Question Number: 36031

Mechanics 9/21/2025

RE: Adult

Douglas Wix of Liverpool, Merseyside United Kingdom asks...

Regarding the Merseyside Derby yesterday I can understand If the referee isn't ready(maybe making notes etc)he won't allow a quick free kick to be taken but why then caution the player,doesn't seem correct or fair & I am a Liverpool fan!102613

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Douglas
Thanks for the question.
The Laws of the Game were amended a number of years ago with the addition of allowing a quick free kick to proceed and then allowing a referee to go back to issue the caution at the next stoppage.
Prior to that change a referee could not go back to a caution once play had restarted.
The wording states ** unless the non-offending team takes a quick free kick, has a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the referee has not started the disciplinary sanction procedure.**

So the key is not started the sanction procedure. So if a player has the ball, gets on with play almost instantly a referee can allow the QFK and then go back to the card at the next stoppage.
Once the card is out and the process has begun the QFK cannot happen.
So while the Laws now allow for the QFK and caution later referees are mindful of a few factors
1. The offence needs an immediate caution such as a reckless challenge
2. there is a clamour from the offended against team for a sanction
3. The offender may believe that there is not going to be a caution and a 2nd incident can result in a dismissal
While not exactly a QFK situation You may recall the Martinelli red card in the Arsenal V Wolves game. Martinelli got a red card for two cautions within 10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Rf_5jMzHFQg
With the caution for delaying the restart referees can be mindful of two caution situations which they can be reluctant to have to deal with them.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi douglas,
allowing the free kick to be taken quickly accelerates the game and does not punish the team that was fouled unnecessarily, by taking away any advantage that they might think was there in continuing play. In the same vein that we allow an advantage in regular play because we believe the attacking team would be hurt if we stop to take the free kick in these cases we do not delay the attack by castigating the defender with punishment which can be done at the NEXT stoppage. What becomes difficult is if the next stoppage you forget or you're thinking of doing something similar you may have well passed the point of no return.
Cheers