Referees have long used yellow and red cards to caution or eject players. Now they can hold them up to unruly fans and impose the same consequences.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin high school sports section has implemented new rules that allow referees to present red and yellow foul cards to spectators. A yellow card is considered a warning, and a red card means ejection and a three-game suspension.
Jeff Lorenson, the Sac-Joaquin assistant commissioner, said the cards are a way to calmly address fan behavior without argument.
“We aim to increase awareness and encourage positive sportsmanship and fair play in all our contests,” Lorenson said in an email interview. “The red/yellow card system provides athletic administrators with a non-confrontational tool to address unsporting behaviors in a way that supports a respectful and constructive environment.”
Rio Americano Athletic Director Bill Taylor said the school will most likely not hand out cards but will follow California Interscholastic Federation rules for fan conduct.
“Rio will continue to use the CIF guidelines for yellow cards and red cards,” Taylor said. “The only real change is the physical card that explains the policy. Rio has had to deal with a few ejections this year, but neither the administration nor the athletic department has given a card at a sporting event.”
That doesn’t mean Raider fans have not been carded. A parent received a red card at the final regular season girls’ volleyball game at Christian Brothers.
Following 45 spectator ejections in the section last year, Lorenson said he hopes the cards will help to educate fans about sportsmanship and avoid removals.
