Question Number: 23305

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/13/2010

RE: Regional Competitive Under 19

Mike of Jackson, MI USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23285

In a regional U18 game, Team A's subs were warming up and kicked the ball onto the pitch away from the action. A sub retrieved it. The second time it happened, the AR had some words for the subs.

The third time it happened, Team A was attacking and had numbers. The sub's ball entered again away from the action.

The AR immediately raised his flag, got the center's attention, and the center blew play to a stop. The AR and center talked about it while Team A's coach was going ape over play being stopped. The center then had a brief conference with the coach who threw up his hands and walked back to his bench.

Play restarted with a dropped ball, and nothing materialized from the play.

The coach was told that while the extra ball didn't interfere with the players, it was distracting enough to the AR for him to question his ability to judge offside at that critical time.

Being a Team A parent, my first thought is that it was a petty show of power. My rational side says the kids were warned and should have kept the ball off the pitch (which they did for the remainder of the game).

Was the call legitimate?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Yes it was indeed the correct call and I make the assumption that the ball was the distraction not the substitute. However it could have been avoided if the matter had been discussed in the pre match and with the teams. I would question the decision to allow teams warm up with a ball at the sideline so that the ball can enter the field and also a substitute entering the FOP to retrieve the ball which is also distracting to an AR not to mention that it is not allowed under the Laws.
If the substitute entered the FOP during play the referee is also entitled to caution the substitute and restart with an IDFK from where the ball was when play was stopped. The original incursion was probably viewed as trifling and the AR tried to deal with it albeit unsuccessfully resulting in the incident. Prevention is always better than the cure.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the substitute entered the field to retrieve the ball, Team A temporarily had too many on the field. The substitute could be cautioned for entering the field without permission, and any goal that happened to be scored while the sub was on the field would be voided.

That would certainly get their attention, wouldn't it? But I don't recommend this.

If the subs aren't paying attention to the AR's directions to keep the ball off the field, he certainly is correct to stop play for the referee to deal with it.

The dropped ball restart is a bit troublesome, because the extra ball did not have an effect on play. But because the referee didn't elect to caution the illegal subs on the field, he couldn't use an indirect free kick either. A dropped ball is probably the best compromise.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

IMO, the best way to handle the issue is to not permit the substitutes to warm up using a ball. Balls always seem to find themselves on the field of play. Balls in the air can drive the AR on the opposite touchline crazy (do I stay with the second last defender or follow the ball to the goal line - - oops, that's not the ball.) Players can warm up without a ball.

IMO, The second best way for the AR to handle this problem is to get the referee's attention and address this at a regular stoppage in play. If the referee had addressed the situation at the second occurrence, there would have been no need to stop play or consider a caution at the third. Moreover, if the referee has to address the problem again, everyone would understand a caution for unsporting behavior to the substitute, and IFK restart for the opponent where the ball was located when play was stopped.


But, the method used by the referee and assistant referee was legitimate.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Mike, when you chide somebody once, you expect some sort of result. When you do it the second time and have extra words to express your displeasure, you most certainly expect some results. When you are dealing with slow learners like Team A, drastic action is required so that they will remember to do what you asked them.
Normally, common sense would dictate to allow play go on when an errant ball comes on the field, well away from the action. But in this case, it is hard to fault the A/R sticking his flag up. He was obviously getting frustrated with Team A ignoring his request and perhaps also at the center's lack of ordering Team A not to kick the ball around in that area.
As far as 'legitimate' is concerned, we cannot play with two soccer balls so in point of Law it is perfectly correct, not to mention the illegality of a sub entering the field while the game going on.
And by the way, yes indeed, it was a show of power. Petty? I don't think so.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Let's hear it for your rational side!!! IMO Team A got just what it deserved. They were warned twice and chose not to listen. I'm willing to bet their coach heard this too. They chose to not listen to the AR . People need to take responsibility for their own actions. I see no reason why this should not also apply to soccer players