After the referee has stopped play for a serious foul challenge, there is a mass confrontation on the field between both teams. One player is punched by an opposing player but the referee cannot identify the offender. May the senior team coach receive the sanction for this offence?

THE DECISION

No. The senior team coach can be sanctioned only for an offence committed by an ‘unidentified offender’ who is in/from the technical area (substitute, substituted player, sent-off player or another team official). If an offence is committed by a player who cannot be identified, the incident should be reported to the appropriate authorities after the match.