Question Number: 22166

Law 1- The Field 10/5/2009

RE: competitive Under 13

aw of ridgefield, ct usa asks...

U12 girls competitive. Field markings white lines for soccer, blue lines for lacrosse. Early in game at a throw in restart, team A girl mistakenly throws in from behind lacrosse line which is approximately 3 feet inside white soccer touch line. It was obvious to me that her illegal throw in was unintentional and due to field marking confusion, so I immediately stopped play and allowed her to re-take the throw, informing all players of the proper white touch line. Neither team's coaches or players objected to this re-throw. After the game a parent objected saying I should have applied the same logic to a late-game call of team B goalkeeper handling outside the penalty area because there also were lacrosse markings just outside the penalty area. When I made the handling call I in no way thought it was the result of field marking confusion. Given the age level, was it appropriate for me to allow the throw in to be re-taken? One thing I learned from this is to remind both teams of proper field markings before opening kickoff when there are other markings on field. Your attention is appreciated and I commend you for this great, informative web site.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Your heart was certainly in the right place by allowing the throw in to be retaken - though as you saw, this can create problems later on.

What if the keeper was guilty of denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity when she handled it outside her penalty area, and this was argued at the time? Or she mistook the lines, ran outside the area and the resulting free kick led to a goal?

Sometimes when we bend the laws of the game it can have unintended consequences. Bending the laws of the game is certainly justifiable in this situation, just as long as you're aware of the potential for problems later on.

I commend your approach of informing teams before the game which lines will be in use, as well as informing the players again when problems arose. As referees, we need to be aware when we can bend the laws of the game to uphold a sense of fair play and the spirit of the laws, and that's what you've demonstrated here.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

I agree with my colleague Referee Dawson and well done. Too often referees do not make allowance for unusual situations such as the one you describe about field markings. At the age level concerned I would expect that no one should have a problem with the decision.
Your kind comments are gratefully accepted

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Your logic is impeccable and your understanding of the distinction of law, spirit, fair play and common sense is firing on all cylinders. Well done! The perception by the parent is as an opinion, valid as is any thought held by an individual but is in my opinion, oranges to apples in the difference My one observatio here was the handling by the keeper for breaking up an attack which is very serious as opposed to accidently stepping out side the lines in a release which is not serious at all?
We appreciate the kind comments Cheers