Question Number: 20494

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/11/2008

RE: Intramural Other

Mike of Dallas, Texas USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16631

I know a lot of questions have been asked regarding slide tackling and when it is a foul vs. when it is not... But it seems to me that all of the discussion revolves around the one doing the slide tackle, not the one being tackled. Let me preface my question with a scenario:

The other day in a rec league/intramural game there was a 50/50 ball and I slid in to get to it as soon as possible. My oppnonent charged in and as I made contact with the ball, he tried to kick at it. Since I had hit the ball first, his kick landed squarely on the side of my head and I had to crawl to the touchline because I was literally seeing stars.

So, I guess my question is this: When you go to ground to slide (for a tackle or a loose ball or whatever), do you completely give yourself up and become open to being fouled, fallen on, kicked, etc.? Or can someone be cautioned/booked for following through on an attempt when another player has slid in?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Of course not. The player standing up still has an obligation to avoid any action that is dangerous or considered to be foul play. This will be up to the opinion of the referee but just because you have gone to the ground does not mean the opponent has the right to kick you in the head. In fact, the opponent should be doing what he can to avoid kicking you. That said, soccer is a tough, physical sport and sometimes players get injured, even seriosly, and no foul has been committed.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I presume your head was a long way from your foot, and your foot was at the ball. What in the world was your opponent doing whacking at your head? Even if you were sliding and your head got to where the ball used to be, that didn't happen simultaneously. It sounds like at least a reckless foul to me for which he should be cautioned. Or maybe even SFP/red.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As in any situation the referee must work the angles and position to see it clearly. Many players stripped of the ball will stomp a sliding opponent simply out of frustration as much as the inevitable contact that COULD occur naturally. BUT it is a risk to go down to play a ball near the foot of an opponent. A kicking motion once initiated is not that easy to pull out of and soccer is a physical game > John Terry caught a kick into the face as he leaned forward to head a ball his head caught ball and received the kick in the head at almost the exact incident and the goal kick restart remained unchanged with no card shown to the defender. The action is fair or foul and the referee, his match, his decision, his reputation perhaps at your expense!
Cheers