Question Number: 16954

Law 3 - Number of Players 9/28/2007

RE: Rec Under 14

Mark of Elkins, WV US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16907

So, just to double check on my question about EITHER team substituting on throw ins, corner kicks, goal kicks and dead balls. Can EITHER team request a substitution? That seems to be what Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Contarino are saying. However Mr. Montanino & Mr. Fleischer may be indicating that either team can in fact substitute. I truly appreciate your time and clarification.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Mark,
FIFA says at any stoppage.
Anyone can sub at any stoppage! Law 3 is specifically allowed to be altered for youth matches, over 35 etc.. The local league can institute restrictions such as only on certain restarts, only on their ball possession or if the other team is subbing as well! They may even limit how many can sub at a time!

The substitute procedure requires those who are legally able to enter and replace a player are already at the midline ahead of any stoppage after having been checked over. Often a cursory check pre-match start is all that is required but if a 4th or AR is designated or the referee requires then subs must inform and receive permission.. For me substitutes standing at the midline is my visual signal that team wishes to sub at the next opportunity. In fact if they are there and I signal for a substitution to commence after a stoppage and the team does not want to I could caution them for delaying the match. In other words do NOT be there unless you are ready to sub!

Youth leagues generally have unlimited sub opportunity and multiple entry, so it is important that the sub process take place efficiently and with due diligence by all parties so as not to use up the playing time unnecessarily or unfairly. Quick restarts by the team with ball possession could certainly be taken in favor of the opposition needing a substitution. It is important to note referees do not have to allow a substitution that has not followed the required protocol but have no right to deny a legal substitution. The league or association policy on subs is what you require to determine just what tweaks are required for the referee to follow if the FIFA braodswipe of referee discrestion and opportunity are not followed!!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Mark. Let me clarify. in MOST STATES in youth soccer, a team may substitute at it's own throw in, ANY goal kick, ANY injury, ANY caution, ANY kick-off. So, other than on a throw-in, EITHER team may request a substitution. I also siad that there is a movement to change this and go in line with FIFA rules where EITHER team may request a substitution at ANY stoppage. I hope this is clear and apologize if my previous answer was not clear.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Bottom line Mark teams don't request a substitution at a stoppage. They notify the referee they wish to substitute a player. The referee sees to the when the substitution happens and if it is instantly or five minutes from now it will be done. In each youth league there may be differences as to when substitutions may be made, check with the league[s] in which you referee to be sure. Then follow exactly the procedure in Law 3.

Regards,