Question Number: 15331

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/30/2007

RE: Competitive Under 13

Sarah of Wichita, Kansas USA asks...

I'm 14 and have been refereeing for about a year. In a game last week, I was centering for a boys U12 game. A minute or two before half time, there was a situation where one player was making a play for a free ball and pushed off hard on another team's approaching player with his elbows extended. The other team's player was coming in fast and made contact with the first player's body rather than the ball. In the speed of the game, it seemed to me that both players fouled at about the same time, at about an equal level. I didn't know what to do, so I just said "Play On", and didn't call anything. Of course, both sidelines were yelling for a foul against the other team. Looking back, I wish I would have made a call because the game was beginning to get more physical and I want to keep control. What do you do in those times? Play on? Just choose to call one player and stick with it? Call on both sides and have a dropped ball? What is so frustrating is that the game doesn't ever stop so you can think these things through in the moment.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Sarah when you said "Play on" you told the players you have seen foul play and you are invoking the advantage clause. You meant to say "I'm not stopping for this" didn't you.

FIFA have written a number of questions and answers that are available through their website on the same page as the Laws of the Game. In there is this one thing that would have helped you if your league had a reasonable referee education program. It comes from Law 5 Questions and Answers

14. While the ball is in play, two opposing players commit offences at the same time. What action does the referee take?

He stops the play, and depending on the offences, cautions or sends
off the players, or takes no disciplinary action. The match will be
restarted by a dropped ball, from the place where the ball was when
the offences were committed.

Amazing thing is this is exactly what happened to you! Another thing that the referee may consider is this, from Law 12:

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player
commits any of the following four offences:

tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball

Granted, it's hard to think about these things when they happen, that's why referees are expected to attend training sessions where some of these things may be discussed without the heat of battle forcing incorrect action. If there is no training available to you get copies of Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game and FIFA's Q&A 2006 and study them. You can also keep asking us for any assistance you need, who knows we might even have an answer that helps you out..

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Sarah,
In my opinion, "PLAY ON!" on is the last part of a realized advantage signal where you HAVE in fact claimed to see a foul but chose to allow play because the player failed to do what it was intended which was to halt play or recover the ball. Both teams were likely miffed as you noted! They likely thought you did see a foul and chose to do nothing rather then see two fouls simultaneously and were uncertain how to proceed.

Ref Fleischer has guided you to the appropriate Q&A which could have been used as a solution! You are to be commended in post game analysis for reviewing and seeking alternate ways to resolve match decisions. you might take pride in the fact you had the correct decision (Call on both sides and have a dropped ball?) as a possible solution in your own self analysis.

You know better for next time but remember one player often is the lead in foul even on a close retaliation! And if you witness a foul then retaliation it is not a drop ball for a simultaneous fouls but misconduct after a foul. The retaliation is still cautionable or send off depending on the severity of the act! Cheers