Question Number: 27321

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/16/2013

RE: PRO Under 15

RISHAP of SUVA, FIJI asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26820

WHAT IF THE REF RED CARDED THE PLAYER AND HE ONLY ASKED HIM WHAT DID THE PLAYER DO

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The referee can only send off a player for something they've said if they've used offensive, insulting, and/or abusive language and/or gestures. It's also possible the red card was for whatever it was the player actually did before asking the question.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rishap
Referees do not dismiss a player unless the player has committed one of the seven sending off offences which are
# serious foul play
# violent conduct
# spitting at an opponent or any other person
# denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
# denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
# using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
# receiving a second caution in the same match
The most common sending off offence is the 2nd caution. So a player could be easily cautioned for questioning a referee's decision which is the cautionable offence of dissent and if he was already cautioned previously he would be sent off. Indeed if the questioning was offensive then the player could be dismissed immediately for using insulting, abusive or abusive language.
You should also be aware that when a player is dismissed the referee sends a detailed report of the reasons for the dismissal to the competition organisers who will expect it to be in line with the Laws of the Game. That information is available then to a disciplnary committee who decide what further disciplinary action needs to be taken, if any, against the player. The player can also appeal the sending off based on the referee's report.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The reason that a player was sent off and shown the red card will be stated in the written report filed by the referee after the match. Most referees are advised not to engage in a discussion with the player who has been sent off. It can be dangerous for the referee and lead to fights and mass confrontation.

In my experience, the sent off player who is 'asking what did I do' already knows the answer. The question is an invitation to debate a closed issue. Most referees should decline.