Question Number: 15747

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/10/2007

RE: Rec Under 13

Tak of Irvine, CA USA asks...

I was a coach and parent of Team A and the coach from Team B habitually kept calling for substitutions whenever our team had a throw in at an attacking position and Team B was very slow and tired to return to their own defensive end, (5 minutes remaining in match). This gave Team B time enough to re-group and for their defenders to set up into position. The CR allowed these substitutions citing that there is a "stoppage in play," however by the 5th or 6th time, I ask if "possession" during these requests could be considered and inquired if Team B's substitutions could be denied for its misuse. No adjustments were made by the CR and the match finish in a 1-1 tie to go into PKs. How can this be solved at a practical level? When I CR my next game, I intend to deny any request for substitution when the requesting team does not have possession of the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

No, no; you must not do this. The referee who yielded to this coach was weak. He did not understand the letter of Law 3 and because of that he did what the coach wanted. The referee must allow a substitute at any stoppage [unless modified by the competition authority]. HOWEVER if the referee has not coordinated this substitution beforehand it will not happen. Further, allowing a substitution to kill off an attack is a referee induced delays the restart of play. You are better served by clearly understanding the substitution procedure as written in Law 3. Follow the procedure and when the players delay the restart AND a substitute is requested, NOT demanded, allow it. There is always the next stoppage to substitute. There is always time to add for the coach trying to waste it. There is always disciplinary sanction available for a coach who chooses to bring The Game into disrepute.

The Law is there are you are there to enforce it, do so.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Tak, before you do ANYTHING, check and see what your local rules are. In MOST states, there are NOT substtuitions at any stoppage in youth soccer. If they're allowed at any stoppage where you live, you MUST honor that. SImply add time to the end of the game and if the coach does not have his players ready at the center line to come onto the field then wait until the next stoppage. I'd be willing to bet you will find your area has specifically prescribed times for substitutions, not just at any stoppage.