Question Number: 24884

Mechanics 5/6/2011

RE: Rec Under 17

James of Santa Monica, CA USA asks...

Is it necessary to whistle a substitution request at stoppage, and then whistle again to restart play (once the substitution has been completed)?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
A substitution can only happen at a stoppage in play. If both teams are aware that the substitution is happening then it is not necessary to whistle to prevent play restarting. If there is a likelihood of play restarting then the referee needs to whistle to prevent that happening.
After the substitution has been completed the referee must whistle to restart play.

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is mandatory for the referee to restart play with a whistle after a substitution has been completed.

It is sometimes helpful to use the whistle to indicate that play should not restart because of a pending substitution. But, the referee has other tools. A simple 'hold the ball' often will suffice.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ball must be out of play for there to be a substitution. If it was stopped for a free kick or penalty kick, the whistle would have been used. It is sometimes helpful to use the whistle to make sure no one tries to restart play while a substitution takes place.

The whistle is REQUIRED to start play after a substitution (or a penalty kick, kick-off, or after a card has been issued)

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