Question Number: 30138

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/22/2016

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30133

Brian's predicament had at least two ways of being interpreted. The panelists all read it one way.

I read it as: 'I've blown the whistle and awarded a free kick for a foul outside of the PA (or in the PA but awarded to the defence) - then I see a defender punch an attacker inside the PA and give him a red card.'

In my interpretation, the player would be sent off - but the original free kick would stand. No?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
I reread the question admittedly I felt something was off I when I was answering it

Quote
I have awarded a free-kick when I see a defender punch an attacker in the penalty box. I give the defender a Red Card.
Do I now award a penalty, or stick with the free- kick
End Quote

I can say you are 100% correct if the free kick for the first offence was in favor of the defense it remains, as the VC occurred after. The subsequent punch as VC is dealt with as misconduct while play is stopped a send off showing a red card to the defender reducing the red team by a player. If the whistle had not gone and it was a FK in favour of the attackers the punch could be used as an advantage moving the FK location into a better spot via a more severe foul. The key here was play stopped then misconduct or was play ongoing with additional misconduct?
Good spot Barry.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Barry,
I do believe you are correct - thank you for picking this up!
It does sound like the free kick is awarded, then the violent conduct occurred. In that case you are absolutely correct - the initial free kick does stand, no matter which team commits the later offence.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
I read it like the free kick was for the VC. Now if the free kick was unrelated to the VC then that restart does not change even if there is subsequent violent conduct or misconduct. Play would have stopped for the first offence and that is the restart the referee goes with.
So in the situation where there is a foul, referee stops play and then a player punches an opponent the restart is still the foul not the VC even when the VC is more serious which results in a sending off.