Question Number: 34120

Mechanics 2/7/2021

Mark Deaville of Stoke on trent, Staffordshire asks...

If a foul is committed and a player booked is the booking rescinded if VAR call play back for an earlier incident?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mark,
it might seem unfair but for the most part no, because the booking is not for the offense but the nature of the challenge which if it was excessive force or a specific type of USB. It is the MISCONDUCT aspect of the incident which is not ignored. For a red card or yellow card to be rescinded should the VAR call playback for an earlier incident be accepted by the CR, given no legal goal could be scored so a DOGSO red card would not apply & no caution applies if there was no possible attacking play to be continued. A red card would not be overturned if the tackle was initially ruled as SFP (serious foul play ) it could only change the reasoning which in turn is now VC (violent conduct) given there was no legal challenge possible.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mark,
According to the VAR protocol, in such a scenario a caution is not rescinded other than for a couple of exceptions. The actual wording of the protocol is:

"If play continues after an incident which is then reviewed, any disciplinary action taken/required during the post-incident period is not cancelled, even if the original decision is changed (except a caution/sending-off for stopping or interfering with a promising attack or DOGSO)."

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
Cautions for not rescinded except where the card is for stopping a promising attack or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity as those are not possible when play is brought back.
Cards for reckless play would NOT be rescinded and that has not changed even with the introduction of VAR.
For example if a defender recklessly fouled an attacker who has just been flagged for offside the defender should still be cautioned even though the restart is an IDFK to the defending team for offside.