Question Number: 29982

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/9/2015

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29911

Hello,
thank you for answers. I have one additional question. In czech edition of FIFA rules is this note:'The referee may also warn the players of the attacking team who intentionally interferes
rivals to build a wall at the prescribed distance.' What does this mean? What is this warning? This is missing in your answers:-) Some examples please. Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Petr,
the section of advice you refer to is simply a proactive effort by the official to stop the attacking players from acting in a USB manner when disrupting the wall the defenders are trying to set up to stop the incoming shot! A verbal warning to stop interfering with the CRs setting of the wall by being obtuse, standing in the way, trying to pretend they are only trying to screen the keeper . The consequences for not listening to the warning carries a possible outcome of a caution and being shown a yellow card for USB or delaying the restart!

Once a referee has decided the kick WILL be ceremonial in nature with whistled restart, set the wall etc... The attackers will try to set them selves into the wall the defenders are making. Possibly to dart out and open holes for a ball to go through as well as just plain mess with the defenders concentration and goad them into aggressive actions.

If you reread my original answer I mention the interaction that occurs as they jostle for position at the designated mark laid out by the referee. The referee will at first talk/warn players to smarten up or quit pushing or being a general nuisance.

HOWEVER, if the attackers try too hard to mess with the wall as in ANY action that delays a restart or creates animosity USB is a catch all and if the attacker fails to heed the WARNINGS of the referee to not push into or lean over the wall itself, he could be cautioned.

The fact is close proximity of attackers standing beside or just in front of defenders vying for their right to their piece of ground on the pitch when the free kick is taken their movement may well interfere with the wall by pushing or holding the defenders and as such nullify the free kick by fouling the defenders. So there are risk and rewards for insertion. My suggestion is do not try the referees patience.

Cheers
PS the videos are not the greatest but you will see a few instances where the attackers positioning in the wall puts off the defenders although the 1st video is the risk I warned about. The second one when they count down #10 shows why attackers want to place people in the defenders wall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzaaT4mlIU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z3h_LKNHNo

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Generally the Laws of the Game and the Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees are the same the world over. So this does not appear in the English version?
I suspect that this may be additional advice given by the Czech Association to its referees. From what you write I would say that it is advice to referees to ensure that there is no misconduct in the defensive wall by attackers say pushing opponents, standing on feet, pulling players out of the way etc generally misbehaving while the defenders set up its wall. Examples include an attacker at the end of the defensive wall pulling a defender out of the way of the ball as he moves or a player pushing backwards into the wall to prevent defenders jumping