Question Number: 33595

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/25/2019

RE: Adult

OLUWAFEMI of IBADAN, OYO NIGERIA asks...

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF MISCONDUCT AND WHAT CONSTITUTE A MISCONDUCT IN THE GAME OF FOOTBALL.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

hi
Misconduct is any conduct by a player, substitute, team official that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction of a caution or dismissal. Misconduct may include acts which are, additionally, offences punished by a free kick. Unlike offences, misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the game, and players, substitutes and team officials may be sanctioned for misconduct.
Misconduct will result in the player, substitute or team official either receiving a caution, indicated by a yellow card or being dismissed from the game indicated by a red card. A dismissed player cannot be replaced and if sent off the players team is required to play the remainder of the game with one fewer player. A second caution results in the player being dismissed. The referee has considerable discretion in applying the Laws. In particular, the offence of unsporting behavior may be used to deal with most events that violate the spirit of the game, even if they are not listed as specific offences.
If you look at Law 12 in the Laws of the Game it lists out cautionable offences and sending off offences.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Misconduct is simply undesirable action undertaken by a participant of the match, at ANY time while the ball is in play or just before and just after the game be he a player on or off the pitch, or a team reprentative within the team technical area who if under the authority of the referee can be held ACCOUNTABLE for their unsporting or reckless actions which results in a warning to a team representative or caution show a yellow card to a player or rostered substitute . The undesirable action can held to a further harsh standard if it approaches a foul or abusive level or if excessive or violent force. This results in the offender being expelled if a team representative or sent off shown a red card and possibly reduce the team by a player or substitute option.
Cheers.