Question Number: 28173

League Specific 2/11/2014

RE: Competitive Professional

Ritchie GNnaban of Pateros, Philippines asks...

Can a red card be rescinded?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ritchie
Yes during play a red card can be rescinded provided the game has not restarted. Usually it happens on further information being available to the referee from an assistant referee or the 4th official. Once play restarts the decision cannot be rescinded. The referee should report the facts though to the competition organisers
If a player has been sent off the referee has no power to rescind the card after the game even if he feels that it was harsh or in error. It is up to the competition organisers to address any error based on the referee's written report.
At all level teams can appeal a dismissal to the competition organisers. A disciplinary panel hears from the appellant in written form or in person and it will also have the referee's report. If video is available that can be considered as well. In the English premier league there has been two recent red cards overturned namely Danny Rose's of Tottenham and Kaspars Gorkss' of QPR. The panel felt that the fouls on closer viewing with multiple camera angles of view did not merit dismissals.
I might add that there are serious penalties for referees that do not report all cards which can include suspension.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Ritchie,

During a match a red card can be rescinded as long as play has not been restarted.

After play has restarted, a red card cannot be rescinded by the referee. If he believes it was an error then he can report this to the competition authorities (he must still report the sending off) and request the card be rescinded, but the final decision rests with the authorities.

Some leagues by local rule have rescinded a red card (after the match) they believe is incorrect regardless of the referee's input.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 28221