Question Number: 28334

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/13/2014

RE: Rec and comp, youth to adult

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 28303

Especially when dealing with inexperienced players, I often counsel them to use their own name when calling for a ball. This makes it clear for all involved¦ just good communication.

On another note, I was reffing a game where a player I know to be 'special needs' came from behind an opponent and growled loudly just before the kick.

The kick was from outside the penalty area and missed the goal, so I brought it back for an IDFK and spoke to the 'growler' (and later, her coach.) It didn't happen again.

I may have made the wrong call " in not showing a yellow " but I think I kept up with the spirit of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
I only counsel when a young player has committed an offence. Rarely do young players question the non use of a name and I never question their innonence on this or highlight that their might be a problem. I did an U12 game recently and a young player shouted "Mine" to his team mate and it was refreshing not to hear an opponent question this. I certainly would not counsel in this.
As regards one off situations involving a player with special needs I would be prepared to make allowances. I might even question whether the shout actually influenced play. Personally I think that a player loudly shouting a name has as much impact as a 'growl'. I have witnessed players shouting their name extremely loudly with no questioning by opponents as to the need for loudness of the shout or the possibility that the intent was to distract. I rarely see distraction from shouting and generally I only look for the unsporting element. A recent example was forward shouting "" Keepers" in the hope that a defender might not play the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Barry,

The risk we take when we operate outside of the laws - aside from confusing the players and making it more difficult for other referees - is that it can potentially leave room for the teams to appeal the match result. If a goal is scored from such a kick, then they could argue that the awarding of the kick was an error in law.

I appreciate the concern when dealing with certain players. If you believe the 'growl' to have had no impact upon play then you could simply have had a word with the player at the next stoppage - potentially get the captain involved as well to help look after him.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If you are a coach, telling players to use names can be a very smart tactic.
IMO, it is not appropriate for a referee to tell the players to use a name. It encourages the player's myth that they must use a name and that 'mine' is an infringement. It is not.

But, I like what you did with the player who growled. Let's be clear. The book answer is that for an IFK restart, play must be stopped for an IFK foul or for misconduct. This was not a foul, but was misconduct (unsporting behavior) If play is stopped to warn a player, the book answer is a dropped ball.

But, I believe that the laws are flexible enough to address very young and special needs players in a way that remains just and fair to the players and the game. Showing the card in that circumstance may have been unnecessary and inappropriate to the circumstances of your match. An IFK restart gave the opponents the same restart appropriate to the misconduct if a card had been shown. That the conduct did not happen again demonstrates to me that your approach was the best one within the spirit of the game even if it did not conform to the letter of the laws of the game.

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