Video Review: OC Soccer-Gromenida

2019-20 Season 

September 20, 2019

Facts:

On September 15, 2019 OC Men’s Soccer player Fabian Gromenida (#11) received his second yellow card of the game, resulting in a red card and a subsequent ruling by the Commissioner that Mr. Gromenida was to serve a one (1) game suspension on September 21, 2019 vs. LETH.

OC has requested a video review of the incident as per the ACAC Operating Code, suggesting that the second yellow card, which resulted in Mr. Gromenida’s ejection, should not have been called.

Ruling:

OC has provided a video clip of the incident.

red card.mp4

Article III Section 6 Rule 5.1 of the ACAC Operating Code reads as follows:

5.1. Request for Supplemental Ruling/Videotape: An athletic director may submit videotape to the ACAC Commissioner to receive an extraordinary ruling. An infraction must have been called by the game official, a serious act of misconduct have occurred, or a major injury have resulted from the incident. The request including a videotape of the incident, or additional information pertinent to the incident, must be submitted to the ACAC Office within 72 hours of the incident and a $250.00 non-refundable fee is to be paid. (Amended Oct, 2013)

As I have stated in previous rulings, on field calls made by ACAC officials are to be given deference and should not be overturned lightly. Having reviewed the video clip submitted by OC, in this case I feel that the call on the field should be overturned.

This decision is in no way meant to be critical of the referee, who witnessed the incident in real time and without the benefit of the video clip. However, it is my opinion that a yellow card was not warranted under the circumstances. It appears to me that Mr. Gromenida arrived at the ball before the UAA player and executed a proper slide tackle, making contact with only the ball and not his UAA opponent. Notably, at the time Mr.

Gromenida made contact with the ball, the UAA player had both feet on the ground on the other side of the tackle. While from the referee’s vantage point behind the play, the tackle may have appeared to warrant a yellow card, it is my view that there ought to have been no call made on this play.

Based on the above, Mr. Gromenida’s red card is hereby rescinded and he is eligible to compete immediately. Mr. Gromenida’s initial yellow card from September 15, 2019 is to be added to his yellow card accumulation.

Sincerely,

Bill Hendsbee 
ACAC Commissioner