Question Number: 2676

Character, Attitude and Control

RE: youth league Under 14

kev green of royston, herts england asks...

I am refereeing a game.The ball is cleared up field.I follow the run of play but when I turn around to see what is going on, I see that a defender and an attacker are fighting.Obviously I have to send both of them off for violent conduct.How do I restart play?If there was only one player throwing a punch I would restart with a direct free kick against the offending player.Is it a drop ball and if so where?please help.

Answer provided by Referee ref 11/18/2001

Hi Kev,.."FIFA and the other governing bodies are unclear about this point of law and that in this particular question the answers stated are purely opinion."..Panel members have a good record of working through an issue and arriving at a proper course of action. Every so often we recieve a question such as yours that we can not in good conscience change what we feel is correct. We try very hard to reply as a unified body within the laws of FIFA...One of the problems in the game (and a whole lot else in life) is that too many people do not understand that "reasonable people can disagree with one another while still being reasonable". Its ok to disagree we are not clones and we respect each others well thoughtout opinions...My suggestion is to read the answers given and then use your best judgement and have fun. Thank you for bringing a little excitement into our panel. Cheers..PS. There is an excellent article on DROP BALLS BY Dr Wayne Wray on the site you should take a look at.

Answer provided by Referee Stacy Kalstrom 11/18/2001

One of them had to start it, check with your ARs. If they don't know and you don't know, then FAKE it. It is much better to restart with a free kick then a drop ball. Drop ball shows weakness, inability to make a decision...good luck

Answer provided by Referee Gary Sebalja 11/18/2001

You have stopped play upfield to go back and deal with an incident at the other end. Once you have stopped them fighting and sent them off, restart with a drop ball at the place where it was last located.

Answer provided by Referee stewart 11/18/2001

Send both players off for violent conduct, use advice from AR's if possible to identify original aggressor and restart with a Direct Free Kick at the place of the offence. If the original aggressor cannot be identified, use your judgement to identify and stick with it. A dropped ball is not the correct option as an incident has taken place on the park where a foul has been committed. In an incident like this I would tend to listen without asking the players and make a judgement call. If this was still inconclusive I may decide to award the free kick in the least damaging direction and get on with the game. Do not show indecision and get on with it to allow the situation to diffuse.

Answer provided by Referee hoare 11/18/2001

If you are unaware who started the incident then the only way you can restart play is with a drop Ball from where play was when you stopped it. If appointed assistants cannot help then again refer to the former. One would not take the word of a club assistant on a serious matter such as this. NEVER guess only go with fact.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson 11/18/2001

Hi Kev, ..WOW a lot to digest. I believe that each of my colleagues feel very strongly their approach is justified.. .Stacy's approach is in keeping with the referee actions such as making a decision even if the outcome is unclear. I am sure you have those types of situations where you do not know for sure who last touched it...An example is often a referee must decide on a close play who last touched the ball out. Do you give a corner or a goal kick? Do you give the throw in for the attacker or the defenders?. .I personally do not like the term "Fake it" I would rather say make an educated quess but why quibble about semantics. The referee must appear to be 100% decisive even if he is not 100% convinced who actually touched it. To do otherwise is an invitation for dissent on a massive scale..Drop balls are a method of restarting the game when the law allows for no other restart.. .I can not support my colleagues claim they are weak and indecisive if they are indeed the proper restart. If you use drop balls all the time because you are unsure of the restarts then her statement has validity...Gary's and Gavin's approach is What is Fair? If you do not know and there is no way to tell you send the players off and restart with a drop ball from where the ball was at the time. Seems reasonable but the point up for dissussion is it a legal restart? There is nothing wrong in applying common sense to the letter of the law, but, are we changing it?.. A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a. temporary stoppage which becomes necessary, while the ball is. in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of. the Game...If we take Malcom's reply he supports the principle that a penal offence has occurred while the ball and the players are on the Field of Play. This is mentioned in the laws therefore a drop ball is not the correct restart. To have an incorrect restart arises the possibility of a protest by the losing team...Personally I would try and handle it in a detective fashion. A referee can make a deduction for which team in this case, should be awarded the kick just by putting two and two together. As a judge would listen to a plaintif and defendant. If you can determine to your satisfaction the instigator then award a DFK from where the fight took place. Yet in a u-14 youth game if you gave a drop ball I doubt you would meet with much dispute..No matter what decision you give do it with authority and confidence get the players sorted out quickly and efficently and get the game going. I know this is a lot to digest and I am sorry we could not give you a clear answer. Have Fun