Question Number: 35133

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/2/2023

RE: Amateur Adult

Mühenned Elseyho of Kahramanmara, Kahramanmara Turkey asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35132

Thank you very much , yes Yes, the video is available at this link

https://youtu.be/Pm7nhP1G6YQ?si=-uLdz7yI1e9uy4Lh

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mühenned,
thanks for the clarification video. In MY opinion, PLAY on !
Unfortunately the referee there did not see it my way. It is true that stiff legged studs showing challenges are frowned upon as they can cause injury if careless or reckless or excessively performed. The leg movement he displayed as the player was shrugging what the heck?? is showing his opinion of what he believed to be a dangerous act assuming this was awarded as an INDFK . I fully understand your question, given that video and why you could think it as strange such a challenge MUST be awarded as an indfk for PIADM . It was not, in my opinion, a reckless or careless act, it was a reasonable effort to block a shot . There was no lunging or follow through just a blocking effort. The opponent did not quit or cease trying to play the ball. If a whistle sounded I can only say, it was in my opinion, a very harsh call but we can at least know he is concerned about the safety of the players and thought it necessary to make a point!. His match, his decision, his reputation.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mühenned
Thanks for the video.
Obviously the referee did not like the raised boot in the attempt to challenge for the ball hence the award of the free kick.
Such challenges are highly subjective and based on the referees threshold on such challenges.

I also do not like to look at incidents in isolation yet there is no easy other way.
Also a referee’s threshold for instance might be to call a game more strictly based on the way a game is going. Even minor or doubtful offences get called. Also a referee might want to be consistent in calls when perhaps a similar or slightly higher challenge was called earlier in the game.

Another point is that the game played on an artificial surfaces has higher bounces and I have seen multiple injuries on challenges due to the height of the ball bounce.

I have also seen players kick the sole of a raised boot in a challenges for the ball after the ball is kicked away cleanly. Many times those have ended up as cautions for reckless play.