Question Number: 25149

Law 15 - Throw In 6/29/2011

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25138

I'm sure the panel is right, but I'm somewhat troubled. I can see a situation where Team A tries a quick throw-in & has their attackers poised on B's side of the field, and there is only 1 defender from Team B nearby. The defender delays the restart so his team can get in position.

Is the only remedy a caution? If so, it sort of reminds me of using an intentional foul in basketball during the closing seconds when you're 1 point behind...except there, it can backfire because of foul shots.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Are you asking if interference with a throw-in could result in Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity?

The interference could theoretically deny an opportunity to the team, but it wouldn't be DOGSO. That's because DOGSO has to be an offense that results in a free kick (direct or indirect). Since interfering with a throw results in another throw-in, DOGSO cannot apply.

While that seems unfair, I suspect that the situation would occur so infrequently that it really is inconsequential.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The referee can also play advantage if the thrower can get the ball to his team mate and go back to caution the player at the next stoppage. If the referee stops to caution then that player is then 'on thin ice' for the remainder of the game and the referee will have little sympathy for such a player that uses blatant unsporting behaviour.
While one can think that the caution is not sufficient with a retake of the throw in, that is all the Law allows.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Unlike basketball, advantage can grant the attacking team two bites at the apple when the defender fails to respect the distance. If the throw-in succeeds, they can score. If the throw-in is blocked, the defender gets cautioned and the attacking team gets another throw-in.

But, DOGSO never results for misconduct that occurs when the ball is out of play. DOGSO requires an infringement punishable by a free kick, and misconduct when the ball is out of play does not change the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Delaying the restart of play is a caution only. If it is interfering with the thrower, that is also a caution for UB. If they fail to retire the distance, again it is a caution only. The referee has a number of tools with which to deal with such behavior by a team, including determining the interference was trifling, and making no call but allowing the attacking team to benefit from the defender's exposed position.