Question Number: 17332

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/15/2007

RE: U-12 Rec Under 12

Amy of San Andreas, CA USA asks...

How does a referee determine if a player is faking an injury?

Specific situation - 5 minutes left in a very rough, tied game - few fouls called during the match, contact is increasing. Player A (forward) is taking the ball downfield & Player B (defender) attempts to steal ball - players running alongside one another, player A trips ( a lot of contact but no foul called) & stays down. After a minute the Ref reluctantly whistles play to a stop because player A is still down. Ref goes over to player A (who is still down) & tells him "Don't play this game with me, I can tell you're faking." BTW, this was the first time this player had been not gotten right back up so it was not a matter of repeated acts. Team was playing a man down already & player got up shortly & continued to play. Am I wrong to think that the Ref had no right to accuse this player of faking in this situation? Without it being a repeated incident, how would a Ref determine a player was faking? Some kids can take more a of a beating than others - doesn't mean they're faking, just more sensitive.

On another note..
Just minutes later, player B charged straight into player A while he was standing in front of the goal receiving a pass. The ball was between them, contact was made when player B ran through the ball, knocking player A flat on his back. The referee calls the Coach out & tells him to remove the player (one of his permanent teeth had been loosened by the blow). No foul was called. Seems like the contact was excessive - player B reached the ball before reaching player A. No attempt was made to stop before running into him face first & ball had already been kicked away. Is this legal?

Thanks for your input.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is always tough but I agree this referee should have kept his mouth shut. If he believed the player took a dive he should caution him. The times I am most sure are instances where I clearly see lack of contact or very little contact and great embellishment worthy of the Italian National Team. Recently I stopped play for what looked like a serious injury. Player went down, grabbed his ankle screaming. The second I stopped play he hopped up and started to run off right into the yellow card I had for him.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Well when a referee cautions a player for simulation and shows a yellow card for the USB of deceit he has basically shouted out to all this player is a low down cheat! It is why we need to be sure not doubtful or I think or maybe but POSITIVE the player was not nicked or fell in an ordinary way and we missed something.

A tired player catches a nip on the ankle bone might not look like much but can snap the feet together and hurt like the dickens as we crash to the ground. The player who does this little cleat nick will feign absolute innocence and try to get the referee to buy into it is a dive ref book him where the player on the ground is furious with you for not calling the foul yet you are contemplating on booking him for simulation?

In the same manner a player can trip him self catch a toe on the back of the opposing foot in a step over and go down then applaud as the opponent who was merely in the vicinity gets booked or called for a foul.

A referee with integrity sees what he sees even if he sees it different than you or I. I agree with my colleague Ref Contarino better not to make rash statements. If you are suspicious wave the player up in the up, up, up I do not buy it mode of raised palms and arms !

The observant referee watches the body language, stays close enough to play to hear the sounds and cries. Most of us play a bit and those of us who coach can tell the theatrical from the practical at times. Referees are the deciders of FAIR or FOUL they must try to get it right their ARs and or 4th must be there in support so all see from the angles what that needs to be seen.

Without seeing the collision I have no idea of who is at fault or which thinking process the referee used to decide that no foul was present. His match, his decision, his reputation!
Any challenge has to be judged on the safety of the act as well as the reasonableness of attempting to play the ball. I need to read the facial and body language, watch the eyes , judge the speed, look at body adjustments prior to the collision, did he drop the shoulder, curl up the arms into battering rams or extended to ward off danger/to get a feel for the NATURE of the contact. Was their time to react in a better manner or was this I got ball might as well get player while we are at it?
Cheers