Question Number: 30264

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/7/2016

RE: Rec Under 11

Trent Futrell of KNOXVILLE, TN - Tennessee USA asks...

Blue team player kicks the ball to a teammate and her shoe comes off. Blue team continues running down the field toward the red team's goal. I allowed play to continue since the player with the shoe off wasn't in any danger. The coach of the blue team wanted me to stop play to allow his player to put their shoe back on.

Should I have stopped play when the shoe came off immediately?

The play ended up in a goal kick for the red team.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Trent
It is only a requirement to stop player if the player without the shoe is in danger. If there is no danger then play should continue.
If the Blue player without the shoe was part of play with the ball and confronted by an opponent then that is playing in a dangerous manner which has an IDFK restart
In this case had you stopped play then you could only do so if it was PIADM against Blue which is an IDFK to the opponents. Im sure the Blue coach did not want that?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Trent,
The LOTG state players must wear foot gear but they also realize that occasionally equipment malfunctions . Generally the player is not forced to leave the field to put the shoe back on BUT if a shoe less player was determined to keep playing and trying to challenge for ball possession such an action could be PIADM and an INDFK against her could result! I have indicated to players who lost shoes to put them back on before re involving themselves in active play when play was occurring far away. Trying to prevent a reason to make a PIADM call.
I had a player recently lose the shoe in a step on challenge by the chasing opponent he fell but scrambled to get up, I played advantage, and he made a beautiful cross with his sock covered foot where his team mate headed in the goal. The team scored upon thought I should disallow the goal because the player crossed it in sock feet lol We had a good goal, kick off, I cautioned the defender who stepped on his foot and he put his shoe back on !
Cheers