Question Number: 16889

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/25/2007

RE: Cal South, PDL Lancaster Rattlers Under 18

Mary Callender of Lancaster , CA USA asks...

What is the procedure for REFS actually showing the yellow card to the offending player, MUST he show to the offending player, can he just show to the Captain and informing the Captian of the player by indicating the offending players jersey #?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. If a caution is issued the yellow card must be shown unless play has ended and all players are off the field of play but still under the referee's authority

Answer provided by Referee Gil Weber

Let's add a clarification to Referee Contarino's answer. Under normal circumstances the referee is to display the card (either yellow or red) to the player as part of the caution or send-off procedure. The player receiving the card has the right to know that he has been disciplined, and his teammates and coaches (and, certainly, the assistant referees and 4th official) also should understand so that there are no surprises later in the match. However, there are circumstances when it is impractical/impossible to display the card to the offender. In such cases the referee is to display the card and to inform the player's captain of the disciplinary action.

For example, in the 1994 World Cup (I think it was '94), Tab Ramos of the US was knocked unconscious by an elbow from Brazil's Leonardo. Ramos was to be cautioned for a foul that precipitated Leonardo's retaliation, but Ramos had to be stretchered off the field for treatment. The referee displayed the yellow card and informed Tony Meola, the US captain, that Ramos had been cautioned.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

It appears Gil has beaten me to tell the same story of the USA v. Brazil game in 1994. Though, my reccolection is that the referee never actually "showed" Meola a caution instead he just told Meola that Ramos had been booked. Same difference though.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Note here: the referee has displayed the card, a requirement to signify there has been a disciplinary sanction, to THE captain. The captain is singular not the committee of captains we usually meet on Saturday or Sunday in the youth leagues. Just another reason for the team to have A captain.

Before the requirement for the card to be shown the referee communicated to the captain that a disciplinary sanction was taken and he was expected to inform the necessary folks on his side. The addition of cards did simplify many things but this one was complicated.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Well I'm being told through back channels that the card WAS shown to Meola, and even though I don't recall it that way, let's assume that this is what happenend because it actually makes more sense and is more consistent with the language of the laws.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The guilty player must be shown the card. There is no other way.