Question Number: 31048

Law 5 - The Referee 11/23/2016

RE: Pro (MLS) Professional

John Strikwerda of Kitchener, Ontario Canada asks...

Yesterday, the Montreal Impact played Toronto FC for the Eastern Conference Final. During the game, some fans were constantly pointing a powerful green laser at Toronto FC's star player, Sebatian Giovinco the whole game. On one free kick, he seemed particularly distracted.

Can the ref call a foul or any sort of infraction for fans constantly pointing a green laser at a player and potentional affecting the outcome of the game?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John,
Ah the match that just keeps on giving lol So many things one can dissect from this match sigh! I saw that light show even during just the highlights. The referee can indeed stop and delay the match and force the stadium security to effectively deal with the troublemakers or determine it is unsafe and abandon the match. Tough to think we could see these two teams play in an empty stadium if fans are too silly to refrain from such antics. Not that the money gods would ever permit it! Personally, if I was the match referee, I could have decided to allow the free kick to be retaken just to prove the point. Still I would definitely speak to the stadium security and attempt to have the buffoons removed! In the old days it was coins and bottles and flares now its laser lights and drones and high frequency radio waves! The ignorance is just as astonishing as is the technology amazing. Give me the balloons and TP at least no one gets hurt lol
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
Yes that was clearly shown on the highlights that I watched. Pitch level it can be difficult for a referee to pick up such antics. With so much going on it is enough of a challenge for the referee to see and deal with the game never mind off pitch antics. The referee could speak with the stadium security or the 4th official who in turn could speak with them to ask that it be dealt with. In a stadium of 60,000 people it can prove very difficult to spot the offender as it is intermittent and very hard to detect. Hold up a mobile phone beside the laser and it can look like a video is being taken. I'm sure if the offenders area was being watched that he would not do it blatantly.
Now the other side of this is the determination of the impact it has on the game. I am unsure if the players were distracted or not.
Now this laser problem is not unique to soccer. I read that NFL has had a recent problem with it and complaints from some players.
I personally think that the only way to deal with this is to increase security or if that cannot deal with it abandon the game on safety grounds. Unhappy decent fans with a game called off or threatened to be called off would soon sort out the offender/s. The game was held up for 30 minutes due to a penalty line problem. If it was held up again until it was sorted it might go away.