Question Number: 17534

Law 3 - Number of Players 10/27/2007

RE: 7 Adult

wayne bridges of wakefield, west yorkshire england asks...

i refereed a game today 27 october. in the second half a sub came on,after about 10 mins he asked me if he could go off the field of play if his mobile phone rang. i said no unless he was subituted. he told me he had done this on previous weeks before. please tell me was i right to do this, and what his the law on this ?

many thanks

wayne

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Wayne, you are a reasonable referee and with discrestionary powers you can be reasonable in extending certain allowances but
in my opinion cell phones have no place on or near he pitch!

I certainly understand there are uses for instant communication.

If this guy was an emergency doctor who had to fly to the city on a moment's notice to do a heart transplant I might be more inclined then say a guy whose work want's him in after the game.
There are message displays for that sort of thing.
Still have a mate answer and then relay if important.

Girl friend trouble, drug set ups just what is so important you leave your mates short on the pitch to answer a bloody phone?

I am with you on this one Wayne tell him, "Suck it up butter cup unless it is a national emergency where the fate of the free world is on the button, you can wait 9o minutes or have a message service answer for you.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Unless his wife is in labor, I agree with you and Ref Dawson, and since he had "done this before", I'll hazard a guess such wasn't the reason! If he can't bear to be separated from his phone, he needs to not play and risk leaving his team in the lurch. And, yes, you the referee, have the power and the duty to keep him from making a mockery of the game with such requests. Good for you!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is found in FIFA's Additional instructions and Guidance:

The use of radio communication systems between players and/or technical staff is not permitted.

Because he is a player on or off the field he is not permitted the use of a cell phone. Simple.

Regards,