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A informal guide on how to deal with Football cautions and Sendings-off, including sample reports.... for specific detail on writing disciplinary reports, see the 
Report Writing page

Part 1 "CONFIDENCE"     Go back to top of this page:

1a. Routine.........Feel comfortable in knowing just where your cards, pencil and pad are. Whether you keep your cards in your back pocket, or your pencil tucked in your sock top - find the system that suits you, and stick to it. Double check that you have all cards, pads, pencils and whistles, etc. before you enter the field of play. Make sure your pockets are secure enough to retain these items whilst running. There is nothing worse than suddenly realising, in the middle of the match, that you have lost your only pencil, or that you have left your cards in the changing rooms.

EXAMPLE: When trying out a new wipe-on wipe-off plastic cards, I suddenly realised that I had lost my magic marker. I spent the next 20 minutes scouring the pitch. My diagonal ended up being more of a zigzag, and I lost full concentration of the game. Use items that you feel comfortable with and that are easy to use. This will allow you to concentrate fully on the game instead of worrying about whether your pencil is secure, or being distracted by jangling lose coins in your pocket.

1b. Tools...................The UK Referees’ Association combined Plastic wallet with red and yellow cards and pencil (less than £2) is ideal - all the ‘tools’ required are combined in a lightweight pack. Whatever type of match pad you use, e.g. plain paper, notebook, RA pads etc. stick to it. Check that you have all items before leaving home, including spares. It takes a while to work out exactly what suits you best. I spent a great deal of thought on making things as easy as possible. My first attempt was a tatty plastic holder.  My second was a combined book and cards, my current tools are the UK Referees’ Association wallet with my redesigned match pad. Whatever you use, stick to it.

1c. Pencil................ Always use a pencil; pens are liable to smudge in wet weather. A 'Mr Bloggs' could end up being a 'Mr Blobby'. Always carry at least one spare sharp pencil. Beware of the new wipe-on, wipe-off plastic cards, they can smudge when wet or sweaty. Find a safe, easy, accessible place to keep your pencil(s). Carry a sharpener with you in your kit bag. It never ceases to amaze me on the number of places a Referee can store his pencil. Find the place that most suits you, and again, stick to it. I use a child's pencil with pull out replacement pencil leads, and I find this very useful - you never need a sharpener. You just pull out the blunt lead and push it in the top to get a replaced sharp point.

1d. Rain...............Learn to use your upper body to shield your pad when noting details in rainy weather. Turning your back towards the wind can also help. Your pad cover will need to be waterproof and sweat proof. Use half time to supplement your notes - don’t try and update them during the game, you could easily miss an incident. Carry ample replacement sheets in your kit bag and replace them at half time if they get wet. If there is one thing that I hate, it’s when it’s pouring down with rain. I then dread having to discipline too many players, because you know full well that your card is going to end up looking like a Picasso painting full of smudges. You sometimes need to rely on your memory; use half-time and immediately after the game to update your notes. So make sure you have some spare paper or match pads in your kit bag.

And finally - make the player stand as a shield against the rain and wind. It’s surprising how all the above tips can just about get you through a half.

But when it is incessantly pouring down – there is nothing much you can do to stop your note pad getting wet.

1e. Stationery.....To enable reports to be completed and posted in good time - make sure you have a good stock of blank reports, stamps and envelopes at home. Complete reports on the same day if you can - whilst the memory is fresh - and post within 2 days in the UK (Sundays excluded.) You must report any incident(s). If you use a Word Processor or typewriter, ask the Discipline Secretary to send you a stock of blank reports in an A4 envelope to prevent creasing. Have you ever noticed how well folded and creased some blank returned discipline report forms are !!! Just remember, that the poor discipline secretary - or invariably his wife - have to deal with hundreds of reports each week. Try and find a quiet place to write your reports. There is nothing worse than trying to explain to your 8 year old daughter - who just happens to be looking over your shoulder - exactly what a "F***ing B***tard"’ is ? You may also need to send reports to other discipline secretaries if clubs are affiliated to other Counties. Addresses can normally be found in your local County FA Handbook.

Part 2 "CONCENTRATION"     Go back to top of this page:

2a. Play.......... Never turn your back on open play. At the same time, don’t always follow the ball if there has been a hard tackle. Look out for any after effects. You can't act on the say-so of a club-linesman, you need to actually see any offences before you can discipline the players. Let players know if you’ve missed an incident. Be honest with them, you can’t be expected to see all the players all of the time. If you see a hard tackle approaching, just keep your eyes briefly on the incident, rather than instantly following the ball to its new location. There is more chance of an disciplinary incident developing at the site of the tackle, than where the ball ends up. You can’t rely on a club linesman’s evidence to discipline a player. But listen to what he has to say. You can always discipline the supposed offending player later, if he so much as ‘f*rts’ during the rest of the game.

2b. Listen........carefully for any dissent or offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures, and note down exactly what was said. You don’t have to write down a chapter - one sentence will do - preferably the most colourful one! Use your common sense in deciding whether the language warrants a red or yellow card. Ask all players not involved in the incident to move away from you whilst disciplining a player. When noting down verbal abuse, make sure you write down exactly what was said. It is so easy to loose your concentration and to forget the exact words said. Get your match pad out and write down the words BEFORE you take the players particulars. If the context of the game or if the severity of the incident warrants it, you can consider cautioning a swearing player for dissent, rather than sending them off; but don’t write the swear word in your report - else the discipline secretary may well upgrade the caution to a sending-off. For example, "Oh sh*t ref.", could become just, "Oh Ref.". Again, this is where common sense comes into play. (See the ABC of Conflict page for advice on dealing with disciplining players.)

2c. Concentrate 100%........throughout the match. Incidents occur very quickly. Remember the culprit’s face, and number if you can see it), before they get swamped with players. To prevent further escalation, run quickly to the site of the incident; keep blowing your whistle hard if required. Concentrate on exactly what happened - it is very easy to get side-tracked by interfering players. Wave aside any pleas of "I played the ball ref.," when a blatant offence has occurred.

Concentrate - This can be summed up in an incident that happened to me in my 2nd season as a Referee. An attacking player who had a clear goal scoring opportunity was tackled from behind by a defender who injured himself in the tackle. An all out melee followed. For some weird reason, instead of sending-off the defender, I cautioned the attacker!, who surprisingly did not complain after being told by me to keep quiet. It was only after the game when the attacking' player asked me why I had cautioned him, that I realised my blunder. Needless to say, I told him straight away that I had made a genuine mistake. I apologised, and told him that I would not be sending in the report.

2d. Free-For-Alls.........It is impossible to discipline every player after an ‘all out battle’. Concentrate on the initial incident, and aim to discipline (at least) the main perpetrators if you can. You don’t have to physically get involved with players, you can just stand back - keep blowing your whistle and WATCH. If you are unable to identify the exact culprits during a serious fight, send in a general report against the club(s) giving as much detail as possible (see 'Suggested Misconduct Report In The Case Of A Mass Brawl' below). It is so easy for the initial culprits AND the initial incident to get blurred and lost in an all-out-battle between both sides. You must punish the initial incident if it warrants it, else the players will quickly turn against you. Even though I have received some strange looks when Refereeing, I do find that talking, or thinking aloud to yourself serves as a very good reminder to yourself on what is going on during a melee. For example, just say to yourself "Red number 10 elbowed the tall blond defender".

Tip from Alexandre Champagne-Ruel  - I use to stand up near the free-for-all and shout something like "NOW HOW MANY WILL I NEED TO SEND OFF?" or maybe 
"HOW MANY REDS HERE?"
Players usually remind themselves that there IS a Referee still watching them and everything they actually do. They seem to (in many cases) cool down.

2e. Diagonals...........You can prevent problems by changing your positioning to be closer to potential trouble makers, and by making players aware that you are especially watching them. Be ready to step in quickly. Good positioning, awareness and talking can often prevent you having to discipline players. Do not get distracted by comments from the crowd, officials or players. I find that the ‘STARE’ works wonders in letting misbehaving players know that you are watching them. Doing this a few times, particularly when the ball has gone out of play, soon gets the message over to them, that they are being closely watched by you.  One thing noticeably missing from most Referees’ repertoire, is the SMILE. It is very disconcerting to an argumentative player, if you just smile blankly at them. They will probably think you are barmy, but it can diffuse situations. (See the Positioning page for advice on running diagonals and positioning).

Part 3 "CONFRONTATION"     Go back to top of this page:

3a. Be polite and firm........"Come here please Blue", will usually suffice. Aim to meet players half way. Speak quietly and firmly to players rather than bawling them out in front of others. Stay calm. Extracting your pad quickly will demonstrate that you mean business - so do not back down. If you wish to keep your teeth until retirement, don’t loose your temper or swear at players. Being an ex-player myself, this was an area I had to work very hard at. In my first season, I said to a swearing player " The next time you f***ing swear you’ll be straight off the f***ing pitch." I also loudly told an abusive spectator to ‘keep his big bl**dy mouth shut’, this was accompanied by my one fingered salute in his direction. Funnily enough, when I turned round to look at him five minutes later, he was gone. I just prayed that he was not a Referee assessor !! So do NOT do as I did - else you invite trouble. (See the ABC of Conflict page for advice on how to deal with irate players on the field of play).

3b. Positioning.........As you confront a player, position yourself as to allow yourself a good view of the remaining players. Get the player to face you and to look at you whilst you speak to them - leave a sensible gap between yourselves. Wave interfering players away. If the player is agitated, ask them to "Calm down, and not to make matters worse". Your main responsibility is to protect yourself and other players from any potential, harmful physical danger, so don’t over-react or embarrass the player as this can escalate the problem; be calm. (See the Minimising Assault page for further advice). Players usually have a tendency to either put their face downwards and mumble, or to give you the silent "I’ll have you ref. after the game" STARE. Another trick, is for players to start retying their boot laces when you are trying to speak to them -  ask them to get up !.  Don’t back down; if you show any signs of weakness, you’re lost. I always mark myself out of ten, on how calm (on the outside) I have been during situations and confrontations in the game. Don’t ignore any further disciplinary offences stemming from the original incident. You can caution a player for a reckless challenge, and then caution him again a second time for dissent whilst you are taking his particulars for the first offence. This will obviously mean sending them off for a second cautionable offence.

3c. Verbals........When cautioning, firstly tell the player that you are cautioning them before you take any particulars. For a sending-off, take the players name first, then send him off. If a player asks why you are disciplining him, you can just say that it will all be in your report. (This line is also recommended if approached by players or officials after the game. It allows you breathing space, and prevents confrontations - you can never talk sense to angry players OR angry officials. When you have to run half the length of the field of play to speak to a player, try not to arrive so out of breath that you can hardly get a word out. Don’t get involved with comments from spectators; ignore them completely (they hate it !!). Don’t be frightened to speak to the ‘Bench’ if needs be; but make sure someone is sitting on it first ! (I think that was a joke ?). Just walk over calmly - if you can !!

3d. Writing....ALWAYS ask the player to spell their name. Allow yourself enough time to note down all the relevant details. Stop your watch. Aim to write the particulars so that you can read them after the game. Have a routine, e.g. name, number, time, incident, position. Ensure details are entered in the correct Home/Away half of your pad. Annotating team colours on your pad before the game starts - will help you. I once remember having to ring the secretary after the game because I could not read my own writing. This can be very embarrassing. A good tip is to use the local Telephone Book for surname spellings. Take a good look at the players face when you discipline them. It is surprising how many players look alike when they are on the pitch. You certainly don’t want to send-off the wrong player later in the game.

3e. Penalising.......After noting details - show the appropriate card(s). Don’t brandish the card in the player’s face. When sending a player off, just say " Can you please leave the field quietly Blue". If required - escort the player away from further trouble. Note down any further misdemeanours. Players invariably can’t resist throwing in a ‘pleasant’ comment or two - note these down if warranted and put into your report also. Don’t SHOVE THE CARD INTO THE PLAYERS FACE. If you have stopped your watch, remember to restart it. I’ve failed to do this on a number of occasions; this can be very off-putting when you suddenly realise. So make sure you always wear two watches when Refereeing, and keep one running ALL of the time. Remember where to re-start the game after disciplining a player. It can be embarrassing if you forget where the ball was when you blew your whistle to stop the game. As a last resort, - and if you really can't remember   -  use the ‘drop ball’ to restart.

4a. Retain one copy yourself and send two copies to the Discipline Secretary, but remember, they have hundreds of reports to sift each week, so be accurate, truthful, brief and consistent. Neat reports will help you in your promotion assessments. Do not include extraneous reference to the weather or condition of the field of play unless you really need to. (Note. Players can only appeal against a caution where they claim mistaken identity.) See the Report Writing page on this web site for comprehensive details on how to write discipline reports.

Always aim for consistency when writing reports. Find a system that suits you. If you look at the below you will see the simple format example.

Firstly, note the Time of incident, for example '19th minute of the 2nd half'.

Secondly, the position of the incident, for example, 'United's left back position'.

Thirdly, Referee’s position, for example, '10 yards away and in good view and hearing of the incident.'

Fourthly, the offence, for example, 'unsporting behaviour, dissent etc.....'

And last but not least, the incident itself.

Always remember, that the discipline secretary has hundreds of reports to read and evaluate each week, so be accurate, truthful, consistent, and most importantly brief.

My very first reports as a new Referee went along these lines:

"The weather was very cold with overcast cloud and a slight wind. The field of play was bumpy and rather muddy but the grass had recently been cut. Joe Bloggs, who I had already spoken to earlier in the game was running towards an opponent who was wearing a red top, when he purposely charged him to the ground. I was about 15 yards away and apart from one or two players who were in the way, I had a fairly good view. The incident happened in the 25th minute of the second half, but I had already added an extra 5 minutes to the first half due to time wasting....... and this went on and on and on........."

Now, I would just write,

" Joe Bloggs unfairly charged an opponent".

So don’t include extraneous references and keep it simple and factual.

You may on some occasions need to include more than just a brief statement to describe a caution, but on the whole, one or two sentences will do.

4b. The following are some caution incident examples.

C1: Is guilty of unsporting behaviour:

(a)Tony Bruiser - with little or no attempt to play the ball - recklessly tackled an opponent.

(b) Following a fair challenge for the ball, Tony Bruiser pushed his opponent to the ground.

(c) Tony Bruiser purposely tripped his opponent.

(d) Tony Bruiser purposely handled the ball.

(e) Tony Bruiser purposely threw the ball down in disgust after a decision went against him.

C2: Shows dissent by word or action:

(a) Having already spoken to Tony Bruiser on a number of occasions, he shouted, "Don't keep on".

(b) Immediately following a decision which had gone against his side, Tony Bruiser waved both arms downwards towards me in a dissenting manner.

C3: Persistently infringes the laws of the game:

Tony Bruiser purposely obstructed an opponent, this was a culmination of a number of persistent infringements in this match by the same player.

C4: Delays the restart of play:

Tony Bruiser deliberately wasted time by delaying the taking of his goal kick.

C5: Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick:

Tony Bruiser purposely failed to retreat ten yards during the taking of a free kick against him.

C6: Enters or re-enters the Field of  Play without the permission of the Referee:

(a) Tony Bruiser (a substitute) entered the field of play without my (the Referee's) permission.

(b) After receiving treatment for an injury, Tony Bruiser re-entered the field of play without my permission.

C7: Deliberately leaves the Field of Play without the permission of the Referee:

Tony Bruiser left the field of play to change his boots, without my permission.

Suggested Misconduct Report In The Case Of A Mass Brawl.

"I wish to report a mass brawl in the 20th minute of the above match. Following a 50/50 challenge between two opposing players, numerous players from both teams converged on the scene of the incident, and a mass brawl ensued. From my position 10 yards away, I witnessed at least X number of players grappling with each other and exchanging punches, some of which landed. The situation was further exasperated and confused by other players entering the fracas in an attempt to restore order. In the confusion, I could not be certain of the identities of the individuals who threw punches. Rather than attempt to dismiss a large number of players which would have resulted in the abandonment of the game, I decided that my first priority was to restore order and calm; secondly, to complete the game and then thirdly - report the facts to you for consideration of misconduct charges against the clubs. I informed the players that I would be reporting the incident."