Question Number: 26438

Law 5 - The Referee 6/11/2012

RE: rec Adult

saul of chicago, IL USA asks...

Defender purposely stops a ball with his hand in midfield, I whistled a hand ball and gave him a yellow card. The question is, should a ref restart with a whistle once a caution has been given or is the attacker allowed to take a quick free kick regardless.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

After a caution, a whistle is required for the restart.
The referee doesn't want play to start while talking to the player being cautioned, dealing with the victim (in case of a reckless foul) or writing notes in the book.
They must wait for the whistle.

The referee has the option to decide that allowing a quick free kick is better for the game than showing the caution. But, if the referee allows the restart, this forfeits the ability to caution. The option should be rarely exercised for a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Saul
The advice is that a whistle must be used for a restart after a caution has been issued. So a QFK is not possible.
The reason is that fairness dictates that everyone is ready including the player who has been cautioned as he may have been moved out of position by the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Definitely a whistle - Even if the it wasn't required, common sense would dictate it was the wisest course. After all, the ref needs to write stuff down, talk to the player, check on any injured player, allow subs if appropriate, and make sure everyone is ready to start again, including the referee and ARs - and that time will not happen unless the referee makes it happen by requiring the whistle restart.