Question Number: 26042

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/7/2012

RE: competitive Adult

lee of London, England England asks...

When calling for the ball ar eyou supposed to use your name or can you say yes or mine

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lee
There is a myth in the game that a name must be used when calling for the ball or calling an instruction to a team mate. Many believe, including some referees, that when a name is not used that it is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick. That is not correct but it does not stop it happening.
In Law the offence is where a player verally distracts an opponent in a deliberate manner which is a caution and the restart is then an indirect free kick. Examples include shouting "Leave it" to an opponent with the sole intention of deceiving / distracting him into not playing the ball. That is clearly unsporting behaviour which is a caution. On the other hand shouting "Leave it" to a team mate as an instruction is just communication and there is no offence. Same words and it is the context of use that is punished. The use of a name by players eliminates any doubt should an opponent be close or the call for the IDFK with 2 No name Ref" hence coaches, players advise team mates 'to put a name on it' and it does not arise

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The myth that will not die. There is no such rule as 'you must put your name on it'. The prohibition is against verbally distracting an opponent. If you say 'Mine' in an attempt to get an opponent to leave the ball for you, it should be a caution for you and an indirect free kick for the opponents. The IFK is because of the caution, not because of the talking.

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