Question Number: 35778

Character, Attitude and Control 10/27/2024

RE: rec Adult

Andrew Simpson of hereford, HEREFORDSHIRE United Kingdom asks...

Hi I was wondering if you could answer a question I have from the Norwich vs Middlesbrough game on 27-10-24. The Norwich captain Mclean was sent off in the 87th minute. He walked off with the armband still on his shirt as seen on Sky Sports+ coverage. Can a team be punished for this, and if so how? Or is it down to the referee to notice this?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Andrew,
There's no formal rule in the Laws of the Game (LOTG) that mandates the referee to ensure the armband is passed on, or that imposes fines if it isn't. It's more of a tradition and a matter of team discipline. The lack of transfer might not attract official sanctions, but it can reflect poorly on the team's organization and sportsmanship.
The “Captain’s armband” is the symbol of leadership and responsibility on the field!
When the captain is sent off in football and doesn’t pass the armband to another teammate, it can imply some confusion or disorganization on the field. Usually, the captain passes the armband to a vice-captain or the next senior player. This ensures someone is officially recognized as the leader to make decisions and communicate with the referee. So, not passing it off can lead to a lack of clear leadership for the remainder of the game. It’s a bit of an odd move and not typical behavior. Perhaps just an emotional moment oversight in a match nearly over, rather than any implied message?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andrew
Thanks for the question.

Law 3 tells is that each team must have a captain on the field of play who wears an identifying armband. The team captain has no special status or privileges but has a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of the team.

Law 4 tells us that the team captain must wear the armband issued or authorised by the relevant competition organiser, or a single-coloured armband that may also have the word ‘captain’ or the letter ‘C’ or a translation thereof, which should also be a single colour.

In a sending off, emotion can be running high particularly in the last few minutes of a game. Unlike a substitution where there is time and thought put into the decision a captain when sent off may not be thinking armband handover. In substitutions we see a hand over to the substitute who hands the armband to the *new* captain or may even put the band on to satisfy Law 4.

It is up to the referee to ascertain who is now the on field captain as per Law 3 and maybe that was done albeit without the armband. It might not be a good idea to start fussing about an armband in a heated moment as it probably would require approaching the technical area. In games where the referee team is using mics the 4th official can be advised to inform the team to get an armband for the allocated new captain.
Also with only a few minutes left a referee can decide to make a mental note of who is the new captain and if required use that player for any captain duties such as player control, explaining decisions or coin tosses if the game goes to extra time.

No League is going to sanction the fact that the captain’s armband was not passed on particularly when it is up to the referee to ensure compliance with Law 4. If it was done intentionally and willfully at odds with a referees instructions the matter can be reported. The sanction if applied is likely to be a fine.


I might add that FIFA and UEFA and other associations have been promoting the role of the captain in managing player behaviour. You will note that UEFA has been implementing the IFAB “Only the Captain” protocol in managing on field dissent where teams have been advised that only the captain should approach the referee. The FA has been using it for some time with a more pronounced use in the higher levels in recent times. It does not restrict player communication yet where there is mobbing or obvious questioning of a referee that player should be cautioned. The armband is to help in easy identification of the captain.

https://www.theifab.com/trials/only-the-captain-can-approach-the-referee/