Question Number: 16453

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/27/2007

RE: Competive Under 13

James of Avondale, Arizona USA asks...

I am a new referee and am confused about sending off a player. When a player is red carded and sent off, is that player allowed to be replaced by a substitute player, or does the team play short handed? Hopefully I will never encounter this at this age level.

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

right...this question worries me. You have taken and passed your qualifications and don't know the sanctions that go with a dismissal and showing of a red card? The team plays with a man less. Maybe it might be worth going back to class before entering the field of play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I agree with Ref Sommer that your training was deficient if you don't know this. Although it may not be your fault.

The non-replacement of a red-carded player is such an integral part of soccer/football that many people feel "everybody knows" it. It's considered such a universal thing that it's not even noted in the Laws of the Game. Part of that is the long history of the game - in early eras there were no substitutes, so if a player was sent off, obviously you were playing short.

Still, I would think that a good ref instructor might mention this in class.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

James, I hope you won't either BUT knowing players as I do it is not beyond the realm of possibility. You must be prepared for every eventuality on the park. So, a player sent-off and shown the red card is not replaced. Been that way and I hope it always will be that way.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Oh, dear! I'm thinking you've never played the game, right? But, you are smart, because you wrote us to find out an answer to something you didn't understand, so you WOULD get it right on the field! Good job!

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

A player who is sent off is not to be replaced.

Now - please go retake the class, that is basic stuff. But I know you can do it, you obviously care enough to seek out answers when you're confused! Good for you, now keep working until you know what you need to know to referee a match.