Question Number: 17198

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/8/2007

RE: 8 Under 15

Ron of Sioux City, IA USA asks...

I had a U-11 Boys game during a tournament this weekend that I issued a Red card during said match.

A boy that was a pretty good player was chasing another down the field and laid an arm / elbow across his back causing him to jerk. I issued a DFK for this "pushing" offense. About two minutes later, the same senario happened, but much harder and the struck boy took a fairly hard roll. I issued a YC for either Unsporting Behavior or Persistent Infringement. The coach started yelling that his player was just playing the ball. I didn't think the boy scrping himself off of the pitch would agree.

Later in the same game, the same top player (now having 1 YC booked against him) followed a ball into the Penalty Area and after the goalie had slid on his side and caught the ball hugging it to his stomach, performed a slide takle cleats up into the keeper's chest. I then showed this player his second YC followed by a RC. His coach was livid saying that he had a right to pursue the ball. With cleats up and the ball already under control, can there be any question that this was a cardable offense? I know there has been talk about intent not being judged, so from facts alone, I felt that I needed to issue it as a second PI Yellow then Red or a Red straight up for either Serious Foul Play or Violent Conduct.

Your Take?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

From your description of the slide into the keeper, I would have gone straight red for SFP. This player was on notice, and to blatantly go after a keeper like that tells me he is tired of playing and wants you to help him leave the field. You obliged, thank goodness, although I think you let him off much too easy with a second yellow. Methinks you should also have dismissed this miscreant of a coach. Anybody who thinks the way you described his comments needs NOT to be coaching youths in soccer - or anyone for that matter, and you definitely did not need his help to call the game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

With cleats up and the keeper controlling the ball why in God's name did you issue a caution and yellow card? If that's not a straight send off and red card I'm not sure what you WOULD consider serious foul play. Of course, no matter what you do the coach will complain. WHen he complains a bit much, you need to send him away also. From what you say, this coach needs to be coaching pointy ball or rugby.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Wow, that's one kid who really didn't want to be there playing soccer. You finally gave him his exit ticket.

I agree with my colleagues, the slide tackle into the keeper sounds more like SFP than a caution.

And as you're sending the coach away from the field, you can agree with him that his player has a right to pursue the ball - up to the point where he fouls the opponent. Then rights go away.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ron,
Wow ten year old out of control?
No one to talk to?
Your match, your decision, your reputation.
Cautions are yellow card misconduct or for reckless behavior. You saw enough for two which then means a red card send off.
Your match, your decision, your reputation.
That player after the first serious altercation required some tough talk to set him right did you speak to him? Did you look over at the coach as well?
You say USB or PI? Match report better state just one reason and that reason should be included when you cautioned the first time as well as explained to the player he is on probation.
The events you described at the end made me cringe and see red!
You saw it, was it SFP or VC? Was it an excessive play for the ball or a lets get the keeper out of this match and do it under the guise of I was only trying for the ball ref?
The coaches behavior indicates to me you need to write some more info in the match report. Perhaps a warning to act reasonable and if not a go sit in the car please exile.
Your match, your decision, your reputation
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Ron did you just hold the yellow card over your head then start writing or did you call the player aside and take the time to get his name, number, the time of the offence and what the offence was written down THEN explain why he was being cautioned and what would happen if he did that again? One hopes you did the latter because it would have given the player reason to straighten out his behavior. It would have also been in accordance with US Soccer policy...

Regards,