Question Number: 25381

Law 5 - The Referee 8/31/2011

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25375

If it's AYSO, it's possible that his daughter confused two different changes in the rules, as I just was informed tonight of some changes in the LOTG.

If a team official (i.e. coach or asst. coach) comes on the field without permission & the referee stops for this, the restart is an IFK for the other team. (If a parent comes on the field, they are still considered an outside agent & the restart is a dropped ball.)

If a player is injured & the coach is called out onto the field, the player must leave the field (can't just get up & play) & the restart is a dropped ball. The coach has the option of substituting the player out or having the player wait outside the touch line. In the latter case, the ref can motion the player onto the field after the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
There is no Law change here other than the definition of team officials has been tidied up to state that the coach and other officials indicated on the team list (with the exception of players or substitutes) are deemed to be team officials. It is still a dropped ball restart not an IDFK when the referee stops play to deal with a team officials.outside agent entry onto the field of play.
AYSO would be outside the FIFA LotG if it was giving this advice to referees.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The restart when the referee stops for interference by team officials and other outside agents remains the same, a dropped ball.

The change in the Law (Interpretation and Guidelines section) clarifies who is a team official - someone listed on the roster. The importance is that a team official may be dismissed by the referee, where a non-team-official outside agent cannot be. (Although the referee can suspend the game until the outside agent is made to leave by team officials, field marshals or security.)

Also, the injury procedure you mention has been part of the Laws for some time, that a player who is attended to on the field must leave the field. Perhaps your AYSO region is emphasizing this for enforcement.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Thanks for the insight Phil. Still, there has been no change per LOTG nor FIFA rather a clarification as to who is a team official

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25396