Question Number: 16860

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/24/2007

RE: REC Under 17

A W of Nashville, TN United Staes asks...

Is grabbing a player's jersey and thereby impeding a player's progress a direct or indirect free kick?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No. In order for a player to be punished for impeding the progress of an opponent the player committing the foul can not initiate any contact with the opponent. In this case the player would be guilty of holding, which is a direct free kick offense.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Grabbing a jersey is holding NOT impeding the pregress of an opponent and is punishable by a direct free kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

No. Grabbing a jersey is holding, and the player doing the holding could be cautioned and shown the yellow card for unsporting behavior as well.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It is permissible to exchange jersies after a match. Trying to do so during the match is frowned upon because it is a form of holding and that is a direct free kick offence.

Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In addition, a few years back this was one of the emphases that are passed down from FIFA and IFAB, directing refs to crack down on it. We were told that blatant holding, including the jersey, was definitely to be sanctioned with a caution for unsporting behavior.

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