Question Number: 34353

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/26/2021

RE: Adult

Bob of HARROGATE, North Yorkshire England asks...

I understand that if a player (stupidly) whips his shirt off in celebration of a goal, he will be yellow carded, but if that goal is subsequently ruled out by VAR, does the yellow card still stand. I ask this , because as far as I can see Joshua King, Watford, did not get a yellow card, yesterday (sat 25 Sept) after scoring ! against Newcastle.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bob,
technically if the player removed his shirt thinking he was celebrating a goal, even if that goal was later waved off, the caution for removing the jersey remains! Could a referee feel obliged to overlook it as befittng the best interest of the match? Feeling the player's excuse to celebrate was unworthy of such a punishment? Possibly, his match, his decision, his reputation. However, make no mistake, under the LOTG it IS a mandatory caution. Whether it should be, there is another argument to be made. Assessment marks are affected when failing to follow prescribed proceedures
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
The Laws of the Game state and I quote
**A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:.......
# removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt **

So from the stats posted on the web no caution is listed for King of Watford in the game
As a result that will be viewed as an error by the referee and a loss of marks in his assessment. Why he did not caution will be asked and perhaps it was lack of knowledge. It would certainly be a better reason that knowing that it was a caution and deciding not to issue the card. There are times in the Laws when MUST is used. This one of them.

I once sent a player off for removing his shirt after scoring a goal. He was already on a caution. I did not like doing it and felt poorly about it yet I was bound by the MUST rather than a MAY. To me I had no choice in the matter.