Question Number: 33285

Law 3 - The Players 4/29/2019

RE: Amateur Adult

George of Parangarecutirimicuaro , CA Sacratomato asks...

Pink team shows up with only 9 players. Two go down with injuries. Early in the second half, defender fouls attacker in the penalty area. Defender is shown his second yellow of the match followed by a red card. Pink is down 3-0 and is now down to 6 players. My question, does the match end before or after PK is taken?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
The match ends before the penalty kick is taken unless of course an injured player can return to bring the quota back up to seven.
This was a Question in the *old * FIFA Q&As which stated and I quote
* A team with only seven players is penalised by the award of a penalty kick and as a result, one of their players is sent off, leaving only six in the team. Should the referee allow the penalty kick to be taken or should he abandon the match before the kick is taken?
The match must be abandoned without allowing the penalty kick to be taken..... *
It is further confirmed in the current Law where it states
* A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players.**

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi George,
Under normal circumstances, the game should end before the penalty kick is taken for the reasons stated by Ref McHugh. As he also says though, there is a possible exception where a player is injured. This was also the subject of a former FIFA Q&A as follows:

''A player, from a team with only seven players, leaves the field of play to receive medical attention. What action does the referee take?

The match continues to allow the player to return after treatment but if he fails to return the match may be abandoned subject to the decision of the national association.''