Question Number: 30342

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/25/2016

RE: Rec Under 14

Rob of Manassas, VA us asks...

There was a player at my son's game who was 'talked to' by the referee three times before getting a card. The first warning was for a hard foul, the second was for jumping a foot in front of a player attempting a throw in (Should be direct yellow), the third was for pushing an opponent in front of the goal setting up for a corner kick. he finally got a yellow when he pushed aside a much smaller opponent while dribbling the ball towards the goal. I know youth games allow the rules to be bent a little, but should this player should have been carded. By the way, the player was whistled for more than the two above and reacted like an EPL player after getting his yellow in a sign of total disrespect.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
Every referee has to make a judgement call on what offences that merit a caution or not. Many times the referee will try to change behaviour by speaking with a player rather than use a caution. If that approach was not followed many games may not get finished due to multiple cards for USB, dissent, delaying the restart etc.
Some times players test the referee patience and perhaps they get spoken to more then they should. After getting spoken nothing happens for a while and a minor incident happens then that may just gets another word. Yes sometimes I wished I had cautioned a player earlier as when the card was issued behaviour did change. Other time players listen to what is being said
As regards dissent after a caution some referees will decide at what scale it is at and if it is frustration they may let it slide by ignoring it.
Now further up the levels referees have less discretion and they will be marked down for say not cautioning when it is required. At Underage referees try to be generous with player with instruction rather than cards. It may even be policy of a league. Perhaps another referee would caution early, get the required change of behaviour and perhaps may need to dismiss the player for a second caution if behaviour did not change.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Many times recreational leagues will encourage the referees to not use cards. That may be valid for the U-littles, but I found that a few U14's could be quite cynical players and justly deserved cards.

If the league has a 'please don't card' policy, even if it's just for the younger ages, refs may be conditioned to talk their way out of giving cards, which is what it looks like this ref did. Maybe a first-time talking to could be sufficient, but when the player continued to be out of control it should be apparent that talking isn't working. I guess the ref finally came to that conclusion.

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

See Question: 30351