Question Number: 31110

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/13/2016

RE: Amateur Adult

Chris Inckle of Burnley , Lancashire England asks...

can you shout dummy in football ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Not if you're commenting on your opponent or the referee.

But if you're giving a legitimate instruction to a teammate, that should be OK.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
If the instruction is to a team mate then there is no problem. If however the instruction was given to an opponent then it is unsporting behaviour, a caution and an IDFK restart.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Chris,
I can see two ways to interpret your question. One. is where the call is to a player, telling them to 'dummy' the ball - that is, to leave it for another player to take. In this case, if the call is to a team mate there is no problem but if it were done to an opponent in an effort to verbally distract them it would be a cautionable offence.

The other would be using the word as an insult and here it would depend again on who it was directed at. If it was directed towards the referee it would likely be seen as dissent and lead to a yellow card. If it was said to an opponent or team mate it would be unlikely (in my opinion) to be classified as offensive, insulting or abusive enough to deserve a red card but might be enough to warrant a caution for unsporting behaviour (especially if directed at an opponent). However, depending on the exact circumstances and the judgement of the referee it might only lead to a stern word of warning.