Question Number: 30230

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/30/2016

RE: rec Adult

CT of Abbotsford, BC Canada asks...

I have seen fouls called for lunging when challenging for the ball. Sliding in, leg straight cleats up but no contact on the opposing player. In some cases the opposing player has to get out of the way to avoid contact. Can you speak to that. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi CT
This could either be tackling in a careless / reckless manner or playing in a dangerous manner. The one you describe would certainly be reckless and the player should be cautioned for unsporting behaviour. It could easily be elevated to a red card if the referee deems that the actions endangered the safety of an opponent with excessive force used. Many times referees will hear *I never touched him ref* to which the retort is that contact is not required for a foul. Law 12 gives the referee plenty of powers to deal with these as there are a number of fouls where the attempt is sufficient plus tackling in a careless / reckless manner covers any challenge that the referee deems to be a foul. Playing in a dangerous manner is defined as any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player himself). An opponent avoiding a lunging opponent with no contact can be considered PIADM.
Here is a video that I show of the referee correctly taking action against a player in such circumstances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZJn4UgpjY4

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

There are several DFK fouls that do not require contact that can be performed in a dangerous or unsafe manner! Jumping at , attempting to trip, attempting to strike & attempting to kick. PIADM covers most any unsafe action undertaken without regard for an opponent's safety but has no contact and the restart is an INDFK only. If the attacking payer avoids such a challenge we might play advantage and only warn the defender.

Straight legged tackles with cleats up, even without contact can be deemed cardable misconduct and escalate into red card send offs rather than yellow caution for USB as the very NATURE of such tackles are inherently dangerous due to the speed and mass generated especially if players leave their feet they have zero control. A referee who deems the misconduct excessive rather than reckless or carless must be sure once the bar is set it remains !

I had a player two footed slide right through the back in between the legs. Luckily the receiving attacker jumped high in the air so the tackle went under him and when he landed he actually came down on the chest and head of the defender hurting the defender far worse than he received nonetheless I sent the defender off showed the red card and reduced his team by a player as the tackle was only ever going to result in grief at the speed and way it was done!
Cheers

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

See Question: 30231