Question Number: 32722

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/18/2018

RE: Select Under 15

Gary Robinson of Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 asks...

I was the center referee on a U15 boys game. Late in the first half, a red team attacker was dribbling down the left side of the field. A blue defender came in with a legal shoulder challenge. The red attacker stumbled, fell, and landed on the ball. No foul in my opinion, but now the red attacker was laying directly on top of the ball, arms and legs out like a starfish. The defender stopped, looked at me, then stood next to the prone attacker but didn't make an attempt to play the ball. The attacker made no attempt to roll of the ball or push himself up to his knees or feet. He did not touch the ball with his hands or arms. I waited about 10-15 seconds to see if either player would do anything, then blew my whistle and announced we were restarting play with a dropped ball.

At half, I was discussing the play with the AR on that half of the field who is senior and more experienced that I am. He asked me if I'd considered an impeding call against the red attacker with an indirect free kick for the blue team. His thought was that by laying on the ball, and not attempting to remove himself, the red attacker was impeding the progress of an opponent. I hadn't even considered impeding, but am now second guessing myself. This play didn't impact the match result, but I'd like to be prepared in case I see this situation in the future.

Thank you,
Gary

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
There was a question in the old FIFA Questions and Answers which was as follows and I quote
** A player intentionally lies on the ball for an unreasonable length of time. What action does the referee take?
He stops play, cautions the player for unsporting behaviour and restarts play with an indirect free kick.**
That is still an option yet I would say that most times the sanction would now be an IDFK for playing in a dangerous manner. The player on the ground by lying on the ball is running the risk of getting kicked by not moving away.
It is not impeding as one can argue that the ball is within playing distance.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Playing in a Dangerous Manner (PIADM) is an easy call to justify here. Since the opponent looked to the referee for guidance, it is clear that he was holding back from playing the ball lest he injure the player on top of the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Gary,
we do not get too excite if a legal charge knocks a player off balance on top of the ball or even if a player falls in the ball accidently but in the spirit of the game the downed player is to regain his feet to continue to play the ball.
Given the ball is within playing distance the arising player can legally shield the ball but if he uses his body to prevent the opponent from safely playing the ball he is in fact guilty of PIADM (playing in a dangerous manner)given the opponent can not make a kick or play that ball for fear of injuring said player. The correct call is an INDFK, not drop ball. The drop ball would be for if you believe the downed player on the ball was in fact injured and needed medical attention, not for wasting time or preventing an opponent from continuing their attack. Impeding prevents an opponent from moving toward a destination but the ball is not within playing distance thus it is not a challenge for possession, simply an act to force him to go wide or stop his pursuit, usually to allow a teammate to get there first or have the ball go out of play.
Players go down, you might ask, "You ok can you continue? Up, lets get to it." IF they remain on the ground with opponents hovering overtop or trap the ball between the legs trying to swivel or roll away with an opponent in the vicinity stop play for PIADM and award the INDFK. MIND you if the player falls on the ball and the opponents' hovering above immediately start kicking away NOT caring it could be DFK against the opponent. We give a few moments to allow a downed player to recover as long as he is not shielding the ball using his head or hands of pinching it in between the legs only if it PREVENTS the opponent from accessing the ball. If there is no opponent doing so there is no foul either!

Cheers