Sometimes, as we have seen, players are keener for the referee to issue yellow cards than the referee himself.
Last week for instance I mentioned how Adam Federici, the Reading goalkeeper, wanted an opponent cautioned after he had been fouled. Instead the referee gave the player a warning. Contrary to what some football fans may assume, referees would rather finish a game without issuing yellow and red cards and they work hard to achieve this. There are of course some ‘misdemeanours’, which are mandatory and the referee, has no option but to issue a card. A player taking off his shirt to celebrate a goal for instance. In the higher levels of the game where assessors are at every match, to ignore such cautionable offences would mean the referee is marked down.
There are many other offences, which are not so clear-cut, and depend on the ‘consideration’ of the referee, or he is expected to exercise his discretion.
All referees are taught what we call the ‘five steps of communication’. The whole idea is to manage the game and prevent the need for wholesale issuing of yellow and red cards. The first step is the ‘quiet word’. This is what it says and it is unlikely that spectators or other players will even be aware that it has taken place. The referee will probably run alongside the player with a piece of advice or some words to calm the player down.
The second step is the ‘public word’. Usually it will be for something a little more serious. The whole point about this step is that not only the offender but the other players are aware that the referee has spotted what is happening. This is itself may not only prevent the offender repeating his actions but also dissuade opponents from taking retaliation.
The third step goes under the title of ‘admonishment’, what might be thought of as a ‘dressing down’ or a formal warning. This, I would suggest, is what the referee gave the Preston player who prevented Federici from releasing the ball. The offender will be left in no doubt that further misconduct will result in stronger punishment.
The two final steps are a yellow and then a red card. It doesn’t mean that a referee has to work through each step in order. If an offence is committed that undoubtedly needs a card of either colour, then the referee should administer it, even though no previous warning has been given.
There used to be a feeling amongst players, that referees wouldn’t caution the first reckless tackle and they would get away with a warning, so they would get in an early intimidatory foul. But referees became aware of this and will issue a caution if deserved, no matter how early in the game. The notorious Vinnie Jones still holds the record for a yellow card in three seconds from kick-off.
Sounds simple but it is a key decision to make. Once a referee has given a caution it sets the benchmark for the rest of the game so it has got to be an undisputed cautionable offence. If, however,
he withholds the yellow card, it might be seen by other players as licence to commit similar actions.
Sometimes the state and temperature of the game may have a bearing on the action a referee will take. For instance most referees will tell you that a key danger point is immediately after halftime. Players come out fired up and the referee may have to take serious action to prevent escalation. On the other hand, if the game has not been played in an aggressive manner with no flash points, he may be more lenient with borderline offences.
Using the first three communication steps might not always be enough to prevent cautions being issued but at least the referee will have tried.
Dick Sawdon Smith
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© R Sawdon Smith 2009