Question Number: 28390

Law 5 - The Referee 5/4/2014

RE: Club Under 18

Dan Klein of Boston, MA USA asks...

Can a ref take back a yellow card that they have just issued? How about a red card?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Dan,

A referee can change his decision as long as play has not restarted. This means he can rescind the card until the moment when play has resumed.

If the referee wishes to change his decision after that then the card remains during the match, and he submits a request to the authorities to have the card overturned.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dan
Yes a card can be overturned by the referee as long as play has not restarted. That includes red cards. Situations include information from an assistant or mistaken identity

If the referee discovers after play has restarted that the wrong player was cautioned or dismissed, the display of the card cannot be changed and must be reported. The referee must provide in the match report all details relevant to the mistake.

Prevention is better than cure and the referee should be very sure about issuing cards.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. The referee can change any decision, including whether to issue a card or its color/type, with two exceptions: (a) the referee cannot change the decision after allowing play to restart; and (b) the referee cannot change a decision after ending the match.

The referee should not rescind a card just because the player has apologized, but should do so whenever the referee believes the original decision was incorrect or inappropriate.