Question Number: 27095

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/5/2013

Jeff of Suwanee, GA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27085

Ref McHugh states in part '... when the attacking team wants the referee to ensure players are 10 yards from the kick that makes the free kick 'ceremonial' which means that the defending teams gets to set up its wall before the kick is allowed to proceed.'

My question is: does the referee have a responsibility to *wait* for the wall to get set up?

Since the free kick is designed to 'penalize' the defenders for infringing the law in the first place, if the attacking team must ask the referee to enforce the ten yard distance, then that is a further failure by the defenders to respect the law. As such, are the defenders due any consideration here?

Let's say that the kicking team has asked for the distance: the referee has properly instructed them to wait for the whistle, marched the defenders back to the proper distance and then moved him/herself to a good position for the restart, but the defending team is still organizing the wall. Should the referee wait for the defenders to get their defensive position 'just right' before blowing the whistle to restart?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Once the opponents have been placed the proper distance away, the ref should get out of the way of the shot and then blow the whistle for the restart. The ref doesn't have to wait for the keeper to line up the wall just right. If other opponents come within 10 yards to 'get to the wall' or just to delay things, I would certainly be considering a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jeff
Once the opponents are 10 yards away and the referee is no longer 'involved' with the players then he sounds the whistle when he has moved to his viewing position.
There is no requirement to wait for the defending team to complete its 'organisation' of the wall.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

First, as you know because the good folks at Ga Soccer have drilled it into our heads, the first thing the referee does is make sure he/she does not interfere with the kicking team's right to take a quick free kick if they so wish.

Once the referee has decided the kick will be ceremonial, he should hold the whistle at eye level and loudly and clearly state we are waiting for the whistle before the kick is to be taken. Then he sets the position of the wall. At that point he should move away and blow for the kick to be taken. The defenders have no rights. Once they are shown where the wall is to be they have no right other than to move to that position. The referee should not give them further time to organize the wall