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[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Certainly it is an insulting gesture. I also think any intentional non-friendly contact against the referee should be considered violent, and I don't see a difference between the referee and his cards.

You may well be in the minority thinking that this qualifies as VC. Here is what the LOTG says regarding VC on page 61:

"He is also guilty of violent conduct if he uses excessive force or brutality against a team-mate or any other person."

Did the player use excessive force or brutality against the referee when taking his card? I seriously doubt it. Therefore, I'm against citing VC as the reason for the send off.