Question Number: 15593

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/25/2007

RE: Under 12

john mather of falkland, fife scotland asks...

I was under the impression that to call for a ball without identifying yourself was illegal ie calling "leave it" or "mine"
This has led to a disagreement and I would welcome clarification.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Ref Voshol speaks of a tradition involving something being automatically unsporting. The tradition is something we hear in America from expats saying it is so there. We really don't know why they say that because referees there, at high levels, say to us it isn't so. They say that yelling to "put off" an opponent is taking unfair advantage and unsporting behaviour. Is what we hear from the expats a myth??

The field of play is filled with chatter and that's allowed. The occasional "leave it" or "my ball" is a lot different than "MINE" shouted behind an opponent. Footballers do not read minds so there must be some sort of communication to convey messages back and forth. They usually choose using their voices. Referees can't read minds but they can see the effect words have on opponents. If the referee sees words affect how the footballers play he might choose to intervene on behalf of a disadvantaged player.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

John, really this all depends. The main concern is if you're using your voice to unfairly distract an opponent who is playing or would otherwise have played the ball.

So, if you are a defender and you see an attacker is about to receive a pass from his teammate and you yell out "leave it!" to get the ball from the opponent, you have probably committed misconduct and you could be cautioned for unsporting behavior for this.

If you do the same action but to your teammate (with no opponent to deceive) then nothing wrong will have happened.

Using your name to call for the ball is probably the safest way to do what you're talking about, becuase no matter how you slice it - if you're using your own name to win the ball, it's hard to make a case that you were acting in an unsporting way.

Still, remember these types of infringments are all about context. You should be looking at -
What players are involved?
Where is the ball?
What is the likelihood that the players will receive the ball or be able to play it?
Did the remark do something unsporting to gain an unfair advantage and put the opponent off in some way.

Context is key here, remember that.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No. Not if it is just talking to a teammate. Then again if in the opinion of the referee it was done in an unsporting way, then it could. As Mr. Montanino states if you are using your voice to verbally distract an opponent, then it could be considered a cautionable offense.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There seems to be a tradition in the UK that calling "Mine" or "Leave it" is automatically unsporting, regardless if the opponents were deceived or not. Then, because issuing a caution for this dubious offense is too harsh, the referee simply stops play, tells the players to "put a name on it", and restarts with an IFK. Tradition - somebody cue Tevya.

The unsporting behavior is addressing an opponent, trying to make him think you're a teammate. The particular words or sounds you use are not the deciding factor. Suppose John the Attacker figures out that there is also a John the Defender. John A calls out "John's ball" so that John D's teammate ceases from play - thinking that John D made the call for the ball. Unsporting behavior, no? So even though John A "put a name on it", he should be cautioned for USB

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Myth of the game. Others have taken me to task but I can say with assurance that every referee and coach in the Atlanta area that comes from Great Britain believe this and are adamant about it. Any player that says or yells something that disadvantages an opponent or, in the opinion of the referee is trying to decieve an opponent, is guilty of misconduct. I will say this again: tell your players that if a referee calls this early on, make sure NOT to do it as the referee has decided it's unsporting behavior