Question Number: 29272

Kicks From The Penalty mark 3/28/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29269

I recall a question some time ago where the game was going to be decided by kicks from the penalty mark. Each of the players on one team went up to the referee & spit, leaving only their best penalty kicker. The advice, at that time, was to abandon the game based on fear of harm to the referee.

It would seem that the tactic used here could be used by several teammates, leaving only the best (or top few) penalty kickers. In the scenario here (persistent feinting), there is no violence involved. Besides giving red cards (which is what the team wants), would there be any other action that the referee could take?

As always, thanks for a great site.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
players' not player spitting at the referee unless we are into a brawl this match is over! The police report for assault to be filed later. Wow such a class act, certainly going to take that team far!

I might send off and show the red card to a single bonehead who acted inappropriately. However,if there is a parade of stupidity of others doing the same thing, feinting at a PK to get sent off, the coach and I will be having issues.

If there is no embarrassment or sense of outrage for such an injustice then I suppose we do our due diligence of record and report. Let the league sort it! However, we all know the difference in being humiliated versus humble.
A referee with presence is not going to sit quietly as one team destroys the essence of fair play without commenting in some manner. SERIOUSLY you want to go down this road? Its going to end badly!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

They might win the battle, but they will likely lose the war.

If the ref puts up with it without abandoning the game, I'm sure the league officials will be eager to read the ref's report. And will apply the strongest penalties they can dish out - fines, suspensions, loss of points in the standings, etc.

Beside that, the ref may take legal action against the players, team and league.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Any team that resorts to this behaviour will find severe sanction from the competition organisers perhaps a team ban. No referee should have to put up with this and my advice is to abandon and walk away.
As regards persistent illegal feinting to get dismissed while that might work the team will find that its players will be missing the next number of game in the competition which makes little sense. It is important to remember that suspensions are applied to the competition in which the dismissal happens.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Phil,
In your scenario - yes, I would abandon when the first player spat at me. However, that's not the important part of your question; perhaps it could be simplified by saying each player committed blatant OFFINABUS or some such.
You are correct that this is a loophole that can be exploited, and if so there isn't anything the referee can really do. I'd suggest restrain from sending off players unless it's absolutely essential and report any suspicions to the league.