Question:
When I watch international games I always see referee’s talking to or warning players after a particularly tough challenge. My question is what are they saying? I understand that this is an alternative to giving a yellow card when a foul is bordering on reckless, but not quite warranting a card. But what are some ideas of things to say to players so they still respect your decisions, will be more mindful in their play but yet it doesn’t turn into an arguing match between you and the player?

USSF answer (February 26, 2008):
This is a difficult question to answer, as each referee is different in personality from every other referee and thus takes an individual approach to dealing with the many things that players do during the match. You might also consider that a referee might say different things to different players depending on the personality of the player. The best we can do for you is give some general guidance.

Some referees will come straight out with a no-nonsense statement that the player had better mend his/her ways or face the consequences. Others will put the matter more humorously.

The best plan is to say as little as possible. Deliver your message, whatever it may be, and move away quickly to the next place you will be needed.…

Question:
A team has a player red carded in the first half. After 20 minutes of play in the second half, the referee is alerted by a coach that the offending team has 11 players on the field, clearly adding one at half time.

What is the call?

USSF answer (February 25, 2008):
While the fault certainly lies with the referee and the rest of the officiating team, who have failed in their duty to enforce the Law, something must be done about the extra player. You will find full details in the USSF publication “Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game,” which may either be downloaded or purchased in soft cover form from the US Soccer Federation website at www.ussoccer.com. Here is a brief description of what must be done in the situation you describe:

In all cases, play must be stopped and the extra person identified and removed from the field. Other than through referee error, this situation can occur only if someone enters the field illegally. In addition to the punishment and restarts listed below, the referee must include full details in the match report. Furthermore, all actions by the team with the extra player which occurred prior to the stoppage for the extra player will stand, with one exception: If the game was stopped for a goal by the team with the extra player (who was then discovered at that stoppage), that goal is not scored.

If the “extra player” is an outside agent (such as a previously expelled player or a spectator), the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped.

If the “extra player” is a substitute (and on the team’s roster if rosters are required by the rules of the competition), that substitute (or substituted player) is cautioned for unsporting behavior and the game is restarted with an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the place where the ball was when play was stopped.…

Question:
I’ve been looking through the “archive” but I haven’t found the answer to my question yet, so I thought I’d just write.

I realize that this is very trivial, but a U10 coach asked me (in order to properly instruct his players) about proper positioning of players for kick-off. Are they allowed to stand on the line or not?

Law 8 states “all players are in their half of the field”.

Without hesitation I said that you can treat the halfway line during kick-off like you would a throw-in—“has part of each foot either on the touch line or …outside the touch line” or in this case the halfway line.

To make sure of my answer I asked a fellow referee who I feel is very knowledgeable about the laws of the game but his reply was different. He said you need to look at the halfway line like offside—“any part of his head, body or feet is nearer…”, in this case, the halfway line.

I then went to a 3rd source that I felt confident about but ended up with a 3rd opinion. In this case they said “any part of the body, including the hands, over the halfway line would be an infringement.”

So now I’m not sure what the correct response is. What does USSF have to say?

USSF answer (February 13, 2008):
Our first reaction was incredulity that anyone would even ask, but this was tempered by the realization that the location is a point not really covered in the instructional program. Nevertheless, after a moment of reflection, the answer came readily to mind.

Law 1 tells us: “The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.” Therefore, if the players stand on the halfway line they are in their own half of the field. If their heads or feet are slightly over the line, it makes no difference.…

Question:
Is there any position paper and or guidance for local USSF youth recreation leagues allowing a player (u-10) with only one leg, use uses crutches to play soccer? Some referees, it seams will allow this, others will not.

While not USSF, recently a high school player in Pennsylvania was allowed to play using crutches. 

USSF answer (February 14, 2008):
Beyond the most recent USSF position paper on non-compulsory equipment (appended at the bottom of this answer), we are not aware of any further guidance from individual states or leagues. If a state association allows a child (or adult) to register on a team, knowing that he or she needs crutches, then the position paper applies. The state cannot make the determination based on how the equipment may be used or abused. If it proves to be unsafe for the player and/or others, then the person can be removed from the game. If the person uses the crutches to seek an unfair advantage, then it is dealt with within the Laws of the Game. Your state association may need to put its position in writing and to satisfy themselves that the parents have signed a liability waiver, but other than that, the onus should fall on the teams that place these players on their roster. The referee has the right to determine unsafe equipment, but it must be done in accordance with the position paper.

We cannot use a precedent set in a high school game, as those games are not played under the aegis of the U. S. Soccer Federation nor in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center — Sept. 4, 2003

Memorandum

To: State Referee Administrators
State Youth Referee Administrators
State Directors of Referee Instruction
State Directors of Referee Assessment
National Referee Instructors and Trainers
National Assessors
National Referees

From: Alfred Kleinaitis
Manager of Referee Development and Education

Subject: Players Wearing Non-Compulsory Equipment

Date: September 3, 2003

______________________________________________________________________

On August 25, 2003, FIFA issued Circular #863, regarding the legality of players wearing non-compulsory equipment.

FIFA notes that, under the “Powers and Duties” of the referee in Law 5 — The Referee, he or she has the authority to ensure that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law 4, which states that a player must not wear anything that is dangerous.

Modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight, padded material are not considered dangerous and are therefore permitted.

FIFA also wishes to strongly endorse the statement on the use of sports spectacles made by the International F.A. Board on March 10, 2001, and subsequently in FIFA Circular #750, dated April 10, 2001. New technology has made sports spectacles much safer, both for the player himself or herself and for other players. This applies particularly to younger players.

Referees are expected to take full account of this fact and it would be considered extremely unusual for a referee to prevent a player taking part in a match because he or she was wearing modern sports spectacles.

Referees are reminded of the following points which can assist in guiding their decisions on this matter:

– Look to the applicable rules of the competition authority.
– Inspect the equipment.
– Focus on the equipment itself – not how it might be improperly used, or whether it actually protects the player.
– Remember that the referee is the final word on whether equipment is dangerous.