Question Number: 26239

Law 15 - Throw In 4/25/2012

RE: national assistant referee Professional

Pets Napwaro of Harare, Africa Zimbabwe asks...

a defending team wins a throw in very close to the corner flag in their half,they are a goal down,a defender picks the ball quickly and throws correctly whilst on the goal line.what must the assistant referee do?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

From what I gather, the player is actually behind the goal line and away from the touch line, as opposed to simply being right on the corner.

If that's the case, then it's a simple case of a throw in being taken from the wrong spot, which means it was taken incorrectly.

The opposing team would then be awarded the throw in, to be taken from the original correct location.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The throw-in is at the wrong location, but this appears to be a trifling infringement (reading your post to indicate that the throw was taken right at the corner). The defending team is 100 meters or so from the opposing goal, and the throw was taken within a meter of the correct location. (IMO, this would never be a trifling infringement if the throw-in was taken at the opponent's goal line/corner or if the throw was from behind the goal line awat from the corner flag.)

The assistant referee should follow the pregame instruction with the referee with respect to infringements at a throw-in; and in the absence of an instruction: (1) first look at the referee to confirm if the referee saw what happened and has already determined that the infringement should be ignored as a trifling; and (2) call the infringement only if the AR is sure that the referee would have called the infringement had the referee seen it..

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
A throw in cannot be taken from the goal line so the AR must raise his flag to inform the referee. IMO the referee then has only one options here which is to award the throw in to the opponents as the throw in has been incorrectly taken.
Had the referee been quick enough he may have been able to prevent the throw in being taken from the incorrect place and if it was taken after the referee tried to stop play he could ask the TI to be taken correctly.
If I see a player attempting to throw from the wrong place I will endeavour to prevent that happening which is being proactive.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

We're somewhat divided I see. Of course the throw is from the wrong location. But since it is a full field length from the defender's goal and from your description it was only a meter or so from the correct point, given that, I'd be inclined to view this as a trifling infringement and simply allow play to continue.