Question Number: 16246

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/8/2007

RE: Adult

Lee of Manchester, England United Kingdom asks...

I've been told that a referee may show a yellow card, a red card, but may not threaten to show one. Ie if he says "I am cautioning you against fouls" that is fine, but if he says "if you foul again I will book you" that is not allowed. Is this true. For another example, if a player is arguing with a referee, obviously the referee can tell the player to back off, but would it be against the rules for the referee to say "back off now or I will show you the yellow card"?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Interesting myth! Would you prefer to know your behavior has reached the point beyond which there are serious consequences for you and your team or just have the referee "POP!" show the card? A referee who chooses to warn a player regarding a possible card is using game and player management, sometimes intelligently and sometimes not. An example of good stuff: Major tournament - U19 D1 boys, referee is FIFA from Canada - player is complaining during play, referee without breaking stride says: "I'm here for 90 minutes. You may not be." Player got the message. So, is a referee allowed to announce the consequence for continued misconduct? Of course. But please understand a warning is NOT required. That's another myth - that a referee must warn before giving a card. Rubbish.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Thank you for that it made me laugh.

Some referees think it is a bad idea to promise a certain action will be done in response to a type of behavior don't like. Failing to follow through on ultimatums such as the ones you describe can often have long-lasting and damaging affects to referees match control. Once players think you cannot control the game things will get out of hand quickly.

However, if the referee wants to issue such an ultimatum they would be completely within their rights to use this as technique to manage player behavior. In fact sometimes it might be better than just simply pulling a card.

The reality is that players must be managed in a way that allows them to feel respected but also in a way that generates respect for the referee. If the players think that you're too heavy-handed in your method they will not respond well, likewise if they think that you are not firm they will use as much leeway as you're willing to give them. Being a strong referee is all about striking the right balance between firmness and approachability while at the same time trying to maintain respect for the players and allowing them to have respect for you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A wise referee will not say, "If you do X you will get a caution." That's because it leaves her no discretion in making calls. If the players think "X" has happened and the yellow card doesn't come out, they will think the ref has no creditibility. The player doing "X" thinks the ref is just blowing smoke, and his opponents think that the ref should have cautioned someone.

If the ref wants to warn a player, she should say something like, "Number 7, that's enough fouls." That warning should be sufficient for a player to realize she is getting close to the limit for a caution for persistent infringement. The referee has warned the player, but has not made a concrete promise (threat?) to caution on the next foul.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

At the beginning of a match, when the referee first meets the captains, is never a time to offer threats and promises regarding future events. Once the match is started predictions of what might happen should unwise action and unpopular behaviour continue are always advisable. These predictions should include mention of particular Laws to be used against a player's actions.

Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game is a significant management tool for the referee and if he uses it wisely. An example of wise usage is this:

On a single player's second or third breach the referee holds the restart of play and points to the location of his foul play with one hand and raises fingers indicating how many as he points. Everyone in the stadium and on the park now knows exactly where and how many things this gent has done. Next is the universal Enough signal. Right, the player knows he has been observed mucking about AND given a chance to correct whatever it is that the referee has seen. The next time the referee has to talk he simply holds up the same number of fingers [usually not the one] and adds one more, the whole world knows what comes next. Out comes the notebook and formal introductions are made, the reason for the Persistent infringement caution is explained again and up goes the yellow card. While it is being displayed you simply mention that the player should not do any more testing of limits because he has exceeded them once and to do so again might have dire consequences.

If one player is being fouled by many opponents the captain is the one the lecture is given. This is an ultimatum because every foul against this one player is going to be cautioned. Especially skilled players find themselves on the receiving end of tactical foul play by different opponents to put them off their game. I, for one, enjoy watching an especially talented footballer demonstrate his skills AND I have the power to make it safe for him to do so! I do.

A player who is dissenting a referee's decision is another story. Anything the referee comes up with to shut him up is good for the match. Well, short of using a pistol; though in some cases... I have been known to take my yellow card from my pocket and walk over, very slowly, to an argumentative player then take out my note book use it for a tiny table while I write down the player's name. I just mention that we are in the warning stages now but it seems to me that pretty soon the warning is going to change into a dissent booking so taking the name now is just saving time for everyone else. I have never met a player so dense as to not get the message...

Talking to players is a way of seeing to discipline problems before they get out of hand. The wise referee will talk.

The wise referee won't smile when warning but will when cautioning a player because after the warnings laid out above have had no affect on behaviour the player is begging the referee to caution -- we are always happy to grant player's wishes, aren't we?

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

That is perhaps a suggestion by a higher up, but no where in the LOTG does it say that a referee cannot warn. The problem with threats is that who knows when/where the line is drawn. If you warn someone that gets closer than 10 yds and threaten a caution next time, what happens when they are 9 yds on the next time. Opponents will say...BUT YOU WARNED HIM. I would be careful about how you word your "warnings" to players and make sure no promises are made that you cannot keep.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Lee,
cards are a management tool to maintain order or set standards when no other approach will suffice. My colleagues offer some great ways to say or conduct things without committing to a single outcome. When you say I WILL Do something as opposed to COULD do something it limits options and the players will base some of their respect on what you follow through on!

Is the referee allowed to do what you say he can not? Yes he can! Should he, is another kettle of fish! A referee has incredible discretionary powers afforded to him through law 5! To back himself into a single choice is generally not in the matches best interest. Still if a referee tells you bluntly enough is enough perhaps the player could chose to heed the advice!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

I carefully choose when I will "threaten" to use a card. Usually it is a result of players doing something which is very subtle, but clearly meant to either irritate the opponent by either bringing the game into disrepute, delaying the restart of play, dissent by word or action, or simply, persistently infringing the LOTG. If, for instance, a player has committed 2 or 3 fouls in a short period of time, I will "threaten" to caution this player by simply telling them "this is the second [or third -- if I'm being generous] foul you have committed in the last 15 minutes. Next foul, you will receive a caution for Persistent Infringment."

This is an effective management tool that should not be seen as a "threat" but rather a warning -- an opportunity given to the player to correct their own behavior without the involvment of the referee.
This is, of course, an example of one of many management opportunities afforded the referee.

The authority wielded by the referee, which includes punishing those who infringe the LOTG, is a weighty authority and not to be bantied about and abused. If a referee "threatens" to use a card, then they had better follow through with that "threat," or suffer the consequences of discredit not only to themselves, but to their fellow officials who follow them to the next game.