Question Number: 15458

Law 5 - The Referee 5/12/2007

RE: competetive Adult

Patrick Rodas of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

If a player receives a head injury or is down with a serious injury, who is responsible for stopping the game?

1. The referee or

2. The players by deliberately kicking the ball out of play.

I have always been of the understanding that the referee has the power to stop the game at any time if neccesary.

Is this understanding correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 5 says the referee:

? stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and
ensures that he is removed from the field of play. An injured player
may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted
? allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in
his opinion, only slightly injured

Obvious head injuries, broken bones, bleeding, etc. are serious injuries. In youth games lesser injuries are considered to be serious. For the very youngest players, a "boo-boo" is a serious injury.

If a referee does not see an injury, the players are free to kick the ball out of play so the game stops, and the incident can be brought to the ref's attention.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee is if he feels the player is seriously injured. I get frustrated, as a referee, when players yell "kick it out" as if I am clueless as to the circumstance on the field. Law 5 states that the referee can shall stop the game if he believes the player is seriously injured or wait until next stoppage if player is only slightly injured.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

While it is sporting of the players, it is the responsibility of the referee to stop play for a serious injury.