Question Number: 31405

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/28/2017

RE: Rec Under 18

Alex F of Speedway, IN Usa asks...

I had a question about a certain type of situation. If player A from team A and player B from team B both tackle each other with their studs showing in the air at the same time while competing to win a ball at an excessive force, how would you call that? Would it be called a 50-50 ball? And would you send them both off for endangering each other?
This happens mainly in headers where both players are going for the ball but make contact with each other's heads and there's no foul in that. It was just a 50-50 ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
See other recent questions in this subject under fouls and misconduct.
The game allows a certain level of contact and there will be times when both players are equally guilty of a foul. It is up the referee to make a decision based on what he sees and opines.
I had one some time ago and both players did the exact same thing in a challenge. Both lunge at a 50/50. I went against the player I spoke to 5 minutes earlier for a heavy challenge. He was not happy yet I was not particularly bothered. I did not take any disciplinary action as both players were equally guilty and both were well able to give and take agressive challenges. I could consider that one player was later, boot was higher, made heavier contact, less chance of playing the ball from his angle, one was more aggressive etc.
On the header question I always go against the player that does not head the ball. Most times one player heads the ball and the other player heads the opponent. That is a foul against the player for contact on an opponent. As to further sanction only the referee can opine that based on what he sees. If a player is acting recklessly in challenges then the referee should sanction him with a card so as to change his behaviour or if required remove him from the game with a red card. If it is an accident then the referee takes that into account. It can be a card or just a word to be more careful. If already spoken to then there is less room for no sanction.