Question Number: 35170

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/19/2023

Barry of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

I saw this video clip on Facebook. There's no context of when, where, or if a foul was called. Gavi gets carded so often, I can't easily pick up this one on an internet search. Perhaps that means he was not cautioned or ejected in this case?

With the luxury of stop motion on a big screen, I see Gavi get up and sprint back to the ball, putting his foot ahead of the red player's while the red player was in the kicking motion. Gavi's foot is proceeding toward the ball, not stopping or pulling back (as a tripping action would do.)

Gavi gets kicked but I don't think the red player should be faulted here. I'm happy with there being no foul called, though it's a tough play.

I remember calling a foul on a similar play, where an attacker was running with the ball and winding through for a kick when a defender stuck his foot in the path of the kicker - not to touch the ball, just to be there. The attacker kicked the stationary foot and was tripped as a result. I considered it a defensive trip and gave a DFK outside the box.

This is a slightly different situation, though. I await your responses and thank you for your time.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/341729394999598

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Good to hear from you
The answer rests in the opinion of the referee whether the kicked player was in fact playing the ball or simply tripping an opponent who is playing the ball.
Now these are not easy calls as there is the possibility of it going either way. The test for me is how far is the kicked foot from the ball as if it gets to the ball first then there is an onus on the kicker to shows attention and consideration when making a kick and to act with caution.
We might have sympathy for the kicking player as that player most likely had no intention of kicking an opponent yet if the kick happens at the ball say with the kicked player playing the ball then it is clear cut of kicking an opponent. Clearly not intended yet that is what happens so it is a foul every time.
However if the kicked player has simply stepped into the kicking players leg swing action not close to the ball or not playing the ball then that is a probable foul by the player who has got kicked.

I have in the past seen some pretty clear cut situations where a player through a slow action has not seen an opponent move towards the ball from their blind side and promptly kicked that player, some for penalty awards.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Barry,

Good question - this is a careless trip from Gavi, for me.

He comes from behind and sticks his leg between the opponent and the ball, when the opponent has already started the kick and had no reason to anticipate anybody else in the way, especially as Gavi comes from behind.

The opponent has not in any way acted without due regard for the opponent. So has Gavi, or is this just 'one of those things'?

Gavi, placing his leg between the swinging leg and the ball, has caused a situation where him being kicked is inevitable and not reasonably avoidable by the opponent. Therefore, Gavi has acted without due regard for the opponent, and this should be considered a careless foul. Even if Gavi hadn't planted his foot but was moving that foot for the ball, my decision remains.

If he had won the ball, then it may either be an unfortunate collision or a foul by the opponent.

If Gavi had planted his foot there before the opponent had even started the swing, and we determine that the opponent should have seen him there and had the chance to react, then it's likely a foul by the opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Barry,
the who was there first issue is one of the decisions a referee in REAL time must make and at times it is near impossible to make a 100% fault issue for a foul . Many are a reasonable challenge, given that is the game of football, to get to that football, so generally we see these as careless fouls, more than reckless and often DOGSO, if present, is relegated to yellow inside the PA.

Gavi not getting his foot to the ball would likely be deemed be guilty of a trip.

Granted we need to be aware that a defender sliding in from angle going by, or in front of the opponent getting to the ball first certainly mitigates the foul. Even if a foul might be deemed present, just because being kicked is inevitable and not reasonably avoidable, because when tackles go through or upend players, it carries a measurable danger factor.

If he had poked the ball free and just got a wack as the kicker in the middle of his leg swing could not stop & possibly was unaware of the challenger likely seen as one of those unavoidable things, even if an unfortunate collision/fall results, not seen as a trip but rather a coming together .

I hope your season out there in BC is going well? I recall playing/refereeing outside pretty much into Dec and starting again in Jan on the lovely all weather gravel fields.
Cheers