Question Number: 18802

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/17/2008

RE: Competitive Adult

garry thomson of Victoria, B.C. Canada asks...

On a through ball our goalkeeper fouled the attacking forward outside the box. The referee gave our keeper a yellow card, our keeper had to talk to the official and had barely made it back to his goal when the attacking team took a quick free kick and scored. When the referee stops play to issue a yellow card does he not have to blow the whistle to restart play?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No, not technically. He should though, unless perhaps the player was taking some action to slow down the whole proceedure.

Did the referee ask the keeper to stay there to talk? Or did the keeper have a problem with the call and stand there on his own accord confronting the referee? There is a big difference between the two.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If the referee pulled the keeper out towards him to issue the caution and show a card he should in good conscience allow the restart to be ceremonial in nature with a whistled restart as not to interfere with the order of play. This is recommended by FIFA!

If the keeper continued to stay and dissent the call by not returning to his goal once cautioned the referee could have decided that the team taking the free kick indicated they wished to proceed and gave them a signal to do so simply because he can and they have a right to take a FREE KICK. Whether the referee concerned himself with conceptual fair play ideals or though to to punish the keeper rather then caution show a second yellow card, then a red card and send him off for being cautioned twice requires the thoughts of the referee his match, his decision, his reputation!.

A keeper or any player that fouls an opponent has only an obligation to stay away ten yards from the point of the infraction and not engage a referee in idle conversation or speculation BECAUSE they
are not concentrating on the game and thus NOT defending when they should be!

The opponets should always expect play to begin immediately unless the referee has SPECIFICALLY stated verbally or showed by action as in pointing to the whistle hand up etc..., that we will wait for the whistle.

It is the same principle as in allowing a substitution as a referee we expect those involved to hustle and obey the laws. We allow sufficient time to exchange so players are not unfairly disadvantaged. That said there is a responsibility by the players to act in a purposeful manner as befitting the game! Failure to hustle or obey the laws could mean a restart commencement with you not in the position you might prefer or a caution in its place for USB, delay the restart etc, etc, etc...!

Solution when you do not have the ball always be ready to defend and get it back! NO back talk, hustle into position, be prepared for a shot immediately! The game is always on, even when play might be stopped!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If I intend to discipline a player AND it is necessary for match control I will ensure the restart doesn't happen until I allow it.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the referee stopped play, then he must restart play. Since the referee cautioned the keeper, then the referee had to record info and hold the card up and thus stop play.