Question Number: 24169

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/16/2010

RE: Select Under 8

Julie of Owings, MD USA asks...

Our team plays in the CMSA league in Baltimore. We are a U8 team having to play U9 as there weren't enough teams to have an age group of our own. Today in our game one of our players handled the ball in the penalty box. He literally was about to get blasted in the face so he covered his face with his arm and the ball hit it - not really unusual especially at the younger age groups. He knew instantly that it was a foul but then the Ref produced the red card and sent him off the field. At U8!!!! Coaches from both teams were pleading with the Ref not to red card the kid as he was just protecting his face.

Not even in WAGS and NCSL Short sided age groups have I seen a kid red carded for a similar offence - I have a girl on my daughters U11 WAGS team who has done this same thing several times and while a PK or FK have been awarded against her she has never been carded.

Very disappointed in this Ref's performance today - he totally crushed our team spirit today and had one kid inconsolable.The Coach couldn't even bring himself to tell the kid that he will not be allowed to play the next game yet.

A decision like this is what I'd expect to see at the older age groups, High School, Professional Leagues etc but not a U8 developmental league. What do you think?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Julie
The real issue here is playing competitive games at Under 8/9. Once areas bring in competition the rules unfortunately take over and adults including the referee brings adult values to childrens' games.
Take competition out of this and it does not arise.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Even though leagues pretend that U8 can be competitive, it's still just young kids playing soccer. And they still get the less-experienced referees doing the games.

A less-experienced referee might not know the provisions of the USSF document, 'Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game'. In section 12.9 it says, 'Moving hands or arms instinctively to protect the body when suddenly faced with a fast approaching ball does not constitute deliberate contact unless there is subsequent action to direct the ball once contact is made.' It sounds as if perhaps a foul should not have been called on your player at all.

The red card, had it been a foul, would have been for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. It's not just that handling occurred in the penalty area, but that the handling prevented the scoring of a goal. Perhaps that's why you didn't see a card in other games.

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