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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 27134

Law 5 - The Referee 1/26/2013

Mark Patton of COEUR D ALENE, ID United States asks...

Re: Hand Ball
U13 Boys Select match.
A player is in possession of the ball, in the attacking 1/3 of the field, dribbling toward the opponent's goal. He loses his footing due to snowy conditions, and falls flat on his stomach. The ball is at rest directly in front of his face, between his outstretched arms. The nearest opponent is almost 10 yards away, and until the attacker slipped, was running backwards.
The prostrate attacker, as he pushes himself up from the ground, slips again, and puts a hand on the ball in the process of catching his fall.

I did not whistle for a hand-ball, despite the immediate shouting for such a call from the opposing coach and spectators. In my opinion, the player did not intentionally play the ball with his hand. He did not gain an advantage over an opponent, by touching the ball. He did not deny an opponent an opportunity to play the ball by placing his hand on it.

Upon getting back to his feet, the player took a couple of touches before he was even contested by a defender. He ultimately made a pass to a team mate, who scored.

The opposing coach notified me of his intent to protest the match (1-0), because of the hand-ball.

What are your thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If footing was so treacherous that the player couldn't stay on his feet and fell again while trying to stand up, perhaps the game should have been abandoned.

Your description doesn't describe 'deliberately handles the ball' to me. The player slipped and fell. He didn't make a deliberate action that led to handling the ball.

Let the coach protest - it's his money to waste. If you get called to an arbitration hearing on the matter, simply remind them that Law 5 says "the decisions of the referee regarding the facts connected with play ... are final".



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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
Well the first comment is that protesting a decision on a matter of opinion is futile and it will not succeed. Only an error in Law is likely to be heard and this was not such a situation.
Now from your description this is not deliberate handling and you were perfectly entitled to make the non call. In your opinion the player did not intentionally play the ball with his hand and that is all matters.
Unfortunately the current mindset with many players and coaches is that anytime the ball comes in contact with a hand or arm it should be called as deliberate handling. Not so.



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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is U-13 and a coach is going to protest a decision of the referee regarding a no handball call?

What is this world coming to?



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