Question Number: 24051

Law 1- The Field 10/1/2010

RE: Rec Under 11

DougB of Irvine, Ca USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24006

I've always wondered about the wording for these 'off the field of play' issues. Couldn't we say that the field of play temporarily extends to the immediate areas beyond the goal lines and touch lines?

It seems that when they talk about leaving the field of play, for fouls and play, they are talking about the technical area, spectator area, or other areas where players are not normally playing.

To leave the FOP to go spit on an opponent or push a spectator or run around outside without a shirt, seems to be off the field of play.

But, just as the FOP is 'temporarily extended' to allow a player to go beyond the touch line or goal line in normal play, to get around an opponent or keep the ball in play, couldn't the FOP be 'temporarily extended' for purposes of the foul that happens inches beyond the touch line?

Maybe, in the spirit of the game, the term Field of Play could include the areas between the touchlines and goal lines, as well as areas within immediate surrounds?

Just my rambling thoughts.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
If a player leaves the FOP to commit an offence such as violent conduct, spitting, the referee stops play, sends off the player and restarts with an IDFK from where the ball was when play was stopped.
Now in the situation where as part of active play a player 'fouls' a player off the FOP the referee has to make a call
1. Was the offence totally off the FOP & 2. Does he play advantage.
In the case of 1 IMO inches would not be sufficient and in the case of play with the ball on the FOP it is debatable the exact blade of grass where the foul happened. So the 'best' decision is to give the DFK on the FOP.
2. If the players are well off the FOP the referee has to make a call on what is happening on the FOP. Is it possible to play advantage. If he stops play then it is to caution the player who commits the misconduct and the restart is a dropped ball. That is indeed a pretty rare offence. The two that I saw in the WC were close to the FOP and the referee gave a DFK in both cases. The refs could argue that some part of the fouls happened on the FOP

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Doug. Nowhere is it ever suggested that the FOP is 'temporarily extended' for any reason. Players are allowed to leave the FOP during the normal course of play but they are still OFF the field of play. One is either OFF or ON the FOP. There are no gradations. This is the same as being dead. Either one is or isn't. You can't be MORE dead than someone else. You may have been dead longer but dead is dead.

So goes the FOP and the Laws are clear as to what the boundaries are. Once all the way off the FOP you cannot commit a foul . Of course, the referee must be certain the player is off the FOP, but once the referee is certain, than that player cannot commit a foul, but can commit misconduct.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Perhaps idle rambling should head in another direction?

Law 1 tells us the lines are part of the area they enclose, so the touchlines and goal lines are the OUTSIDE boundaries of the field of play. Anything outside the lines is outside the field for purposes of the Law.

Players are allowed to come and go from the field during the normal course of play, but that does not mean they are considered on the field while they are completely across the boundary lines, only that being 'off the field' in that circumstance is not a misconduct offense.

The premise that the lines are extended is incorrect.