Question Number: 15203

Mechanics 4/17/2007

RE: Under 19

Referee of Sydney, Australia asks...

I would consider myself a fairly competent referee but there has always been a degree of uncertainty about the following situation.

It is to do the fact that a foul can not occur whilst the ball is out of play. I understand that you can caution/send off players for misconduct while the ball is out of play, however what if the offence is simply not cautionable.

For example: A corner kick is about to be take. Two players in the box are jostling for position and while i am watching this the defender commits a foul (either holding the shirt or some other foul). The question is, the conduct is not cautionable, its just a regular foul, but the ball is not in play so i cannot give a penalty.

In essence i am asking what to do with regular, non-cautionable fouls occur whilst the ball is out of play? The point is they are fouls, but i cannot see how i can deal with them while the ball is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Basically, you have 2 options. Ignore it or deal with it.

If you choose to ignore it this sort of thing may persist and eventually escalate to a point where you will be required to give a card. Now, let's say you see the simple shirt grab while the ball is out of play and you don't think a caution is in order. You choose to ignore it and now the player whose shirt was grabbed now shoves the opponent who held him to the ground. Now you will have to issue a card to the player for retaliating and is that really fair considering who instigated the situation?

If you choose to deal with it, you can take proactive measures to stop the behavior and prevent repetition of it or escalation to misconduct. In the same situation you talk about you could:

-say from a far "#12 let him go, I'm watching you!"
Or
-blow the whistle and prevent the kick from taking place, walk to where the criminal is and tell him in no uncertain terms that his conduct is unacceptable and you're aware of it. Be sure he is aware that he must conform to the bounds of fair play or you might have to deal with him more harshly. When choosing to talk to a player about his conduct, you could isolate him and have a quiet word, using humor and compassion to try to bring him in line, or you could make your words loud so all the players hear what you say and your body language should show you're unhappy and that you will have "NO MORE!"

However you choose to deal with it - you're being a proactive referee who prevents problems and helps players make it through the match without having to go off for a "mental injury". Choose to ignore it and you'll learn how players tend to fight fire with fire. Put out the fires early so that the blaze never gets too large to contain.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What makes you think a player holding an opponent before a corner is taken is NOT misconduct? You could say the same thing about any foul that would not be deemed reckless in nature. ANY "foul" committed while the ball is not in play should be sanctioned as misconduct. As Ref Montanino rightly points out, you ignore this behavior at your owm risk.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Sometimes a strong, "Knock it off!" accompanied by a glare will get the job done. Depends on whether they're generally being soccer players this week, or are trying out for the traveling barbarian squad.

If you don't choose to see it as misconduct, but need to deal with it more formally than a shout, hold up the restart and talk to the player. Remind him that if the behavior continued when the ball is in play, it would be a foul. Although you have to be very careful in how you say that, making sure it is a reminder and not a threat of, "If you do X, I'm going to call Y." You don't want to put yourself into a tight spot with little chance of exit.