Question Number: 23802

League Specific 8/20/2010

RE: 5 Under 11

Kathy walsh of Sydney, Nsw Australia asks...

Our boys just played their semi final game and with 2 minutes to go a penalty was awarded to our team. The other team didn't agree and the coach stormed onto the field and argued with the ref. After a few minutes of arguing the ref would not change his decision (rightly so!) so the coach and his players walked off and abandoned the game. Our boys got all excited but were then told that because the match was abandoned as a draw we did not automatically win and the match would have to be replayed! Surely this is wrong. Help please. Shouldn't they be penalized for unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kathy
This is a matter for the competition organiser not the referee. No one and I mean no one including the referee can give an answer to the outcome of the game until the competition organisers meet and the referee makes a full report on the game.
With two minutes to go and a penalty award it is possible that the competition authority coul view the walking off as a forfeit of the game. As a team I would be making strong representations to the meeting that it should be a forfeit otherwise what is to stop any losing team in the dying moments of a game walking off so as to get a replay.
My personal opinion is that the game should be awarded as a forfeit and the team and coach fined for unsporting behaviour with a suspension thrown in as well. But that counts for nothing.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is up to the competition authority to decide the outcome of the game. In the absence of any league/tournament rules, the Laws of the Game say that the match must be replayed.

How sad that this occured at a youth game. Some people have no appreciation for the spirit of the game that is to be taught at this level - to have fun and gain some exercise.

I hope beside walking off the coach was also dismissed from the game. Antics such as this should result in a long suspension. I know in the youth association where I was a former board member, we would be looking at banning the coach from any further participation.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Since there were 2 minutes left in the game when the penalty kick was awarded, and since virtually all tournaments have as a rule the referee may not add time, and since the coach was allowed to rant for 2 minutes, if your team was ahead, I'd strongly consider, were I the referee, blowing the whistle for full time, then dismiss the coach for irresponsible behavior. You wouldn't have to take the pk as your team was in the lead.