Question Number: 30147

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/27/2016

RE: Adult

Rich Middleton of Barnsley, S.Yorkshire UK asks...

When referees in the professional game are allowed to view DVD's or other media of games they have just officiated, if they recognise a wrong decision can they themselves report & have them rescinded. I'm thinking more of a second yellow rather than a straight red card which I understand can be appealed by player or team involved.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rich
A caution cannot be rescinded. The issue of a caution is a decision based on a question of fact on the Field of Play upon which the Referee’s decision is final. So it is simply part of play and if cautions were to be rescinded it would open up the use of technology. In respect of a straight red card generally teams appeal the decision when it sees the video replay and referees many times will be content that an error has been rectified by the competition authority. A two caution sending off cannot be appealed except in the case of mistaken identity.
Now some have called for a change to this and it is doubtful if it will be changed.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rich,
look at this video Drogba gets a solid studs up direct to his chest yet receives a yellow card for simulation. One WOULD think upon a review the league would rescind that card. The referee made a glaring error of JUDGEMENT unfortunately the LOTG prevents a change of a decision by a referee unless it occurs before the restart of play. An opinion is neither judged as right or wrong.A replay of an event UNSEEN by the referee can result in bans or fines but a decision made will not be contested unless it was made as in an error of what the LOTG allow, not that it was a wrong opinion of what occurred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=UG&hl=en-GB&v=2wShKHH0tBQ

It is plausible that a mistake in writing a report might be correct as in #3 red was the guilty part but #3 yellow was checked off. The referees though have no recourse such decisions are in the hands of the review committees and association directors!
Cheers