Question Number: 20698

Law 15 - Throw In 12/28/2008

RE: Competitive Adult

Jack of Sydney, New South Wales Australia asks...

Am I obliged to prevent a player from taking a throw-in from a squatting, kneeling, or sitting position, even if all the requirements of Law 15 are met?

The only thing that seems to come to mind is unsporting behaviour, for paying a lack or repsect to the game in the case of kneeling or sitting, but certainly this cannot be stretched to squatting, and even then, it would only be a retake and caution, as Law 15 had not been infringed per se, but rather Law 12.

Where is it written in Law or the current Guidelines and Interpretations section (not the defunct Q&A) that a player may not take a throw-in from this position? If it is not written anywhere, am I wrong by law to let it proceed?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

All this said, there's nothing prohibiting a throw from the squatting position. All requirements of Law 15 may be met by this position and I don't see how it would be misconduct or a breech of Law 12.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A sitting or kneeling throw is not permitted, even if all the other requirements of Law 15 are followed.

This is one of those things that 'everyone knows' and so is not documented in the Laws of the Game or the new Interpretations and Guidelines section. As you obliquely note, it was in the old 2006 Q&A document, 15.2:
'Is a player allowed to take a throw-in kneeling or sitting down?
No. A throw-in is only permitted if the correct procedures in the Laws
of the Game are followed.'

It also appears in section 15.4 of the USSF Advice to Referees, a document which was written to cover old rulings and 'everyone knows' items that may not appear in FIFA text.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It might be wise to note one of the requirements of Law 15 is not met, the feet are not on the ground... They touch the ground however they are not 'on' the ground in the expected meaning of the Law.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

It is not your responsibility to prevent this... however you do have to punish the player who infringed Law 15 by awarding the throw-in to the other side.