Question Number: 31591

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/8/2017

RE: Under 16

Shaun Inwood of Wellington, Select a state/region New Zealand asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21605

If there is a corner and the keeper yells Mine or I got it and the attackers think it was one of their own players and subsequently left the ball, is this considered unsporting behaviour?
I believe this has happened to my team this year and I thought it bizarre that it wasn't pulled up.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Shaun
It is a really a matter for the referee to decide whether the shout was done for unsporting reasons which is a caution and an indirect free kick restart from where the offence took place. I also think that context is important. If a player is on his own with no team mate close by why would he leave it just because of a shout by a GK of IVE GOT IT?
There are many times when there is a shout that is done that has no effect whatsoever on players yet because a *name* was not used the opponents believe that it is an offence or claim an offence of not using a name. There is no such offence and it is a myth. It is only an offence when it is done to deliberately distract or deceive an opponent during play or at a restart and the test of that is that a caution has to be issued.
So in your instance I an not so sure that a shout of MINE or I GOT IT by the goalkeeper is sufficient to cause a player to leave the ball. Would it make any difference if the shout was MIKO*s, SHAUN, KEEPERs, JAYO or some indiscernible name or for that matter WAIHO or DEJALO. Would it have been fair for the goalkeeper to be cautioned in your example if he was communicating with a team mate? I know that in games many players call for the ball without a name and it does not appear to me that the opponents heed that shout or are deceived by it in any way.
In summary it could be USB yet that is a very rare offence. I believe that it is not unusual for GKs to call for the ball and opponents expect that shout, paying little or no heed to it or to what is said. I have seen many GKs shout to team mates to leave it with the shouts being ignored. The same can and does apply to opponents as well.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Shaun,
There is no infraction called verbal impeding, the action you describe is found to be a form of USB & if we DO stop play it is supposed to result in a yellow card being shown as a caution for USB & an INDFK. That said few will do it that way. often awarding only an INDFK if they do anything at all .

When dealing with myths it is difficult to explain why certain referees will make up or alter the LOTG even if we know their intentions are pragmatic. Many feel a yellow card is an excessive impact for a violation of confusing misconduct because what is said is not easily determined how or why.

As my colleague Ref McHugh points out, CONTEXT! There is no reason not to communicate with your teammates! Often the resounding cries of 'Keeper!' 'Jacks ball!' ' Mine!' or 'I GOT IT! ring out as a legit expression that that individual is challenging for the ball warning his team mates to back off and no doubt to inspire some nearby opponent to be looking over their shoulder. That is football, it is not misconduct!

What turns it into misconduct is the HOW it is done, WHO is affected & WHY it was DONE! The LOTG state unequivocally that to verbally deceive an opponent is an unsporting gesture and cautionable.

I cup my hands like a mega phone screaming Arggggh! Mine! or even my own name into the ear of an opponent or I am no where near the area where the ball is being played yelling for it, that is unsporting, that is misconduct given the reason & how it is done & the effect if any that it has. Some players just ignore anything so even if it WAS a true USB attempt to deceive but we play advantage one can conceivably show the caution at the next stoppage should it be necessary to prove a point or set a standard !

However if we ACTUALLY stop play to award an INDFK we are technically required to show the yellow card & caution the USB action. Perhaps a verbal impeding foul should be implemented to dispense with the mandatory caution but for now it be what she is!
Cheers