Question Number: 14851

Law 15 - Throw In 2/16/2007

RE: All Other

Johnny Mack of Tacoma, WA USA asks...

Throw in is taken. All criteria is met for a legal throw. Coach comes unglued because the player started to throw the ball in, stopped, reset, changed direction and then threw the ball in very slowly to a teamate located about two meters away. My opinion,legal throw. Whats your take? Johnny

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Johnny, you were the match referee, you thought this fact connected with play was not counter to the Law. The coach's glue failed. Did he get an early bath or did you continue to allow this behaviour?

Law 5: The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

Law 5 does not mention the coach, Law 3 does and it says:

Decision 2

A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position after giving these instructions. All officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

! Perfectly legal throw and the coach totally out of line!
Coach needs better glue, send him home to find some
If you allowed play to continue, good for you. If you warned the coach to close his beak, good for you if you were forced to stop play to deal with the coach he could be shown the early exit restart with a drop ball and again good for you!
FIFA Q&A LAW 5
11. A team offi cial is guilty of misconduct.
What action does the referee take?
He will send the offi cial from the technical area and its vicinity, behind the boundary fences (where such a fence exists). The referee will report his conduct to the appropriate authorities.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Why did the coach come unglued? Other than the fact that many coaches view a throw-in as being as important as a PK, I can't see anything wrong with this throw. I hope you at least told the coach to be quiet and behave himself.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes this is fine. All that matters is all part of law was met at moment ball was delivered. Players can do this as long as they are not delaying the restart of play ( in refs opinion)