Question Number: 16745

Law 15 - Throw In 9/17/2007

RE: 2 Adult

alan gordon of liverpool, uk asks...

can a player stand directly in front of a player taking a throw in practicly on the line thank you

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alan,
2 meters is now the law! Only obtuse former dingers are failing to heed this one! Step away mate or yee be cautioned!
Cheers

Read other questions answered by Referee Richard Dawson

View Referee Richard Dawson profile

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The Law mandates a specific distance these days. Before a player could stand and now move about to "intimidate" without facing discipline. The International FA Board was of the mind the only reason a player took such a position was to interfere with the restart. They mandated a distance of 2 M. Still if a player dances about and gesticulates the referee MUST go to his notebook. If there is only a failure to respect the required distance AND it interferes we can caution for that as well. Few referees had the courage to caution the dancing and that same few will deal with the FRD.

For me trying to find a referee with courage may or may not be something I would try, especially if I carried a booking in that match or was riding 4 bookings in a league that sat me down a match on my 5th. When I played I smelled really bad, but never bad enough to justify an early bath...

Regards,

Read other questions answered by Referee Chuck Fleischer

View Referee Chuck Fleischer profile

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

They need to be 2 meters from the thrower. Otherwise its failing to respect the requiered distance which is a caution.

Read other questions answered by Referee Ben Mueller

View Referee Ben Mueller profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 16745
Read other Q & A regarding Law 15 - Throw In

Soccer Referee Extras: Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.

Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer

Offside Question?
Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site ar

e welcomed! <>