Question Number: 29824

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/17/2015

RE: 9 Under 16

Michael of Slough, Berkshire United Kingdom asks...

A week ago I was refereeing an U11 match for my local league.

The incident occurred when a striker running down the line, was talked by a defender fairly, which led to both of them sliding out of play, and the ball being kept in play.

The ball was then sent up the field by a defender, and, as I turn around to follow the ball, I see my club linesman flagging to the two player off of the pitch.

They were kicking each other, and it was clear it was violent conduct. I stopped play and brought both of them over. As it was U11, I could only have a strong word with them, and not dismiss them. So I did.

I then restarted play with a dropped ball.

My reasoning for this was that the offences were outside of the field of play, and so was an outside agent. There was also no clear one perpetrator. They were both committing the same offences against each other.

Was this the right thing to do?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Michael,
the two miscreants were off the field of play through natural momentum thus indirectly they have your permission to be there. They engage in misconduct of a violent nature off the field so your restart is a drop ball from where the ball was at the time of the stoppage, subject to the special circumstances in the goal area of course. Well done there by the way! It is not that they are outside agents, it is just the misconduct by 2 PLAYERS occurred during active ball in play but the violent incident was NOT on the FIELD OF PLAY but into touch. Since they were not there illegally, only their actions against one another are under review. Since we can not restart off the field we need to restart on the field. Since they did not exit the FOP just to kick one another that eliminates an indfk restart if one was at fault but since it is a simultaneous infraction only a drop ball is possible, and since it occurred, off the field of play, ONLY a drop ball restart fits these circumstances.
However, there are no send offs allowed at that age group? Hmm, ok can live with cards not being the end all be all but there should be consequences!
I think it necessary both coaches are advised that a substitution would be most appropriate so these two are sitting out for a while (make that a good while)to contemplate their actions! A warning in my opinion has no teeth if they get to rejoin play! I might not force a hand shake, I am sorry but these two are not taking that drop ball restart, you can be sure of that. If the league can suspend expulsions and cards I could assume you can extend fair play parameters to accommodate a reasonable accounting.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
Well first off the correct decision on the restart was made and well done on that. As the incident happened off the field of play and neither player left the field deliberately to commit the offences then a dropped ball was correct. They are however not outside agents just players that happened to commit misconduct over the touchline. Also even if only one player committed the offence it is still a dropped ball restart. If a player left the FOP deliberately to say kick an opponent then the restart would be an IDFK from where the ball was when play was stopped.
Now I do take displeasure that players who commit violent conduct should not face sanction in the game. If cards are not part of the competition rules and I doubt that is sanctioned by the FA then I would be certainly asking both managers to substitute them. Even in FA Small Sided games the referee has the use of a Blue cards which is a timed suspension for some offences. Even there red card offences such as VC still apply.
There is no place in the game for VC at any age group and players have to learn that when they commit this offence that there are serious consequences. The correct restart pales into insignificance when the actual offenders are not sanctioned appropriately and commensurate with the offences.