Question Number: 23298

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 5/12/2010

RE: other Adult

Greg Walsh of fredericksburg, va usa asks...

Can a player be the first to play the ball after briefly exiting the field of play off the endline and then re-entering(ignoring any offside scenerio).

i.e. an offensive player(#1) passes the ball to a teammate(#2) then #1 goes out the endline to get around a defensive player where #2 makes a give and go to pass the ball back to #1 while #1 is still out of bounds and then #1 reenters the field to play the ball.

If so can you point me to the rule (or at least what to google to find it).


Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Here's what you seek. First from the LOTG:

If a player accidentally crosses one of the boundary lines of the field of play, he is not deemed to have committed an infringement. Going off the field of play may be considered to be part of a playing movement.

And from Advice To Referees:

3.9 LEAVING THE FIELD IN THE COURSE OF PLAY
Players are normally expected to remain on the field while the ball is in play, leaving only to retrieve a ball or when ordered off by the referee. If a player accidentally passes over one of the boundary lines of the field of play or if a player in possession of or contesting for the ball passes over the touch line or the goal line without the ball to beat an opponent, he or she is not considered to have left the field of play without the permission of the referee. This player does not need the referee's permission to return to the field.
An opponent may exploit a situation in which the goalkeeper has temporarily left the field in the course of play by quickly and correctly taking a throw-in or a corner kick. Even though the goalkeeper may still be returning to the field, a goal scored under these circumstances is valid. No offense has been committed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Greg
There is absolutely no problem with an attacking player leaving the field of play accidentally in dynamic play so it is perfectly feasible for a player to run off the FOP across any boundary line to go around a defender. Indeed this can happen quite regularly along the touchline . In the goal line situation it is no different and the only main consideration here is offside as the player for offside determination purposes is placed on the goal line when the ball is played or touched by a team mate. It would then require two opponents both standing on the goal line for the attacker not to be in an offside position.
Also it is not an offence in itself for a player who is in an offside position to step off the field of play to show the referee that he is not involved in active play.
However, if the referee considers that he has left the field of play for tactical reasons and has gained an unfair advantage by re-entering the field of play, the player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour. The player needs to ask for the referee?s permission to re-enter the field of play.