Question Number: 23577

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/29/2010

RE: competitive Under 19

mp of bridgeport, ct usa asks...

Ball rolling along side touch line. Offensive player A running just out of touch (legally), parallel to the field, about to play the ball. Defensive player A attempts a hard slide tackle on the ball, but misses the ball, his momentum recklessly carrying him into player A and tripping him. Since the contact took place just outside of touch, I assume I can't whistle a foul, only able to stop play for misconduct. Is the restart a dropped ball or an indirect free kick to offensive team? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee MP
Under the Laws of the Game the restart is a dropped ball after cautioning the player for unsporting behaviour.
In reality though I would be careful with this unless it is blatantly clear that the player is indeed fully off the FOP. I might add that if any part of the player is touching the line or plane of the line he/she is deemed to be on the FOP. It is indeed a rare event and I have not seen a DB restart awarded for this.

In the WC game between Argentina and Mexico IMO something close to this situation happened. It looked to me like an Argentinian player was fouled off the FOP after stopping the ball on the touchline. Mr Rosetti awarded the DFK on the FOP just inside the line. No complaints by either side. It would have looked strange to go with a DB when a clear foul was committed even if the player was marginally over the touchline off the FOP. One could argue that the player was off the FOP and I suspect that Mr Rosetti would have argued to the contrary if asked. In the case where a player leaves the FOP deliberately to commit misconduct while the ball is in play the restart is an IDFK from where the ball was when play was stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is not a foul, since the contact occurred entirely off the field of play. (Note: because of the treatment of fouls that cross boundaries - - apply the punishment that is best for the victim - - this could be a foul if the contact began on the field and ended off the field.)

The reckless tackle can still be punished as misconduct - unsporting behavior.

The restart is now an interesting question. Traditionally, misconduct by a player off the field results in a drop ball. FIFA has recently given an exception. If, in the referee opinion, the player left the field for the purpose of committing misconduct, the restart is an indirect free kick at the location of the ball when play is stopped. I always considered the exception as focused on the player who runs off the field to engage in violent conduct (e.g., it is apparent to the referee why the player left the field), but it seems to me, however, that the exception also perfectly meets this situation. The defender left the field of play to make the reckless tackle.

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

See Question: 23600