Question Number: 31844

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/29/2017

RE: Professional

engin ataman of olympia, Washington United States asks...

hello again :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDf5il7yCGo

what do you think about this tackle? Would you agree with referee's decision?

and here is a short version of the video

blob:https://web.whatsapp.com/e10192a1-6ac0-46da-97b2-092f8e37207c

Thank you... as always your opinions are much appreciated.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Engin
Thanks for the question.
On the field of play from the referees angle of view this would have looked like a reckless challenge with excessive force used which is a red card.
With the benefit of action replay and slow motion we are able to analyse this in a way that the referee could not.
Now both players are committed to playing the ball with their foot raised. White 13 seems to pull back and Yellow Blue 7 appear to make contact with Whites left foot on the way down On the field there will be a sense of contact on White with probably shouts etc. I am also conscious that it is never a good idea to look at single incidents in isolation as referees do not do this. Yellow Blue 7 could have been spoken to by the referee for poor challenges in the game and warned about the manner of future challenges. I think the manner of the challenge endangered the safety of an opponent and on balance it was the correct decision. It may seem somewhat harsh yet players know that stud showing challenges are going to be sanctioned strongly.
So for me I would have no concern about the referees call.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Engin,
Given the referee's angle of view & remembering this is a REAL TIME decision he arrived at instantly given his signal of direction for the free kick. he saw the challenge as studs up stiff leg at high speed where the yellow player continued into and through the white player who looked as if he pulled away thus the red card was the correct colour based on that supposition. As in any harsh tackle where we might see a glimmer of orangey (it could be a yellow thought) what occurs before can have an impact if #7 was involved in other incidents? br> I swear there was another yellow card for a 2nd and thus red card for a side wards stiff legged studs up tackle that made no contact in this game? Cheers