Question Number: 17373

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/18/2007

RE: High School

Kris of Erie, PA USA asks...

Ball is played on a chip pass over the defense. Blue player goes up for a header, at the same time yellow player sticks his foot above his head to play the ball. When he does this his cleat goes into the face of the blue player. Ref calls PIADM and awards IDFK outside of box. Blue player on the ground holding his face. Once the coach gets him calmed down and off the field he sees the blue player has several cleat marks on his face and a possible broken nose. When the ref was questioned why no card was shown he responded with all I could do is give the IDFK. Had it been me in this situation yellow player probably would have been seeing red for VC or SFP. Any thoughts on this situation?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Kicking is a DFK foul. Is that what happened here?

Misconduct will depend on what the referee sees. We weren't there to see it.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I didn't see it, so I can't answer it.

Have you considered the possibility that the player trying to kick the ball had his foot run into by the opponent's head? Now, I'm not saying that is a likely case, but some place in the world I'm almost positive that a player has brought his head into contact with a high boot before.

Now all that aside, if the referee judged that the player kicked the opponent's head, this COULD certainly be reckless (a caution) and possibly excessive (a send off). Or the referee could have felt it was merely playing in a dangerous manner.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Given high school competition under the NFHS rules "A player shall not participate in dangerous play, which is an act an official considers likely to cause injury to any player. This includes playing in such a manner which could cause injury to self or any other player [opponent or teammate]".

Given the action described the match official should intervene, stop play because of the presence of danger. NOTE: this not even close to the rest of the world's interpretation where either of the opponents must give up play because of the danger. Once the referee stops play for "Dangerous Play" he establishes the restart as indirect free kick. This does not prevent him from determining the action "dangerous enough to warrant a caution". The quoted phrases are applicable ONLY to US high school rules.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is a judgement call by the referee. Given that it is a high school match, the referee is to intervene as soon as he recognizes the potential for injury. The restart is then an IFK. Whether or not a card is issued is dependent on how the referee interpretes the play.