Question Number: 29844

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/22/2015

RE: REC AND PARKS Under 14

ANNE HARRIS of CAMBRIDGE, MD USA asks...

IS IT A FOUL/PENALTY WHEN TWO KIDS ARE RUNNING, ONE HAS THE BALL AND THE OTHER IS RUNNING PARALLEL TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL AND ACCIDENTALLY STEPS ON THE OTHERS SHOE AND IT COMES OFF. NO MAL INTENT INVOLVED, PURELY ACCIDENTAL.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Anne
In 1995 intent was removed from Law 12 on fouls with the one exception of handling. Up to that point the contact had to be deemed intentional for a foul to be awarded.
The player who has stepped on the opponents foot has done so in a careless manner which is considered a foul under the current Laws of the Game. It is a direct free kick to the player at the location of the contact.
Is that fair? Well referees can only give what they see and they are not mind readers. The action of the player will be considered careless based on what is observed and that makes it a foul. The player may not have intended a foul yet that is the consequences of the careless action. If the action was done recklessly the referee would also have to take disciplinary action.
In my game at the weekend a player was running beside an opponent to try to win the ball. The player trod on the opponents foot and that caused the opponent to lose his boot. Was it intentional? Perhaps not yet there was absolutely no way that I was not going to award the free kick for tackling in a careless manner. Both teams clearly expected the foul to be awarded.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Anne,
all players are responsible for any actions under taken although we define those actions as careless, reckless and excessive rather than the intent of a player! Since we do not read minds we judge only the actions!
The stepping on the foot that removes the shoe if it causes the player to trip or falter in pursuit of the ball I will likely award a DFK foul for a careless trip or kick. Once the player has lost his shoe, that player could be in danger if he continues to play and pulling him up for PIADM later seems rather unfair. I might allow play to continue for a moment to see if there was any advantageous play after losing the shoe. It is remotely possible that if the advantage was realized I would just ask the player to put his shoe on and warn the opponent he was fortunate not to be guilty of a careless foul! However, if there was the possibility of continued hard challenges to a shoeless player I likely stop play quickly.
Cheers