Click to enlarge, and debate the strip below the line.
Keith Hackett's verdict
1) You're not going to be popular – but you need to stop the game. If the defender was going in for the tackle with his other leg, still protected by a shinpad, you could have allowed the passage of play to continue. But as it is, it's your primary job to protect players from causing danger to themselves or others, so you have to intervene. Stop play, explain the situation, have the defender leave the pitch to re-insert the pad, and restart with a dropped ball. Clive Russell wins the shirt.
2) The substitution may be complete now, but it wasn't when the offence took place. Swearing at you like this is a straight red card, so send him off, reducing his team to 10 players. His manager will now have to decide which other player to bring off if he still wants the substitution to happen. Thanks to B Duddy.
3) There has been no offence, and play was still live, so some would say you should award the goal – but this is a similar situation to question two. Player safety is paramount so, even though you hadn't blown the whistle, you can consider that play stopped the moment the players collided. Call the trainers on immediately, have both players leave the pitch after treatment, and restart with a dropped ball. Thanks to David Smith.
Competition: win a T-shirt of your choice
For a chance to win a Philosophy Football T-shirt of your choice from the Guardian range send us your questions for You are the Ref to you.are.the.ref@observer.co.uk. The best scenario used in each new strip wins a T-shirt; Terms apply. For more on You are the Ref's history, click here.
