Question Number: 30946

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/24/2016

Stewart of Livermore, CA USA asks...

Here is the set-up. There is a ceremonial restart on a free kick from about 25 yards out. The attacking team has two players lined up such that either one could take the kick. The first players runs up to the ball, but instead of kicking it, steps over the ball, and then the second player runs up and kicks the ball. This legal deception results in the defending team encroaching the 10 yards because they move forward just as the initial attacker steps over the ball. What should you do, given different potential outcomes such as, the second attacker stops their run and does not kick the ball, the kick sails high, the kick is blocked by a defender, the kick goes into the penalty area for a potential assist? Are you going to show a card? Would you show a card to multiple players?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Stewart ,
a very good question. I have never shown cards to multiple players on encroachment. I might choose the one most likely responsible or was not heeding earlier warning or if they are already on a caution, and there are multiple intrusions I would pick another team mate not on a caution.

If the feint results in encroachment but the kicker has successfully put the ball into play, carry on, no worries about showing cards. Perhaps a, ' You guys are lucky,' warning to those responsible for the intrusion.

However if the legal feint results in encroachment and the ball is kicked into the closing defenders they have in fact failed to respect the ten yards and are culpable of a caution show a yellow card probably to the one struck by the ball would be my choice.

If the approaching kicker stops and does the, Hey ref, arm spread, have a look here dance you have a choice to make . One you can warn everyone once that the ball must be kicked and moved BEFORE you close the ball down and reset the wall or Two you can actually caution show the yellow card to the closest miscreant and remind them as a more severe action. Cards are a tool to drive home a point of LAW and maintain the spirit of fair play they are not a mandatory nail on every wrong action.

Your crappy kick scenario is one that will be the hardest for you given the encroachment probably had nothing to do with it. If you had already warned the teams and the encroachment was severe you could order the kick retaken. If you had not warned and this was a first time occurrence and the encroachment was not severe you could take the approach he chose to take the kick with opponents closer then ten. Just saying not everything is crystal clear.

At the elite level they have foam markings at the recreational level we have our integrity and common sense to hold those accountable for what they choose to do and why. We enforce the same LOTG but what is doubtful or trifling or necessary your match your decision your reputation .
Cheers
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stewart
Let me deal either the disciplinary part first. It is not accepted practise to issue multiple card in these situations. Generally there is only one real offender perhaps the player that stopped the ball. the first mover, the player that got closest etc not all the defensive wall. I recall a referee cautioning three players in a defensive wall and it looked like a card fest. Viewed very poorly by all concerned.
Now in your example I would first of all allow the kick and make a call on the outcome. If the encroachment has had little effect and many times that is the case then I probably just allow the outcome. Everyone focus can be on the outcome of the kick rather than the encroachment. Perhaps the kick is scored, the keeper has to make a finger tip save, another attacker has a goal scoring opportunity etc. If it is clear that the encroachment affected play then it is a retake. Perhaps a stern word with the main *offender* may suffice with a repeat resulting in a card.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Stewart,

As my colleagues have outlined, there are different ways of dealing with this depending on the exact scenario that occurs. I would agree with them that it would be unusual and probably unnecessary to caution multiple players for just one instance of encroachment, especially if it is partially caused by a ploy executed by the kicking team (although this still doesn't fully excuse the encroachment) and if the encroachment is only minor.

There used to be a principle espoused in he laws of the game that was known as IFAB Decision 8 to Law 5. Although it was since removed, a provision with almost exactly the same intent was included more recently in FIFA's refereeing development material which as far as I know has not been officially superseded or invalidated.

The statement on the FIFA website stated that:

''The Laws of the Game are intended to ensure that games are played with as little interference as possible. Constant whistling for minor and dubious infringements may cause bad feeling and anger from players and spectators.''

I would consider that the spirit of this instruction (if not its actual wording) can still be seen as applicable to the Laws as part of the 'spirit of the game' concept. So if a very minor encroachment occurs that has no real deleterious effect on the opponent, it is not necessarily in the best interests of the game for the referee to take action every time it happens.