Question Number: 24275

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/3/2010

RE: Under 15

Dave of DM, IA U.S. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24262

I had a similar situation last weekend.
Goalie was preparing to punt the ball when a defender started to intentionally hop around in front of him in an attempt to interfere.
I was right there so I made sure everyone at the field know that this player was not to be allowed to do this.
I never blew the whistle and the keeper basically held the ball for the 5 or 6 seconds that took to get my point across.
The keeper then proceeded to punt the ball.
It did the job and allowed the keeper to punt the ball instead of putting it on the ground but I wonder if this was proper mechanics to basically hold up the game while I talked to a player without stopping play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
Nothing wrong with a short sharp message to a player to desist from behaviour that has or is likely to infringe the Laws in this type of situation. In this case as it only took a few seconds to deal with it and therefore it was fine. Any longer length of stoppage would require the referee to stop play, deal with the offence and resart with the free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is a terrific way to deal with the situation. It maintains control without interrupting the flow of the match. You preserved the right to take further action if it continues. You haven't set the bar too low (for this particular match and these players) for yellow cards. You will know when more is needed for a different match, with different players and temperature. But, for this match it was brilliant. Bravo.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Actually, your not stopping play would be the PREFERRED method of handling this. You only delayed the game a few seconds. Had you stopped play, you would have held the game up longer and would have been forced to caution the keeper's opponent or further disadvantage the keeper's team by restarting with a dropped ball

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A shout out, 'LEAVE THE KEEPER ALONE!' lets everyone know you are on top of the situation. If after that warning they still harass the keeper when she's trying to release the ball, they deserve a caution. While the act itself is an indirect free kick foul, that has so little effect that the other team is willing to risk it. Up the ante, and maybe they'll stop it.