Question Number: 32082

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/7/2017

RE: Intermediate Under 14

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32074

I have a follow-up question to something that referee Dawson said. If we suppose that the ball has already crossed the goal line (a miss) & therefore out of play when there's a late tackle, referee Dawson said that could be a yellow or red card for VC, depending whether it's reckless or excessive force.

This makes sense to me, but the LOTG, when listing sending-off offenses, mentions VC. For cautionable offenses, VC isn't mentioned.

What would be the official reason for a caution as a result of reckless contact, when the ball is out of play?

Thanks in advance,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Phil,
no doubt my wording was a bit off as it is true VC is red card orientated , I have seen the red card shown for what was classified as VC was little more than a arm wave or nudge BUT because it occurs AFTER play stopped it is given greater weight! Yet if you thought the action was only reckless as an unsafe but late tackle it could be classified as USB the catch all of all unsporting acts rather than a deliberate targeting where VC might force a red card!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent. The caution / yellow would be for a reckless challenge which is unsporting behaviour and the dismissal / red card would be the use of excessive force for violent conduct / serious foul play.
It is up to the referee to decide whether the late challenge was reckless or whether excessive force endangering the opponents safety was used
There is no yellow card / caution possible for violent conduct or serious foul play.