Classic League - Cards Not Being Recorded

Wondering if anyone else has experienced cards given during a game not recorded on the misconduct page. Have seen it twice now, card given to a player and that card was never recorded. The most recent occurrence was 4 x different players on the same team were given yellow cards in one game and none of those have been recorded. I can see where 1 x card might slip through the cracks, but not 4 x given in one game.

Have wondered for the last two years! My son has at least two not recorded! What’s the deal?!?!

Yes, I have even seen red cards ignored.

I wonder if it is just a lack of accountability or they really could care less? Either way, there seems to be a lack of any sort of checks and balances for a pretty fundamental part of the sport.

Whydopplsux wrote:I wonder if it is just a lack of accountability or they really could care less? Either way, there seems to be a lack of any sort of checks and balances for a pretty fundamental part of the sport.

It's both a lack of accountability and the majority of the referees could not care less. They are there just to pick up a paycheck. My DD just got mauled this past weekend and got a concussion. The officials could not care less.

Whydopplsux wrote:Wondering if anyone else has experienced cards given during a game not recorded on the misconduct page. Have seen it twice now, card given to a player and that card was never recorded. The most recent occurrence was 4 x different players on the same team were given yellow cards in one game and none of those have been recorded. I can see where 1 x card might slip through the cracks, but not 4 x given in one game.

Disclaimer: The following is not a valid reason, nor do I condone it...

When a referee issues a red card, they are required to submit a written report. Sometimes, avoiding paperwork explains why fouls that deserve red cards receive yellows. It can also explain why red cards are not written on the game report. Referees that do not report their cards can be punished.


Sometimes, referees just forget to report yellow cards. Last weekend in an adult game where I was the AR, there was an early yellow card. The rest of the game went smooth and the Referee forgot there was a card in the first 5 minutes. Once reminded, he had to go back to the manager and add it to the game report.


Another flaw in the system may be referees only being required to report cards on the receiving team's game report. I have heard of instances where a team did not turn in their game report (or altered it) to avoid the league finding out about the cards. If leagues required the referees to list all cards for both teams on both game reports, that would help. Also, in many adult leagues, a captain from each team signs both game reports. I have seen captains after a game scrutinize the other team's game report to make sure a card(s) was reported before they signed.

coachdom23 wrote:

Whydopplsux wrote:Wondering if anyone else has experienced cards given during a game not recorded on the misconduct page. Have seen it twice now, card given to a player and that card was never recorded. The most recent occurrence was 4 x different players on the same team were given yellow cards in one game and none of those have been recorded. I can see where 1 x card might slip through the cracks, but not 4 x given in one game.

Disclaimer: The following is not a valid reason, nor do I condone it...

When a referee issues a red card, they are required to submit a written report. Sometimes, avoiding paperwork explains why fouls that deserve red cards receive yellows. It can also explain why red cards are not written on the game report. Referees that do not report their cards can be punished.


Sometimes, referees just forget to report yellow cards. Last weekend in an adult game where I was the AR, there was an early yellow card. The rest of the game went smooth and the Referee forgot there was a card in the first 5 minutes. Once reminded, he had to go back to the manager and add it to the game report.


Another flaw in the system may be referees only being required to report cards on the receiving team's game report. I have heard of instances where a team did not turn in their game report (or altered it) to avoid the league finding out about the cards. If leagues required the referees to list all cards for both teams on both game reports, that would help. Also, in many adult leagues, a captain from each team signs both game reports. I have seen captains after a game scrutinize the other team's game report to make sure a card(s) was reported before they signed.

That is what I have always thought.  If these guys would pull a yellow, they could probably avoid many of the problems.  I play Over 40 at an indoor facility.  It's a good one and they are working on trying to improve the officiating.   Except for 1, those guys don't know how to use cards.  A few weeks back, when a play should have been "dead" our goalie got kicked in the head (he had dove and secured the ball, but the player on the other team thought that taking a long stride and using our goalies head as a ball would be wise).  Foul yes, but no card.  The referee, when pressed, told me in his judgement it wasn't intentional (though still dangerous).  So our goalie after being down 3 minutes recovered.  Now 2nd half, same opposing player coming toward the outside edge of the box chasing the loose ball.  Our goalie makes a beeline toward him and connects with him big time.  The guy wound up about 15 yards away and nearly hit the glass.  Our goalie gets a yellow (which is fine) as it was clearly intentional.  A Rhubarb ensues and all hell breaks loose.  After the game: Me: "so you see what happens when you don't use your cards?  You loose control of the game".  Ref: "You're right".  In that instance, those guys had to write a report about all the nonsense, but I don't believe anyone got suspended.  People are lazy.  So man referees (except for maybe 10%) are just there to collect their cash. I would think they do what they do for the love of the game and try to officiate it with passion. Otherwise, why bother?

Notice: This is not an indictment on a specific league or referee assignor...


Also, keep in mind the referee assignors. Most put their best referees on the highest skill level, first, and work down the list. If he/she has DA games and rec games on the same day, the DA games get the stronger referees. In adult leagues, Open D1 games will get higher level referees than Over 40 D3.

Some referee assignors take on too many leagues, which means more games than they can cover in a day. This can result in referees getting games above their ability, especially if they are someone who is on time and works a lot for that referee assignor.