Question Number: 32730

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/19/2018

RE: Rec Under 16

Alex Camacho of Temple City, CA US asks...

Scenario. Red player is fouled and receives a DFK. Blue player delays the restart. Red Coach yells 'Ref we should not need to ask for 10 yards'. Blue player puts his figure to his lips to 'quiet' Red Coach.

What would you do as a ref in this scenario?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Alex,
It would depend on a number of factors such as the temperature and state of the game, any previous incidents up to this point involving this player (or others) and so on.

It is a 'pet peeve' of mine that players are way too frequently allowed to delay the restart of play at free kicks, so at a minimum, I would be having a stern word with the player about respecting the required distance in a prompt manner. If this was the first time the player had done this, I might leave it at that - but if the player had done this before and already been warned, I might well be reaching for a card. Again, if other players on the same team had already been delaying the restart and I thought it was part of a team tactic, I might also card the player.

Unless this were a game played under NFHS rules, where taunting is an offence, I would probably be less concerned about the 'finger to the lips' gesture - again, depending on the player's previous behaviour, any previous warnings and my feel for the overall state of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Alex,
what to do? likely ignore, possibly nothing, if the red kicker puts the ball into play during the acting silly routine. If I was under the impression that blue WAS delaying the restart? I personally dislike coaches trying to do my job from the touchlines but they are emotional & will say or do unreasonable things believing they are protecting their interests . AS to a finger over the lips in shhshhing motion as opposed to a middle finger palm raise, one is not as serious as the other by any means. I do NOT need the opposition coach to tell me when or how to proceed. The culprit would be cautioned shown the yellow card and removed to a minimum of 10 yards into a more ceremonial setting. Coach could be reminded to convey tactical instructions to his team not lecture the referee.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
Sometimes less is better and ignoring a situation can be the best way to deal with it.
Each situation will be different and many times the ream do not want to take the quick free kick. I tend to only caution if the player has actually prevented the kick. We tend to get a bit of motioning to get on with the kick but the reality is that the team is more content for it to become ceremonial. I have had over the years a few aimless kicks of the ball at opponents in an attempt to draw a caution on the opponent.
As to the 'quiet' gesture on the scale of unacceptable behaviour it would be way down the list. It is no more unacceptable as t the coach shouting into the referee. I would just ask the player to leave the refereeing to me and to not get involved with the side lines.
If the game had deteriorated there might be grounds for more serious action including the use of a card for delaying the restart which indirectly deals with the quiet gesture.
I believe that this can be managed easily through good management and control without resorting to heavy handed tactics by the referee.