Peter, you are obviously a referee with much greater experience and knowledge than me, and I mean that as a compliment, therefore, can you explain to me why there's distinction in the two clauses of the law?
IMO the first clause - "has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match ends (including kicks from the penalty mark)." - allows us, as referees to take disciplinary action until we leave the field of play. That's clear to me what that means - I have authority until everyone has left the FOP where good behaviour and respect still expected at the conclusion of the match and save your frustration until the safety of the dressing room. Now, with the second clause - "has the power to show yellow or red cards from entering the field of play at the start of the match until after the match has ended, including during the half-time interval, extra time and kicks from the penalty mark" - why the separation? In my eyes "match had ended" and "leaving the field of play" are separate events. They happen at different times and are not the same. Therefore, any player who "breaks the laws" between my signal to end the match and leaving the FOP can be sanctioned in that interim period but not shown cards. That's how I read it personally. Plus what benefit does it serve to show a card in these situations? For me, you'd simply inform the player (and his team management) that he would be the subject of a misconduct report.
I'm not looking for an argument, just some clarity and reasoned thought.