Question Number: 29935

League Specific 11/20/2015

RE: competitive Adult

justin colebrissi of hcmc, tphcm vietnam asks...

Does FIFA specify a rule regarding red card suspension for the following?

A Player receives a red card in a game. The next game is forfieted. Is he allowed to play in the next scheduled game?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Justin
It is a matter for the Competition Rules for the competition to decide. Suspensions are not part of the Laws of the Game.
This is what FIFA has to say in its Competition Rules which includes the World Cups etc
** If the suspension is to be served in terms of matches, only those matches actually played count towards execution of the suspension. If a match is abandoned, cancelled or forfeited (except for a violation of art. 55), a suspension is only considered to have been served if the team to which the suspended player belongs is not responsible for the facts that led to the abandonment, cancellation or forfeit of the match.**
My take on it would be that if through NO fault of the player and his team that a game is forfeited by the opponents that in fairness the game will count towards the suspension. His team wants to play and had it done so he would not have played as part of his suspension so why should he be penalised by it not counting because of the actions of others.
Ultimately it is up to the competition organisers to decide and they should be consulted on the matter.