Question Number: 15591

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/24/2007

RE: Select Under 17

Bruce Petrick of Carrollton, TX USA asks...

Defending team ("D") employs several tactics to thwart quick restarts of attacking team ("A"). Early on, I make it clear that holding the ball, or kicking it away from the point of restart will not be tolerated, and that tactic is abandoned by team "D". Pursuant to the next foul whistled on team "D", team "A" player rushes towards the ball to take what could be a shot on goal. In response, a defender from team "D" rushes to place himself 1 yard from ball to prevent the shot. Player "A" stops & looks at me, at which time I instruct player "D" to give him 10. A few minutes later, a similar sequence occurs, at which time I tell player "D" that this is his team's last free warning, and that next time his team fails to respect the required distance, their player will be shown a yellow. Several minutes later, 2 players from team "D" rush forward to within several feet of the ball (stopped where the restart should be taken). Player "A" looks at me, I instruct the players to wait for my whistle before starting play and proceed to yellow card both players from team "D".

After the game, coach of team "D" respectfully offers that defenders are not customarily required to retreat 10 yards unless the attacking team petitions the center, and he grants their request. He further noted that carding defenders for failing to respect the required distance was used almost exclusively when the defenders did not retreat as instructed by the center. My response was, had they been near the ball at the time the foul was whistled, I would have allowed them reasonable time to retreat 10 yards, but since they came nearer to the ball after the whistle, as far as I am concerned, they are immediately guilty of failing to respect the required distance. Since this call is rarely made at select, competitive or pro levels, was my interpretation overly harsh?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Not at all - in fact you may have given them too much leeway. You tell us that team A would like to take a quick free kick and that could be a shot on goal. Team D, who have no rights at a free kick, have repeatedly interfered with team A's right to take this kick. Team D is required to retreat the distance.

Next, you warn them that you will tolerate no more, but insist on testing you again and you follow through with your ultimatum. They can't say they haven't been warned.

The attackers do not have to ask for 10 to get 10. It's clear from your description that they were trying to slow down the opponents through unfair means. This is misconduct and must be punished accordingly. If they commit a foul, why should they enjoy the added benefit of retreating 11 players behind the ball to defend too through illegal means?

Good for you for showing these players the yellow card. Perhaps if you pull the card sooner - the defenders would stop failing to respect the required distance sooner. Just a thought.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As usual, this coach has no understanding of the Law. Opponents are REQUIRED to give the 10 yards. Where in the Law does it say a referee has to TELL them to do this? Here is exactly what Law 12 says under cautionable offences. 5. fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in. The only advice I have to give you is to give NO free warnings especially at U17 Select. Players at this age should know what the Law is and they also know by watching television that they probably can get away with these tactics. You, in my opinion, should have issued a caution right off and nip that in the bud. When approached by a coach, simply tell him that this is one of the myths of the games and then quote law 12 to him. I've had the exact same problem with players/coaches at all age levels and now simply issue a caution and verbally explain what they did was against the rules and not to do it again.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

When you attempted to make it clear by using words it had no effect as evidenced by it happening three more times. After the match you listen to a coach tell you how to referee, in a most respectful manner. Aha.

In the beginning you speak of tactics to thwart quick restarts. You identify this!! You speak of failing to respect the required distance. You have seen two cautionable events and have failed to caution the players involved. Is this correct so far?

Here's what I do. FIRST time I walk up to the player and ask if his coach told him to do this. Then before he answers I say you are being cautioned because you have failed to respect the required distance, do you understand. Before he has a chance to answer I then ask "May have your name please?". Then I start writing. Once his name, number, time of the incident and the note "FRD" is in my book the book goes back into my pocket and the yellow card is displayed. The player is told to retire the required distance, lo and behold he finds 10 yards. If he can't find it I show him 12-13 yards and tell him next time it will be back there and that's at least 10 yards as the Law requires. I also let him know further violations will result in him being cautioned again.

First time. Bring out the nuclear weapons! Life gets so much easier then.

Regards,