Question Number: 29337

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/20/2015

RE: Competitive Under 15

Derek of Cary, IL US of A asks...

I have always been unclear what happens after a caution for PI. Does the player's 'Foul Count' reset, or can the next foul a player commits result in a second caution?

As a follow up, does persistent infringement also include those infringements or fouls that are not penalized? For example, if a foul is trifling, but a player has exhibited many trifling fouls, can he be cautioned for PI?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Derek,
a most excellent question.
In determining whether there is persistent infringement, all fouls are considered. Timing and the situational circumstances are factored into the ultimate decision. However, if a foul is trifling then it is not part of the foul count where a free kick would be given and or an advantage played. It is an acceptable level of unfair being tolerated as fair.

If a player receives a caution and is shown a yellow card for PI, that player has reached an unacceptable level of fouls which crosses the referee's acceptable threshold of tolerance for foul play. It is likely the player and or TEAM was warned he was treading a thin line. Note a pattern of fouls against a single opponent versus a player committing multiple fouls against individual opponents.
That player/team is ON THE REFEREE RADAR notice board. If the player was to cause another foul in the next 10 or 15 minutes of play or there was a hint of reckless in a later tackle he is in danger of receiving a second caution. Knowing there is a send off for a double caution it is likely the referee will have some reservation in a soft foul being a final straw. Still once the bar is set we generally do not lower the standards!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derek
The caution for persistent infringement is to change the behaviour of the player. Clearly the player that has had a series of fouls which is disrupting play needs to change his ways and the referee by informing him that he has way too many fouls and that needs to stop. The foul count does not reset IMO.
Once cautioned the player runs the risk of a further caution should he persist with his behaviour. I always look to see if a player has changed his playing attitude after a caution. If he doesn't then so be it if he picks up another one which means he is out of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The Laws of the Game do not specifically state whether the foul count is reset after a player receives a caution for PI. The referee must consider the nature of the fouls, if fouls are geared towards a particular player (such as the star), and the attitude/demeanor of the player. In my opinion, a player that has already received a caution for PI would get a few more careless fouls before I would issue a second caution. If he committed a reckless foul, then I would issue him a second caution and thus a send off right away.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Remember that it is not absolute count of fouls that determines if persistent infringement happens. 3 fouls in 5 minutes is a far different thing than 5 fouls over 85 minutes.

That said, if you have determined that the foul count amounts to persistent infringement, that doesn't wipe out what the player has done. If he ignores the caution and continues on to foul the opponents again a short time later, he has committed persistent infringement again. But if he behaves for a good amount of time and then happens to commit one more foul, perhaps that wouldn't require another caution at that time, and you could verbally warn him. I heard one ref use a line I adopted: 'Hey #7, don't you already HAVE a caution?'

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Derek,

The foul count is an internal marker from the referee to deal with a problem player. It should not be reset once a PI card is given. The purpose of a caution is to alter behavior. If the player believes he has a clean slate after the caution is given, we have effectively rendered the card useless. That said, there is a grey area where the next foul may not be a second caution. As Referee Voshol points out, there are ways to manage the situation. You don't necessarily need to send a player off for the next foul after PI.

As to your other question, if you believe contact is trifling, it should not be counted towards PI. If you feel you should be counting it, then you should probably be calling the foul. That said, if you play advantage, the foul should be counted.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 29343