Question Number: 31386

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/25/2017

RE: Amateur Adult

Brad of Edinburgh, Scotland asks...

An attacker is fouled by the defender with a late tackle. The attacker gets to his feet frustrated and pushes the defender in the chest with two hands (medium strength, not enough to knock the defender off balance) then turns around to get the ball. The defender then lashes out and kicks and punches the attacker from behind.

What should the referee do?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brad
Well the easy part is that it is a free kick to the attacker.
Now the next question is the sanction. For certain the defender is sent off and shown a red card for violent conduct. Now the challenge for the referee is whether to only caution the attacker for unsporting behaviour or to send him off as well for violent conduct. From your description I would suggest a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. Your interpretation of medium strength by the way might differ from others and the important opinion is that of the referee. A two handed punch into the chest would be VC.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Brad,
The first and last parts are fairly clear - the original foul by the defender leads to a free kick to the opponents and the violent conduct the defender commits after being pushed is a red card offence. The push by the attacker could be either a caution or a sending-off, depending on the judgement of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Brad,
ok the restart is easy the foul by the defender is the REASON we are stopping play UNLESS there was an advantage to be played. So a DFK or PK for the late tackle in favour of the attacker.
You said late tackle already a yellow cloud of possibility on the defender. When players are cut down it is not unusual for them to lash out at the hurt or injustice without seriously considering the fact you as referee have already blown the whistle and are managing the situation.

This is a good example of where a referee COULD be right there to dissuade these follow up actions by his presence. GET to the heart of this quickly, do not stand off in the distance pointing fingers. By not being in tight to head off these actions we are now looking at additional misconduct and possible send offs depending on the severity of the actions.

WE might cut a little slack if they both just jawed a bit and did a little shoulder rub in the exchange but you describe are very clear acts of reckless and violent conduct thus cards are definitely going to be shown with every likely hood of send offs to one or both as how the referee decides to interpret their actions.
My suggestion in cases of a hard late tackle, FIRM no nonsense whistle, big blast or a whole series of loud hoots as you close in, get to the restart point and make your presence known! We have a duty to fair play, the match, to the fans and other players to try and save the bozos from themselves if we can.
Cheers