Question Number: 16574

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/6/2007

RE: Competitive Under 14

Greg of Boise, ID United States asks...

Referee stops play because two players on opposite teams start exchanging punches, away from the ball. Referee sends off both players. What is the proper restart? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Punching is striking. Striking is a direct free kick foul. The restart is a DFK, at the site of the foul.

You didn't ask, but I presume you want to know in which direction the kick would go. That depends on who threw the first punch. The first punch was the foul; all other punches after that were misconduct. Or maybe there was something that preceded the punching that was a foul. Whatever the referee determines as the first foul, determines the direction of the free kick - for the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

That depends why the referee stopped play. The player that the referee saw throw the first punch is going to be the team that is not awarded the dfk. As Mr. Voshol states, the foul occurred on the first strike and after that everything was misconduct.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Greg,
ONLY if the referee can not actually determine who started the fight or who fouled who first is a dropball is permissable.
14. While the ball is in play, two opposing players commit offences at the same time. What action does the referee take?
He stops the play, and depending on the offences, cautions or sends
off the players, or takes no disciplinary action. The match will be
restarted by a dropped ball, from the place where the ball was when
the offences were committed. Cheers