Question Number: 24102

Law 15 - Throw In 10/7/2010

RE: Select Under 17

Mark Howland of Simsbury, CT United States asks...

Toward the end of the USA-China Women's game on 10/6/2010, a Chinese player took too long with a throw-in, and was issued a caution for delay of game. The referee then allowed the player to make the throw-in.
Was this the correct restart? I would have thought this foul would be considered a misconduct foul and the restart would have been an IFK to the opposing team.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Come on Mark, you know better than that. First, this is not a foul nor a 'misconduct' foul. It's misconduct and it occurred while the ball was out of play. What do we do when misconduct happens while the ball is out of play? We restart with whatever the restart was going to be before the misconduct took place, throw-in, goal kick, free kick etc.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
The misconduct happened before the ball was in play so the restart does not change. It is still a throw in.
Personally I would like to see this changed to the situation that exists in rugby. Delay putting the ball into play at a throw in and it is turned over to the opponents. No need for cards or adding on time and it is an effective tool to keeping the game moving.