Question Number: 34511

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/22/2022

RE: Youth-Adult, Competitive and Rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

Re: how close is "playing distance"?

Here's a clip from Canada's 2-0 win over the USA, in Hamilton.

American attacker brings the ball into the PA and the Canadian (black uniform) steps in his path, lets the ball go through, and uses his back-side to stop the American player.

Ref indicates play on or advantage to Canada.

Now I know calling a foul and PK would be seen as harsh by many but aren't there two infractions by 'my' Canadian player? Outside the box... would the foul/s have been called against Canada?

https://photos.imageevent.com/barstewart/soccerreffing/concacaf2022/IMG_0195.mov

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
In this clip there is no foul by either player in my opinion. White moves the ball too far away and Black anticipates it by turning to shield the ball. The ball then runs to the 2nd Black defender who clears the ball away. Black expects contact given he moves to shield and White having moved the ball too far away tries to recover with some contact.

I think that the referee to help sell the no call on the White challenge gives what I assume is an advantage or foul to Black. The video is not clear enough to me what is given. To me there is not enough foul contact here by White for a foul although being picky it can be seen as a illegal charge. I cannot see it being awarded as a penalty kick.
I always make the point of the difficulty in looking at clips in isolation of the game. In a tetchy game a referee may decide to call minor fouls or makes calls that are best for match control.

Generally playing distance is two / three paces although we see that at times get stretched to more when players are shielding the ball out over the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
other than a wee bit of innocuous interference and a bit of a shoulder spin by the blocked-out attacker. I think allowing play to continue would be fine . Two or three steps at the PACE of play is my idea of playing distance. I do DISLIKE the arms outstretched and a backwards motion and would consider such flaaction as impeding with contact thus holding . . Here the ball was played firmly enough away that the attacker was not seriously hampered given his position and the fact he over cooked the ball speed with no recovery chance.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 34528