Question Number: 26883

Law 5 - The Referee 10/5/2012

RE: Adult

KEITH SORBIE of LINLITHGOW, WEST LOTHIAN SCOTLAND asks...

Two defenders and 1 attacker challenge for the ball, the two defenders collide and they all go to ground, The attacker and 1 defender brush themselves down and dont require treatment and remain on the field.
The other defender gets treatment on the field and then returns to his position to defend a corner kick.
should he be allowed to continue immediately or should he be asked to leave the field having received treatment?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Since only one player needed treatment, he should be sent to the sideline. The treatment should be done on the sideline.

This is covered in the Laws:
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Exceptions to this ruling are to be made only when:
* a goalkeeper is injured
* a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need immediate attention
* players from the same team have collided and need immediate attention
* a severe injury has occurred, e.g. swallowed tongue, concussion, broken leg
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Digression: This is one of the poorest worded sections of the Laws, even worse than Law 11. Just what is the exception for? The first 3 points apply to the players having to leave the field, but what is that fourth point about?

The 3rd point says players from the same team have collided - that happened - but is also says they needed immediate attention. That's not the case, only one of them needed attention. I believe this point was added so that the team would not have to play 2 down, even for a short time. Since that would not happen if only one of the players needed attention, that player should have received treatment at the sideline. Remember that the referee can flag the player back in during play (at an appropriate moment so that he can't immediately affect play). So they won't have to play down for long.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Keith
Interesting question. Had the 2nd defender needed treatment as a result of a collision between two teammates there was no question of both players leaving the field of play. The 'smart' players would recognise that and perhaps receive treatment.
I believe common sense has to apply and that the referee could treat it as a collision between team mates which does not require both players to leave for treatment. If play is ready to restart with the one player needing treatment then I would ask the player to leave the field of play for that to happen.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

'Treatment' on the field includes evaluation.

Hard collisions between players can cause concussions even if there is no head to head contact. The 'serious' injury might not be to the player who is on the ground the longest. Sometimes the best course for a trainer who is already on the field to quickly talk to all players involved . An added benefit is that evaluating two players on the team means neither has to leave if the physio says they are ok.

The wise referee can explain the options under the laws and the effects.