Question Number: 31273

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/17/2017

Zluvka of Liberec, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Today in Ligue 1 (Bastia-Monaco) player stepped on an opponent's foot. Referee lets play continue. May it be good decision?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Zluvka,
There is no real context to your question?
If a referee sees something he will act accordingly to what he perceives that action to be.

If it looks like a foul, he will weigh the consequences of whether it was trifling or doubtful and do nothing but allow play to continue!
OR
He might apply advantage, if the ball or circumstances break favourably for the offended team.
OR
Finally he might decide to stop play then and there to deal with the action by way of a free kick and/or card!

As in any decision be it good or bad, how we might choose to see it will not change a referee decision. One can only hope that a referee with integrity and a knowledge of the laws will act according to those LOTG in the best interest of the players, match and game, assuming if he is aware of the transgression. Sometimes we miss things ce la vie?!
Cheers
Perhaps a video of the event in question could give us substance to draw a conclusion?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Thanks for the question.
Generally when an opponent trods on an opponents foot the referee will view that as careless and a foul. Sometimes the referee can miss such contact as it can simply a coming together. Sometimes I look at the reaction of a player who is limping and I wonder what actually happened there. Did he go over on his ankle or was there contact by an opponent.
In my game today a player trod accidentally on an opponents foot part removing the foot over the heel. It was certainly a foul which I awarded and there was no debate about it. Other times two players can leap for a ball or come together in a challange and one lands accidentally on the foot of the other. The referee may wonder what happened and not give anything.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Zluvka,
It might be a good decision but equally it might not. It sounds like what is sometimes called a YHTBT (you had to be there) situation whereby it's difficult to say if you weren't actually there. Contact occurs between players throughout a match and not every instance of contact is necessarily a foul. For it to be a foul, the referee had to see it as at least careless. If he didn't believe it met that minimum threshold (or just didn't see it clearly, which can happen) then play would continue.

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