Question Number: 15056

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/28/2007

RE: Rec Under 18

Andrew of Canberra, Australia asks...

An attacker strikes a defender just outside the penalty area. The referee does not see it but the AR does and raises the flag. The referee does not see the raised flag and the ball is cleared up field and play continues. While the ball is still in play the referee at last sees that the AR flag is raised. The AR also signals that he wants to talk to the ref. The ref blows the whistle to stop play and goes over to the AR to see what he wants. After their discussion he sends off the attacker for violent behaviour on the advice of the AR.

My question is what and where is the restart and where do I find this in law?

Is it dropped ball from where ball was when play was stopped or indirect free kick from place of incident or direct free kick from place of incident.

Ref gave indirect free kick from place of incident.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

See Law 12. Striking is a direct free kick foul. In this case it also happened to be misconduct - but it is still a foul. The restart should have been a DFK from where the striking occurred. The IFK restart for misconduct applies only when it is purely misconduct, with no foul involved.

If there was no misconduct involved - if it was only a simple foul - the AR could lower his flag once the ball was cleared out and let play continue. The way the ball got to midfield (via continuing play or via the DFK) doesn't matter; the result is the same.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

We restart with a dfk from the location where the striking occurred. Also, both AR's need to mirror each other to get referees attention quicker. On a VC, I would expect that AR to be screaming to get the referees attention.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You stopped play for a foul (striking an opponent). The restart is a DFK from where the action took place since the player was not inside the penalty area ans was on the field of play. The AR should have been screaming bloody murder and the other AR mirroring. You should ALWAYS tell your ARs at your pergame to get your attention however necessary if something like VC needs to be addressed.