Question Number: 22748

Law 5 - The Referee 1/23/2010

RE: Under 18

Steven of Sydney, Nsw Australia asks...

Should a game be abandoned If a player breaks theIr leg or arm etc?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Steven
The 1st priority is the player's well being and safety. Without the proper equipment and expertise the best advice is not to move the player until the paramedics arrive. This can take quite a while depending on the proximity to the hospital. With an arm break the player may be able to leave the field. In that case play will simply continue.
In the case where play has to be suspended for some considerable time then the best advice is to abandon. Player can get cold hanging around plus they will also may not be in any mood for continuing depending on the severity of the injury to the player. In addition depending on available light it may not be possible to get the game finished so the only option is to abandon.
At the highest level that will not happen and paramedics will be able to remove the injured player safely within a short time.
For me anything over 30 minutes delay will probably result in an abandonment. The referee is the sole judge of whether to continue or not and he/she will take in account all the factors on the day.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The game would not necessarily need to be abandoned. But circumstances surrounding the game might make it necessary to do so. My colleague gives a few: teammates' feelings, lack of light, excessive delay. The latter could be dealt with if there was enough time to allow the players to warm up again before continuing. Another factor to take into account is the schedule of any other games that might be at that field that day. If the current game could be finished in a reasonable time that doesn't delay the next game by much, it could be restarted.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There are two questions here, but please understand that a player breaking any bone is not an automatic game abandonment. It all depends on the circumstances.

First, if a player is seriously injured, which includes not only broken bones but things like head injuries, dealing with this takes priority over the continuation of the game. As my colleagues note, it can take some time to get appropriate medical care to the site and the player(s). But until the question is answered of how and when the player's injury will be addressed, we cannot even get to the second question.

The second question is whether or not the game can continue. This is a decision the referee must make based on the circumstances. It involves how long the game is suspended, if there are other games waiting to start, whether there is enough light, if the referee has another scheduled game immediately following, the well being of the players in the suspended game, and there can be many other factors.

In all cases, the referee must make a full report to the league/association authorities - whether or not the game is continued or abandoned.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

First and foremost, if there is any chance moving the player will make the fracture worse, then DO NOT move him. Players with radius/ulnar (lower arm) fractures usually can be moved with no danger. Humeral (upper arm) are more tricky as that bone is larger and more easily displaced by movement. Leg fractures are similar. Tibial/Fibial fractures are more stable unless bone is protruding. It takes an unbelievable amount of force to fracture a femur (upper leg). If a player sustains a femoral fracture great care must be taken until professionals can get there.
Things to take into account with fractures of all kinds are:
bleeding
dirt
shock
If there's a lot of bleeding ask the coaches and parents if anyone is a doctor. Bleeding is most safely stopped by direct pressure. Tourniquets may be placed but can cause cell death by lack of blood supply if applied for too long a period of time so they should be used only if direct pressure doesn't work and should be released every few minutes and reapplied. If possible keep the wound clean. If the player feels clammy, has pale gums, is disoriented, a rapid heart rate, non responsive pupils he may be in shock. Best thing to do is keep him warm and wrapped up if it's cold out and make sure when the 911 call is made that they know there's a possibility of the player being in shock.
Follow what MDs follow: First Do No Harm