Question Number: 32675

High School 8/30/2018

RE: High School

Mike of Chicago , Illinois USA asks...

So a player in possession of the ball commits an offense (Dissent) while ball is still in play and team in clear possession, the center referee stops play to issue a YC to team in possession. What is the correct restart?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

H Mike
In NFHS the restart is an IDFK
With recent changes to FIFA laws there had been some confusion. It was confirmed as no change. It is also an IDFK from wehere the dissent took place.
In essence no change to the Law.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mike,
if a referee actually stop play SOLEY to discipline a dissenting player for mouthing off it is an INDFK from where the player is. If he was off the FOP then on the touchline or goal line for FIFA but I am unsure if in high school it might be at ball location?. If his team had possession too bad so sad.

If the OTHER team had possession with the ball in an attack phase I would ignore the dissent if the dissenter was far away from active play. Where as if he was inside his own PA there would be no reason to delay awarding the INDFK!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mike,
In the situation you describe, the correct restart is an indirect free kick.

Under NFHS Rules dissent by a player is classed as misconduct.

The rules further state that an indirect free kick is awarded:

''if the game is stopped for misconduct of a player, and no other restart takes precedence''