FIFA issues directive on automatic bans

[MassachusettsRef]

FIFA has ruled that all red cards must result in an automatic one match ban from the next match in the same competition with no (well, very limited) exceptions. On the face of it, it doesn't seem like much of a change, but as the article points out, it will have ramifications for many of the top-flight divisions around the world.

http://www.soccernet.com/global/news/2002/0924/20020924fifaban.html

[soccertim]

Here's a quick, semi-unrelated question. It states that red card suspensions are lifted in the case of mistaken identity. Does the player who committed the foul and was not sent off generally get some sort of post-game suspension?

[Alberto]

Interesting decision. I agree with Blatter. It undermines the referees authority. I would only ask how to ensure that there is a way to confirm if the referee sends off the wrong player as was noted in the article.

Of even greater interest

"FIFA's ruling overshadowed the news that the 10-man Referees' Committee, which appointed the officials at the World Cup finals, is to be re-constituted under the chairmanship of Angel Maria Villar Llona of Spain."

This is a major shake-up.

[Alberto]

Originally posted by soccertim
Here's a quick, semi-unrelated question. It states that red card suspensions are lifted in the case of mistaken identity. Does the player who committed the foul and was not sent off generally get some sort of post-game suspension?

Yes.

[gildarkevin]

Originally posted by Alberto
Interesting decision. I agree with Blatter. It undermines the referees authority. I would only ask how to ensure that there is a way to confirm if the referee sends off the wrong player as was noted in the article.

Presumably, the player/team appealing the suspension on the basis that the identity was wrong would have the burden of proving the error.

They'd have to go to the referee's official post-match report to confirm who was sent off and then have to present either video or similar circumstantial evidence or testimony to prove the error.

[soccernutter]

This is gonna cause some major headaches in review committees. I disagree with the immediate suspension. I think it should be delayed for a week to have a proper hearing/reversal. what happens Such as in England, where a player is given a red card on Saturday afternoon, but then must play Tuesday, or worse yet, Monday, in the same competition. There is very little time for review. And what if there is question about who acutally committed the infraction? You think a witness from the other team would come forward immediately when the possibility of having 2 players suspended for the same send off could occur? When teams start playing 2-3 domestic league games a week, this ruling becomes a problem.

[kevbrunton]

So if I read this correctly, this does not prevent the referee from changing his mind as Mike Riley did on Cisse's recent red card. In other words, the team can appeal to the referee to "review his actions" before making the game report official, but after that, the player will have to sit the next match.

If that's right, then I think it's the way it should be. The referee can review his actions and decide if they were correct, but to have someone not involved in the game, etc. decide later, in some cases MUCH later, isn't right.

Is that how you guys see it?

[Alberto]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
So if I read this correctly, this does not prevent the referee from changing his mind as Mike Riley did on Cisse's recent red card. In other words, the team can appeal to the referee to "review his actions" before making the game report official, but after that, the player will have to sit the next match.

If that's right, then I think it's the way it should be. The referee can review his actions and decide if they were correct, but to have someone not involved in the game, etc. decide later, in some cases MUCH later, isn't right.

Is that how you guys see it?

The article doesn't really say that. I assume most professional leagues hold a post match assessment/conference between the refereeing crew and the match assessor. Most however may not have a tape of the match for use in the post match assessment. In fact the MLS sends out the match tape for review by the referee committee the day of the match. Since match reports for professional leagues have to be mailed the day of the match, it gives precious little time to reverse a decision officially. I would think this edict will result in more stringent and immediate review of match tapes immediately following each match.

[lanman]

What happens in countries where video reviews are not possible (most countries do not record the games)? It is setting up a double standard in the laws which is penalising the poorer countries and the lower divisions.

[superdave]

How is it penalizing the poorer countries? Suppose a player in league play in the Outer Mongolian 1st division gets sent off. Suppose it's unjust, but there's no video evidence to review. Remember, the suspension is served in the same competition so this player can still play in the Asian Champions League if that's their next match.

[lanman]

It's penalising the players in countries where matches are not recorded as the referee has no chance to review his decision properly and recind the ban if he feels it correct to do so. A player can be un-justly suspended simply on the basis of the financial state of the league they play in. Decisions like that can make or break a season.

[kevbrunton]

This guy (from outer Mongolia) has never gotten a review in the past and has never had a card overturned before. FIFA isn't dictating that every league in the world should have this review procedure. They're dictating that if you're going to do it, it has to be done before the next game. Otherwise, the ejected player is going to sit the next game.

[IASocFan]

Our youth league has done this for years. Red Card = automatic one match suspension with limited opportunity for appeal. Some leagues allowed multiple weeks for appeal before any suspension. It's like spanking the kid or the dog three weeks later. Make the culprit immediately responsible for his actions.

[superdave]

Originally posted by lanman
It's penalising (???) the players in countries where matches are not recorded as the referee has no chance to review his decision properly and recind the ban if he feels it correct to do so. A player can be un-justly suspended simply on the basis of the financial state of the league they play in. Decisions like that can make or break a season.
I put the last sentence in bold and "penalising" to highlight that the rules in Outer Mongolia affect that league, and no other.

I mean, in basketball, you can use your hands, in soccer you can't. That's unfair to soccer players.

In Britain, non-EU players have to get a WP, in Italy they don't. That hurts Tottenham's chances to beat out Arsenal in the league.

See what I mean? My two examples are absurd. But no more absurd than you saying that because Outer Mongolia can't use video evidence, England can't either, as if that is somehow unfair to a team in Outer Mongolia.

The rules are the same for everybody in Outer Mongolia. That's the basic definition of fairness. Video review in England has ABSOLUTELY ZERO effect on the fairness of the OMPL. Just like the rules about using your hands in basketball have ABSOLUTELY ZERO effect on the fairness of the OMPL. Or MLS' salary cap have ABSOLUTELY ZERO effect. Or the winter break in Germany has ABSOLUTELY ZERO effect. Or the weird league structure in Brazil has ABSOLUTELY ZERO effect. Or the point system in the A-League. Or the split schedule in Argentina. Or the solvency standards in France. Or Collina reffing in Italy and not the OMPL. Or Welsh teams Swansea and Cardiff playing in the Football League.

Or to use one more analogy...it's unfair to me if my parents gave my sister a car and not me. It's not unfair if Bill Gates' kids get one and I don't.

[olafgb]

It's already done since some years in Germany. After an ejection the player is immediately suspended and the sports court decides on a ban directly the following work day. DFB suggests a ban, asks team and player whether they agree, otherwise there'll be a trial. For this trial there is some time as a one game ban is inevitable.

I got my problems with this rule as it determines a ban even for players who were incorrectly sent off (exception only if the ref was mistaken about the identity of the player). This clearly violates the basical law principle 'no punishment without a crime'. DFB also argues that otherwise the decisions of the refs are ridiculed; complete nonsense IMO - why should a ref be interested in a second wrong punishment after he already did one?

[MassachusettsRef]

The official announcement came from FIFA yesterday:

http://www.fifa.com/Service/MR_M/44221_E.html

Looks to even more forceful than first, though. Note the emphasis on the concluding quote from Law V. Could this be a not-so-veiled reference at the "adminstrative" cards that we've seen issued in MLS and other leagues?

[kevbrunton]

So it also looks like they're saying, "No more of this, never mind, he didn't deserve that second yellow." like Riley did with Cisse earlier this year and Pugh did with Campo last week.

Personally, I thought Campo deserved his -- first he walks away 12 yards or so with the ball preventing the kick from being taken. Then when Pugh toots the whistle, Campo rolls the ball the other way over the end line. I was surprised to see Pugh withdraw the second caution.