Question Number: 15718

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/6/2007

RE: Competitive Under 15

Peter of Ottawa, Ontario Canada asks...

What is the penalty for having too many players on the field? Is it an indirect kick?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The penalty is that the extra players are cautioned and told to exit the field until they may be properly substituted in.

If play must be stopped to deal with this, then the restart is an indirect free kick for the opponents. If play is already stopped when the extra player is discovered, then the restart is for the reason play had previously stopped. The exception to that is if the team with too many had just scored an apparent goal. Then the goal is disallowed, and the restart is an IFK on the 6-yard line of the goal area, not a kickoff.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Peter,
my colleague REf Voshol has it wrapped only remember that policy of unlimited subs and single referees can create an imbalance not always the fault of the extra player. So cautions recommended can at times not truly fit the circumstances.

I once called on three subs but only two players left. A player headed to the "john" on the opposite dside of the technacal area was in the same vicinity as the two players leaving I incorrectly deduced three players had left.
I am a zealot as to substitution proceedures must be followed and adhered to to prevent issues but circumstances can conspire. My explicit directions to the players which was when leaving the field on a legal substitution exchange raise your hand as you step off the field anywhere closets point so i can identify you as a player who left before I signal your replacement sub on at centre !
You guessed it the player off to the biffy was waving to his mom on the touchlines. Best laid plans! sheesh!
On 1st AND 2nd half kick offs it is a very very good idea to count players before starting.
If both teams have too many a drop ball would suffice and remove the extra people. Seen it only twice in fifty years! not me either!
Cheers