Question Number: 35463

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/22/2024

RE: Comp Under 16

Kevin of Kodak, Tennessee USA asks...

Can u give a penalty kick and not yellow card the player that caused the foul

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kevin,
yes you can award a PK for a careless foul and not caution or show a yellow card as long as no breaking up attacking play was intended or DOGSO resulted!

Every situation has its own circumstances.

It was decided that as long as a tackle is seen by the official as a legitimate challenge, attempted by a defender to win the ball, if such a tackle is
deemed only careless but does not deny the goal or scoring opportunity it is simply PK restart.

If the tackle was seen as a legitimate attempt but did deny the opportunity or goal then as USB a caution show yellow card will follow but again the PK restores the opportunity so no red card send off is deemed necessary!

Keep in mind that a PK RESTORES a lost opportunity to score and only if the tackle was reckless or intended to break up attacking play is there a need to caution and show a yellow card.

Another consideration is the TYPE of tackle where the defender is not trying to fairly win the ball at all but simply intent on stopping the attack or shot by an illegal action like holding & jersey pulling. These are at minimum yellow card cautions and if they deny the goal or opportunity potential red card/send offs as well. Of course if any tackle is excessive or VC is a red card and send off reducing the team by a player .
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kevin
Most penalty kicks can be awarded without a card.

The only times that a caution is required in a game at a penalty award (in no particular order) are
# Reckless challenge.
# Stopping a Promising Attack.
# It was Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity with an attempt to play the ball.
# the offence could merited a card such as a strong jersey pull, a pull to the ground that would attract a card elsewhere.

Most ordinary fouls inside the penalty area do not need a card.
I saw a referee caution a defender for handling a ball that was going obviously wide at a corner. Not sure what the defender was thinking as it was not even close to the goal. Perhaps a mis judgement of location was the reason or due to playing other games where the hands are used. There was no need for the card as the penalty was sufficient punishment of the offence.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Hi Kevin,

In the event you are also working TSSAA high school soccer games, I will provide you with information from the NFHS Rules book.

Penalty Kick rule 14-1-1 states: "A penalty kick shall be awarded when a foul, which ordinarily results in the awarding of a direct free kick, occurs within the offending team's penalty area." A caution is not mentioned, and a caution does not and often is not given because the requirement to give a caution is not met.

As indicated in NFHS Rule 12-9 a caution shall be given for misconduct that includes: holding a shirt, deliberate tactical foul, reckless play, and a player committing a foul against an opponent within the player's team penalty area in an attempt to play the ball that denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) and the referee awards a penalty kick. If any of these occur a caution is to be given with the penalty kick.

However, players who commit the following direct kick fouls (NFHS Rule 12) in the penalty area without committing a caution offense would not be given a caution: kicking, tripping, holding, pushing, charging, and handling.

Hopefully, you are having a successful spring season and get to working in the TSSAA state tournament that begins on May 11th.