Question Number: 21543

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/15/2009

RE: Travel competitive Under 18

John of Marlboro, NJ USA asks...

Our league follows modified FIFA rules as to substitutions.We are allowed unlimited during a match. At the U17 level everything else is pretty much FIFA. My question is in a game with 40secs left to play does the referee have the right to not allow substitutions to the team that holds the lead?

My understanding is if time wasting is an issue then stoppage time is added and need be a caution is issued.

Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many leagues provide for unlimited substitution at any time 'with the permission of the referee.' This can change the result from the approach under the laws of the game that substitutions should be permitted even during added time, with the referee to add additional time for unreasonable delay during the substitution.

Because league and tournament schedules do not provide much luxury for added time, it is common in my area for referees to decline to give permission to substitutions by the winning team in the waning moments of the match. We have many leagues that encourage referees not to allow substitutions near the end of the match if the referee beleives this is an abuse of the substitution process by the winning team to eat time.

That is not my practice, however. If the substitute is ready at the halfway line I will permit a substitution. I will loudly announce that I add time, and do add time.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

This no substitution behaviour by referees is a myth and has no basis in law.


A referee has no valid reason to deny a legal substitution as long as the required protocols are followed. Your view is correct, time added makes up for a delay and a caution could be considered IF the event was truly unsporting in nature.


Admittedly where we often run into gamesmanship issues is condensed tournaments with limited field availability, conflicting schedules and no time allowed to be added. But that is something you as referee must determine if you accept matches where law alterations are incorperated into the play dynamics
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee has the right to insist that the substitution procedure outlined in Law 3 be followed. If it is not, then he may decline permission for a substitution. Most coaches, even at your skill level, do not know the procedure and think yelling 'sub ref' is all that is required. The substitute wanting to enter the game MUST be standing on the center line BEFORE a substitution is requested. Additionally, if the opposing team has already started it's retake (a goal kick for example), a coach may not then decide to sub by yelling 'sub ref'.

That said, the referee must allow any substitution properly requested. You are correct that if time wasting is suspected, the referee may simply add time to the half. Unfortunately, at many tournaments, added time is forbidden and coaches may legally waste time in this unsporting manner.

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

See Question: 21558