Question Number: 16055

Law 3 - Number of Players 7/17/2007

RE: Competetive Under 19

Gord of Ottawa, ON Canada asks...

In FIFA, when a player receives a red card(during play) they are sent off. Does the team play a man down even if they have a substitute available? Example 3 players sent off, 3 subs = full strength; 4th player sent off or no subs left = man-down.

I ask this question as a bit of background to my real question. When a league allows unlimited subs and a player receives a red card does the team play a man short or just "without that player"?

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

Your second question doesn't need to be answered because when a player is dismissed and shown the red card, he can not be replaced. His team places with one less player. It worries me that you say you are "all of the above" which includes referee and don't know this. This is one of the most simple understandings of Football, and I have never met a player, fan, coach, referee or American Football fan that doesn't already know this.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Prior to 1997 the Laws of the Game offered this, in International FA Board Decision 1 of Law III.

A player who has been ordered off after play has started may not be replaced.

This has always been part of Football and I hope always will be. [American High School is the exception in some cases]

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If its a player, then they may not be replaced. The team must then play a man down. Amazingly if you read law 12 it never mentions that the player may not be replaced. FIFA assumes that this is common knowledge to all.