Question Number: 26977

Law 5 - The Referee 11/4/2012

RE: pro College

cubagee uriel of Sunyani, sunyani Ghana asks...

Can a referee show a coach red card

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Under the Laws of the Game cards are not shown to coaches or technical staff.
However the coach can also be listed on the match card as a player or a substitute in which case cards can and should be shown to him when the commits a cautionable offence or sending off offence.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While the Laws of the Game do not permit showing of cards to coaches, they certainly can be dismissed from the field and its surrounds for not behaving in a responsible manner.

Some rules of competition do provide for showing cards to the coaching staff; if you accept a game in such a league then you follow their rules.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Technically, no. Misconduct is listed under Law 12, and applies only to players, substitutes and substituted players. Since coaches are not subject to the Laws of the Game, then the cards do not apply to them. A coach or technical staff who does not conduct themselves responsibly may be dismissed from the game or warned not to repeat the behavior, but no card is issued.

High school and college rules of play differ and may allow for cards to be shown to coaches or technical staff, although there is no valid reason for doing that.

In some youth leagues, they also have the rule that coaches may be shown a card and the cards accumulate during the season, just like they do for players.