A player inside their own penalty area violently strikes the referee. What decision should the referee make?

When a player violently strikes the referee, it constitutes a serious offense that goes beyond mere unsporting behavior; it is categorized as violent conduct. The laws of the game recognize the referee as the authority on the field, and any act of violence directed toward them is treated with the utmost severity.

In this situation, the referee’s appropriate course of action is to send off the player for violent conduct. This decision is crucial not only for the immediate safety of the referee but also for maintaining the integrity of the match. Such actions erode the spirit of the game and must be addressed decisively to deter similar behavior in the future.

The other options do not adequately address the severity of the offense. A penalty kick for the opposing team would only be applicable if the foul occurred during play without violent intent, while a verbal warning would be insufficient for an act of violence. Dismissing the player for unsporting behavior also does not capture the gravity of striking a referee, which is explicitly defined as violent conduct in the Laws of the Game. Thus, the decision to send the player off for violent conduct is the only fitting response to ensure accountability and maintain respect for officials on the field.