Question Number: 31402

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/28/2017

RE: Competitive College

Daniel of Austin, Texas USA asks...

During play, a ball from an adjacent game rolls onto the field. The ball is far from active play, so the referee correctly lets play continue. The ball rests on the field for a few seconds.

The black team begins to break down the field, around the half line. A defender on the white team that is far from play but near the extra ball realizes that black is gaining ground quickly. He runs over to the extra ball and kicks it at the [true] game ball, striking it, thus stopping play and ending black's attack.

My initial instinct was dropped ball. I would caution the defender for his behavior. At this point, though, I realized my instinct might have been incorrect. Due to the caution, I would have 'stopped play to caution a player,' which would make the restart an IFK for black.

Is this correct? Caution and IFK? Or caution and dropped ball since play was originally stopped due to interference by an outside agent?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Fanirl
Please see Question #31401
The correct decision is a caution for unsporting behaviour and as play has been stopped to caution a player it is an IDFK from where the offence took place.
Perhaps preventing it by stopping play because of another ball in the area of play may be the best call.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 31406