Question Number: 29970

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/2/2015

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29950

If the shoe is tossed (by a defender) at the player or ball (both in the PA) but the toss misses and doesn't affect play, I imagine it's still going to be a Yellow card for unsporting conduct. Correct?

If the striker ducks or jumps out of the way of the toss and loses possession: PK and Red?

Not that I've ever seen it happen, but I want to be ready!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
man you got some weird players over there . The act of throwing something at an opposing player will probably be VC show a red send off, hit or miss . Strike or attempting to strike an opponent as an extension of the fist. If all participants are inside the PA. the restart will be a PK
At the ball it will be a DFK for an extension of the hands as a DFK foul thus a PK. if it hits now if it misses then it is an INDFK from where the thrower was as that was the spot of the misconduct and yes a caution show yellow There is a slim chance that if something was thrown at the ball it could surprise/distract the striker to say stop and miss an opportunity thus as an INDFK act of misconduct you could show red card for DOGSO by a infraction restarted by a free kick!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Strike or attempts to strike is a penal foul punished by a direct free kick or penalty kick.
Now as to the disciplinary sanction it is in the opinion of the referee. If the referee deems it to reckless then it is a caution for unsporting behaviour. If however the action is deemed to use excessive force then it is a dismissal for violent conduct.
So what is the difference. Lets say the thrown object is tossed and misses the player then that could be viewed as reckless. If however the shoe catches the player on the side of the head that is certainly violent conduct. In first instance if the player is in a complete rage and he throws the boot in an extremely aggressive manner and it is only through good fortune that the player is not struck then that is also excessive force and a dismissal. I might point out that many referees adopt zero tolerance on the throw of an object towards a player. They see it as a dismissal every single time. Some perhaps see the throw of the object usually the ball at a player as depending on the level of force. The aggressive blast of a throw is clearly excessive whereas the toss of the ball in the direction of the player as reckless.
If any of the actions cause the denial of a goal or goal scoring opportunity then the player can also be dismissed for that offence.