Question Number: 30977

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/29/2016

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

Outside agent question.

I was reffing a high school boys' tournament game, with two pitches divided by a narrow space. Loose balls were crossing into the games perhaps 10x a game. (Note this was in Canada, where no special high school rules apply.)

In one situation, a promising attack was coming down the field when a loose ball entered the pitch. A defender booted the BAD ball back toward where it came from, narrowly missing the GOOD ball.

Play went on and nothing came of the attack.

I'll set up some 'possible' situations and see what the panel thinks about each:

1.) Loose ball from other field hits the Good ball, disrupting play. Whistle and dropped ball, correct?

2.) Opposition innocently boots the BAD ball to get it off the field and it accidentally hits the GOOD ball. Whistle and dropped ball, correct?

3.) Defender stops the BAD ball and waits till the GOOD ball gets within a few steps, then he deliberately kicks the BAD ball to hit the GOOD ball (or the player in possession of the GOOD ball). I'm thinking whistle and caution for unsportsmanlike behaviour at a minimum. DFK or PK restart.

4.) Defender picks up the BAD ball -- no problem until: he throws it at the GOOD ball and hits it or the attacker. I'm thinking a caution at minimum (for equivalent to handball) and DFK or PK.

Your thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
you should answer the OCT you call it question this month if you have not yet done so deals exactly with this lol

Your concepts are pretty much on spec for Q1 and Q2.
Drop ball is still the restart from point of interference subject to goal area special circumstances although if FAIR PLAY was to be implemented one team if it was NOT in ball possession could choose not to participate or to return ball to the team that did have it, assuming it was not a challenged ball at the time. That though is up to the players not referee.

Q3 has misconduct a cautionable event for which play is stopped not stated under the LOTG for which the player is shown a card thus INDFK restart for a ball to ball moment! However, an extra ball kicked deliberately into player could be possible VC and red card with send off reducing them a player. As to the restart a DFK/ PK might be the proper restart if we stretched it as a form of kicking an opponent. But I lean toward the INDFK unless he picked the ball up and punted it at the opponent. DOGSO criteria might also apply.

Q4 as a handling issue, it is a DFK/PK restart or for the throwing and again caution for the ball hitting ball but possible VC and red card with send off reducing them a player if ball thrown at the player is a form of striking. DOGSO criteria might also apply.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Q1. Correct decision here. The restart is a dropped ball
Q2. Also correct as it unintentional. Dropped ball restart
Q3. Correct decision to stop play. Restart is an IDFK after the player is cautioned
Q4. This is handling if it hits the ball and the restart is a direct free kick or penalty kick. If the ball is thrown at an opponent it depends on the force used. If it is deemed violent conduct the player is sent off and the restart is a direct free kick or penalty kick. If it is deemed reckless the player is cautioned and the restart is also a direct fee kick or penalty kick.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Both my colleagues gave good detailed answers. I'd like to add that in the 4th question, the restart is a direct free kick or penalty kick because throwing an object at an opponent is considered a form of striking. Throwing something at the game ball is considered a form of handling.