Question Number: 30055

Law 4 - Players Equipment 1/27/2016

RE: Rec Adult

Carl Donkin of Sunderland, England asks...

During a game my football boots were feeling uncomfortable. I asked the referee if I could leave the field to change my boots, he agreed I could but advised to wait for him to call me back onto the pitch. I changed my boots and shouted to the ref that I was ready to come back on. He waved me onto the field and 5 seconds later the ball went out for a throw in. .as I went to collect the ball to take the throw in the ref said I could not take it and someone else had to take it. This is something I have never experienced in playing Sunday football and was wondering what the ruling is on this and if the referee was correct not letting me take the throw in. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Carl,
perhaps the referee has confused a substitution with a player off the field with permission or momentum?
When he stated you could FIX your equipment, he gave you permission to BE off the field. He only needed to ensure your new boots were ok to play in but he could ask the AR or 4th to confirm that . ONLY the referee can allow you back on. Once he was satisfied your equipment was ok you are available to participate there is no reason in the LOTG for you to step into the field of play then step back out to do a throw in or take a corner kick. BECAUSE you are STILL a player, whereas a substitute must first step onto the field to become a player then go back out to take the throw. A player must exit the field to get to these balls the fact you were there already is immaterial.

AND if I am confused, you did re-enter the field then only after you entered the ball went out and the referee did not want you to take the throw then I have zero idea what he thought or what his reasoning could be.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Carl,
The only explanation I can think of would be if you hadn't yet entered the field of play. If so, the referee may arguably have been justified in requiring you to step onto the field first to clearly show that you've re-entered play (arguably, this may be unnecessary for a player returning to the field like this), but no reason to stop you from taking the throw.
It's a little bit like a substitute coming on at a stoppage; they can take a throw in (though a number of referees incorrectly believe otherwise), but they must step onto the field first.
If you were on the field already then I really have no explanation for this!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Carl
Referee is confusing player re-entry with a substitution and he also got the procedure incorrect. A substitute has to enter on to the field of play first before he becomes a player so he cannot take a thrown in without first stepping on to the FOP.
In this case you were a player, left to deal with equipment and as you requested re-entry he should not have allowed you to return until the next stoppage in play when the new boots could be checked. Once checked the player can resume play which includes a throw in etc. The same would apply to a blood injury which is unlike a normal injury as the bleeding needs to be checked that it has stopped. . Once he called you back on there was no reason to prevent you taking a throw in.