Question Number: 32528

Law 5 - The Referee 6/19/2018

RE: level 1 Adult

mark dowson of middlesbrough, cleveland england asks...

if a player kicks the ball and it hits the referee and goes out of play who gets the throw in or if it goes behind the line is it a corner or goal kick? answers on a postcard marked wish you were here please lol

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Mark,

If the ball is in play the player who kicks the ball off the referee if accidental OTHERWISE as a VC it would be a DFK for the opposition and a red card for the player forcing his team to play short) and the ball goes into touch over the touchlines it is a THROW IN for the opposition if it went over the goal line at your end it is a corner kick for the opposition and at the other end a goal kick for the opposition. The referee is considered as part of the playing field !
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
The referee is part of the field of play so it make no difference to the restart if the ball hits the referee before leaving the field of play.
The restart is taken by the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, on the ground or in the air.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mark,
When the ball goes out of play the restart is always to the opponents of the player that touched it last. It makes no difference if it hits the referee (or other match official) before leaving the field of play. As mentioned in another recent question, there should not be a situation where the ball hits a match official other than the referee and remains in play, as they should be far enough off the field to prevent this but it could happen.