Question Number: 26003

Law 18 - Common Sense 2/24/2012

RE: Competitive Under 13

Mike George of Denver, CO USA asks...

During a recent U12 boys tournament semi-final game, Team A scored a goal with 5 minutes left to take a 2-1 lead. After the goal, all the Team A players on the field except the goalie and their bench ran off the field up a small hill and did a celebration dance. They then proceeded to hug and high five their parents all the while Team B was waiting to re-start the game. This took over two minutes and no additional time was added to the game. Was Team A in violation of leaving the field and what should the referee have done?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
It is not an offence to leave the field of play at the celebration of a goal. Referees are expected to act in a preventative manner and to exercise common sense in dealing with the celebration of a goal.
What should have happened here is that the referee should have intervened and asked players to return to the field of play immediately. He should also have added on the time lost through the excessive celebrations.
Blatant ignoring of the referee's instructions should result in a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A wise referee is proactive and tells 11 year old boys to knock it off and get back on the field. It rarely is necessary to caution a player for leaving the field without permission. (Some high school leagues adopt very strict rules for excessive celebration, victory dances, or taunting.) IMO, it would be cruel to caution joyful children for hugging their parents.

A fair referee adds for time lost during a goal scoring celebration. (Note: while many tournaments do not permit the referee to add time during pool play, there almost always is room for added time in the semi-final and final match.)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Time should have been added but some tournaments do not allow the referee to add time. If that is the case, the referee should have been more proactive in getting the players off the hill and back on the field of play