Question Number: 19081

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/14/2008

RE: Under 17

Steven of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

What happens if a defender yells (abusive) at a referee and at the time he is in the penalty area?

And what if a a defender punches a player in the box off the ball is it a penalty?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In either case, the player is sent off and shown the red card.

If play is stopped to deal with the offensive, insulting or abusive language, the restart would be an indirect free kick. If stopped for any other reason, the restart would be in accordance with that stoppage.

For the punch, the restart would be a penally kick. That's because striking is a foul, in addition to being violent conduct in this case. It doesn't matter where the ball is; it just has to be in play.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yelling abusive things to the referee is misconduct. If the referee stopped play for this the restart would be an indirect free kick. The player, of course, would be sent off and shown the red card. If a defender punches an opponent inside the penalty area and the ball is in play he is guilty of striking which is a penal foul so the restart is a penalty kick. However, if he strikes a teammate (you only say "player") it is misconduct only and the restart is an indirect free kick. In either case, the player is sent-off and shown the red card but the restart is different.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Yelling abusive things at a referee is going to have most unpleasant side effects but at least you'll have plenty of time to recover. There are benefits as well, first is no one is going to bother you in the shower, you can use all the hot water, there are always extra towels, the phone is not being used, you can choose the music on the sound system and the greatest benefit of all you're not going to be busy next match day. If it matters your lads will face an indirect free kick against where you let your alligator mouth override your humming bird brain.

Regards,

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