Question Number: 17037

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/2/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Andy of Oxford, MI US asks...

This actually came up while I was playing a game rather than officiating, but my question is at what point does time wasting kick in when a keeper is retrieving a ball for a goal kick?

In the situation in question the team opposing us clearly realised they were up against a better team so when the ball went out for a goal kick their keeper took his good old time walking slowly to get to the ball. I am sure that over the game this added quite a bit of time, but the ref would not consider this time wasting and would not add time. His comment was "then send one of your player to get the ball". This was in the middle of a game, not near the end, but my contention is that the delay clearly stopped the flow and therfore penalised the attacking team by disrupting their rythm.

So my quesiton is "what is reasonable in terms of letting a keeper go and retrieve a ball for a GK, and what steps would you recommend be taken to keep the game flowing?"

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The ref should have added time rather than suggest that your player chase down the ball. If the team not taking the restart goes after the ball, it could lead to contention and provocation.

An easy way for the ref to put an end to this is to make it known he's adding time. "Hey Keep, I'm adding time. The longer it takes to put the ball in play, the longer we're staying here."

When teams attempt to illegally run out the clock like this, I'm inclined to add time generously.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee must add time. If he disciplines and doesn't add time he has contributed to the time wasting.

I go a bit farther than Ref Voshol in the time adding department, yes I add it generously unless the side not wasting time suddenly finds themselves with a winning goal. Full time just happens to come up as the ball makes its way from the goal to the center mark.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the keeper's team is losing, I wouldn't add time as it wouldn't be a benefit. If this is a closely contested game or the winning team is wasting time, then by all means add it.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee shall add time lost. If the referee is doing this, then it is not a problem.