Question Number: 30094

Law 5 - The Referee 2/9/2016

RE: Adult

peter dickinson of sandbach, cheshire United Kingdom asks...

can a player be banned for alleged violent conduct when the game was abandoned and no red card was shown or any player spoken to by the referee i.e on the grounds of the referee report which is in error

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Peter,
league or associations are not generally in the habit of banning players on a whim.The referee match report or a misconduct or special incident report is investigated usually with interviews and phone calls by league representatives club officials and the referee and the player in question. For a match to be abandoned is a huge deal. SOMETHING occurred! It was not a lack of light or a weather issue if players are being banned. If a referee fled the scene fearing his safety or was escorted away from a mob situation there might not be time to show cards. You claim referee error what error was made in your opinion? If a referee files the report as to the reasons the match was abandoned and stated:

It all began when the red #12 player violently tackled the blue #2 from behind.Players and Fans rushed out into the FOP. I feared for the safety of all and abandoned the match my ARs were assaulted by the blue playesr so we fled the grounds. Chances are red 12 is receiving punishment . If the blue players who attacked the ARs could be identified they will face punishment.

I realize this is all hypothetical claptrap but just pointing out Both clubs and the official will have to answer to what is in that report. It could be it was not #12 red maybe it was #2 red . If there are inconsistencies perhaps during the interviews such things will come to light all one can do now is give their side of the story if video exists show that and hope the truth is out there to be found. Cards do not have to be shown to make a dastardly deed worthy of punishment. The EPL and FIFA will fine or ban players off TV review if the referee missed it during the game.No free kick never mind no card

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peter
When games are abandoned it is generally for reasons such as weather, unplayable pitch, poor light or some sort of serious misconduct. When it is abandoned for serious misconduct such as team brawling, spectator involvement etc the referee may not be in a position to show cards for a variety of reasons including personal safety. The FA has stated that the showing of cards is not required as part of the disciplinary procedure due to circumstances such as being unsafe to do so or it happens away from the field of play not connected with the game. The offender will still be disciplined according to the reported offence.
In brawls the referee will though observe what happens, make notes of those that he is going to report and then furnishes the League with a match report. Teams can be afforded the opportunity to present their side of the incident at a hearing at which they may hear the referees report.
Now disciplinary panels are somewhat like judge and jury all rolled into one. They read and listen to the various parties including the referees report. The referee may be the only independent party and he is a representative of the FA. Panels tend to take good store in what the referee reports. Now the report as well can be used as a tool to quiz the teams on what their view of what happened. If a referee says that Blue #5 punched the opposing manager which kicked off a mass brawl then teams will be asked about that. Credibility of witnesses is vital and the panel will form their opinion based on what is said and how it is said in the same way as perhaps a jury might do. Does an explanation sound credible? What alternative interpretation has been provided? Is the report corroborated by 3rd parties?
Now every decision can be appealed to the next level so if a team is unhappy with a decision then the appeal process can be used.
As an aside writing reports on abandoned games can be extremely difficult. There is so much going on that it can be difficult to see, recall, report everything. Have a look at this video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qpQQ4Qo6Okg
Only have one look and then recall what you saw. Difficult yes as I'm sure the officials missed some of the less serious incidents. Like the camera operator we are attracted to the most serious incidents. I could recall on first viewing six serious incidents that is the original sending off, red goalkeeper VC and three white player VC, two of which were extremely serious and a White sub VC yet I understand that 15 were sanctioned. When I looked at it again I saw four more serious incidents. You can be sure none were shown red cards and the game was abandoned. The authorities no doubt took the referees report, plus the video evidence plus any other appropriate evidence to arrive at a decision.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Peter,

Being shown a card is only one part of the send-off process. It isn't the most important part - a card is simply a communication tool or signal. Players can still be cautioned or sent off without a card being shown.

There are some cases where a card might not - or cannot - be shown. If the referee feels that showing a card would put himself or his colleague at risk would be one example. Or if he isn't able to get the player's attention to ensure he sees the card (for example, if it's after the end of the match and the player is some distance from the referee).

Also, if the player has already left the field then the referee should report the incident, but not show the card. In each of these scenarios I suggested it may be difficult, unsafe or impractical for the referee to show the card or talk to the player.

It could also be the Assistant Referee (if an official, neutral one) that has reported the incident but aftter the referee had the opportunity to show the card.

If the match ends under violent circumstances - particularly if spectators/team officials are involved - many referees will simply leave the field and report what they saw rather than risk violence upon themselves by drawing attention to themselves when people have lost control of their own actions.

Either way, if the player committed the action then he should certainly be held accountable, and the fact that the referee did not show the card mean he shouldn't be held accountable.

The fact that the match was abandoned won't make a difference - after all, abandonment doesn't mean the player didn't commit violent conduct.

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