Question Number: 30915

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/18/2016

RE: Adult

Damien of Piraeus, Attika Greece asks...

In the following video on the first replay (8'' - 29'') you can see a foul that the referee didn't caution the player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o1CqFor-oU

According to Law 12 do you think the player should be cautioned or send off, for example for one of the following

¢‚commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence
¢‚commits a foul to interfere with or stop a promising attack
¢‚serious foul play

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Damien,
no #8 but red #5 and the darker # 29 had a brief encounter that COULD be a caution for USB as a DFK foul or kick or trip for breaking up the attack. It could be seen as reckless in there was no real attempt to get to the ball only hack the player. It might be the first real foul and the CR was lenient if no card was attached but it was a foul. In no way do I see it as SFP. That is my opinion based on what I see the CR maybe looking it at differently.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Damien
I would be of the opinion that this should have been a caution for unsporting behaviour. It is certainly reckless and it can also be considered a tactical foul.
I do not believe that it merits a red card although we saw recently in the Premier league Referee Moss dismiss a player for a kick at a player while making a challenge that had no hope of playing the ball. I think that the opponents by their low level of reaction to the offence do not pressure the referee into taking action here. Certainly in the EPL I would expect to see this offence cautioned

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 30972