Question Number: 29671

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/7/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Russell Montgomery of Sydney, Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29657

Part of Ref Dawson's answer took us to a popular blog out of England.
Directing us to this blog was to continue the discussion about deliberate handling, and once finished reading this, I read the other scenarios presented in the UK blog and have a question about it.
The scenario was...
Following an injury in the PA, you restart with an (uncontested) drop ball. The attacker advises he is going to shoot (although, you had expected him to do the 'sporting' thing and simply pass back to the keeper.) Then we are asked 'what would we do' ?
Mr Hacketts answer was...
'An uncontested dropped ball is not in the Laws " it is what players agree among themselves as a sporting gesture. Nor does the Law specify how many players should be present, and it is not your role to dictate terms or manufacture the restart. But it is your role to ensure the game is played fairly " so you should not keep the attacker's whisper to yourself. Make sure an opponent is also present before you drop the ball.

My concern here is that while I too would not be happy with hearing what the attacker intends to do, I have no right to ensure an opponent also contests the drop ball as it is inferred in the blog.

Yes, I know 'player and match' management is critical, however, Mr Hacketts reply contradicts his own comments in the same answer.

'If' I had to get involved in some way, I'd much prefer to have a quite word with the attacker than look to have an opponent involved. If the attacked was still insistent, I 'might' consider calling his captain over for a word.

Only if the captain looked to be going with his attacher, would I consider thinking about the opponent getting involved in the restart.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I like to think attempting to manage this player in this moment to thinking in a more sporting manner just might see him be more sporting in the future.

Maybe I'm being too naive, however, this approach has served me well to date.

(and for the record - I'm a keen follower of the UK blog)

for reference the particular UK blog was:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/29/you-ref-trevillion-hackett-stoke

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Heading off problems is an important part of refereeing. Some so called Fair Play restarts have caused games to descend into mayhem due to players abusing the uncontested nature of the restart. If a referee can see that coming then by all means he should intervene rather than having to perhaps deal with unsavoury behaviour which might result in multiple misconduct.
Players in a match situation can be thinking poorly and may not be willing to listen to reason. On the DB I make sure everyone knows what is going to happen. If there is uncertainty then it is contested. If I sense that a player is going to behave unsportingly then he would not get the opportunity thereby saving him from possible retribution or indeed sanction as happened to a player in a Champions League game a few seasons ago . Getting the toothpaste back into the tube is nigh impossible so why go there if there is a better option available.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Russell,
I too enjoy reading the comments and looking at the drawings on the site. Mr Hackett is a well known entity within the soccer world but he does not speak for FIFA . I find I have issues with about 2 to 5 % of his conclusions at times but then he is also there to entertain as well as enlighten..

I have pointed out incorrect answers to a few of his cartoon commentaries in the past. One that I thought was still up was a posted one showing an eyes closed striker /defender jumping into the air with his arms off the side of his body and a cross hitting his arms. I believe his answer was a no call and one that I would take exception to as not being correct. You can not go up for a challenge with eyes closed and refuse to take in account or responsibility the ball will strike outstretched arms given you are unaware to pull them out of the way, because you cannot see!

As to your concern.
The preventative aspect of staving off trouble is a real concern. If you as referee are aware all hell is about to be unleashed because a drop ball that was thought by all as a return is going to be played as an attack is certainly information that I will ponder as to the correct choice to make here. A goal can not be scored directly off a drop ball, it was changed recently just because unfortunate bounces resulted in ugly goals when trying to do an honorable thing, but it can be controlled, dribbled then shot or passed or deflect into the goal .

The timing of the drop, exact location and how quickly you turn the hand over and who is there to participate can be finagled to better circumstances.

While we are not supposed to interfere it would be best that player seeking to do skullduggery NOT involve us in it! Once we are warned he is going to be a dweeb it will create some thinking on our part if we really want the consequences to unfold in an uglier manner than one we might otherwise manage. A point blank, pull the card keeping it in the palm of your hand or compressed at your side and look at him saying, You really want to go down that road? ' Then tuck the card away back in the pocket, or A simple announcement, 'You do realize this player is under NO obligation in law to return this ball to you?'

It is a stretch to caution for USB although if he publically states he IS going to return the ball as a sporting gesture one has some ammunition to caution for USB should he not. You reap as you sow and one misused drop ball restart might escalate into a whole lot of tough luck later on!
Cheers