Question Number: 29249

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/18/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29244

Couldn't this also be a form of dissent? If the player had expressed dissatisfaction with a referee's call (but one that the referee didn't feel merited a caution by itself) and then started blocking the referee... Of course, you'd still have to be sure.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil
Yes I think you could draw that as a conclusion, although that action I would think has more to do with the ball being out of play Still it is not inconceivable that after a restart a disgruntled player might still be arguing away following the referee and bothering him!
Nor is it a huge stretch to imagine during play an upset player enraged at a missed call (in his opinion) might confront the referee and impedes his progress. Such actions are certainly cautionable, perhaps on what is said or done even send offable

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Yes it could be a form of dissent although I think that should be plainly obvious to the referee. I recall many years ago a player bumped into me running after a ball. I was totally unsure of whether I caused it or that the player just did it on purpose. In another game the player apologised. Anyway I did nothing on the former and I just filed it away.
Some times on these dissent situations when players are doing this the best decision is advantage and wait until the next stoppage. With the opponents attacking stopping may benefit the dissenter
Here is a definite caution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diStPdGlRcQ