Question Number: 29939

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/21/2015

RE: Adult

Jeff of Miami, Florida USA asks...

Was Altidore guilty of unsporting behavior by leaving the field of play during a corner kick? or would you consider this trifling,,see video at 4:05https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA4Ikw548zw

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Jeff,
Your link is not working so I will assume you are talking about the 3rd USA goal? He was simply running around instead of through the block of players as part of momentum and normal playing conditions. It was a smart run not illegal in my view! Going inside the netted area he interfered with no one! It would be a harsh caution for USB but it might be seen by some as such. I do not!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jeff
The Laws tell us that going off the field of play can be considered to be part of a playing movement when it is done in that context and that is not an offence.
Altidore on the 3rd USA goal moves around players which takes him slightly off the field of play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4AQKyEBrn8
Most if not all referees would see this as a playing movement and not an offence. It is just rank poor defending.
Now if Altidore was stood off the field of play in the net area the referee would be empowered to insist that he is stood on the field of play before the kick is taken. As this happens so fast and seen as a playing movement no referee is going to intervene here.
Let me put is another way. Say at a free kick a player, running to get in position down the touchline, goes off the FOP around a defender stood on the line and the ball is then kicked over that defender. Is that going to be stopped for leaving the field of play or a playing movement? It is the latter.
Now if a player went behind the goal post in this type of situation that could not be seen as a playing movement and that is misconduct.