Question Number: 18895

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 4/27/2008

RE: Rec, Classic, Challenge Under 17

Michael Shealy of Gilbert, SC USA asks...

During a U-14 Classic game where the two fields were really close together. On my field the ball entered the red team's penalty area where there were two defenders, the goalie and no attacker with in 10 yards of the ball when a whistle was blown on the other field that was really loud. The defender thought that it was on our field and the defender reached down and picked the ball up.
I blew my whistle and gave the blue team a DFK/Penalty kick.
How is the best way to apply the Law in these type of conditions should it of been a drop ball considering the whistle on the other field an outside agent?
Luck has it that it was not a deciding goal or even close.
Thanks for all your help.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The USSF publication "Advice to Referees" tells us what to do. And I'm sorry to say that in this case you were incorrect. You should have followed your speculations. Too bad all our best thoughts happen after the game is over.

"9.2 PLAY THE REFEREE'S WHISTLE
If a whistle is heard as a result of spectator action or of activity on a nearby field and if a player, thinking that play had been stopped by the referee, then illegally handles the ball, the referee should treat this as outside interference and restart with a dropped ball. The referee must nonetheless be aware of the possibility that a player has committed unsporting behavior (pretending unawareness that it was not the referee?s whistle) and must be prepared to deal properly with this misconduct."

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Michael a referee in this situation was faced with a decision well before the actual mistake. That decision was do I use a whistle similar in sound to my colleague next door or do I change to a different sounding one. Me I usually choose the different sound. There are many different brands of whistles out there to choose from and your kit bag should contain more than just the one. I still have my original Acme Thunderer even though most of the chrome plating has long since worn away. There are other pea whistles and a wide variety of fixed tone plastic ones. I even modified the tone of one of the Fox 40's for just the eventuality you ask about. It was a simple thing, just shave the length of one of the three tubes and presto the whole whistle is out of tune -- my whistle can't be missed! But that's me and it isn't easy being weird!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Michael; if placed in a position where you are not certain what FIFA or USSF says you are to do, do what you think is fair. How fair was it to award a PK for something you recognized as being an honest mistake. Heed Ref Fleischer's advice. I likewise carry an ACME Thunderer but also have a FOX 40 and 2 other whistles to avoid your problem.

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

See Question: 19089