Question Number: 14933

Mechanics 3/4/2007

RE: Select Under 16

Chris of winston-salem, nc usa asks...

During a game, I gave a yellow card for Delaying a Restart to a player. He jumped in front of the GK as he punted the ball and blocked it. I stopped play, cautioned him and restarted with an IFK.

I reviewed LotG at home that night and saw that while I restarted it correctly, it probably shouldn't have been a caution for DR. At worst it might have been UB, but it was the only time he did it during the whole game so it wasn't PI.

The question is after the game can I rescind my own call? The league tracks D&A points, so it may matter later in the season.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Chris,
you are correct the caution would be for USB as no restart was underway, this is continued play until you blew the whistle for the infringment. I also like the fact you thought about the NEED whether to show a card to make a point or manage a situation was neccessary. You could send in an additional memo outlining the situation for clarification to the disciplinary committe. The fact you listed Delayed the restart of play as the reason for the caution perhaps it could be protested as invalid but if it was USB it would stand. Once a card is shown and play has restarted it is what it is you can file an addendum stating it was for the wrong reason but the option of fixing a mistake lasts only as long as you decide to continue play at the next restart.

Just a clarifying point on the PI thing the fouls do not have to be the same to find PI a problem. A kick, a push, a trip, a prevents the keeper from releasing the ball 4 infringments could = 1 caution for PI Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Chris. You're right. No delaying retsart of play here. Think about it. The keeper has the ball in his hands. Play hasn't even stopped so how could you delay a restart that hasn't even happened? At Selct U16, the players know full well they are not allowed to block the keeper's punt so I concur with a caution but for USB. Ref Dawson rightly points out that 3-4 fouls of any nature by the same player could constitute PI. You should write the proper authorities and explain that the caution was given for the wrong reason. Personally, I would also say it was deserved but you gave an incorrect reason. If you feel the caution was NOT deserved, you could say that.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Two of the cautionable offences are delays the restart of play and fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a free kick, a corner kick or a throw-in. It is important for the referee to realise these offences may only happen when there is a restart of play needed.

The goalkeeper releasing the ball from his hands is a continuation of play, not a restart. This offence is handled in the indirect free kick offences listed in Law 12. The caution you gave may have been valid if reported as persistent infringement if you had previously spoken to this player concerning his action. USB involves any discipline action you, as the match official, deem necessary to prevent something from reoccurring. It's the "Catch All" band-aid in your tool box. USB also describes one of the first six direct free kick offences done recklessly.

God on you for pulling up the player for failing to allow the keeper from releasing the ball from his hands. The caution for USB might have been a bit harsh, though there is a place for PI here. You might want to try your voice before a whistle stopping play because a competent keeper at the competition level mentioned can usually move the ball farther down-field from his hand than from the ground. This action gives "fair warning" you are displeased and if you stop play next time there is usually no surprise! This is a good thing.

Regards,