[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...24fifaban.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.