Question Number: 31505

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/1/2017

RE: Competive Under 18

James Raleigh of HILLSDALE, NEW JERSEY United States asks...

In a Boys U17 game in NJ, two players got into a scuffle and shoves were exchanged. Referee cautioned both players with a Yellow Card. A player on the bench said something to the referee which resulted in a Yellow Card to the substitute. The substitute player continued and was shown a 2nd Yellow and a Red.
Does the team need to remove a player from the field and play the remainder of the game a man down?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

They don't play down, because it was not a player that was sent off. It was a substitute.

They also do not lose a substitution, in a game with limited subs. But the pool of available substitutes has one player less to choose from if the coach decides to make a sub. The sent-off sub cannot be replaced on the roster with another potential substitute.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi James,
When a substitute is sent from the field of play the team does not have to take a player from the field, so they don't have to lose a player.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI James,
the referee has elected to remove substitute NOT a player. There is no reduction ON the field! Only the available number of persons on the bench who CAN now substitute are reduced by one! It is not a loss of a substitution opportunity!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
The team does NOT play short due to the fact that it was a substitute not a player that was sent off. A team only plays short if a player is sent off. The team has one less substitute to chose from after he is removed from the technical area.