Question Number: 23490

Mechanics 6/17/2010

RE: competitive Adult

Michael Borga of point pleasant, nj usa asks...

After watching the South Korea v Argentina game, I was wondering what was the referee's justification for continually stepping in and stopping the players from taking a quick kick after he awarded a free kick. Didn't seem to matter which team it was, if it was anywhere near a position that was slightly threatening of a shot being taken he was right in their faces and telling the players to wait for his whistle and making sure the wall was correctly set up. I saw him literally step over the ball once to stop the player from playing the quick kick even though no one asked him to create a ceremonial kick.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Referees study game films of the teams and often know the team's preferences and practices with respect to quick free kicks. Moreover, our seats in front of the TV rarely let us in on when and how a team asks the referee for assistance on getting the required distance.

In the post match review of the goal in Argentina v Nigeria, however, the FIFA referee committee reminded referees to play close attention to issues off the ball at the taking of dangerous free kicks. It should not be a surprise that referees follow these reminders.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Borga
One of the challenges facing the World Cup is the different interpretations of what is acceptable say on an attacking free kick. An example of this is a few seasons ago Ryan Giggs of Manchester United scored a quick free kick in the Champions league against Lille that caused uproar with an appeal and it then required UEFA to issue a statement stating that the referee was indeed correct. He took the free kick without the whistle and with the Lille player and GK organising a defensive wall. I suspect FIFA to 'prevent' these type of problems have probabaly instructed referees to take control of all 'goal scoring' free kicks and to go with the 'ceremonial' restart in all situations. It may not be correct in Law but it is probably wise.