Question Number: 15326

Law 7 - Match Duration 4/30/2007

RE: Competitive Under 14

Steve of Vero Beach, FL USA asks...

I was an AR in a tournament game this weekend. The green team was ahead 1 - 0 late in the second half. After the FYSA mandated water break, the Coach of the green team began to substitute on every stoppage, 1 player at a time. Since this was a tournament, the referee instructions were to NOT add on time to keep the tournament on track. This was a 1st round game and was limited to 30 min halves by ROC.

The players being substituted were always on the far side of the field and each substitution took 20 - 30 seconds.

It appeared to me, that the Green Coach was wasting time. The CR also felt that way, but did not think there was any way to control this under ROC (free substitutions). The CR finally stopped the "abuse" by dissallowing a sustitution in the last 2 mins. he claimed the girl was not at the mid-line in time (somewhat of a stretch). Play continued and the green team won the match 1 - 0.

This seems to violate the spirit of fair play. Is there any way for a CR to control such a situation and avoid the wasting of time?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Certainly the coach of Green was using up time - because the rules of the competition allowed him to do so without recourse. When those who organize the tournament decide that the Holy Schedule is more important than Fair Play, the ref is left with little he can do. Finding spurious excuses to not allow the substitution is one way. The player coming off the field should be instructed to leave at the closest point of the sidelines, even if that's on the "wrong side" of the field. And if the player coming off deliberately slows things down after being told to hustle, he can be cautioned for delaying the restart of play. Coach of Green will really like that!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

We have offered this opinion regarding a tournament rule that denies the referee the ability, afforded in Law 7, to allow for time lost. Because this is not one of the five things listed on page three that are allowed to be modified tournament rules may not change what Law 7 states. The referee should not accept this. He either does not accept the match or adds time as required in Law 7.

A coach that substitutes to use time must do so exactly in accordance with Law 3. Should there be a deviation from the procedure the substitution will be made at the next opportunity. If the referee is informed before the proposed substitution, the substitute is properly attired and ready to enter the change may not be refused. If there are delays in leaving the field, delays in the substitute entering or delays in restarting play once the substitute has entered the referee may deal with this as the misconduct it is.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I hate these situations and I've always felt like my hands were tied. What Ref Fleischer suggests is good advice. I've also gone suddenly deaf to requests from one team when they have been abusing subs.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Steve,
Tournament schedules restrict referees in terms of match duration. What follows is my opinion, my solution
The substitution process is followed to the letter.
A referee could layout the procedures out if the tournament rules accept what FIFA in law allows for but starting and ending on time is a concern! Even if a written format for that tournament was handed out
The slightest deviation and the warning this is cautionable misconduct is verbalized by the referee who could ask
Please do it this way thank you!
Next, I told you NOT to do that!
Third will be a caution as this is like persistent infringement
I can guarantee the players subbing will be in full sprint mode and the coach will see how risky a tactic like subbing whenever one can, might be useless unless prepared to follow the letter of law since the spirit was in fact dismissed once the coach decided to go down this road.

I do however, caution all referees not to think they can prevent a legal substitution. Tactically it is a team's right and as long as the laws are being followed, allowed if that is what the player's wish to do!
Note this FIFA Q&A law 5 #6.
A player who is about to be replaced refuses to leave the field of play.
What action does the referee take?
He allows play to continue as this does not come under his jurisdiction.

Referee discretion is not arbitrary justice but based on the needs of the team with the ball possession according to the letter and spirit within the laws.

Subs MUST be AT the halfway line BEFORE stoppage except in injury replacement situations this informs the referee and keeps the relentless cries of "SUB REF" to a minimum
-the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made;
-a substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee;
-a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match;
Subs can be allowed to enter at ANY stoppage but the referee discretion could allow for no advantage by the team without ball possession at that stoppage.

18. Must a player, who is being substituted, leave the field of play at the halfway line?
No.
But the players must do so FIRST (before their counter part sub can enter the field of play) and FAST (to avoid being cautioned for delay the restart) so nearest exit point be it touchline or goal line is fine!

Also if the players on the field with ball possession want to restart quickly again the referee could use discretion to not delay for the substitution in foul type restarts where a possible scoring or attacking opportunity is offered.


Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15415

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