Question Number: 29976

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/8/2015

RE: Competitive Adult

Jack Smith of Sydney, New South Wales Australia asks...

Please refer to the attached video: http://www2.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.aspx?The%2Bmost%2Bdisrespectful%2Bgoal%2Bever%2Bscored%2Bin%2Bsoccer%2B&id=567553

Should this goal have been allowed, or should #13 red have been cautioned for unsporting behaviour for 'acts in a manner which shows a lack of respect for the game' (p.125 2015/16 LOTG) with an indirect free kick restart to blue?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jack,
lol seriously you asked about the exact same incident as the last guy! I just finished a long response there at 29975 so I will be brief here.

A referee DOES have a choice as in most things ITOOTR
Was there an infringement? Is USB present?

(1)allow the goal, restart kick off, deal with the repercussions as needed.

Nothing technically wrong with the goal
Law 10 Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between
the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the
Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the
goal.

(2)disallow the goal restart INDFK from the edge of the 6 yard goal area caution show a yellow card to the striker and set the bar so all can see it! I also point out the LOTG use the word MUST!

Point to the fact the LOTG state we are to caution show a yellow card Cautionable offences
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits the following offence:
• 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
• in the opinion of the referee, he makes gestures which are provocative,
derisory or inflammatory

Your Match Your Decision Your Reputation!

For what it is worth I do NOT wish allow this goal! I want to caution show the yellow card and restart INDFK edge of the 6 yd. goal area rip him a new butt hole and take whatever heat comes my way! My whistle was going just before the ball was crossing the goal line! Unfortunately , there is nothing in the LOTG that say this should be a caution. He is silly to do it but that is not a caution.<

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jack
The panel has given detailed answers on this. The referee on the day awarded the goal. In his opinion the player did not infringe the Laws of the Game nor was it misconduct. Personally I dont think that the referee could have made any other decision.
Anyway it is an outlier call and one that referees thankfully will not have to deal with very often.
In a blow out with a team misbehaving at Underage the referee may take a different approach and one that he is supported for in Law of a caution for USB and an IDFK restart.
I reiterate the point of the goal scored by Adriano on an uncontested dropped ball. The goal was awarded and disciplinary sanction taken afterwards by UEFA. In the case of mass confrontation clubs are always sanctioned at the Pro level.