Ever had unauthorized football players on the bench during one of your matches? It happend in Spain last weekend. Fábio Coentrão took his place on the bench for the match against Espanyol. Apparently he missed the memo that he was not selected.

Iker Casillas started laughing when Fábio Coentrão took his seat between the Real Madrid substitutes in the match last weekend (check video below). Football coach José Mourinho changed his squad in the match before the Copa Del Rey final to give his star players some rest. Coentrão thought he could join Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, but he was wrong. He left the field red-faced trying to find a seat in the stadium.

The referee had to do nothing to get this “unauthorized football player” from the pitch. It made me think of the matches we – referees from different levels and countries – officiate during the football season. Dutch (amateur) referees have to check player cards and if they are put on the (digital) match form. Opponents may ask for a visual control, but nobody ever did in my matches.

I was wondering which of you checks always if there are other persons on the bench than allowed by the FA. If so, how do you do that? Always take the time to ask their names?

Check out the video of the incident with Coentrão: