Question Number: 16250

League Specific 8/8/2007

Kyle Kenney of ktown, Canada asks...

In the laws of mini soccer (U10 & U11)

it states.. "Players sent-off by the referee must be replaced by a team substitute."

In other words.. no matter who gets sent off, the team will never play a player short for this league? Am I right?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ask your league to be sure, but that's how it reads to me. Ain't it great when the powers that be mess with the Laws? I wonder what happens if they run out of subs.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It'll be a great shock when they go to full sided games and get tossed, huh? Of course, at that level, the focus is supposed to be on playing and touches on the ball along with team work and little focus on who wins or loses, thus it shouldn't matter if both teams stay full strength as long as they have subs. And, logically, I guess, if you are playing 8 or 6 a side and lose one, that a much greater loss than if you are playing 11 a side and lose one, percentage wise. I also wonder if the writers of the laws of mini-soccer mean the same thing about sent-off as we do under the genuine Laws of the Game?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

If that's what the rules say, then that's what the rules say. Though, I think it's rubbish. But, who am I to judge the laws of "mini soccer."

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

why organizations try to "protect" young players from some of the harsh realities of soccer is beyond me. SO I suppose if one of these little darlings hails off and punches an opponent he still gets to play in the next game. Nice