Question Number: 20497

Law 15 - Throw In 11/12/2008

RE: Amateur Adult

Rob of London, England asks...

In a recent eleven a side league match a player on my team took a throw in from the wrong place and the refferee blew his whistle and gave the throw to the opposition. Is this correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That is correct. The throw was improperly performed, so it is turned over to the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 15 says the ball is to be thrown from the spot where it left the field. FIFA has told us it is okay for the ball to be thrown from a spot within a metre of where it went out, but that's just because it is often so difficult to tell the exact spot where it left the field.

If the throw is taken from the wrong spot, Law 15 has been infringed, and the penalty is the throw goes to the other side.

Kudos to the referee for doing the right thing - too many referees let proper enforcement of this Law go by the wayside, to the detriment of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Yes. Most referees do not enforce the law this way - I am guilty of the same - but this referee was correct.

I don't let it go anymore, but I do everything I can to prevent the throw-in from being taken in the wrong place... that has included blowing the whistle just before the throw is to be taken from the wrong position. If the throwing team does not comply, or does it more quickly than I can prevent... then it is a turnover. That is the law.

Players would quickly stop stealing yards on throw-ins, or taking throws far behind the proper position for tactical reasons if the referee's enforced the law.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rob,
as indicated by my colleagues if the throw-in occurs TOO far away the referee is correct to award the throw in to the other team BUT and this is importantat they TOO must throw in from where the ball FIRST went out of play. I tend to be very specific on pointing out the correct location by usually being in line with the spot including saying things like,'NO, Here or Back up . This is a management issue and while we are correct in law to award the throw in to the opposition if the throw in proceedure is not followed in spirit it is a simple restart so KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Cheers