Question Number: 32016

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/12/2017

RE: DA Academy Under 15

Kai Cavan of Vail, CO United States asks...

One of my players suffered a hit to the head and had to exit the field temporarily to be examined by the trainer. He then came back in the field without telling the center ref. When the CR noticed he called a direct kick. The ball was in our possession. Should he have called a direct kick? How was a direct free kick at the top of the 18 justified for a player entering the field following a temporary exiting?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Kai,
The referee should have cautioned the player (yellow card) and awarded an Indirect Free Kick, not a Direct Free Kick. Unless the player did actually interfere with play, then it's a DFK.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Kai,
The law says that if a player enters the field of play without the referee's permission, the referee stops play only if the player interferes with play. The player is cautioned. The restart depends on whether the player interfered with play or not. The law says that:

''If the referee stops play, it must be restarted:

- with a direct free kick from the position of the interference
- with an indirect free kick from the position of the ball when play was stopped if there was no interference.''

So if your player interfered with play, a direct free kick is the correct decision. If he did not, it should have been an indirect free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kai
One of the latest changes to the Laws of the Game and outlined by Referee Grove.
Now over the years players returning without the referees permission has caused many problems for the game. I have seen players sent off for this offence on a second caution. Players when they leave the field of play with permission for whatever reason needs to ask permission to return. If the player comes back on without permission it is a caution. Sometimes a referee might give a player a warning perhaps in a situation of misunderstanding with no interference.
If the player interferes with play it is a direct free kick or penalty kick or an IDFK if play is stopped without interference.

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

See Question: 32021