Had a red card last weekend, first of the season, for violent conduct. 100% sure that I got the decision right. In the centre circle, orange midfielder went to kick the ball away from blue midfielder. Misses, kicks blue player who goes down. Before I could blow whistle for freekick, blue player (already on a yellow) kicks opponent in violent manner. I blow whistle, red card for blue and yellow for orange. No complaints from anyone at all. I am certain I got the decision right and I know I restarted wrongly (different post for different time) but have learnt from that and RDO was helpful. When the blue player got up, he knew what was coming and I just pulled out and showed the red card he walked off calmly. I think I said 'What was the point of that?! You have left me with no choice but I need to ask you to leave' but it happened very quickly. He then questioned whether I had given the midfielder a card when he was off the pitch - 'You better give him a f***ing card ref!' he shouted. Other players and his coaches explained I had. Should I have taken them both to the side and then explained what was happening or was it alright. Looking back now I was surrounded by players so something could have kicked off. I feel I handled the situation fine and kept control as there were no issues but for future reference, is there a better/different/more right way of talking to players and issuing a red card? Sounds a bit jumbled up and don't think this is well explained - any questions, please ask!
