Question Number: 17231

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/10/2007

RE: AYSO Under 11

Scott Anderson of Stevenson, WA USA asks...

This occured in a U-10 AYSO game.
Player from team A, while attempting to gain control of the ball, falls to the ground. His sole opponent from Team B now has the advantage (because he is still standing), attempts control. He also falls to the ground, tangling with the Team A player that is still on the ground. Players from both teams are now starting to congregate around the fallen players, all trying to gain control of the ball, which is still tangled with the 2 fallen players.
Ordinarily, if a fallen player stays on the ground (without a concentrated effort to get up)and still trys to play the ball, I would call dangerous play on the fallen player, and award an IDFK to the opposing team. In this case, I felt that both players where A)in danger from the potential mob of U10 and B)equally guilty of dangerous play.
I whistled the play dead, and restarted immediately with a drop ball.
Was this the right call?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

When a player is on the floor all by himself and tries to play the ball where, pray tell, is the danger in that? When two players are on the floor and both are kicking the ball AND NOT each other, where, pray tell, is the danger in that? Granted there is the potential for danger and playing a dangerous manner is something to consider. Please direct your attention to Paragraph 12.13 of Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.

Playing "in a dangerous manner" can be called only if the act, in the opinion of the referee, meets three criteria: the action must be dangerous to someone (including the player committing the action), it was committed with an opponent close by, and the dangerous nature of the action caused this opponent to cease active play for the ball or to be otherwise disadvantaged by the attempt not to participate in the dangerous play. Merely committing a dangerous act is not, by itself, an offense (e.g., kicking high enough that the cleats show or attempting to play the ball while on the ground). Committing a dangerous act while an opponent is nearby is not, by itself, an offense. The act becomes an offense only when an opponent is adversely and unfairly affected, usually by the opponent ceasing to challenge for the ball in order to avoid receiving or causing injury as a direct result of the player's act. Playing in a manner considered to be dangerous when only a teammate is nearby is not a foul. Remember that fouls may be committed only against opponents or the opposing team.

In judging a dangerous play offense, the referee must take into account the experience and skill level of the players. Opponents who are experienced and skilled may be more likely to accept the danger and play through. Younger players have neither the experience nor skill to judge the danger adequately and, in such cases, the referee should intervene on behalf of their safety. For example, playing with cleats up in a threatening or intimidating manner is more likely to be judged a dangerous play offense in youth matches, without regard to the reaction of opponents.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You have 9 year old. unskilled players about to hurt each other trying to get the ball. This may be one of the rare times I think whistling and restarting with a dropped ball is a good idea. You recognized a need to deal with something that was affecting the safety of the players.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Interesting to note the act of simultaneous fouls by opposing players is broached and considered as theoretically possible and in fact a drop ball is a listed restart in the Q&A.

Under LAW 5 #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.

Whether there was an actual foul or infringement first, followed by more by the other or a continuous series of careless indiscretions joined by the other at some point. It is a fact of play which you as referee of the match decide. The decision is uncontestable; your reputation is being made!

Falling and lying on top of the ball for an unreasonable amount of time is not necessarily PIADM it is in fact unsporting behavior and cautionable (show a yellow card) and as such an INDFK!

PIADM (playing in a dangerous manner) has some basic criteria which as listed by fellow colleague Ref Fleischer is interpreted as a need to act quicker at the younger ages. As their skill and understanding of consequences is based on the cognitive abilities to comprehend and control actions.
Cheers