Question Number: 15201

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/16/2007

RE: Rec Under 15

James of Louisville, KY USA asks...

On direct kicks, when one or two defending players deliberately stand just one or two yards away from the ball knowing that they are going to be asked to be moved back ten yards in an effort to delay the restart of play, should they be cautioned for this?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Well, the technical answer is yes they should, they are in violation of Law 12 by failing to respect the required distance at the taking of a free kick.

The practical answer is maybe, the pro-active referee will see that this is taking place and they should verbally order the encroaching players back by saying something like "Back up gentlemen!" or "10 yards please, ladies!" This is a less intrusive way to deal with the problem and it doesn't prohibit the team taking the free kick from putting the ball into play at any time they choose. Once the referee gets involved to caution the player(s) this action prevents a quick free kick as play would not be able to restart until you signal. Of course, the moment the attakers ask for your help then you can get in there and make the offenders get back the 10 yards.

That's not to say you still can't caution, if this is the 3rd or 4th time that team has done this and you've already spoken to them about it, you may want to caution the defenders to say "here is the line in the sand, you've put one foot across it by acting this way, becareful you don't bring the other foot across too."

Just remember but if you let the free kick happen you've lost your chance to caution the defenders.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes..they should. They did not respect the requiered distance on a free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Absolutely! This kind of tactic should not be tolerated. Coaches actually teach their players to do this as most referees for some strange reason chosse to merely tell the players to move.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Right James, here is what you say: "two defending players deliberately stand just one or two yards away from the ball knowing that they are going to be asked to be moved back ten yards in an effort to delay the restart of play".

Looking at Law 12, Cautionable Offences items 4 and 5 state:

Quote

4. delays the restart of play

5. fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in

End Quote

Is not your statement confirmation of a player failing to respect the required distance AND delaying the restart of play? Here, by you saying this, the referee MUST, also have the opinion one or the other or both of the cautionable offences has happened. At that point the referee has no option in what to do. The player[s] MUST be cautioned! Again from Law 12, Cautionable Offences:

Quote

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences:

End Quote.

You state the player is THERE to delay the restart. If the referee fails to deal with this the free kick the delaying side has just given up ceases to be a free kick, it becomes a restart of play after they're ready to defend. See the point?

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi James,
I find that newer referees or old ones with bad habits are incapable of man managing situations at dead balls effectively.
There are those that claim if we manage the players effectively there will be no need to show cards at all!
There are those who use cards as if there was an unlimited sale on at wall mart.
Some say we must get something if we show a card!
Others say we must set a standard if we show a card so it means something.

The essential truth is what NEED is best served by showing a card to a player? Actually the card is more for everyone else, the caution or the send off is what concerns the player and the reason for the card to be shown.

I tend to encourage the grass root referee to show a yellow card quicker and more often in these situations to be able to LATER deal with the gamesmenship once they see how effective actually applying the laws can be. You state clearly these players are there to further cheat their opponents from further play after already fouling them or infringing on the laws of the game. Allow no distractions, the observance of allowing the offending team its basic right to restart is now taken up with dealing with the two clowns that want you to do just that delay the restart hope the opponets request ten yards to gather time to set a wall and get back into position! You might roar "Ten yards now!" at the start of any lollygagging about the ball on a restart and unless we see them scatter like the wind a bright yellow sunny card will certainly ensure that next time!
Cheers