Question Number: 31727

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/23/2017

RE: Pro College

Fanie of Pretoria, RSA asks...

Is it a foul when I step on top of the ball with two feets?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
To state the obvious the player to do this has to leave the ground with both feet at the same time. That means that the player has no control over his actions for the time that they are in the air which can be considered reckless depending on the circumstances. If it is done in a challenge for the ball with an opponent present then it is certainly reckless which is a foul and a caution. If it is done with excessive force in a two footed heavy challenge for the ball it is a foul and most likely a red card for serious foul play once contact is made with an opponent. Player take grave exception to two footed challenges as it is extremely dangerous and it is best that players do not do this.
If it is simply showboating with no risk to an opponent then there is no offence. It may be ill advised to do it for no real benefit or a show of disrespect which are not fouls yet why do it when there is no upside only a downside.
The player here was lucky to escape with a yellow card for this two footed lunge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwOq9VRwzho
I suspect given the fact that the ball was played and add in the time in the game the referee give him the benefit of doubt. Less likely now IMHO.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Fanie ,
is there an opponent in the vicinity when you do?
I have seen a few funny attempts at a free kick to be fair.

Generally though in ANY challenge for the ball if you leave your feet and go in with both in the air this is generally looked at as a jump into or at the opponent and is exceedingly dangerous for the most in how it can end up with studs crashing into the leg or feet even chest or thigh of the opponents with excessive force and dangerous repercussions .

What you describe can be interpreted as going over the top where a studs challenge comes up and over top of the ball after bouncing off of it usually with extended legs and a airborne body in behind. It is SFP and red card is shown

I agree a yellow card caution for reckless is in my opinion NOT usually sufficient for such a tackle unless I see limited contact with the air borne player trying desperately to minimize his impact by bending his legs and the force used is mitigated. Even if I did award a yellow for a what is normally a red card event a very strong word would follow to remind how lucky the player he was!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Fanie,
Is not entirely clear to me what you mean by stepping on top of the ball. If you merely try to stand on top of a stationary ball with no opponents nearby, that would be a little pointless - and there's a good chance you could lose your balance and fall over but it would not be an offence.

If however you are referring to a two-footed challenge then this is an inherently dangerous action which depending on the amount of force and momentum involved and the level of danger it poses to an opponent can often result in a red card.