Abdikadar, an adult amateur player, asks:
First, would there be a caution for a player to stand by the touchline and request water to drink though the match continues?
Second, in continuation of the above same question, what if he or she did the same by clearing a ball when he or she was holding a bottle of water in their hand?
Answer
First, could there be a caution? Yes, potentially but there would have to be special circumstances. Otherwise, no. This is an entirely ordinary action and is not considered misconduct. However, technically, the player should make sure that he or she does not actually leave the field as this would be potentially cautionable. Further, there is an express prohibition against throwing water containers onto the field (even at a stoppage!) and against players throwing water containers from the field in return.
Second. although we’ve never actually seen a player carrying a water bottle while actively engaged in play, it should be fairly obvious that this would not be permitted because the water bottle would be considered, in essence, illegal equipment. It would be far better for a player at the sideline drinking water who feels the overpowering need to suddenly engage in active play to quickly return the bottle to someone or someplace off the field before rejoining the game.
