Question Number: 26310

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 5/8/2012

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26302

Let's say the blue GK kicks the ball & it glances off a red player & goes over the touch line. Although the AR raises the flag & trots toward the 18, a blue player, realizing the ref didn't see it, does a quick throw in. Does that mean it's too late for the red team to get the goal? It doesn't seem fair.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
That would be indeed unfair and the Laws allow for the referee to cancel that restart. What was meant in the answers is that where the referee has allowed a restart such as a kick off or that play has continued for some time with a number of restarts it is then not possible to go back to reverse the decision.
What should happen is that the AR should be shouting to the referee to attract his attention to the flag and the other AR should mirror that flag.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It does not mean it is too late to correct! Simply stop the blue player with your voice, or raise your flag, and get the referee's attention - quickly. Then restart as it should have occurred with the throw-in to red.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

As the referee has not had the opportunity to prevent that player from taking the throw in, that player never really had permission to take that restart - so there's no problems with going back to the correct restart.



Incidentally, the AR should monitor the placement of the ball at the goal kick to ensure it is placed within the goal area. To do this, the AR should remain in line with the goal area until the ball has been correctly placed, then move to where he needs to be.