Question Number: 27360

Law 5 - The Referee 4/27/2013

RE: Grade 8 Adult

Michael Quintanar of Manhattan, Kansas USA asks...

I was recently certified as a Grade 8 referee and just this week worked as a center referee (for only the second time) at a U10 competitive league game. During a throw in, the player (who appeared to be new to the game and not very good) started a forward overhead motion to throw the ball in play but couldn't decide where to throw the ball. As he slowed the motion at the point the ball was over head his arms moved forward but it appeared to me he had no intention of throwing the ball. The ball slipped out of his hands and landed at his feet which by game law was in play. The player immediately picked up the ball and threw it in play, in proper fashion. I allowed the game to play on and took no action.
I spoke with a seasoned referee that was AR for me and it was his opinion that it was a slip and should not have been counted as a throw in. As I prepare for future games I have read the rules and went over this incident in my mind and I believe I should have called a handball because technically the ball entered the field of play and he then bent over and picked it up.
I also believe I made a mistake in thinking 'accidents happen' despite what the senior referee advised me.
Thanks for your help, I have learned a great deal from this site.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
The important fact here is that this was an Under 10 game. As you describe this the ball slipped out of his hands so the correct decision was a retake.
Now in a open-age game it is less likely to happen. If it does happen I would be of the opinion that it was either a slip or an incorrectly taken throw in. The choice open to the referee would be a retake or a turnover of the throw in to the opponents. Advantage cannot be played on an incorrectly taken throw in so a handling offence is not an option.
It could only be a handling offence if the ball was thrown in properly.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Exceptionally well done!!!

You honored the spirit and letter of the laws when you determined this was not a throw-in but, instead, a slip. You ignored any infringement as doubtful or trifling, just as IFAB and FIFA intends! Your decisions promoted the enjoyment of the match.

It is equally well done to go over things that happened in the match and ask how you could do better. In this case, had you judged this was a throw-in, then the ball was in play when the ball crossed the plane. A field player cannot handle the ball when it is in play.

But, IMO, you made a far better judgment on the field than if you had called a handling foul.