Question Number: 35154

Law 18 - Common Sense 10/12/2023

RE: Select Under 19

Mike Schroedeer of Wake Village, TX USA asks...

If a player strikes a team-mate while attempting a bicycle kick are they guilty of dangerous play, kicking, or nothing since the offense is not against an opponent?

12.1 says it is an offence to kick or attempt to kick an opponent while the ball is in play.

12.2 says that “a scissors or bicycle kick is permissible provided that it is not dangerous to an opponent”, but it also defines Playing in a dangerous manner as “any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself).

12.4 says that the restart for a physical offence against a team-mate is a direct free kick or a penalty kick.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mike,
the LOTG are tailored to two teams playing against one another in a fair and equitable manner. Any injurious conduct is not nothing! It generally requires something, however, in the case you present it is not a true offence per say, just an accident!

USB and Misconduct can occur within the game between teammates or an outsider usually when someone loses their composure.

PIADM is an action that affects the safety of the opponent or the player performing the action. It involves NO or minimalistic physical contact.

Generally if team mates accidently collide, as in both trying to head a ball or in this case kick it, with the other perhaps trying to play it, is usually poor communication, not a deliberate attempt to create a physical offence situation. We ascertain no injury and play on, or stop if serious to allow treatment & administer aid!

That is not to say by some extreme act of kung foo Hijinx a player could create a dangerous situation & send anyone including the referee in the area diving for cover.

It seems unwieldly should a referee see it as such, yet if a defender in a clearance does as you describe to not only hurt a teammate but then have a PK awarded against if it occurs inside their own PA as opposed to a DFK out if inside the opposition PA for an accident is a very harsh outcome for such an event as described. The concept of the DFK/PK was for premediated violent conduct between team mates or technical staff not accidental clashes. Mind you, Careless, Reckless or Excessive behaviour against anyone including team mates is foolish behavior as it calls into question the colour of card possibly used as a deterrent not just a verbal warning.

Personally, in my opinion I would look at this as a one off situation with the idea what is best for the game? An outgoing DFK restart for such an action if it was inside the opposition's area while attacking, could certainly work for a restart after admonishing the player and ensuing the other was treated.

I might be less inclined to award a PK if it was inside the defenders own PA. Instead if I whistled it down as an injury stoppage, a DB to the keeper could be in order. Whatever decision sell it as the one needed, live with the consquences. Your Match Your Decision Your Reputation!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hii Mike
Thanks for the question.
As a general principle playing offences are committed against opponents so while playing in a dangerous manner does not spell out opponents the principle still applies. No referee is going to award a PIADM indirect free kick for a bicycle kick that is dangerous to a team mate only and no team is going to even expect an IDFK to be called when only opponents are involved on their own.

As to 12.4 what is meant there is violent conduct committed against those listed. If two team mates are fighting or an altercation then the restart is a DFK or a penalty kick. PIADM would not apply here nor if there was contact as part of that.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mike,
It is accepted in general that fouls are normally committed against opponents. The only real exception to this in regards to team mates is when one deliberately sets out to commit violence against the other, or two of them get into an altercation. That is when the provision for a direct free kick or penalty comes into play.

In my experience and opinion, if there is an accidental occurrence, such as a bicycle kick, clash of heads as they go for the same ball or any similar non-intentional instance of contact involving team mates, even a relatively forceful one, this would not be called as an offence.