Question Number: 16247

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/8/2007

Dave Wu of new york, us asks...

so i was reffing a U11 competitive game and the a player took a shot on the goalie and he yelled "I GOT IT!" while there were there other attacking players around him. The coaches of the attacking team started freaking out and started yelling at me.

In the Laws of the game there's no such rule.

But i did hear about deceiving a player is unsporting behaviour is a foul and a yellow card.

Did i make the write decision to the let the play go? Also what is the actual "rule" of this?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Well, did he get it? I don't see anything uncommon or untoward in the keeper's cry. He's not sneaking up on anyone from behind and shouting to distract them, which can be cautioned, and should certainly be mentioned at any rate to the player, by the referee. And any attacker who thinks a goalkeeper is not going to go for any ball inside his penalty area and claim it deserves to be distracted. The shout was surely not meant to deceive an opponent - I don't see the harm anywhere. If it had been an attacker inside the goal mouth behind the keeper shouting and making noises as a teammate shoots, well, then yes, that is in the realm of "you can't do thats" and should be cautioned as unsporting behavior. Or a defender who sneaks up behind an attacker and yells "Leave it" or "Mine" isn't playing in a very sporting manner and should be dealt with promptly. Would recommend you check out the USSF publication, Advice to Referees, available online or for purchase in hard copy for further reading on this issue. Check out the 12.28.1 section on unsporting behavior. I think you did the right thing here.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Ref Maloney writes about you doing well, you did. I think one other thing needs a mention...

"The coaches of the attacking team started freaking out and started yelling at me."

Where in the Laws of the Game does it mention this as something they are permitted to do. No Place I know of. Team officials are mentioned in two places in the Laws:

International FA Board Decision 2 of Law 3 and Law 5, Powers and Duties. Law 3 tells them to stay in the technical area and allows one to give tactical instructions. Law 5 allows the referee to expel them if they act irresponsibly.

Yelling at you is telling you how to do your job, you are not one of their players so their offering you tactical instructions is not permitted. Freaking out implies acting in a manner where self control is not evident, isn't that irresponsible behaviour?

Good on you for allowing play to continue. Not so good for accepting the coach's diatribe. That needs fixing.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Dave,
This myth is ingrained because tactically the action is not sound rather than truly unfair! You will often hear, "Put a name to it!? this is a communication between teammates not a deception to mess with an opponent.

The free speech declaration that *YOU* are the player attempting to play the ball is simply warning your team-mates to stand down, get clear, look to open space and be prepared to support you in your efforts.

Now to say RICHARD?S ball in a crowd is better than "I got it!" simply because of the proximity of others including opponents.

Keeper yells "keeper!" is a warning to his defenders that he will take responsibility to gather in the ball so get the blankety blank out of the way!

A ball headed into touch and a teammate says "Let it go!"
He is saying you are compromised lets take the restart throw, corner or goal kick

A ball coming towards two team-mates one says "Mine!"
He wants the ball hopefully because he is in the best position to play it!

The point is what is said may not be as important as how or why!
I scream my name or any words DIRECTLY onto the ear of an opponent it is no different if I scream Arrrrgh! It was unsporting, done to mess with my opponent and such is cautionable.

I go up in a crowd and call my name to indicate to my team mates I will attempt to play this ball that is legitimate communication and not a deception or unfair action.

The Coaches need to be better informed as to what constitutues acceptable and reasonable behaviour. As referee you have the right to remind them (use the captain to relay your concerns) and even remove them if they fail to do so! Tactically the coach should teach the keeper to use the single word "keeper" as his communication because it is MORE effective not more legal!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

First, regardless of your correctness, the coaches should have kept their mouths shut and you should have admonished them. As you rightly state, there is no Law prohibiting any player from yelling "mine" or "I got it". A player may not yell ANYTHING that is devised to decieve or disadvantage an opponent. I have noticed over the years that my cohorts from Britain tend to think the mere yelling is Unsporting Behavior. the "rule" that you ask for is simply this: if a player yells something at an opponent that obviously decieves or disadvantages that opponent, then that player is guilty of unsporting behavior and should be cautioned and shown the yellow card.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Keep up the good work! The keeper is doing this as part of the flow of the game. This is not against the Laws of the Game.