Question Number: 29973

Law 11 - Offside 12/7/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29972

Referee Dawson mentioned that a PIOP, who was not close to the play, would have to verbally distract the GK (or another opponent) before he/she was interfering & that would be a caution for USB.

I'm not sure how that could happen. For example, if the PIOP said, 'Pass it' or 'I'm open', I didn't think that it would constitute interference, since FIFA has discarded the old 'deceive or distract' wording Unless they screamed in the GK's ear or pretended somehow to be a defender, actions which could result in a caution even if not in an offside position, why would the PIOP be cautioned?

Thanks in advance.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil

Once there is verbal distraction then it is a caution and the restart is an indirect free kick. It is left to the referee to decide what is verbal distraction and the test is whether the call / shout merits a caution or not.
Obviously it is not related to offside and the example was given as to point out that where it could not be an offside offence due to the distance from an opponent or the ball it could still be dealt with under the laws. An example could be where a PIOP say standing beside the goalkeeper shouts KEEPER and a defender lets the ball go past him which then goes to an onside player. The PIOP cannot be called for offside yet he should be penalised for verbal distraction. Under the previous deceives and distracts wording offside was possible although more than likely verbal distraction was the more appropriate call as it was the more serious offence as it resulted in a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
• verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart is a caution for USB. As my colleague Ref McHugh correctly points out interference for offside was not possible but players can still find ways to get involved unfairly. Sorry if it was confusing but we do not usually caution for offside now do we! I was pointing out it takes MORE to find fault with a PIOP than currently being used to hold then accountable in the situations described but perhaps I should have stated the caution was for USB and would apply to a non PIOP as well.
thanks for staying on point!
Cheers