Question Number: 35761

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/18/2024

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

This question is a follow up to question 35757

Thank you!

It can be said that in reality there is confusion. There are different pieces of advice, each referee approaches it differently, etc.

To make matters worse, there was this note in the Czech edition of the rules.

'It is recommended that when taking a free kick near the penalty area, the referee always signals for the kick to be taken with the whistle.'

It has already been removed in newer versions.

Have a good time!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
There are guidelines and advice within every association that are in my opinion NOT universal and at times counter intuitive to good mechanics. Again I go into coach mode because I ALWAYS tell players we respect the authority and position of the match referee but for all their sincere efforts, knowledge and earnest desire to conduct a fair match they are simply obstacles to overcome or assets to use, just like pure well drained perfectly manicured grass field or an uneven muddy slippery pitch. Be it a calm bright sunlight or blustery rainy weather, you adapt. Quality officials tend to develop habits that those playing can rely on but as you state, not all are identical in their management skills. Also grassroots and professional, the LOTG are the same but the expectations, training and OVERSIGHT are far different! Find the positives where ever you can! Be sure your association has proper mentoring and training programs otherwise you are a dry desert wind in a snowstorm
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Thanks for the update.

I am not surprised that piece of advice has been removed.
To be clear a whistle is NOT mentioned in the Laws for any restart other than a kick off and a penalty kick.
It is part of the advice for referees.

Technically on a ceremonial kick a whistle is not required yet it is 100% expected and advised. Most in the game believe ir is part of the Law.
Have a look at this video
https://youtu.be/JeNMVMAEiTA?si=_brTL1AQNuEIxSz4&t=395s

The referee did not signal for the kick which caused a right furore with multiple dissent and a dismissal.
In Law there is no requirement to signal for a free kick restart so the referee was technically correct. He probably felt everyone is ready, the wall is set looking at the ball, the goalkeeper is ready in the middle of the goal so no reason to deny the goal with a retake.
Having said that a chirp of the whistle at the wall would have prevented all the afters and that is why the advice is present.
In my opinion while a whistle would have changed nothing for the defending team as they were ready anyway, it did though give the conceding team a reason to dissent the decision on the field.
The reason the whistle advice is there is to prevent these type of situations from occurring. There are other times when a whistle is advised for a restart such as after a caution, an injury, a substitution yet I watch many referees who fail to signal for these restarts.

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

See Question: 35766