Question Number: 12664

Law 1- The Field 4/28/2006

Jim of Boston, USA asks...

During the game, glass is found on the field. The game is stopped and the glass is cleared. Play continues, but over the next 10-15 minutes, the referee is periodically picking up more glass from other areas of the field. Should play have been stopped because the field was unsafe? As a follow-up, the same referee had the teams that played the next game walking the field before play looking for more glass, which indicates that he felt there may be more glass.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

When glass is found a FOD walk-down is always a good idea. Trouble is, players are usually too lazy to do it right, walk head down, 1 yard from the person to left and right, pick up everything. Do it until a sweep nets little or nothing.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jim,
Is this an observation or are you expecting a comment?
A referee who feels the pitch is unsafe could easily make a decision NOT to play until the saftey issue is addressed. It is NOT a referees job to FIX the problem simply point it out to BE fixed. I think his last attempt with the teams walking the FOP should have been a first thing. Admittedly if there is a small issue and as an official I can correct it myself I will. I have often mended a net or too, picked up a bottle or rock, straighten a flag, spray canned a white line or penalty X. I even carry a pooper scooper with disposal bags and gloves in my truck. I will send one of the teams or a grounds person to fetch it to remove the offending material. I only go so far if they want to play they will fix it! Cheers
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 12707