Question Number: 14873

Mechanics 2/21/2007

RE: foot ball Adult

Memphis Djembago daniel of Mukono, MUKONO TOWN COUNCIL uganda asks...

I would like to be clarified on the rule of direct free kick onto which it proves to bring contravacy.For a chelsea and Arsenal match onto which Henry scored the very goal minus any body is prepared,and then Man-U,Lille match the very stuff developed contravacy.Where and when do this rule apply,and under what circumstance should it be taken?
Thyank you Memphis Djembago Daniel

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Daniel,
The key part in FREE KICK is "free" meaning unencumbered, not withheld, expedites the proceeding without delay. When a referee blows his whistle to stop play it means the event which occurred required a stoppage to deal with it. Another whistle to restart is not required unless the referee MUST deal with something else.

If the stoppage was a FOUL or an infringement to which advantage applied a referee can delay the stoppage to see if the aggrieved team is in a better position to continue uninterrupted then to stop and place the ball at the spot of the infringement and kick the ball back into play. No whistle is required only the referee's permission to resume!

There is a HUGE misconception that the defending team which created the stoppage by fouling has any rights whatsoever. They in fact have NO rights, ZERO, NADA, ZILCH, ZIP!

A referee intervenes in a manner which indicates to BOTH teams that a particular restart will not occur until HE is ready is indicated by the referee directly and specifically telling the team who HAS the free kick I want you to wait for the whistle or we wait for the whistle possibly pointing to it or indicating my holding it up for all to see given languages are different. This could be because a caution or send off is about to occur and if the card is not shown BEFORE the restart the opportunity to show it is lost.

It could be the referee was ASKED by the attacking team, "Ref we want the time to set up please give us our ten yards!" In which case the referee by TRADITION at THIS point only is OBLIGATED to go with a ceremonial restart which indicates a whistle will signal when it is OK for play to restart.

A referee who comes in close to the point of a foul or altercation is in fact multi tasking, he is seeking to avoid confrontation or retaliation, he is trying to ensure the restart continues uninterrupted by ensuring the defenders are moving swiftly to the required MINIMUM 10 yards. He might ask the attacking team do you WANT me to intervene?, Do you want your ten? Do you wish to go? They can reply YES we want our ten or they can reply NO can we go?, either response occurs with in the same breath of time .

A referee can yell out "10 yards now" as he seeks to dispel the gaggle of defender who are UNFAIRLY around the ball with the sole purpose of getting the attacking team to ASK for the ten and prevent ANY restart that would disadvantage them further.

The key point in all of this UNTIL a referee has DECIDED that this kick will NOT proceed until he whistles, nothing prevents that kick from occurring if the correct standards are met, ball is placed on the correct position on the field, the ball is stationary and kicked.

When the referee has PUBLICLY indicated by action or word to the attacking team that this kick will NOT proceed until he whistles either by voice and action only then can a defending team breath a bit easier they will have time to regroup and redeploy.

This is crucial, defenders may not hear what is said between the attacking kicker and referee because in effect they should not be within 10 yards. That is why a referee in fairness will indicate the whistle restart usually by holding up and pointing to the whistle and waving a hand in a no no manner as he says to the kicker we WAIT for the whistle! That ball does not move now till I blow my whistle!

The buzz word "ceremonial" means in football the free kick will restart with a whistle to clearly indicate the REFEREE is satisfied to resume play. It is in the interest of FAIR PLAY not to deceive but a defending team who expects a stoppage to always provide them with time to defend forget the very basics of football! It was a cheating action that stopped play, it was a despicable act to deny/delay the opposition a scoring or attacking opportunity by their unfair actions.

The law allows a referee to acknowledge the aggrieved team's right to restart with the very simple act of not saying anything to prevent it. As long as the kick occurs from the right spot and the ball is not moving and the referee has NOT indicated we WILL wait for a whistle, even if the defending team wants the time to regroup and defend it simply is not their call!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

In any free kick situation you, the referee, must understand that harm has been done to the side you award the kick to. If you allow any delay you have harmed them again. Is that right?

The only thing the team giving the foul may do is retire the required distance, in all directions from the point of the free kick. If you allow the encroachment you have failed as a referee.

Regards,