Question Number: 30224

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/28/2016

RE: Intermediate AYSO Under 13

Karl Gajdusek of Los Angeles, CA USA asks...

Hello!

I've recently been considering the correct calls around situations when the ball is out of play.

Two examples: While a player is holding the ball, preparing to throw in, two players are jockeying for position. Right before the throw, one pushes the other to the ground and so gains advantage playing the ball.

Another example: A goal kick. Right after the ball has been kicked, a player again pulls or pushes another player to the ground BEFORE the ball has left the penalty area and again gains an advantage.

In BOTH these cases let us assume the push/pull is not particularly violent and if it had happened with the ball in play you would have called a foul but not a caution or a send off.

However, in both these cases the ball is not in play. So am I correct that if you want to penalize this action, all you have at your disposal are yellow or red card misconduct penalties? Do you HAVE to issue a card in this moment? The conduct does not seem to rise to that level and as I said, would not deserve a card if it happened while the ball was in play. But because the ball is OUT of play when the conduct occurs, what options does a ref have that does not use cards?

Several refs have already told me about how they would soft-play this scenario for young players, etc... But I'm asking here about the letter of the law. What if this was a high stakes game with very informed coaches? What would your call be?

THANK YOU!

-Karl

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Karl,
You are correct that you can not award a free kick for these scenarios.
Though a card isn't quite the only option - for a low level offence you can pull the offender/s aside and have a stern word with them. That way you're still seen to be dealing with the issue - given that play would be affected, you will need to intervene in some way, and having a word is often sufficient.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hello Karl,
good referees have a good understanding of situational awareness. I commend you for being observant, watching the before and in-behind play actions of what is going on away from the ball as well as the current play or restart unfolding in front of you. You are correct that you have a few options do nothing, do nothing but have a word, restart and warn, restart and card. Or allow the restart and punish the player guilty of the worst misconduct which becomes a foul once play is live and the interaction continues.

Be proactive try to head off trouble! Use the coaches to help in youth especially in unlimited substitution matches. Coach either you do something or I will is a very good deterrent!

I recall in a u 19 match where I pulled the red and yellow card and held it as a fan of playing cards out to the two goombas who seemed to continually want to engage in pre-restart playing push, grab, shove and said, 'you guys want me to pick one or do we shake hands and end this here and now?' Funny they shook hands parted & I put the cards away. It worked. Do I recommend it? No!


I had another where the two opponents were actually tussling in a u18 match prior to a goal kick. I stood them both up and said coaches these guys are so sick they are falling down from yellow fever! If you do not want the red spots to appear I suggest a long rest is in order. I cautioned them rather then show a red card. Both coaches jumped to remove them. Later when they returned in the match I caught their attention and made it known the slightest misstep and they were gone!

In adult play or when you are being scrutinized on the world stage a referee often feels he has no choice. It needs to be said, the player must accept the consequences of their actions but a referee is held accountable as well! You can not turn a blind eye or not show the cards when cards are clearly required.

I have warned verbally players to desist from inappropriate behavior. In follow up I have touched my hand to my eye or pocket and pointed at them as we exchange a look and shake my head to highlight you are on my radar or a safe sign as in baseball is more to say that's enough in soccer!

You do not need to intercede if you are determining the actions are doubtful or trifling even if you use a verbal a rip a strip and a dark look how lucky they are you are only talking but you are now looking in their general direction for misconduct once play has begun. If the action is misconduct and so unfair you can not help but to restart or delay the restart and punish the behavior.

You are wondering MUST you use cards?

Actual no, you can delay any restart to have a word be it a quiet one or rip them a new butt if your guts tell. If the misconduct requires your presence, best to whistle the stop or state hold it a minute & wait for the whistle. Cards are a tool and you will always have to consider if you need a hammer or a sledge to make the point. A sharp look, a stern word, a piercing whistle, flashing a card they all have impact, if you are asking when to use, which, why or where your match, your decision, your reputation. Just remember what ever decision you choose in how to intervene or not, you are setting the bar or standard at a certain level. Be sure the match and you are comfortable at that level.

Whether you have a quiet demeanor or a commanding presence or a quick wit response to keep a situation from unraveling or calm things down. The how you choose to interact reflect how well you grasp the match dynamics and use your character to its best advantage in policing their antics. Keep the cards in the pocket if you can but peek them out at times to drive home there are consequences when you push the limits in a fair played match of football!

from our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fairplay

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Karl
A foul cannot be awarded while the ball is out of play. The referee can though stop the restart and have a stern word with the players. This happens now quite a lot at corner kicks where players jostle for position. At the highest level referees have been advised to prevent the restart and speak with the players. If it continues then the players are to be cautioned and if the ball is in play then punish the first offence.
If the shenanigans get too serious such as a strong push to the ground while the ball is out of play that is misconduct and a caution for unsporting behaviour. Before long the players could be engaged in violent conduct if it is not dealt with.
The other advice is to wait if possible until the moment the ball is in play and to punish the more serious aggressor or the initiator with a free kick against him. This also happens at corner kicks with players trying to impede the goalkeeper by standing in front, with lots of pushing. A quick shout to desist can help and the moment further contacts happens when the ball is kicked the referee can call a foul on the attacker even for the slightest impeding and as the corner gets *wasted* it tends not to happen again.
In your examples try to wait until the last moment before intervening if you can and then call the foul. On the throw in that can be the moment the ball leaves the throwers hands or in the case of the goal kick as the ball is on its way. I can assure you that once the ball is on the FOP either kicked or thrown no one is going to be able to determine the exact moment. Obviously if the ball is out of play then the only options are to caution which does not change the restart or to have a stern word at that moment with the players. You cannot wait until the ball goes out of play again so it must be dealt with at that time. Even if the ball is subsequently put into play before the referee managed to stop the restart he just goes back to the original restart after dealing with it.
Another tip is to get close to the offenders that are engaged in this with instructions such as *Number 5 hands down* or *Stop it*. Again if it persists after the instruction and it is low level misbehavior call the foul then instant the ball is in play. Players soon get the message that these will be called and that may put pressure on the team straight away or relieve the pressure which can have a desired effect. Team mates then may get on the players case to desist from this as it is effecting the team.