Referee Review
Why was this decision made?
See the key points from a referee’s perspective
Show explanation
Referee Review
Why was this decision made?
See the key points from a referee’s perspective
Show explanationHow the footage and Laws apply
This incident happened behind the referee, making it very difficult for the referee alone to know what had taken place. The footage shows the FC Tokyo player striking their opponent. It is in situations such as this that the refereeing team, including the assistant referees and the fourth official, must work together to provide information and lead the referee to the correct decision.
Relevant Laws
Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct (Sending-off offences)
Official references
Check the wording of the Laws
The links above lead to official IFAB and JFA resources. The application of the Laws to this incident is the author’s analysis and is not an official view of IFAB, JFA or the competition organiser.
Want to test your understanding of this decision?
Build confidence with more Laws of the Game questions in the app.
Try more questions in the appRelated Scenes
![[No Foul / VAR Intervention] An on-field review of contact between a goalkeeper and an attacking player, with no offence given | 2025 J1 League Matchweek 26 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SxYRNe8U198/hqdefault.jpg)
[No Foul / VAR Intervention] An on-field review of contact between a goalkeeper and an attacking player, with no offence given | 2025 J1 League Matchweek 26 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka
![[Additional Time] A match that continued far beyond the indicated additional time | 2018 J1 League Matchweek 33 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Vissel Kobe](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tZsx491jXtg/hqdefault.jpg)
[Additional Time] A match that continued far beyond the indicated additional time | 2018 J1 League Matchweek 33 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Vissel Kobe
![[Sending-off / Rare Incident] A sending-off for two cautions: holding and delaying the restart of play | Eredivisie Sparta Rotterdam vs Go Ahead Eagles](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KKO40aTXqvc/hqdefault.jpg)