Question Number: 30306

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/17/2016

RE: cat2 Adult

John nongsiej of shillong, meghalaya india asks...

If a player score a goal, he delay to move to his own halve after warning from the referee it is correct to coution him?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi John,

The Laws require all players to be in their own half at a kickoff - so, the kickoff cannot take place until all players are in their own half.

If a player is taking too long to enter his own half he can be cautioned for delaying the restart of play. No different to a player taking too long to take a free kick or a throw in.

Usually a referee will try to hurry the player along first with a warning, but he may go straight to the card if he has already warned the player.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
If the player is failing to respond to the instructions of the referee to return to his side then a caution for delaying the restart can be appropriate. I would have little sympathy for a player that is being deliberately slow to return and/ or constantly wasting time while paying no heed to the referees warnings. The first option is always the verbal warnings yet if the player pays no heed to the referee then he runs the high risk of the referee taking action.
The time lost should be added on by the referee.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hello John,
Cards are a tool, available when required to make a point. Yellow cards make a match correction point that a player would do well to heed. A red card makes a statement that has no recourse. Few referees enjoy being forced to use these tools some do use them creatively,others perhaps too easily others not often enough.

A silly caution jeopardizes a player's ability to make a mistake. Useless timewasting tactics where a referee has the ability to add the time and consider if the action is WORTHY of a caution being shown a yellow card puzzles me why players engage is such foolish behaviour.
I prefer a verbal warning ahead of cardable actions simply to remind players their useless obtuse behaviour gains you nothing you seriously wish to be cautioned for this? If they persist then you oblige but a word of warning is best advised.

from our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fair play