Question Number: 30675

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/16/2016

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Hello, my question is about unsporting behaviour. I mean only common fouls, which are not in dangerous manner. For example fouls in penalty area or fouls near this area. (Sometimes they are punished with a yellow card, sometimes not.) I mean also fouls in the middle of the playground or fouls in the opponents half. Please describe in general how you decide these situations. When they are 'yellow' fouls and when not? Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
There are many factors that a referee has to take into account on a tackle \ challenge as to whether it merits a card or not. Referee Voshol has quoted the law on what constitutes reckless \ excessive force. Other factors that can have a bearing are
Repeat offences or persistent infringement
Tactical foul of breaking up a promising attack such as pulling back a player, foul due to lack of covering defenders
Denying a clear goal scoring opportunity
Using a hand to attempt to score / win the ball from an opponent
Simulation
Verbally distracting an opponent
In the case of a penalty award there may be times when the foul is just a silly one committed in a careless manner say in the corner of the penalty area. The penalty kick will be sufficient compared the reckless tackle or the foul that breaks up a promising attack with say an unmarked attacker waiting on a pass. Similarly around the penalty area it might just be a careless foul with nothing lost such as stopping the promising attack, pulling back a player who could get a shot away etc. That will just be a free kick. In summary the referee will look for unsporting actions to caution rather than just a foul that happened because the player was careless or just plain stupid with no need to do anything. My favourite stupid one is the defender who goes out to challenge an opponent with the ball who is static, facing the touchline going nowhere and the defender pushes him over the ball. It is a foul that gives the opponents a free kick in a dangerous situation now facing goal. No need for the foul and as it is careless it is a free kick only. Put the same two players on a one on one in the same location with the attacker pushing the ball past the defender who then pulls him down will be a caution for USB. Both are fouls in the same area yet the context changes the need for a caution or not

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It's not the location of the foul, it's the nature of the foul. The Laws have a list of offenses which are a foul if they are committed in a manner that is careless, reckless or using excessive force.

The Laws then give these definitions and result:

•  Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed
•  Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned
•  Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off

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