Chris

Striking is not defined in the Laws of the Game. Referees must therefore apply commonly accepted usage and common sense in identifying the actions which would properly be called striking. As a foul, striking consists of a player making (or attempting to make):

direct contact with an opponent;

on the field during play;

using a hand, elbow, arm, head, or knee;

or by throwing any object at an opponent (including the ball). Underlying the concept is the notion that the action involves at least some degree of force — merely touching an opponent would clearly not be seen as a striking foul. There should be no hesitation in whistling the offense and indicating the correct restart (direct free kick or penalty kick) — according to the IFAB, advantage is not applied to such behavior unless there is a clear, immediate possibility of a goal.

If the referee’s decision is that a striking foul has occurred, the assumption should be that a red card should be shown and the player should be sent off (violent conduct). A red card must be given when the striking is performed:

using the backhand, open-handed slap, fist, or poking fingers; or

in a manner intended to increase pain, injury, or humiliation.

Particular attention must be paid to striking the head, face, or other vulnerable parts of the body (e.g., the eyes). Grabbing the hair of the opponent could be considered striking or holding but, in either case, would be evaluated using the above criteria. If the contact does not involve force and would thus not be considered a foul, the referee must still consider the likelihood of misconduct punishable by a red card if it is performed in an insulting, offensive, or derisory manner designed to provoke, intimidate, or humiliate the opponent (the card would not be reported as violent conduct but as insulting or offensive language, which includes gestures).

striking

Lessons Learned and Podcast: MLS 2008 Week 13

1423 days

by Chris in Law 11 - Offside, Law 15 - Throw In, Lessons Learned, MLS, Podcast, Violent Conduct

Here is the lessons learned from Week 13 in MLS, along with the podcast discussing these lessons.

MLS 2008 Week 13 Lessons Learned

MLS 2008 Week 13 Podcast

throw in violent conduct

Position Paper: Rescinding a Card

1424 days

by Chris in Misconduct, Position Paper

Position Paper: Rescinding a Card (Euro 2008)

Prior to play restarting following the display of a card, the referee can revise his decision about what he observed on the field, re-evaluate the significance of the player action, or receive additional relevant information from another official (either or both assistant referees or the fourth official). As a result of this further reflection or assistance from other members of the officiating team, the referee can:

• rescind the card entirely,
• decide that the card should be given to a different player,
• display a card to additional players,
• or display a different color card in place of the one originally shown.

As a practical matter, it must be emphasized that the occasion for such an action should be infrequent, that the need to rescind a card is reduced by having as much information as possible before displaying a card, and that referees should not be seen as acting in response to player appeals. If play has been properly restarted, any cards shown must be reported.

rescinding a card