Question Number: 30962

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/27/2016

RE: Rec Under 12

George of Parangarecutirimicuaro, CA Sacratomato asks...

A green defender tries to intercept a pass intended for red team at about 5 yards outside of penalty box. Green player clearly handles the ball unintentionally and stops playing expecting a whistle. However, the ball lands in front of a red attacker. Attacker stops play and demands a whistle. I instruct players to play on. Another green defender, who was alert whistle had not been blown, manages to swoop in and kick the ball out for TI. I signal TI red. Should i have called the handball instead?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi George,
ABSOLUTELT NOT! You just stated the handling was unintentional !
When we try to make good decisions in a youth game with kids not yet grasping exactly what that entails, at times you will get the deer in the headlights or an irate hurt or vengeful player wondering why your whistle did not sound given the perception the opponent fouled him or there was some reason you needed to stop play. In this case it appears you have a deer in the headlights of a green player who likely has this history in their brief career of other referees whistling just about any ball/hand contact so his expectations are you will do the same! You say you instructed them to PLAY ON? I do not like that term alone as it reeks of ADVANTAGE i.e. THERE WAS A FOUL but I AM LETTING IT SLIDE FOR NOW! Better is NOTHING THERE! ACCIDENTAL! KEEP GOING! possibly DO NOT STOP! PLAY the WHISTLE! The Throw in is your only possible restart given the circumstances you describe with perhaps a quick word to the green player, 'Not every ball to hand is a foul laddie, you will hear my whistle if I think you are at fault!' Understand?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
Only call deliberate handling. Unintentional handling is not an offence so just because a player stops does not mean that an offence has happened or that it must be called.
Most of these incidents result in shouts of handball and should be ignored. I tend to call NOT deliberate or NOTHING there and motion that I am not stopping play. There will be moans about not calling the handling and I just counter that it is unintentional which is not an offence.

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