Question Number: 24638

Law 15 - Throw In 3/2/2011

RE: competitive Adult

mullins of adelaide, south australia australia asks...

Player has a throw in but doesn't throw it, apparently unable to make his mind up about what to do.
This is delay of the restart of play under the laws, which say the referee MUST caution the player.

Q: Does the throw in go to the opposition, and do you have to caution the player in this instance if you blow the whistle?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Before cautioning, I would encourage the player to get on with it. After all, you can add on time to compensate for the delay he is causing.

Whatever your decision on the caution, the restart remains a throw-in. Nothing that happens while the ball is out of play (with the recent exception of a penalty kick) can change a restart.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
As play has not restarted the restart does not change. In this case the team whose player has been cautioned takes the throw in and the referee adds on the 'lost' time.
BTW the whistle never starts play. It only signals that play can start or that it has been stopped.
Play starts when the ball is kicked and moves or when the ball enters the field at the throw in or leaves the penalty area at a goalkick/freekick. Anything before that happens does not change the restart as the ball is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The correct restart is a throw-in.

The referee is not required to caution a player who is indecisive. When one team gets the lead, however, players can slow down a throw-in as a tactic to waste time. This usually will cause the other team to get very upset.

Usually, a warning from the referees is enough. The referee has recognized the tactic, and indicated that it is unacceptable. That usually will cause the players to hurry up. When player(s) ignore the warning, however, and again delay the restart on a throw-in, a caution should be their due. (Note: the referee is not required to give a warning.)