is pay for play. I would also point out that if teams are playing the game fairly why would they play an extra player? Teams have a responsibility as well in this matter and if the rule was being blatantly ignored the opponents should stop playing until it is sorted.