Question Number: 18175

Law 3 - Number of Players 12/27/2007

RE: Select Under 15

Bud of Cincinnati, Ohio USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17203

A team has substitutes at the halfway line when the ball goes out of touch in their favor, but then attempts to gain an advantage by taking a quick throw-in, such that play restarts before the referee crew is able to signal for the substitution. Since the team had followed the correct procedure regarding the substitution, is it correct for the referee to to stop play, allow the substitution and then retake the throw-in? Or, is the correct decision to allow play to continue, on the basis that play had already been correctly restarted or that it would be unfair to take away the team's advantage (real or imagined) of taking the quick throw-in?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I always tell the captains that if the team wants a quick throw...I may not be able to catch the sub. No I will not blow my whistle once play has restarted to let the subs on. I may say "sorry...we will get you in next time".

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I agree with ref Mueller. As referees we should not be in a hurry to take an advantageous restart situation away from a team if they are taking the restart quickly.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This method of allowing the players to decide if they want to wait for a substitution to take place is a perfectly normal mechanic for the referee to use. There is always a next time to substitute.

If you are on a US High School or a NCAA match you don't have this option because once the substitute has checked in with the scorer or reported to the nearest match official the referee must delay the restart of play. Again this is a USA ONLY thing...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If a referee has decided a substitution is to commence because proceedures were followed correctly and signalled for it to be so the throw-in is not going to occur until after the substitution has taken place. If the referee has recognized the restart is wanted more than the substitution at any stoppage he could allow that restart rather than signal the substitution but must recognize that if the proceedures were followed at some point before the match is ended that substitute should be allowed.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I think it is fine to put off the sub until the next opportunity. They will realize as they do this that it may be a while before the they may get another opportunity.

In a recent youth game I refereed - there was as legitimate 14 minute gap between opportunities for one team. A player waited for 12 of those minutes at the halfway line.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Since this is the SAME team that is subbing, it would be silly to stop play and take away their advantage by making them sub.