Question Number: 31399

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/27/2017

RE: Rec Under 19

Saul F of Goshen , IN USA asks...

https://www.facebook.com/MLS/videos/10155190329498887/
Minute 4:05 is the play where both players raise their feet up high in a dangerous manner at the same time. Is it the right call and if not how would it be called or restarted?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Saul,
referee in real time decided it as a DFK and cautioned only one. Thus his match his decision his reputation it was the right call and he had decided to stop play and award a free kick. Frankly even after watching it several times it was a tough call. If there was no foul going to be awarded the only restart possible would be a drop ball if play WAS stopped just to deal with the injuries. If play was allowed to continue then of course who could say what might occur.
One thing about reviewing a real time decision you are immediately biased by the video in slow motion. I watched it at high speed first and I had no real gut reaction either one was more responsible than the other but chose the defender simply because the attacker had the initial control.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Saul
Referees do not have the luxury of multiple view, slow motion, freeze frame etc. He gets one go in real time and he factors in what he perceives to be important in the decision.
Those factors can be timing of one challenger, does one player get there later than the other, has he spoken to one of the players previously about their actions in challenges, direction of the kick which can be towards or away from the player.