I watched a grass roots cup final this week, very early on the ref gave 2 free kicks for dissent (he used the hand signal for dissent so was clear) without sin bin / cautioning.
I know the ref and one of the AR’s so after the game I asked them about it, as I was sure you couldn’t give a free kick for dissent without a sin bin / caution. I mentioned that to them and talked about the stepped approach, but they both said i was wrong and the law allowed it, and they use it frequently as a tool to control the game.
They were so confident (the ref said he had been reffing for over 20 years) that I am now questioning myself.
So, please someone put me out of my misery, by law can you give a free kick for dissent without a sin bin / caution.
I know the ref and one of the AR’s so after the game I asked them about it, as I was sure you couldn’t give a free kick for dissent without a sin bin / caution. I mentioned that to them and talked about the stepped approach, but they both said i was wrong and the law allowed it, and they use it frequently as a tool to control the game.
They were so confident (the ref said he had been reffing for over 20 years) that I am now questioning myself.
So, please someone put me out of my misery, by law can you give a free kick for dissent without a sin bin / caution.