Question Number: 41

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: rec

Jonathan Little of , asks...

We had a referee call "playing the ball on the ground" -- Whats that? Can't you kick the ball while your on the ground?

Answer provided by Referee glenn 11/10/1999

Jonathan, it seems this call evolves around "dangerous play". Often you may witness a player who goes to the ground for various reasons but once there is still in close proximity to the ball. ..There is nothing wrong with the player playing the ball. However, many referees are sensitive to the possibility that by virtue of being on the ground he/she is creating a condition that puts the player in the position of being injured because others are also trying to play the ball...If in the opinion of the referee the down player is creating a condition that is dangerous, he will whistle the stoppage and award a indirect free kick for "dangerous play". ..This works both ways, if in the opinion of the referee the player who is up is creating the condition can be whistled for the same foul. But to simply say you cannot play that way is inaccurate.