Question Number: 27997

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/11/2013

RE: 3 or district referee. Adult

les of Nanaimo, B. C. Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27878

If a player is attacking and is recklessly fouled, yet the attacking team take the free kick fast before the ref has issued a card, can the card be given at the next stoppage in play?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Les
Unfortunately the answer is no. If the player recklessly fouls an opponent then the referee should not allow a quick restart. Once play restarts no card can then be issued except for unseen violent conduct. In that case a card can still issue but the restart is not connected with the card just either the reason the ball is out of play or if play is stopped to deal with the unseen flag it is a dropped ball.
An issue like your question arose in the Premier League game between Arsenal and Liverpool recently. Sagna the Arsenal defender pulled Suarez to ground on a breakaway. It was a tactical foul not reckless. Suarez had the ball and played a quick free kick from the spot of the foul which put Liverpool in a very attractive attacking position. The referee pulled it back as had he not done so he would have been unable to caution Sagna.
Personally I felt the 'better' decision would have been to allow Liverpool to get on with play to its advantage. Had it been a reckless challenge then it would not have been advisable as that can compromise match control etc. It also means that the player can commit a 2nd reckless challenge without being dismissed when the 1st challenge goes unpunished with a card. Interestingly Sagna I don't think committed one foul after that as he knew he was most definitely on his way after the fuss that Liverpool created about being pulled back till fater the cuation was issued.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee does not have to allow the attacking team to take a quick free kick. She can stop play immediately (even if the team has already taken the free kick) because the decision not to allow the free kick was made before the kick was taken (even if the whistle came later).

The referee's other option is to allow play to continue. But, with this option, the referee loses the opportunity to show the card. IMO, it should never be done in a red card situation.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Les,

If you need to give a card it has to be done at the first possible stoppage. If you don't then you can't give a card at the next stoppage.

In the rare case that the opponents want to take a quick free kick it does, unfortunately, mean that the attacking team is disadvantaged by losing the kick.

I've had this on a few occasions when it was a borderline card, and I've decided to allow the quick free kick rather than issue the card. If it's completely blatant and the card has to be given (or you've already started to pull it out!) then you don't have a choice.