Question Number: 29974

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/7/2015

RE: Professional

jhon of mekelle, ethiopia asks...

can a referee change if he give red card instead of yellow card

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
As long as play has not restarted a referee can change any decision including the issue of a red card. Usually that is done on receiving further advice for an assistant or 4th official.
Here is an example of a red card being overturned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jBVGgP0cbM
The referee believes that from his angle of view that Red# 28 fouls Yellow #29. He awards a penalty kick and gives Red #28 a red card for denying an obviouis goal scoring opportunity. He then speaks to the AR on that side of the FOP. He obviously informs the referee that Red#28 played the ball and that there was no foul. The referee then rescinds the red card with the help of the 4th official and play restarted with a dropped ball. All totally acceptable within the Laws of the Game.
Credit to Red#28 for the manner in which he accepted the card. In the end the correct decision was made albeit it took a while.
Now if play has ended a referee cannot change his decision. He can in his report advise the competition organisers that he would like to change his disciplinary decision. That though is a matter for the league etc based on the report to decide on not the referee and it should not be done lightly. Willfully not reporting a card or changing a card can and does result in disciplinary action against the referee. It should not be done except in a transparent manner with the reason given for the change to the competition organisers.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi,

A decision can be changed as long as play hasn't restarted (such as, a free kick) or the match hasn't ended. So a referee can change from a red card to a yellow card. Or from a yellow card to a red card! It's rare to see, but it can happen.

If play has restarted the referee cannot change the card - but he could note in his report that the decision was incorrect.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi,
as my colleagues have indicated a referee can change their minds up until they allow a restart of play. It can happen where a mistake occurs and getting the call correct is more important than looking foolish. It should be a VERY rare occurrence and be sure to explain it to all concerned. Players can tolerate an occasional mistake if a referee shows good effort and apologises. Just remember your credibility is suspect if this was to become a habit! I also suggest that dissent might be rampant and even greater self control might be required by all concerned!
Cheers