Question Number: 31181

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/15/2017

RE: Adult

John Watkins of Norwich, Norfolk UK asks...

Does the ref have to stop play in order to book a player for simulation?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The ref need not stop play at the time of the incident. For example, the ref may choose to apply advantage.

But if the player is to be cautioned, it must be done at the next stoppage of play. Else the moment is lost forever.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
Play does not have to stop if advantage can be played. Many times the simulation though is in the penalty area or close to it so advantage may not be the best decision. If I am booking for simulation I tend to stop the game immediately and restart with an IDFK after the caution.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John.
simulation is an act of unsporting misconduct whereby a player tries to trick or deceive the official that either their injury is of far greater seriousness or over exaggerate the incident if a minimalistic foul or outright lie off an outright trip over their own feet and pretend the opposition is responsible! It is also commonly referred to as a DIVE, where a player drops or falls to the ground trying to place the blame on an opponent to win an unwarranted foul!

We hate it, we often point out how reprehensible it is as a blight on the game , however , that does not seem to stop players from doing it! If it occurs during active play as an act to win an unfair foul , we generally would, whistle to STOP play , show the yellow card, cautioning the simulation as USB and then restart from that point with an INDFK in favour of the opposition!

If it is an injury fake out, say to stop play or use up some time after going to ground we can ignore the writhing about especially if the opposition is carrying play. Then if the opposition stop play on their own as a goodwill gesture to their opponents because we are not buying the drama queen acting lesson, that is their choice! We are less inclined to intervene in these cases. In cases like that we often pull in the injury treatment clause which forces them off the pitch for a bit until the referee decides to bring them back. It is risky to pretend as in those few seconds your team is playing shorthanded. So there is a cost!

I do want to point out that WHEN a referee books for simulation you are PUBLICALLY announcing to everyone you think this player is CHEATING.


It is crucial to be in good position, anticipate to fully assess these incidents. SOMETIMES we get it wrong! A tap on the ankle , a stud catches the back of a heel., a knee clash or thigh push or a free hand up top as we look below sends players falling. Not every foul is a massive wipeout event! At times a player may accidental stumble and go down as if he clips his own feet or stubs a toe. Do not be too quick to judge it as unfair simulation unless he does something to redirect the blame. Often he will lay there embarrassed and looking sheepish but not pointing a finger of blame elsewhere! As THAT is intolerable!

Key point though, IF you ARE going to caution, show a yellow card for an act of simulation, you MUST do it BEFORE the NEXT restart. IF there is misconduct prior to the restart or while the ball is out of play YOU can NOT let play restart If you are going to do something about the simulation You must retake the restart AFTER you have cautioned and shown the yellow card .

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi John,
Simulation is a cautionable offence. That's stating the obvious - but my point is, being misconduct, in a way it's treated like any other foul.

That is, play should only continue if the other team has an advantage. If, for instance, the team with the simulating player has the ball (that would also include if the ball has gone out for, say, a corner after simulation by an attacker), then play must be stopped immediately to issue the caution.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

As with any offence, the referee can apply the advantage clause (although if it's a sending-off offence you should not play advantage unless there is an immediate, clear chance of a goal being scored by the team that was offended against).

However, as Ref McHugh mentions, simulation offences are often in the opponent's penalty area where it is unlikely that any real advantage would accrue to the defending team anyway.

It is also often a tad risky to play advantage on a cautionable offence, though you're more likely to be able to get away with it than on say, a red card offence.