Question Number: 31193

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/22/2017

RE: Other

John of Dudley, England asks...

Why was Karl Ikelme sent off yesterday, when I thought the law had changed to a yellow card and a penalty.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
I believe the player was sent off for violent conduct for the afters in which he knocked the Norwich attacker to the ground after the award of the penalty. Had the sanction been for the foul only then that was a caution under the updated Laws as I believe he made a genuine attempt to play the ball.
I am also of the opinion that the goalkeeper could easily have been dismissed anyway for two cautions, one for the foul and a second for the aggressive behaviour afterwards towards an opponent. The referee though deemed the players conduct to be uses of excessive force violent so it was a straight red for violent conduct. That is my take on it.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi John,
I have not seen the incident in question but I feel I should point out that although the law has changed somewhat, it is not quite as straightforward as you imply.

When a player denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity inside the penalty area it is by no means always just a yellow card and a penalty. The player is still sent off if:

''The offence is holding, pulling or pushing or

The offending player does not attempt to play the ball or there is no possibility for the player making the challenge to play the ball or

The offence is one which is punishable by a red card wherever it occurs on the field of play (e.g. serious foul play, violent conduct etc.)''

It is also still a red card for preventing a goal or goal scoring opportunity by deliberate handling, no matter where on the field it occurs.