Question Number: 14811

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/6/2007

RE: College

Jay of Trissur, kerala India asks...

Is it a foul when a player raises his feet\leg towards the face of the opposing player but didn't hit him.
Is it only a foul when the leg is raised face to face or from the sides also.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It could be a dangerous play if the opponent was taken out 0f the play because of it. Sounds to me like in this case that is what it would be since it was towards the opponents face. If contact was made, then it would be kicking and probably a card for reckless play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jay,
I like the fact you described how the action occurs and did not state it as a high kick foul which is a myth. The offence known as Plays in a Dangerous Manner (PIADM) is stated in law 12

quote FIFA law 12 excerpt
"An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:
-plays in a dangerous manner"
end quote

While it remains an OPINION of the referee if the criteria by which such an action is considered as an offence we look for certain things.

The action must occur with an opponent close by, the action must endanger either the opponent or the player initiating the action, the opponent must be disadvantaged by these actions and prevented from fairly playing the ball or continuing their run or avoiding possible injury to themselves or the player.

We should realize that older and greater skilled player are less apt to be disadvantaged and we may not see a need to stop play! Where as for safety at the younger less skilled ages we likely stop play even if the opponent is unware of how much danger they might be in!

I want to stress that if any CONTACT occurs this action moves to a DFK FOUL such as kicking and the misconduct of that action is graded as careless, reckless or excessive!

Quote Fifa Q&A
"32. A player plays in a dangerous manner raising his leg when the opponent tries to head the ball and makes contact with the opponent?s head. What action should the referee take?
He would award a direct free kick * or penalty kick."
end quote

I also want to point out that their can be USB thus show yellow card in the action even without contact and as an INDFK offence it CAN be considered for Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) if the circumstances are there, thus show a red card and send off per point 5 of the sending off offences!

Quote Fifa LAW 12Sending-Off Offences
"A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits the following offence:
5. denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player?s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick"
end quote

I als0 wish to make note that if two players from the same team engage in actions that endanger themselves by being unaware of the other we can restart with a drop ball if we stop play soley to prevent an impending collision or to restart after an injury . If that action was not inadvertant or likely contact involved but a deliberate USB or VC offence only then do we award the indfk to the opposition.

Quote Fifa Q&A
"2. While the ball is in play, two players of the same team commit unsporting behaviour or violent conduct towards each other on the field of play. What action does the referee take?
The referee cautions them or sends them off and restarts play with
an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the
offence occurred *. End quote
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Any of the actions you describe could be considered playing in a dangerous manner. In order for that to happen, there has to exsist 3 things, 1. The action has to be dangerous even if only to the player performing the action, 2. There must be an opponent nearby ( remember, fouls are ONLY against opponents). 3. the biggie, an opponent has to be somehow disadvanteged by the action.