Question Number: 28533

Character, Attitude and Control 6/20/2014

RE: Amateur Adult

Hammy of St.Albans, Herts England asks...

In about the 80th minute of last nights England/Uruguay game the ball went off for a throw yards into the Uruguayan half of the pitch. The England player commited a foul throw for not taking it in the right place. The Uruguayan player then walks a number of yards into the England half and throws the ball but the same rule doesn't apply, why?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Hammy
I saw that as okay. Johnston came quite a distance into the opponents' half to take the TI that could not be ignored. When it was turned over the Uruguayan player did not move to the original throw in location which was well into the England half. That is where the throw in should have been taken from. It is common practise not to 'penalise' TI that are taken further back from the correct TI location. While incorrect it is rarely punished as it is seen as not 'gaining ground'.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the referee is going to punish a team for not taking the throw in the correct position, it is a good idea to make sure that the other team does so too. As a practical matter, however, it made no difference in the match.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This is one good reason for referees to remember to apply the Laws equally, even if it doesn't appear to make any difference. Else someone is going to be upset. Not that we should call every trifling thing, but that we should avoid any appearance of bias. It makes more difference at our lower-level games, because we are the ones who will be accused of being a 'homer' ref.