Question Number: 29975

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/8/2015

RE: Pro Professional

Mike of Lebanon, CT USA asks...

So on that 'other' ref board, there's been a discussion about the incident in the video below. The split decision seems to be that it's a legal goal and nothing should be done, or that it's USB, and the goal should be denied (as the USB occurred before the ball entered the goal), with an IDFK going out. Everyone does agree that under NFHS there's no question: RC for taunting. Not at all clear under LOTG. Just wondering what you all think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXeiB1d0STc

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Under the Laws of the Game I am of the view that it is a goal as the player has technically done nothing wrong. However it is in the opinion of the referee and another referee can decide differently. Now it was not a very smart move by the player and it showed a lack of respect for the opponents. The player let himself down and his team with a silly act that goaded the opponents into what was also unacceptable reactions. So much for Fair Play, Respect etc when an actions descends into a mass confrontation. Had the ball been kicked into the goal none of the afters would have happened which is the reason for the *taunting* rule in NFHS.
Now if a referee really wanted to disallow the goal he could find that the player acted in a manner which shows a lack of respect for the game which is a listed caution and an IDFK restart. At the Pro level that is never going to happen whereas perhaps in an Underage or Rec game the referee might decide to use the caution to deal with it and to educate the player in showing respect for opponents.
I am reminded of the goal scored by Adriano of Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League from an uncontested dropped ball. The referee allowed it and UEFA subsequently punished the player with a one game ban, a hefty fine and soccer community service. The goal stood with the referee blameless so perhaps the answer lies in that decision certainly in Europe in that while the on field decision may be one thing the off field repercussions will be another matter.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Mike,
I've seen this hotly debated online as a hypothetical scenario - can't believe it actually happened!
Whether it constitutes USB (thus a caution and an IFK to the defence) really is up to the referee's interpretation. Is this sufficient taunting for a caution? Or does it fall into the level of 'unpleasantness' that is a bit below where the official should be intervening?
Personally I'd argue the latter - but it's worth pointing out that a caution and allowing the goal would be incorrect in law; if you caution, the goal must be disallowed as the player committed an offence before scoring.
Personally, I'd be inclined to allow it but have a stern word with the player and be on the lookout for any further antics - or, for that matter, retaliation.
It may be one of those things where the referee's response varies with the type of game though. At a professional level, the players should be mature enough to handle any taunting. In, say, an U/13 game? Or what about a low level men's adult match that's already quite heated with a bit of malice and antagonism between players? There are very few absolute in the game - the referee will take the match into consideration.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mike,

This is an old chestnut of whether a referee is sticking his nose in too far or as needed in our duties as NEUTRAL observers of a match. It is often stated, by those that instruct, in the early days of our refereeing career, that the beautiful game is to be played with as little interference as possible! We are to avoid the doubtful, trifling, niggling actions ensuring it is the players that decide the ultimate outcome of a competitive match. Yet we are also the guardians of Fair Play but do we overtake our responsibilities if we enforce our opinion of what constitutes fair play given another might not see it as such?

The NFHS has flatly indicated such an action as dropping to the knees to nudge a ball over the goal line of the opposition using the head is unwelcome and NOT to be tolerated as it displays a credible lack of respect rather than an act of joy and celebration for a goal justly earned. Taunting is just a name attached as a type of USB it is the ACT itself for which a referee must determine under FIFA LOTG is there justification to not permit a goal that is technically correct to have violated the spirit of the LOTG in a way that can not be tolerated as an infringement where our player has a clearly acted in a manner which shows a lack of respect for the game?

Was there a goal?
Was there an infringement by the player/team who scored that goal!
What was the infringement?
What is USB? How is it an infringement?
How is the act of heading a ball an infringement or USB?
Were there OTHER conditions?
Verbal outbursts, unsavory body language, mitigating previous antagonizing actions of aggression or intolerance?
What height is the tolerance bar being set at and what effect on the rest of the match could it have?

If you watch the clip, note the reactions of many of the opposition! Can you see the potential for violent conduct? Ridicule even in its elementary form tends to generate intense reactive emotions.br>
I was CR on a match between two teams of very different skill sets. The keeper had laid down and gone to sleep at the one end in complete disregard as their opponents were hopelessly outclassed. Would you consider that act as USB or simply a young child bored to tears? In the same match and in a few others I had the strikers juggling the ball inside the penalty area and proceed to play keep away rather than score, is that USB or simply an act of players trying to find a way to enjoy themselves? In another match a father had promised the entire team milkshakes if they could scored via the header so I saw some very unorthodox attempts to do so. Would you speak to the coach or players? Advising such actions MIGHT be viewed as USB?

Despite the stupidity and ugliness of FIFA's ruling body providing us with the taint of corruption it should not allow us to set aside the very real and positive effects of the RESPECT programs of Fair Play. While FIFA itself has provided us little inspiration to act in a manner that show respect to the game. Personally I think they should be taken apart and restructured under something more accountable!

Each individual referee sets a standard of excellence to whatever our own experiences and understanding of what fair play and respect mean. If ever the ITOOTR (in the opinion of the referee) as our mantle of free will can be exercised perhaps in situations like this, it should be.

Those that hold to their own values may consider, although technically this is a legal goal, to award the INDFK out at the edge of the 6 yard goal area and caution the goal scorer, show the yellow card and if it was a 2nd caution then show the red card to send him off reducing his team by a player. I suggest the referee should blow the whistle the moment he drops to all fours to head the ball. I rather hear a whistle before it crosses that goal line if in fact you as referee feel it is in fact an act of USB. Be prepared to defend your actions even though under the LOTG you were fundamentally correct according to your discretionary powers and duties as referee and this action you took CLEARLY sets the bar of acceptable behaviour

To those that think, just suck it up buttercup, it was a fun joyful event and not a display of USB of flaunting as in waving your privates in the face of the opponents. Be very proactive to deal with the fall out over pay back and live with the consequences. Allow the goal restart with a kick off, knowing the bar of acceptable behaviour has lowered itself accordingly even if you believe, there is nothing in the LOTG that say this should be a caution. He is just silly to do it but that is not a caution.<.

I have below, quoted exact parts of the LOTG where a case can be made for determining ANY action undertaken by a player can be held to the magnifier of fair play to pass inspection or determine if it does pass the smell test of unsavory but passable or unfair misconduct that requires intervention? As in any game! Your Match! Your Decision! Your Reputation!

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Quotes of the LOTG and additional instructions!
Law 5 The Referee
The authority of the referee
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
Powers and duties
The Referee:
• enforces the Laws of the Game
• stops, suspends or abandons the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws
• takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences.

Decisions of the referee

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.

A referee (or where applicable, an assistant referee or fourth official) is not held liable for: any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision that he may take under the terms of the Laws of the Game or in respect of the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match.
Such decisions may include:
• any other decision that he may take in accordance with the Laws of the Game or in conformity with his duties under the terms of FIFA confederation, member association or league rules or regulations under which the match is played

LAW 10 The Method of Scoring a Goal
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between
the goal posts and under the crossbar, provided that no-- 'INFRINGEMENT' --of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.

Cautionable offence
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits the following offence:
• unsporting behaviour

A player who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on or off the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a team-mate, the referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offence committed.

Interpretation of the Laws to the Game and Guidelines for Referees

Basic requirements for a foul

The following conditions must be met for an offence to be considered a foul:
• it must be committed by a player
• it must occur on the field of play
• it must occur while the ball is in play

Cautions for unsporting behaviour
There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour, e.g. if a player:
• acts in a manner which shows a lack of respect for the game

While it is permissible for a player to demonstrate his joy when a goal has been
scored, the celebration must not be excessive. Reasonable celebrations are allowed, but the practice of choreographed
celebrations is not to be encouraged when it results in excessive time-wasting
and referees are instructed to intervene in such cases.

A player must be cautioned if:
• in the opinion of the referee, he makes gestures which are provocative, derisory or inflammatory
Referees are expected to act in a preventative manner and to exercise common
sense in dealing with the celebration of a goal