Question Number: 32086

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/9/2017

RE: Adult

Alan of Kings Langley, Herts United Kingdom asks...

West Ham vs Chelsea today
Player booked for jumping into the crowd after scoring, why arent the other two players that also jump into the crowd with him not booked?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Alan,
I never saw it but I will assume for the same reason when the defenders break early on a restart at a free kick that actually affects play, the lead guy gets the yellow reward as the harshness of the penalty exceeds the damage done should the whole tribe be held culpable! Was there a need to do so? Versus what is the bar set at? How high do we wish to go?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alan
Thanks for the question
There is an understanding in the game that the instigator is dealt with by way of caution rather than the group of players. I also suspect that in team briefings that players have been told that the scorer should he go into the crowd will be sanctioned with a card. We know that if the goal scorer does not go into the crowd his team mates will not do this.
Also a referee that starts to throw cards around like confetti will quickly lose control and the respect of the players. That is acknowledged by football bodies in its advice to referees. For instance UEFA refereees have been told that in *mobbing* situations with multiple players involved that one player should be cautioned not them all and again the main instigator is identified.
So yes technically the referee could have carded every single player yet we know that is not going to happen by convention and advice.