Question Number: 29842

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/22/2015

RE: Competitive Adult

Reuben of Montreal, Quebec Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21633

I have heard conflicting views on the subject of spitting and it's punishment and how it is considered.
Some (web sites and LOTG questionnaires) say that the act of spitting itself is considered the offence, and therefore the guilty party is penalized from his/her position (ie penalty if the spitter is in the 18 yard box and the target is outside).
Other sources say that spitting should be treated like throwing an object and it's the point of contact or intended contact which is penalized. (Ie DFK if the spitter is inside the box and the target is outside...)
This is very confusing, and I would appreciate your help in finding the definitive answer to this question.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Reuben
Well the easy bit is that it is a clear sending off for spitting which is a defined offence in the Laws of the Game under Law 12
We also know that it is a direct free kick offence restart and the only question is the location of the restart. Generally the location will not be an issue as the offence happen close between two players and as you say the one question mark is where the spitter is outside the penalty area and the target is inside. That can always be a difficult call to determine exact locations and thankfully it is very rare.
Now in 1997 spitting was included with throwing an object and the offence was from where the offender was located. So spitting inside the penalty area was a penalty kick at that time. If he was outside the penalty area it was a DFK.
That all changed in 2000 when IFAB issued new interpretations that advised that all such striking, throwing, spitting offence should be punished where the contact occurs or would have occurred had it been successful. There has been no change to that since 2000 so the definitive correct call is a penalty kick if the target of the offence is located inside the penalty area and a direct free kick if the target is located outside.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Reuben,
the restart is from where the spits hits the opposing player, unless the player is off the field of play, in which case the player (Spit) has left the field of play, meaning an indirect free kick from where the ball was in play. Or if the spits comes from outside, which means player has entered without permission and therefore IDFK from where the ball was in play.

The exception is if a PLAYER is off the field with permission say through momentum, and he spits at an opponent on the FOP while the ball is in play that is a DFK as that is the restart point.

A Drop ball only if the spitting player is outside the FOP and the opponent is also outside the FOP

The act itself is NOT a 100% foul/misconduct, unless it is deemed directed AT someone or towards a group. The issue is there is no accidental spit as a careless or reckless it is only violent misconduct ,you do it AT someone, you are gone! Although I have been tempted to caution for disrespect via USB when I hear and or see it winding up in my general direction . If I truly thought that spit was directed ...AT... me the only recourse is to give them the red sleigh ride and off they go go go

In 40 plus years I have never been spit at as a referee until AFTER I sent the player off and only then once as well LOL and once again as a player! I guess though I have been in close quarter discussions with a few coaches and their spittle was tantamount to being spit at if I pushed it!

You are worried about the inside outside the PA restart but usually spitting occurs in very close quarters although I have seen players spit a gob of phlegm a long ways at times. Like a holding foul you can apply advantage and if the contact is continuous. Now spit is a cloud and if a player was running into it? What I propose is to entertain the thought of drag it inside if there is a reasonable chance of seeing it in that light. I see so much as a toe poke on the outer edge of the PA boundary line I have no problem awarding a PK instead of going outside for a DFK. Just be sure you intervene quickly as the fighting is just around the corner it helps to keep a double red as the spitting player could try to drag the slime drenched opponent into the mix to equal the send off portion of the equation.
Cheers