Question Number: 16447

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/27/2007

RE: Select Under 15

David Hunter of Columbia, SC USA asks...

On the sidelines in a recent U14 girls match, I saw one team constantly making slide tackles, frequently from the rear, usually resulting in a foul. At one point, he tells the foul-ing player, "that's the fourth tackle from behing you've made; it's very dangerous and could hurt someone." When awards a free kick but no card. When does a foul on a slide tackle from behind become a caution?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

When the referee has the guts to give one is the short answer.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Four tackles of any type, the referee should at least be thinking of a yellow card for persistent infringement.

The ref stating that it could hurt someone is slightly different than endangering the player. Slide tackling from behind is legal, if it is done without fouling the player. A tackle, from any direction, which endangers the player should result in a red card for serious foul play. The whole key is whether or not the referee sees it as endangering the opponent - not just the potential, but in actuality. The ref was most likely warning the player not to cross that line.

Or, as my colleague says, the cards got stuck in his pocket due to lack of intestinal fortitude.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David,
whether a team as a unit acts inappropriately by repeatedly fouling a single opponent (the opposing team's Pele!) or or a single player acts inappropriately by repeatedly fouling any opponent the referee must watch and intervene when the safety of the players is at stake. Persistent Infringement is a CAUTIONABLE show a yellow card stated in LAW 12 where a team or player is singled out for a combined series of related fouls that tactically can not be permitted to continue.

I see a simple foul tackle at 3rd minutes, 7th minutes and 15th minutes by the same player against the same opponent there will be a card shown for PI . Still the warning I would give after the second one should make that third one never occur!

I see a simple foul tackle at 3rd minutes, 7th minutes and 15th minutes by the same player against three different opponent there could be a card shown for PI . If the three fouls were not so simple but not yet cautionable chances are a card will be shown. A fourth simple foul would definitely see a card!

I see a foul at 3rd minutes then later at 42nd minutes then later at the 78th minute by the same player against three different opponents will not have such an impact unless the very nature of those three fouls were border line cautionable or borderline tactical impressing upon me so I would remember!

I see a foul at 3rd minutes then later at 42nd minutes then later at the 78th minute by the same player against the same opponent it could have an impact especially if the very nature of those three fouls were border line cautionable or borderline tactical impressing upon me so I would remember!

We can send messages without showing cards! However, no referee should shirk from showing a card when the situation requires in fact demands one to be shown!
Clear messages! Clear standards! Clear repercussions!
Cheers