Question Number: 15657

Law 3 - Number of Players 5/30/2007

RE: Competitive Adult

Phil Wearmouth of sydney, NSW Australia asks...

The ball goes out of play for a throw-in to my team. We make a substitution, and the sub coming on takes the throw-in. Does this constitute him entering the field of play?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Technically no. He must actually be physically on the field - at least one toe breaking the outside edge of the touchline - before he may take part in play, including a throw-in.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No he should enter the field first and then throw it in.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. He must first step onto the field of play and then off to take the throw

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Not only must the substitute step onto the field of play but you must demand he do it. A throw-in is taken by a player of the team opposite that having last touched the ball. A substitute becomes a player when the referee gives permission to enter the field of play and he enters at the halfway line. This slight error makes the match protestable!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

A substitute must enter from the midline AFTER the player he replaces has left. I attended a protest disciplinary committe where a goal was scored by this very idea. The substuitute had grabbed the ball and quickly tossed it to an open team mate for a breakaway goal. While the error could be overlooked as trivial if there was no real issue with the restart as to regular play. An advantagous throw done correctly but by an incorrect person resulting in a goal is hard to overlook! .
The result was recinded and the match replayed!