Can a referee take back a card they gave to a player in a game?

[jdeagro]

This just struck my curiosity, and I ask this very candidly: Is there any reason why a referee can't take back a card they've given out to a player in a match?

We all make mistakes, and as referees we try our best to correct certain mistakes when possible, with what makes sense depending on the situation. So is there any scenario where a referee can take back a card (red or yellow) that they gave to a player? Is there anything that prevents a ref from doing so if they chose to? Sure, it may look idiotic to do, but if it's the right thing to do, isn't it better to do the right thing?

It may not be something I expect to be corrected while the player is currently sent off (though maybe it could be a case too), but perhaps after the match is over to not officially submit the card in their post-match report, if they feel the player doesn't warrant it actually? Maybe document it in their write up still and explain why they chose to take it back. But don't actually submit it in the report as a card.

At this point you're probably thinking I'm a madlad, but let me provide what seems like a logical example where this may make sense:

New law change, ref makes a mistake with the application of the law and then realizes they were mistaken when they look it up at half time or after the match. A concrete example is the new high tackle above the sternum trial that multiple countries (USA this season) has adopted. Tackling above the sternum is liable for penalty and ergo could result in a card too. But there are specific cases that shouldn't be penalized according to the new law: 1. If it occured outside of open play (e.g. at a pick and go immediately off a ruck), 2. If the ball carrier ducks before being tackled.

If the referee accidentally cards someone in either of the exception cases above, and they realize they were mistaken by the end of the match, can they rescind the card? Should they?

 

[smeagol]

No, do not rescind the card.

There is a formal process for having the card wiped from the player’s record. Let that process play out after the game.

 

[Phil E]

Don't rescind the card, just put in the report that you realised later you made a mistake in law.
Leave it to others to sort out.

 

[Ciaran Trainor]

I had a situation a few years ago in a challenging game where I yellow carded a player then later yellow carded his brother, they were always a challenge and the game was a challenge with plenty of yellows trying to calm people down.
Any way second brother yellow I said to him, the captain, that's your second so it's a red. Despite his protestations He went off.
After the game everybody told me I was wrong and I realised I'd made a mistake.
I still put the forms in explaining my error and he did not receive a ban.
As Phil says leave it to others to sort out but admit the error if you know you were wrong.
p.s. Both Brothers were regular attendees at Disciplinary so it was an easy mistake to make!

 

[jdeagro]

I suppose that all sounds fair and proper.

The only thing that would kinda be unfortunate, at least in a mistaken red card's case, is if the hearing to sort it out came after the next match for that player. I could be mistaken, or maybe they've changed it since, but at one point in my union, if you were red carded, you couldn't partake in future games (even on a different day) until you've had your hearing.

 

[SimonSmith]

I suppose that all sounds fair and proper.

The only thing that would kinda be unfortunate, at least in a mistaken red card's case, is if the hearing to sort it out came after the next match for that player. I could be mistaken, or maybe they've changed it since, but at one point in my union, if you were red carded, you couldn't partake in future games (even on a different day) until you've had your hearing.

There are timelines in regulation 17 to which a DC must adhere, and one of those is the timing of the DC

 

[jdeagro]

There are timelines in regulation 17 to which a DC must adhere, and one of those is the timing of the DC

Interesting. I wonder if I've experienced the DC not adhering to that the timeline before. I've had a teammate who had to sit out a game because the DC took over a week to hold the meeting. Consequently his punishment was a one game suspension, which they ended up counting the one he already missed as time served. So it effectively didn't matter anyway.

 

[didds]

Interesting. I wonder if I've experienced the DC not adhering to that the timeline before. I've had a teammate who had to sit out a game because the DC took over a week to hold the meeting. Consequently his punishment was a one game suspension, which they ended up counting the one he already missed as time served. So it effectively didn't matter anyway.

but would have been had they decided the card was erroneous and thus no ban.

now he's missed a game because of their intransigence.

 

[jdeagro]

but would have been had they decided the card was erroneous and thus no ban.

now he's missed a game because of their intransigence.

Agreed.

 

[Phil E]

but would have been had they decided the card was erroneous and thus no ban.

now he's missed a game because of their intransigence.

In RFU land reports have to be submitted within 48 hours of the match, so usually by Monday morning.
Disciplinary hearings then take place on Thursday, to ensure any "sending off sufficient" doesn't lose a game, which is what would happen if the report wasn't in on time, or the disciplinary team couldn't sit that week for some reason.

99 cases out of a hundred fit this time frame, so no one loses out.

However, we have to remember that all the people involved are volunteers and can't be compelled to adhere to those regulations if work or family emergencies get in the way.

The reason a report MUST be submitted after a card is shown, regardless of whether the referee changes his mind is because there have been instances where pressure has been put on the referee after the game to not report the card. The "report regardless" gets rid of this possibility happening and puts it in the hands of the disciplinary team.