Question Number: 33165

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/19/2019

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 33158

As Richard Dawson said: '...at the park level no one would be inconsolably freaked out if it was red.'

I've got to say, I'm seeing red on that play - at least at the 'park level.' I know if I had been taken out like that, I'd have a good chance of not feeling right for at least a few weeks.

A question for the panel: if the defender had been well-timed and got the ball first, before wiping out the attacker: would/could there still be a caution? I'm thinking yes, from the speed and angle of the challenge.

Thanks again for your valuable insights.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
In a recent game that I was involved in a situation where players took exception to a tackle that for me was at worst a yellow card. Circumstances at the time meant that both players were committed to a 50/50 challenge with one player going to ground and he came off worse that his opponent. There was a furore that the standing player had used his two feet to challenge yet I could not see that nor that it was an excessive force challenge in any way. I even thought about not cautioning the player yet the way the situation developed afterwards a card was required.
Now after half time a coach from the fouled against team approached me about the challenge inquiring why it was not a red card and I told him I did not see it as excessive force. I told him that his own player contributed to the situation by going to ground under the opponent and the challenger trying to avoid him. I was not sure if it was gamesmanship on his behalf or genuine in his believe it was a red card challenge. If I had the chance to review it again on VAR I might have had another opinion. I believe that the interesting part in the Lindelof challenge was that it was an overturn on review by the VAR official not the referee with an on-field monitor due to the way it is set up in England at the moment . If it had a been a yellow first off I doubt it would have raised any real questions
Anyway to your question. Getting the ball is not a get out of jail card for no sanction. If a player wipes out an opponent after playing the ball it can certainly be a caution and in some instance a dismissal.
I hear players say all the time, as no doubt you do, *Ref I got the ball* or *I never touched him* to which I say what has that to do with it. The Laws clearly state that to tackle in a careless manner is an offence and if it is reckless it is also a caution and if excessive force is used it is a dismissal. Indeed there does not even have to be contact for a foul to be called and a caution.
In the past I have shown this challenge to demonstrate the principle
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gZJn4UgpjY4
To me the caution was entirely correct and appropriate in the circumstances

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
in watching the last few World cups prior to Russia there have been instances in each of the finals where the CR in MY opinion clearly missed sending off offences be it the foot in the chest in South Africa to the knee in the head in Brazil. A referee with integrity call what he sees and recognizes as foul or fair. Arm chair it is easy with replay and reflective angles, but on the pitch always going to be an element of chance.

In the situation we are analyzing the technique of the tackle was not the worst effort given the one bent knee and the extended leg. However, it was from a sideways but in behind angle and it was forcefully clearing out the opposing player's legs no matter if the ball was contacted or not

To NOT be considered a caution?
In my opinion that extended leg would have to get to the ball but that leg should be the one closest and the bent knee the leg farthest away so the opposing player FALLS over the body of the tackler AFTER the ball is knocked away thus technically not a trip.

In ANY forceful tackle that goes THROUGH a player is usually a cautionable situation in my opinion, ball contact or not. .
Cheers