Question Number: 22608

Law 5 - The Referee 12/4/2009

RE: All Levels Under 19

JT of Seattle, Washington USA asks...

When must a player leave the field of play. When the referee says so of course is the answer ... but when specifically?

According to the Laws .... Must he leave if he is cautioned? Must he leave if he is injured and the coach or trainer comes out on to the field to tend to them?

In high school in the above situations the answer is yes. What about USSF?

Thank you.

JT

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

HS rules require a player to exit the field if he is cautioned. FIFA and USSF have made it abundantly clear that this is not allowed in a game played under their authority. See Advice to Referees 5.17: 'There can be no "temporary expulsion" of players who have been cautioned, nor may teams be forced to substitute for a player who has been cautioned.' However many local leagues still have this so-called 'hot-head' rule, and if you accept games in that league, you must abide by their rules.

For an injury, there are two cases when the player must leave the field:
-- if play is stopped solely for the injury
-- if during any other stoppage the coach/trainer/medic is called onto the field.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi JT
Under the FIFA Laws of the Game a player must leave the field of play if
He/she is bleeding from a wound.
He/she has been assessed by a physio for an injury.
He/she is required to correct their equipment.
The player must then seek permission from the referee to return to the game.
Other times that a player leaves the FOP is when he/she is being substituted or has been dismissed.
At all other times the player must not leave the field of play deliberately without the referee's permission. Stepping over the sideline in the normal playing of the game is not leaving the field of play deliberately.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

In addition to all of the circumstances cited by my colleagues, players must leave the field if they are sent off and shown the red card in every version of the sport. Under USSF/FIFA, unless modified by local rules (not recommended), a caution does not require a player to leave unless it is his second one that game.

In USSF/FIFA, a player may refuse to be substituted, and the referee cannot make him leave the field. Of course, he will have to deal with his coach and teammates later. Now, if he wishes to be substituted, he will have to leave the field before his replacement can enter. He can leave the field anywhere.

There is an exception to a player having to leave the field if he requires medical assistance/evaluation. Goalkeepers are not required to leave in that circumstance, and any other player injured along with the keeper is not required to leave either. This assumes there is no blood involved.

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

See Question: 22619