Question Number: 14781

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/2/2007

RE: Rec Under 19

Phil of Vancouver, Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14766

Re: 14766

Gentlemen,

Further to my original question regarding a technical foul (location of IDFK), would it be a drop ball if two players were involved or would you award the IDFK based on who said what first e.g. he started the "discussion" first with foul language and then his opponent followed up? Many thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Per Law 8, the dropped ball restart is used when no other restart is specified in the Laws. Only very infrequently can it also be used when opponents both commit offenses simultaneously. It cannot be used just because you can't decide what happened. You have to make a decision. And as you state, your decision will be based on who did what first. For something that happened behind your back, that can be a very difficult decision to make. Hopefully you would have an AR that could advise you.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Whichever player's team committed the misconduct first, would lose out on the IFK. The referee needs to decide.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the action was behind your back, you stop play, ensure there's no more fighting and then go talk to your AR. If your AR doesn't know who started the fight, you make a decision and award an IFK. Both players are sent off.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

While we often see only the retailiation and generally someone throws the first stone FIFA has given the referee an out. I just hope it is not used as a cop out to not make an unpopular decision! If the referee sees two players struggling together and remains unable to determine the player who started the dust up under law 5 we find this little ditty
14. While the ball is in play, two opposing players commit offences at the same time. What action does the referee take?
He stops the play, and depending on the offences, cautions or sends
off the players, or takes no disciplinary action. The match will be
restarted by a dropped ball, from the place where the ball was when
the offences were committed.
I want to reiterate if the referee is aware one player provoked the incident and is aware of that fact then the retailiation is only misconduct not a foul! As mentioned a drop ball restart is a last resort when nothing else in law suffices to dictate the restart!
Cheers