Question Number: 26960

Law 5 - The Referee 10/29/2012

RE: Rec Under 15

matthew bernstein of newtown, pa US asks...

During a game I was arguing a call with the Referee on my side of the field during a corner kick. The Ref (Ref A) blew the whistle and stopped play to address my concern. During our conversation the other Ref (who did not hear that Ref A stopped play) started play and the other team scorred on the kick. The Ref who stopped play(Ref A) stated the goal stood because the other ref can start play whenver they want. Is this legal?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It sounds like a two-referee system which is not proper under the laws of the game (It is common for high school). In a dual system, both referees have whistles and either may restart play.

While it would be unfair and unjust for a referee to start play when the other referee was talking to a player, I don't see any issues with why the defense is misled when a coach is talking to the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matthew
In the dual officiating system the lead official is responsible for declaring the ball "ready-for-play" on all corner kicks, if a second whistle is required. So it is Ref B's call to get on with play.
In this situation Ref A was the trail referee and the only issue that I can see was that Ref A, I assume, was not watching the unfolding play. However if the goal is scored with no playing issue such as a missed foul etc and Ref B is in control I don't see a game problem. Ref B may also be the Head referee in the dual system.
So while I would question the referee for being distracted while officiating and the lead referee for starting play with Ref A out of position but as no player was involved nor any disputed call about the goal then it is not an issue.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Coach, this would all be avoided if you hadn't distracted the ref from his duties. The ref shouldn't have stopped play to talk to you, and that's his mistake. But you should have waited until later to address your concerns - halftime or the end of the game. If there's not time for a quick answer on the fly, no conversation should have taken place. That said, Ref A talking to you was no reason for Ref B to not restart play. The goal is good.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I guess I'll have to disagree on this one. While I agree you as the coach should have waited to speak with the referee and I also agree the two whistle system is an abomination, if either referee officially stops play and the players, or at least some of them stop playing, I find it inherently unfair for the other referee to restart play. Soccer is all about Fair Play. If the referee who stopped play impacted the players in that they stopped playing, how is it fair for the other referee to allow play to resume when some players think play has stopped?