Question Number: 17295

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/13/2007

RE: Competitive Under 15

Nathan of Regina, Canada asks...

Okay, I've recently taken classes to become a referee and I have been given a situation; Two members of the same team have posession of the ball and one member throws a punch at the other. The other retaliates and fights back. The referee stops the play and gives them both red cards for violent offences. In a situation like this, how would a referee restart the play?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Restart with an indirect free kick for the opponents where the violent conduct took place subject to the Special Circumstances listed in Law 8.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Nathan, Ref Contarino gives the correct restart. I believe your referee instructor intends for you to read Law 12 and locate the reason the restart is what it is. Only then will you understand the why of this matter. Kindly locate the reason this is not a direct free kick and where in Law 12 is the supporting evidence for an indirect free kick. Both are there.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Nathan,
For what action did the referee actually stop play?
Ask yourself what things must be in effect for a foul? If you exclude the deliberate handling of a ball what is always present in any foul!
What is Misconduct?
If a referee stops play he must restart, so what are the options to restart?
A drop ball or a throw in or a form of a free kick of which there are two types a DFK (direct) or an INDFK(indirect) Understand that a goal kick or a corner kick or a kick off are all direct free kicks restarts from a specific point on the field for a specific reason but there are only 10 penal fouls which are also direct free kicks which could be upgraded into another free kick, a penalty kick. These also occur at a specific point on the field for a specific reason.
INDFK can occur for technical breeches of the law as well as infringements against a the game or an opposing team. The restart location can occur where the ball was or where the infraction is depending on circumstances.
Speaking of circumstances there are times when a free kick or drop ball location is covered by the Special Circumstances listed in Law 8 ? The Start And Restart of Play
A free kick awarded to the defending team inside its own goal area is taken from any point within the goal area.
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponents? goal area is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
A dropped ball to restart the match after play has been temporarily stopped inside the goal area takes place on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.


If you see the event then you act on what you see!
You see TEAM MATES!
The scenario seems to indicate the ball is in play!
Where does the incident occur?
It is implied although does not state on the field somewhere by saying they have the ball within their control.
Again your situation shows the referee has decided these two committed a sending off offence
Sending-Off Offences
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off and shown the red card if he is guilty of violent conduct. This is #2 on the list of 7 from Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct but is restated again in Law 5 The Referee takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences. He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play. He stopped play showed each team mate a red card, that team is now down to 9 men we must now restart.
Can it be a PK or DFK if not why not?
Can it be a drop ball if not why not
Can it be an INDFK if not why not?
What location is the restart from where the ball is or where the infringement was?

Note FIFA Q&A law 12 #2

While the ball is in play, two players of the same team commit unsporting behaviour or violent conduct towards each other on the fi eld of play. What action does the referee take?
The referee cautions them or sends them off and restarts play with
an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the
offence occurred *.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I would like you to read the book to learn the answer. Or just read our website's questions some more. You'll be able to figure it out on your own and you'll be an even better referee for it.