Question Number: 33269

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/25/2019

RE: Rec Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

'But I didn't touch him'

This one is kind of the opposite to my recent post (33265) 'but I got the ball'.

I had phase of play last weekend that I pulled up, where a defender made a slide tackle with some momentum - bordering on excessive, and lucky for him, the attacker was aware of the incoming defender and jumped out of the way and therefore avoided a collision.
The defender missed the ball, and as the attacker had to jump away, the ball ended up rolling out over the sideline.

I pulled up the play and awarded an IDFK.

The defender asked 'how can it be a foul if I didn't touch him', to which I replied that contact is not required for a foul - this was a case of PIADM.

The defender was confused, bemused and frustrated with the call.
I talked him through it, explaining that it is no different to 'high feet' that is frequently called. He still seemed to not quite 'get it'.

The defender argued that this happens often in games, so why was he pulled up for it.
I tried to clarify the difference between poorly time timed challenges that miss everything due to an attackers fancy and fast footwork, compared to an attacker jumping out of the way because of apparent danger.

He still shook his head.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
I like to use this video to make the point in these situations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZJn4UgpjY4
As to explaining to players some just do not want to know so I just make a comment that an offence does not have to *contact* to be called. In fact some are downright dismissive and do not want to know or an explanation.
In a recent game a player took a quick free kick on goal while his team mate was on the ground after a foul challenge. It did not work out and ended up in a counter attack. A defender berated me for allowing play to continue while his team mate was down!! I tried to explain it was his teams choice that play restarted rather than waiting for the player to get up which he eventually did without treatment. I was sorry I even bothered to try to explain as he just did not want to know or comprehend.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Russell,
The law on this is quite clear, it says that it is a direct free kick offence to either kick, trip or strike an opponent in a manner that is careless, reckless manner or using excessive force - OR to attempt to do so.

In the example you give, despite not actually making contact, if the referee judges that the player has attempted to either trip or kick the opponent (in a careless, reckless or excessively forceful manner) this is an offence, whether or not there is contact.

As the video posted by ref McHugh shows, even a missed attempt to recklessly carry out one of these offences can legitimately be punished by not only a free kick but also a caution.