Question Number: 15679

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/2/2007

RE: rec Under 15

Charles Sconyers of Hot Springs, AR USA asks...

Today we played against a team that had only 7 players. We had our full 11 +.
We offered the other team some of our players, but they declined. So now we played 7 v 7. My question is: If we had our complete 11 player team, could we not have played the other team 11 v their 7? What's the ruling in such a situation? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There may be some local custom that you voluntarily play down to the number of players the other team has. That certainly shows respect and sporting behavior to them.

What it does not do though, is show respect to your own team. Why should your players get less playing time because their team didn't get enough players to the game? I think your offer to lend some players to the other team would have been a great compromise. Everyone would get game time, everyone would get the opportunity to show and improve their skills.

The Laws of the Game are silent on the issue, except if the game goes to Kicks From The Penalty Mark to resolve a winner. Otherwise, as long as both teams have player numbers between minimum and maximum allowed (7 to 11 per FIFA), the game goes on.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Sure. They are required to have 7 to start. You cannot have more than 11. What you did was sporting but not required. Kudos to you!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Charles,
7 versus 11 meets the minimum start requirements. If the team accepted your offer then the match would likely be for fun which is fine but also could invalidate any result or league rules could declare they forfeit if it was a competative league! Nothing in law prevents your team from playing only 7 even if though you have EVERY right to play 11. I suppose if you had 14 players you could line swap and exhaust the opposition. But it poses difficulty for proper play time for the larger team. I am a bit of a prune perhaps but I see no real respect only a misplaced sense of duty to match 7 versus 7 when you have eager players waiting to play!
Cheers