Question Number: 15676

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/2/2007

RE: Select Under 14

Dave of Barrington, Illinois USA asks...

We were ahead, 4-3, with less than a minute remaining in the 2nd half. Our opponents, a very aggressive team, pulled the keeper up to mid-field as they made a mad scramble to tie the contest. One of our guys made a steal and was slightly ahead of 3 opponent players (including the keeper) at mid-field as he started a breakaway. Our player was probably the fastest player on the field, by the way. The 3 players made contact, taking our guy down from behind. The tackle, although clearly a violation, was not excessively violent, although it appeared to me that it was intentional. The ref whistled the play dead and issued a yellow card to the offender. I thought it should've been red, as a goal was probably imminent. The ref told our coach that the play happened too far out for the "last defender" aspect to be considered. Your thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Wow! In the referees opinion it must not have been DOGSO. It is hard to say as usually distance is a factor that contributes to this decision, but with NO DEFENDERS between attacker and goal, the distance could be a ways away and still be DOGSO. How about the angle of attacker to the goal. FIFA has instructed referees to consider the speed of attacker as well in relation to the defenders. Note that the intensity of the foul has nothing to do with it. Bottom line is that the referee called it. Now the second question is did he deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity. If the referee issued a yellow here, he did it for a reckless foul (intensity of foul) or because the foul stopped an attacking opportunity. Both of which are unsporting.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

From a spectator view point the "Last Defender" rule is huge and all encompassing. On the field as referee it is a myth. What we have to do is determine if an OBVIOUS goal scoring opportunity has been denied. Usually it hasn't! The referee must determine the number of opponents between the goal and the location of the event, the distance from the goal, the direction of movement and the distance to the ball from the fouled player. These four things weigh heavily in his decision and he must decide in an instant, alone and under great pressure.

On the touchline the spectators have the liberty of their myth, their numbers, time, and discussion about what happened before the restart.

Regards,