Question Number: 35709

Mechanics 9/19/2024

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Hello,

one ceremonial free kick question please.

Situation:

The player takes a free kick from half the pitch at the end of the match. He wants to play a long ball. He waits a few seconds before his teammates move into the penalty area.

Should the referee change the free kick to a ceremonial one during those few seconds?

More precisely, does the referee observe the behavior of the attacking team and, if necessary, decide to change the 'non-whistle' kick to a ceremonial one? I'm talking about free kicks that are outside the front third of the pitch. In the front third, the kick is almost always ceremonial.

How do you control it?

Thank you very much!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
given its a last minute the site of the restart so the referee is likely wanting to get into position to where the ball is likely to be kicked aka the PA down field. Its not a shot at the goal but rather a ball into an area where it COULD result in a goal or a good chance to cross it, if luck should be on their side! Thus the reason to go ceremonial seems redundant? The only reason to go ceremonial is the defenders are doing something goofy in around the restart location that requires a card or intervention?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr

The advice in the Laws tells us that the whistle is only used to restart play for:
# free kicks when the appropriate distance is required
# penalty kicks
# restart play after it has been stopped for a: caution or sending-off
# injury
# substitution.

So the advice is that it is not needed.

Now it is only advice and it is up to a referee to decide what is best in the circumstances.
For what its worth it is not going to be ceremonial unless distance has been enforced due to an opponent close to the ball. If a team is waiting to get players forward and the team is behind there is not going to be much complaint about delay. Its using up the time available.
What is more likely is that a referee may have to use a whistle to get the kick to be taken where the kicking team is being tardy for the opposite reason of being in the lead and trying to run the clock down.

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

See Question: 35712