Question Number: 30807

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/23/2016

RE: varsity High School

bob terranova of Tenafly, new jersey usa asks...

what is restart when goalie gets cautioned in penalty box for dissent?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Bob,

I am not so familiar with NFHS rules but under the IFAB Laws of the Game, it depends on whether play was stopped to caution the player or not. If play was stopped specifically for that purpose, the restart would be an indirect free kick. If play had already been stopped, the restart would be based on the reason for that stoppage.

There was some confusion when the new edition of the Laws came out, based on the fact that the Laws now allow for a direct free kick or penalty kick for offences against match officials. The IFAB has since clarified (and included in the Q&A's on their site) that this more serious sanction is only for physical offences and does not include dissent.

The actual wording from the Q&A's is as follows:

''Q6: Why is an offence against someone who is not an opponent now a direct free kick? Does this include dissent/offensive language?

If, for example, a player strikes a team-mate, substitute, team official or, perhaps even worse, a match official this is serious but only restarting with an IDFK suggested that the offence was not serious so it is now a direct free kick for any offence (directly) against anyone (except an opponent). This does not include dissent/offensive language etc. as this is not a direct/physical offence against a person (see below).

Q7: What is the restart of the referee stops play for dissent/offensive language etc.?

If the referee stops play to penalise a player for dissent/offensive language etc. the restart is an IDFK.''

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Bob,
If the ball is already out of play then the restart is simply what it was going to be from the stoppage. If play is stopped for the caution (and it should be unless the opposing team has an advantage), then the restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where the offence occurred (or on the edge of the Goal Area if the offence was inside the goal area).

As Ref Grove notes though, there has been some confusion with the new laws - there may very well be some officials who have read the laws but not the following FAQ from IFAB which clarifies, which may well lead to a penalty kick being incorrectly awarded (or direct free kick if outside the PA).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
Like in FIFA the NFHS restart is an IDFK from where the infraction took place that is the position of the dissenting player.
Indirect free kicks are awarded and taken from the point of the infraction (except as in 13-1-3 and 13-1-4) which refers to the goal area. In that position the ball is spotted on the goal area line 6 yards from goal if the infraction happened inside the goal area
l. if the game is stopped for misconduct of a player, coach or bench personnel and no other restart takes precedence (12-8-1, 2, 3, 4);
No change in the Law here on dissent in FIFA. It is an IDFK to the opponents from where the dissent took place. In this case inside the penalty area.
Now the Law has been amended by IFAB in respect of physical offences. If the offence against the referee was off a physical nature then it is a direct free kick. However if the referee is struck that is assault then my association requires that the game is abandoned so the restart is not relevant.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Bob,
As referee McHugh stated, in high school games the restart is an Indirect Free Kick from the point of the infraction or the goal area line, if the infraction takes place within the goal area, as is indicated in NFHS Rule 13-2-2i on page 63 and Rule 13-4 on page 62 of the 2016-17 NFHS Rules Book. I hope that you have a very successful high school season. I am aware that the New Jersey high school championships are in mid-November. I hope that you have a successful season and get to referee in the championships. Please let us know if you have any additional questions that you may need assistance with.