Question Number: 18071

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/5/2007

RE: Adult

Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17650

Okay, I was totally onboard with the "yellow-card" -- USB for illegally entering. [17650] Then I saw this same question answered on www.ussoccer.com -- select the February 2007 Archive (I of I) of their Ask a Referee section at http://www.ussoccer.com/laws/askref/index.jsp. The answer provided states that there would be two USBs (resulting in a send-off) -- one for illegally entering and the other for kicking the ball away. I also seem to recall a similar answer by the late Ken Aston that was once posted on www.kenaston.org. If I recall correctly, Ken Aston commented on the old Q&A caution answer, and basically said there was no way he would let the player off with just a yellow. Unfortunately, the kenaston.org site seems to have gone away. Any opinions on the ussoccer.com answer? Now I'm torn between my two favorite sites...

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The official answer for those of us in the US is given by USSF at the referenced site. This answer gives us the method in which we can get that miscreant off the field in a legal manner. It is not a straight red card, but rather two yellow cards, provided the referee sees the separate kicking of the ball as a second instance of unsporting behavior. This would also be the mechanic our departed guru Mr. Aston would have to use when he doesn't want the sub to get away with only a yellow card.

In the Additional Instructions of the Laws of the Game (2007/2008) we find:
[quote]
If a substitute or a substituted player enters the field of play without permission
* the referee shall stop play (although not immediately if the player in question does not interfere with play or if the advantage can be applied)
* the referee shall caution him for unsporting behaviour
* the player shall leave the field of play
[end quote]
This sets up the possibility that the sub could be on the field for a time before the referee stops play.

I believe the (old 2006 version) FIFA/IFAB Q&A's 3.13 and 3.13.1 were intended to show an example where a substitute could be sent off for denying a goal. In 3.13 the sub doesn't commit any single offense that can be a red card. In 3.13.1 with the extra bonus of handling the ball, the sub has committed a send-off offense. This offense happened shortly after the USB of entering the field, but the point of the question is to note that subs may be sent off directly. 3.13 doesn't say that there couldn't be an additional caution for kicking the ball away. It simply is saying that the offense did not deny a goal on its own.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I think the point of the 2 FIFA questions is you can't send the sub off for just entering the field of play without permission which is just usb. USSF on the other hand, gives us a way to send the miscreant off by saying the action of kicking the ball away is another instance of USB and hence a second yellow resulting in a sending off. I sure can't speak for FIFA but I'm willing to bet that they would agree the sub may be sent off for the 2 cautions.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Subsequent to US Soccer's February answer the editors and contributors to Advice to Referees argued whether or not a substitute on the park illegally, in other words without permission, could not do some of the things a player can do. It was determined the substitute can not be guilty of some sending-off offences, specifically those involving some violations of Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct. The substitute can never be guilty of a direct free kick offence because he is NOT a player and therefore can not commit a direct free kick offence. Once he is known to be a illegal the restart of play is indirect free kick at the point the ball was when play stopped. If he scores a goal the restart is indirect free kick in the goal area. Further it was found he is not able to commit SO1 and SO5 simply because he is, again, not a player. He may commit three cautionable offences C1, C2 and C4. Entering without permission is C1 and tripping and/or kicking the ball away may also be C1. Here the substitute may be sent-off SO7.

The referee is going to be digging to get him to the showers and even though his going away is the right thing to do supporting it in Law may be quite difficult. The players on the field, on both sides, will accept his going with the usual amount of grumbling and things will continue with out any explanation needed. Behind closed doors, after the match, is where the referee will be grasping at straws defending his position in Law. In this environment "he just needed to go" isn't going to be enough justification, the referee must cite page and paragraph.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As I mention in the first response the laws allow us discrestion to determine various courses of action provided they are supported in law.

In MY opinion the IFAB revamp of drop balls to indfks was a good thing and it highlighted the fact that the actions of a sub or player are subject to the same discipline under the laws for misconduct only under different restarts.

The send off of a substitute for entering the field illegally and kicking the ball is no different with a player asked to leave say for equipment or injury treatment who reenters without permission to do the same.

They are BOTH disciplined under the laws and if you will send off the sub then it follows we must also send off the player as the MISCONDUCT is what it is! The USB for illegally re-entering or entering to deny the scoring opportunity or simply play the ball away because a ball that is kicked is permitted under the laws by a player whereas the use of hands on the ball by a player/sub could be a send off offence on its own.

In truth I have no real issue with a referee showing two cautions considering this as two separate acts of misconduct, one for entering/reentering illegally and the other for kicking the ball away as USB or dissent. If a whistle went before the kick then a referee could easily view it as dissent for kicking the ball away.

What I think the old Q&A highlighted was the sub was the same as the player in terms of his actions and that DOGSO cannot be for a second misconduct of kicking a ball as the 1st misconduct of entering happens earlier. I tried to think if we played advantage and that the kicking action as usb be for a second misconduct or an indfk offence thus applicable to DOGSO. As Ref Fleischer states no one is going to quibble if we send him off but the post game defense of it will be interesting.
Cheers

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

See Question: 18132