Question Number: 30729

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/8/2016

RE: Rec Adult

Michael Grudinschi of Tucson, AZ United States asks...

I want to make sure I understand a couple of rule changes correctly:

1) A rule change says that a offence against a referee while the ball is in play is not restarted with a IFK any longer, but a DFK. Does this mean that if a player assaults a ref or even says 'hey ref, FU' in his penalty box, the restart is a penalty (in addition to cards, etc)?

2) Am I reading correctly that an illegal PK faint does not result in a retake if it's a goal but rather an IFK for the defending team? So, the Messi PK he took in this video the second time would not be allowed? In this game he was allowed to retake the kick after receiving a yellow card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OivBaku1q2s

3) Not a rule change, but I'm curious, does a yellow card received prior to a game (e.g. tunnel) count during the game? So if the same player gets his first yellow in the game, is he done? I would think so since a player receiving a red card in the tunnel cannot play at all.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
Thanks for your questions
1. The direct free kick or penalty kick restart only applies to physical contact. Dissent and offensive insulting and abusive language and gestures still results in an indirect free kick restart.
2. The illegal feinting penalty kicks now results in an indirect free kick restart in all circumstances. In the past it was a retake. It is now a caution and an IDFK from the penalty mark to the defending team
3. Cautions prior to the game off the field of play in the warm up and dressing room do not carry into the game. So only cautions on the FOP and sorrounds and at half time connected with the game will count in the game.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Michael,
1) It's unfortunate that the LOTG do contradict themselves here. I have no doubt this is going to cause a fair bit of inconsistency across the globe. Since the LOTG were released, IFAB have clarified that when they mean 'offence against a referee' in that part of the law specifying DFK, they were only referring to a physical offence. So, not dissent.
Your understanding of the other laws is also correct.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

My refereeing colleagues have already answered all your questions accurately so I'll just deal with the specific video clip you mention, of the Messi penalty. Assuming the incident occurred in the same year the video was posted, that was the year the Law was changed to outlaw the the so-called 'paradinha' penalty so the decision would have been correct. Under that law change, the player was to be cautioned and a retake was allowed if the ball entered the net. Since the latest change, there would indeed be no retake and the restart would be an indirect free kick to the opponents.

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