Question Number: 29888

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/4/2015

RE: Adult

Rosie hodgkins of Oxford, Oxfordshire asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29884

The yellow card was put in the air apparently but as I walked away. I thought if you were getting booked and go to walk away the ref has to call you back for you to see the card being shown? I got told after the game that I had been booked because I didn't get told by the ref or see it. Other players were booked and got called back for them to see the card go up. I am still waiting for the match report to come through.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rosie
Probably poor mechanics by the referee. However many players show disdain at the decision by turning their back and walking away. I called to a player in a game at the weekend and he persisted in walking away. I did eventually get to show him the caution.
BTW this caution will stand if recorded by the referee in the match report as the card was shown.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rosie,
It is better to have eye contact but there should be a verbal admission by the referee, "I am cautioning you # so and so for ?whatever?" and then display the card. As mentioned players often try our patience with back turning or ignoring our summons so rather than be forced to apply a second caution we simply go through the motions to get play restarted. At times I think ok other times I say not so ok!
What it boils down to we do not want to send off as it affects the team play when it is just a player being obtuse. Not saying you were or what the referee was thinking doing the match report but you can be sure the caution will stand if the card was shown.
Cheers