Question Number: 33432

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/10/2019

RE: Adult

Melvin H. of Colorado Springs, Colorado U. S. A. asks...

I thought I read that, starting either 2017/18 or 2018/18, that non-players"coaches, trainers, managers, etc."will be shown yellow or red cards.
Is this true, and if so what rule is this under?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Melvin,
Yes, this is true - it's actually just been introduced in the 2019/20 edition of the laws. You can find it in Law 12, section 3 entitled 'Disciplinary Action.' The full text of the law is too long to include here but there is a full list of the actions for which team officials can be warned, cautioned or sent off.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Melvin
For competitions begun after the 1st June 2019 technical staff will be shown yellow and red cards in the same way as players, substitutes and substituted players.
IFAB believe from using this in games as an experiment that it worked well so it is now introduced worldwide.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Melvin,
100% true,
it was deemed as appropriate to indicate to all what is going on in terms of sanctions.
It now enables a 14 year old referee the ability to tell a 6 ft screaming 250 lb coach to leave the field by simply showing the red card no words required or to be quiet showing the yellow. It takes a lot of moxy for inexperienced referees of any age to deal with upset adults of any persuasion. The use of the cards makes it easier to show everyone including the person being shown the card exactly what is occurring. The why of course is likely obvious, but it would be in the match report to be read by the disciplinary committee of the association involved.
Cheers