Question Number: 17603

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/31/2007

RE: comp Under 14

Gordon of Houston, TX USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17586

Chuck,

This is the type of comment that makes me nuts [17586]. I know what a kick looks like, or a push, but are they ever careless, reckless or excessive?

The most minimal is "careless", defined as "lack of attention or consideration...or acted without precaution." Well, the player knew exactly what he was doing when he____ed the opponent and exactly the force necessary to make the act effective.

Then there is "reckless", where the player acted with complete disregard for the danger to, or consequences for his opponent. Well, the player clearly wasn't trying to hurt his opponent, just disposess him.

So, using your logic, if ITOOTR, the player, pushing, tripping or charging does not meet the criteria for a foul, it's not? I could justify almost anything.

My criteria for calling it has always been that if a player is trying to play the ball, it then must meet the above criteria. But not trying to play the ball is the same as committing the act on a player not within playing distance of the ball. However, and I freely admit, no where in the laws does it require the player in question to be trying to play the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Law 12 DOES tell us that the charge must be by an opponent within playing distance of the ball. If, in your opinion, the opponent was not trying to get to the ball he probably wasn't within playing distance of the ball either and then the charge does NOT have to be at least careless. You make a good point about justification and that's what separates good referees from bad ones. Lousy referees will either whistle any contact or wait until one player almost takes another's head off before blowing the whistle. Either position can be "justified" in the mind of the referee. A good referee watches the players and adjusts his or her calls based on what the players perceive as fair or foul play. You probably do this automatically and don't realise it. Things you allow at U16 Select you would never allow at U10 rec. We're there to protect the players and we do this by calling a game based on fair play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Gordon here are the definitions of the stages of the first six direct free kick offences. They come from Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game. They might help you understand better.

"Careless" indicates that the player has not exercised due caution in making a play.

"Reckless" means that the player has made unnatural movements designed to intimidate an opponent or to gain an unfair advantage.

"Involving excessive force" means that the player has far exceeded the use of force necessary to make a fair play for the ball and has placed the opponent in considerable danger of bodily harm.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Remember dictionary definitions are great, but we must work with in the "soccer vocabulary" which Ref Fleischer has posted here.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The Laws of the Game state the the foul is only called if it is deemed reckless, carless, or with excessive force by the referee. Referee Fleischer talks about the Advice to Referee interpretations of those words. Also, this is in the opinion of the referee so there is some subjectivity in the decision as to whether or not to call the foul. Referees also must look at the players reaction to determine if the foul would be trifiling to call. Each game is different and the referee must evaluate fouls based on the nature and complextion of the game. Player safety, consitency, and game control are the ultimate concerns here.