Question Number: 30739

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/9/2016

RE: Rec Adult

Steve of Perth, Western Australia Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30729

Your answer that Yellow Cards given in the tunnel or warm up count towards a match is actually not correct. A referee may RED card a player in these situations, and they may not take part in the match, but a cautionable offence is merely reported. In the FAQ to Law 5 the IFAB state:

'Q3: Why can a referee send off (RC) but not caution (YC) a player before kick-off?

Red card offences are serious and players who commit such offences should not play in the match but it would become complicated if a caution (YC) could be given pre-match as people would not know that a player has a caution (YC) when the match starts. It is better that these offences are reported.'

The ability to give Yellow AND Red cards starts as you enter the pitch to start the game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve.
Thanks for following this up. You are indeed correct as cautions now only count on the field of play or surrounds. The answer has been amended. As the new Q&A points out cautionable misconduct off the field of play before kick off in the warm up and tunnel do not carry on to the field of play and are reported only.
The new laws constantly throw up additions that change our previous understanding which we are all still coming to grips with. The wording though is somewhat wooly in that is speaks about *it is better* rather than more definitive.
Personally I dont believe that is a good idea and the reason given of people would not know that a player has a caution (YC) when the match starts is dubious. It is also contrary to the issuing of cards at half time. I see little difference in a caution issued before the game in the tunnel and a caution issued in similar circumstances going in at half time for a similar offence?
Anyway as a referee I would be paying very particular attention to any player cautioned before kick off. The reason given for not allowing the red carded before kick off to not be allowed play would IMHO also apply with cautions and to not carry such caution into the game may allow such players and their actions to risk match control and not be good for the image of the game. I believe any misconduct that merits a caution before kick off needs to be managed very carefully.