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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 34353

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/26/2021

RE: Adult

Bob of HARROGATE, North Yorkshire England asks...

I understand that if a player (stupidly) whips his shirt off in celebration of a goal, he will be yellow carded, but if that goal is subsequently ruled out by VAR, does the yellow card still stand. I ask this , because as far as I can see Joshua King, Watford, did not get a yellow card, yesterday (sat 25 Sept) after scoring ! against Newcastle.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bob,
technically if the player removed his shirt thinking he was celebrating a goal, even if that goal was later waved off, the caution for removing the jersey remains! Could a referee feel obliged to overlook it as befittng the best interest of the match? Feeling the player's excuse to celebrate was unworthy of such a punishment? Possibly, his match, his decision, his reputation. However, make no mistake, under the LOTG it IS a mandatory caution. Whether it should be, there is another argument to be made. Assessment marks are affected when failing to follow prescribed proceedures
Cheers



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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
The Laws of the Game state and I quote
**A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:.......
# removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt **

So from the stats posted on the web no caution is listed for King of Watford in the game
As a result that will be viewed as an error by the referee and a loss of marks in his assessment. Why he did not caution will be asked and perhaps it was lack of knowledge. It would certainly be a better reason that knowing that it was a caution and deciding not to issue the card. There are times in the Laws when MUST is used. This one of them.

I once sent a player off for removing his shirt after scoring a goal. He was already on a caution. I did not like doing it and felt poorly about it yet I was bound by the MUST rather than a MAY. To me I had no choice in the matter.









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