Question Number: 35742

Law 5 - The Referee 10/6/2024

RE: U23 Adult

Neil Fryatt of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk UK asks...

Can a referee issue a red card after the game and off the pitch whilst walking back to the changing rooms and not speaking to or notifying the person what the red card is for? The referee was approximately 10yrds from the person concerned and no communication had or was happening between them at the time of the card being shown.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Neil,

Thank you for your question.

The referee has authority to show cards from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match ends (including penalties (penalty shoot-out)).

If the ref has left hte field and witnesses an offence that would warrant a card, he should still report it. And no, he has no obligation to tell the player that (if a player is abusing the ref, how well do you think they'll respond to the ref telling them they're being reported? There are pretty clear reasons why the ref isn't obligated to tell a player they're being reported).

So the only difference for the ref still being on the field to being off the field is that the card should still be shown if he's still on the field - but even then, the card is simply for communication in addition to the sending-off. The ref has no obligation to tell the player and in some instances the ref is better off not showing the red card (eg if safety is a concern).

The concern here should be on the player's behaviour, not whether there is a technicality that lets him get away with his behaviour.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Neil
As the old saying goes **There is no smoke without fire**

Law 5 states that and I quote
** A referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match ends (including penalties (penalty shoot-out)).**

So the answer is yes to the question.

A referee is perfectly entitled to take disciplinary action against anyone listed on the match card including while leaving the field of play. Indeed it does not stop there. Anyone on the match card can be reported for misconduct that happens after the game in the changing rooms or car park.

My experience is that referees do not take disciplinary action against anyone lightly after the game unless it is warranted. Tempers can be frayed in games and a player / team official can use dissent or offensive insulting and abusive language / gestures towards match officials in these situations which will result in a card being shown.
So words / gestures directed at the referee from 10 yards away can result in a card being shown. A player saying something untoward concerning the referee from 10 yards should not be surprised of it attracting a card. The defence of *I’m talking to a team mate* does not apply when it is loud enough to be heard by everyone including the referee within 10 / 15 yards.

Where personal safety is a factor referees are advised not to get into confrontational situations where the matter might escalate into something more serious.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Neil,
The LOTG state the authority of the referee extends both prior to the start of play and in the exit of play as long as the players/teams are within the field area. So yes cards can be shown. The question then becomes, "To what effect?) Acts of VC or simply USB conduct on the way to the parking lot need not be shown a card if those miscreants had exited the FOP but a referee would report such contact in his match report! Those held accountable should not be surprised of the resulting discipline that could arise from such foolish or hateful antics. A decent referee would likely let the teams know if not wanting to confront a combative player directly. Pick and chose the battle lines and gauge the need to do what ever must be done to be effectively in control.
Cheers