Question Number: 27554

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/24/2013

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27506

I have a couple follow-up questions.

First, why isn't the red card for serious foul play, rather than violent conduct? While they are both similar, I thought that the former would apply while the ball was in play.

Secondly, let's say that the attacker lost his balance shortly after advantage was applied & you decided to award a DFK to the attacking team, but the attacker attempted to kick the defender before the whistle is blown.

If I am correct about serious foul play, would this change the reason for the red card (since play actually stops when you make the decision, rather than the whistle, as I understand from previous answers)...i.e. it would then definitely be for violent conduct?

Also, in the latter scenario, would the restart be a DFK for the attacking team? My reasoning would be that play was stopped to give a DFK for the attacking team, but then violent conduct & a red card against the attacker.

Hope this is clear. Thanks for your many answers & advice.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Generally these situations tend to be clear cut. If play is continuing and a player uses excessive force against an opponent while challenging for the ball that is serious foul play. Stop the game and the player then says kicks an opponent then it is violent conduct.
In the scenario presented the referee had stoped play albeit that the whistle had not sounded and it was retaliation.
Also think about the report that the referee has to describe the sending off in his match report. The way in which the referee describes the incident will decide if it is SFP or VC.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Whether the ball is in play is not the key factor for serious foul play.

Serious foul play (SFP) requires that there has been a challenge for the ball by a player against an opponent while the ball is in play. Examples of SFP are: elbow to head on aerial challenge; tackle that endangers the safety of a player.

Other forms of violence are punished as violent conduct (VC). It includes violence by a player against an opponent while the ball is in play where there is NO challenge for the ball. Most violent forms of retaliation are VC as they rarely involve a reasonable opportunity to challenge for the ball. (The hit usually occurs after the ball is away.)

The distinction can also be important for the disciplinary committee. VC often receives a greater punishment than SFP.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Learning the difference between SFP and VC can be difficult. Obviously according to the LOTG, they are both send off offenses. As my colleagues stated, if the referee determines that the player was challenging for the ball, then it is SFP. If the contact was not made in an effort to challenge for the ball, then it is VC.

Also keep in mind that once the referee decides that a foul or violation has happened, anything after becomes retaliation and can only be misconduct. It is not the sound of the whistle, but when the referee determined the foul or violation in his head.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Phil. In order to call SFP, the player must be making an attempt to play the ball which didn't happen here. You are correct that the ball must be in play for SFP to be called but VC may be called whether the ball is in play or not.