Question Number: 15529

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/19/2007

RE: travel teams Under 17

dee of middletown, nj usa asks...

Caution for not avoiding contact? U16B. Contributing factor (slick wet grass). Red Goalie scoops up a loose ball and then stands still as he watches a White attacker slide (visualize a water slide) into his legs when previously I've seen miraculous gymnastics throughout the game by all parties. Goalie takes a stumble, but does not loose his footing or the ball. My instincts tell me contact was wholly avoidable by both the goalie and by the attacker. I went with a caution to the attacker, but felt the goalie was "looking" for a foul.

Is there justification to caution the goalie in this instance? Dangerous play or actions to draw a foul.

I know that a player can stand still on the grass at will, but is there cause to caution a player for dangerous play when they don't make an effort to avoid collision?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There is no caution for "dangerous play". Playing in a dangerous manner is an indirect free kick offense. The caution would be for unsporting behavior for a reckless foul.

Without being there to see it, it sounds like this challenge was reckless. The onrushing attacker totally ignored the conditions of the day - slippery wet grass - and fouled the goalkeeper with his slide.

Whether the goalkeeper could jump out of the way or not is immaterial. I'm not sure why he wouldn't want to preserve his body parts, but you know these kids at this age think they are both immortal and invincible. Remember, Law 12 says, "A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
? kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
? trips or attempts to trip an opponent
..."
If the goalkeeper jumped out of the way, the "attempts to" part applies, and so would the reckless nature of the offense.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The goalkeeper is not at fault here! The player sliding on a rain soaked field has not exercised due caution, or is careless. If that player kicks or attempts to kick, trips or attempts to trip, charges, pr pushes an opponent it is a direct free kick against him. If the referee is of the opinion the slide was reckless then a caution will accompany the direct free kick. If the force used over and above that necessary to win the ball and places the goalkeeper in danger then a sending-off is going to accompany the direct free kick.

The way you, as referee, may deal with sliding in an uncontrolled fashion on a wet pitch is to find all those sliding guilty of recklessly attempting to trip. This is a caution and a direct free kick. Soon players will figure out sliding on the floor gets them noticed in a less than enviable way and stay on their feet. You may do this without warning... Remember one caution for this means all who do it are cautioned!! It will be thought of as overly harsh and officious but it is better than being thought of as a referee who cautions a goalkeeper for getting kicked and knocked over...

Regards,