Question Number: 33390

League Specific 5/25/2019

RE: Competitive Under 17

Jorge Moreno of Thornton , Co United states asks...

I had a match today and this guy kicked me and I got a red card for retailation. I only pushed the player and I got suspended for 2 games. Is that right because I feel like it shouldve only been 1 game.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Jorge,
How long a suspension is, depends on what the disciplinary regulations for the competition provide for. Most stipulate a minimum suspension for certain specified offences, which can be increased if circumstances dictate. I can tell you that in most major leagues, any straight red card for violent conduct, which is the category for an action such as you describe, would carry a minimum 3 game suspension.

Now it is always possible that a push (unless to the face/head of an opponent) might sometimes only garner a yellow card, depending on the exact nature of the incident but since as I understand your description, a straight red card was issued, I think a 2 game suspension is in fact relatively lenient.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jorge
Suspensions are a matter for disciplinary panels taking into account all the factor such as what happened, how it happened etc.
In our Leagues violent conduct generally carries a three game ban and most suspensions I see are a minimum of 3.
So raising the hands, arms against an opponent in an aggressive manner making strong physical contact runs the high risk of a red card.
For what it is worth a player could get one game for a two cautions red card both for delaying the restart of play. VC of any nature has to have a greater sanction than the minimum one game in my opinion.
The decision can be appealed to a higher authority yet I personally would not appeal as that process can increase the sanction as well for being too lenient!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Jorge,
sometimes you just got to let the referee take care of business , injustice and whats is fair, like life, is simply a wish list. A referee with integrity calls what he sees and reports the misconduct. The association your league belongs to wil consider the report & dispense additional disciplinary actions. If you were sent off for VC (generally retaliation has no ball challenge) that is often a 3 match minimum including the game you were sent off in. My colleague mentions some pushing action MIGHT be viewed as only cautionable but when no ball is being challenged for or if the head or face is impacted or a back or neck snap occurs from an excessive push, straight red will be the usual card color. The referee might suggest in his report you were retaliating with only a push versus being kicked and that mitigated the punishment.
Cheers