Question Number: 29985

Law 13 - Free Kicks 12/9/2015

RE: Rec, Competitive, Premier Under 14

Evan Farrar of Redwood City, CA United States asks...

I have a question about enforcing distance on a restart of play. Simply put, when it is enforced? Can you caution a player for not respecting the distance of a restart of play before the restart has occurred?

For example:
'Before the Blue team takes a direct free kick, a Red player stands within two yards of the ball.'
Is this an offense by itself?

I know that when the ball is put in play and a defender lunges forward from a distance less than the required distance, and interferes/deflects the ball, the player may be cautioned. But before the ball is put in play?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Evan,
Yes you can, the caution is for the misconduct, it does not change the restart. The reason we can WAIT is if the free kick goes ahead we can apply advantage if it is successful without having to stop and redo. The Player who COULD have been cautioned gets off free as his antics did not affect play. Lucky him!
If we can plainly see the defending players antics are affecting the restart caution show a yellow card! It will send the message to all that such conduct is not tolerated. You are setting a standard or bar that all can perceive quite clearly. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Evan
The answer is yes. Now does it happen very often in the modern game and the answer is no. Part of the challenge facing referees is that players do not know the Law and they do not know that is a possible caution.
In the first instance I intervene and speak with the player who may be coached by his manager to do this. I tell him that he has to retreat 10 yards and that preventing the restart is a caution. Most times that draws a blank stare of disbelieve as the player expects to be moved back by the referee as in a ceremonial restart.
In other parts of the Law such as at a corner kick or throw in the referee is advised to first warn the player and then to take further action if the warning is not heeded.
Referees should Aldo look fir the aimless kick of the ball at an opponent to draw a caution at a free kick. Those have to be managed carefully as while the player should not be there the kicker perhaps had no real intention to restart play.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 29994