QUESTIONS INVOLVING UNLIKELY SITUATIONS

August 28, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
1) The penalty taker slips while taking a penalty kicks the ball into the net with both feet.
a. if the kick with both feet is instantaneous, does the goal stand?
b. if the kick with both feet is perceivable seconds apart, does the
goal stand?
2) The player claims that a piece of jewelry he is wearing ( like a bracelet ) is important part of his religious belief. How can I as a referee decide whether that piece of jewelry is dangerous? What decision should I take as the player is protected by ‘ The race relations act’?
3) A striker a attempts ‘Hand of God’ and fails to connect but ends up distracting his marker and the goalkeeper. The ball hits the marker and rebounds of the striker (the wannabe maradona) past the distracted goal keeper into the goal. Should the goal stand?

USSF answer (August 28, 2011):
We hope this is not a question regarding high school rules, as we are not permitted to answer questions involving the rules of the NFSHSA.

1a. Yes, but only if the referee is certain that that the touch with both feet was indeed simultaneous.
1b. No, the player has committed a “double-touch” offense.
2. You make the decision on this piece of jewelry as you would with any other piece of equipment. Is it dangerous to the player or to any other participant? If it is dangerous and cannot be made safe, then the player cannot wear it. No ifs, ands, or buts.
3. Yes, the goal stands. There is no such infringement as “attempting to handle the ball.”…

Law 12 - Fouls & Misconduct

SUBSTITUTE ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT GOAL (REDUX)

August 28, 2011August 28, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
Follow-up to August 23 question about a substitute trying to prevent a goal by entering the pitch without permission. You answered what to do if the goal is made, but . . .
(1) What if the goal is NOT made?
(2) What if it was definitely an OGSO?
(3) What if it was an OGSO and NO foul was committed, but the ball was “fairly” taken/played from the attacker by the substitute (who is an illegal player at this point)?
(4) do any answers change if the scene happens outside the penalty area versus inside the penalty area?

I understand at a minimum a yellow is coming, and a red if denying the goal with a foul.

Mainly, my question is what is the restart to each scenario above?

USSF answer (August 28, 2011):
The original question and answer:

Question: A substitute, warming up behind his own goal, enters the field of play, touches the ball and tries to prevent the ball entering the goal with his foot. The ball, however, enters the goal.

What action does the referee take?

Answer of August 23: The referee should play the advantage and award the goal. The referee should then caution the substitute for unsporting behavior for entering the field of play without the referee’s permission, including all details in the match report. (The referee could also consider a second caution for unsporting behavior for interfering with play and thus send off the substitute for the second caution in a match.) Finally, the referee should prevent substitutes from warming up behind the goals. However, in some stadiums warm-ups are allowed behind the goal (because there is no space along the touchlines).

Answer to current question:

(1) Indirect free kick for the attacking team from the place where the ball was when the referee stopped play for the misconduct.
(2) and (3) A foul or misconduct, regardless of the circumstances, which is not committed against an opponent and which is not handling is not a sending-off offense under Law 12 (at least not under reasons #4 or #5). If it was a tactical foul (which this was not) and was the offender’s second caution, then there would be a send-off, just not under sending-off reasons #4 or #5. Restart as in (1).
(4) No, but it is even less likely to have been an obvious goalscoring opportunity. …

"Inventive" Refs

SEND-OFF BEFORE KICK-OFF

August 26, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
The referee blows her whistle for the opening kick-off, but instead of kicking the ball, the red attacker runs across the center circle and violently strikes a blue opponent who does not retaliate. The referee quickly intervenes and sends off the red attacker. As a result the red team must play shorthanded for the entire game.

USSF answer (August 26, 2011):
Is this a statement or a question? If it is a statement, then it is incorrect. If it is a question, then the answer is no, the team does not play shorthanded. Because the game does not begin until the ball is put in play, the red attacker may be replaced by a named substitute; the team thus maintains its starting eleven, but loses a named substitute.…

Law 18 - Common Sense

CODE OF ETHICS FOR REFEREES

August 26, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
Could you please tell me in the soccer or football by-laws as to the number or law number broken when you see an official actually drinking at a game he is supposed to officiating?

USSF answer (August 26, 2011):
IF by “drinking” you mean liquor or beer or ale, rather than water, iced tea, or soft drinks, then the referee has not broken any law or by-law, but has clearly violated Items 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, and 12 of the Referee Code of Ethics (contained in the Referee Administrative Handbook):

Code of Ethics for Referees
(1) I will always maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.
(2) I will conduct myself honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of my position.
(3) I will always honor an assignment or any other contractual obligation.
(4) I will attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the Laws of the Game, their proper interpretation and their application.
(5) I will always strive to achieve maximum team work with my fellow officials.
(6) I will be loyal to my fellow officials and never knowingly promote criticism of them.
(7) I will be in good physical condition.
(8) I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness.
(9) I will do my utmost to assist my fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
(10) I will not make statements about any games except to clarify an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
(11) I will not discriminate against nor take undue advantage of any individual group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
(12) I consider it a privilege to be a part of the U.S. Soccer Federation and my actions will reflect credit upon that organization and its affiliates.

In addition, the action may in fact be in violation of civil law, depending on where this occurred (it is public, it is in a public place, it may be on school or park grounds, etc., all of which may be controlled by various laws regarding the consumption of alcohol).…

"Inventive Coaches"

SOMERSAULTING INTO THE GOAL

August 24, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
A player catches the ball between his knees and then does a somersault into the goal. The goalkeeper has no clear way to defend the goal. Is this legal?

USSF answer (August 24, 2011):
Players are not allowed to perform dangerous acts that deny other players a chance at the ball. (But similar acts that do not endanger other players (or officials) would seem to be legitimate.) If the act in question is reckless and places other players in danger, then the referee should stop play, caution for unsporting behavior, and restart with an indirect free kick for the goalkeeper’s team.…

Advantage

SUBSTITUTE ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT GOAL

August 23, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
A substitute, warming up behind his own goal, enters the field of play, touches the ball and tries to prevent the ball entering the goal with his foot. The ball, however, enters the goal.

What action does the referee take?

USSF answer (August 23, 2011):
The referee should play the advantage and award the goal. The referee should then caution the substitute for unsporting behavior for entering the field of play without the referee’s permission, including all details in the match report. (The referee could also consider a second caution for unsporting behavior for interfering with play and thus send off the substitute for the second caution in a match.) Finally, the referee should prevent substitutes from warming up behind the goals. However, in some stadiums warm-ups are allowed behind the goal (because there is no space along the touchlines).…

"Inventive" Refs

VIOLENT CONDUCT

August 23, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
What is the rules for talking to a referee? Does a player have a right to ask a referee what he was penalized for or is there a strict ‘no talking to the referee’ policy?

My main question is about two incidents I was involved in the following two incidents at a recent game and I disagree with both of the refs decisions. In the first half while I was in an offside position, the oppositions defender turned to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper without realizing I was behind him. I intercepted his pass and scored but the referee said I was offside, surely I’m not offside if I didn’t receive the ball from a team mate?

The second incident happened with ten minutes left and the game all but over as we were leading 4-0. A team mate played the ball up the line too far ahead of me and left the oppositions defender with plenty of time to deal with it. He controlled the ball, took 3 small touches and brought the ball to the sideline where he deliberately hit the ball with force into a group of spectators on the sideline who were having a picnic and drinking from glasses. It was lucky nobody was hurt. He stood about 5 meters away from me as I took the throw in and I directed the ball straight at his face. The red sent me off for this. Should I have received a red throwing the ball at his face (I threw the ball correctly) and should he have been punished for almost injuring spectators?

USSF answer (August 23, 2011):
A player is certainly permitted to ask about the reason for an infringement being called, but the referee is under no obligation to respond with more than a general comment. Some competitions do have a no-talking-to-the-referee policy, simply to prevent problems on the field.

1. No, the referee should not have called you offside in this situation — if all is as you describe it.

2. in the first instance the opposing player should have been sent off for violent conduct for kicking the ball at the spectators. However that does not give you the right to take revenge on him for his act. Yes, you should have been sent off for violent conduct for throwing the ball in your opponent’s face.…

Law 18 - Common Sense

GOALKEEPER OUT OF THE PLAY? TOO BAD

August 23, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
The goalkeeper is forced to come to the edge of the penalty area on the left side to clear a ball away and in doing so has to slide outside the area to clear the ball into the stands.

An attacking player quickly grabs a new ball from a ballkid and throws it in while the goalkeeper is caught way out of position.

As a referee, I would make the attacking player retake the throw-in, giving the keeper time to get back to his penalty area.

(My rule of common sense) These extra balls certainly speed up the game but are increasingly used to gain advantage.

Especially with home teams.

Is there a memorandum regarding this or is it a referee judgement call?

And what should the ruling be?

USSF answer (August 23, 2011):
The Law does not ask us to compensate for the mistakes of players. Indeed, the Law clearly instructs us NOT to compensate for such errors. However, the referee might be more sympathetic in some cases, based on the age and experience level of the teams. This Q&A from the IFAB’s “Questions and Answers” 2006 (Law 3) provides the information you need:

“20. During a match, the goalkeeper sprints from the goal to stop an opponent. He kicks the ball out of the field of play and a throw-in is awarded to the opposing team. The momentum of the goalkeeper takes him off the field of play and before he can return, the throw-in is taken and a goal is scored. What action, if any, should the referee take?

“A goal is awarded since no offence has been committed.”

As for procedure in replacing a ball that has left the field , the referee should ensure throughout the game that the ball boys and girls provide equal service for both teams.

In addition, there is always the possibility that the referee COULD question the legality of the new ball (“Did I really check this one before the game or is this a different one?”) while, of course, requiring a ceremonial restart..…

"Inventive" Refs

TWO QUESTIONS RE THE WEEK IN REVIEW

August 22, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
Question 1:
In your report on Week 21, Colorado was not penalized [at least announced in the stadium], but I believe that the Union player was carded for dissent and then red carded for continuing the dissent. That does not match with your analysis. Why?

Question 2 –
In the 90th minute of the Colorado Rapids vs. Isidro Matapan [August 17]

There is a tug by the left hand of the defender from behind which impedes the striker from continuing his run toward the opposing goal.

Why is that not a foul?

USSF answer (August 22, 2011):
Answer 1:
You appear to have confused what may have happened in the Colorado-Philadelphia game with what the Week in Review is intended to cover: how referees should make their calls equate with what the players are doing on the field. The text in Week in Review 21 addresses what should have been done in the two situations involving foul tackles and how other referees can profit from that. Your situation was not covered.

Answer 2:
Our officials were not involved in the match between Colorado and Isidro Matapan. That is why we cannot make that judgment and why that matter was not covered in the Week in Review.…

Interpretations/IFAB

EXCESSIVE CELEBRATION?

August 20, 2011 by Jim Allen

Question:
Is this an example of excessive celebration:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-18-chicago-fire-vs-dc-united/highlights?videoID=18334

I believe I read something that was from FIFA that said jumping over barrier, or in crowd is excessive celebration and warrents a caution.

USSF answer (August 20, 2011):
Scoring a goal is an emotional moment in soccer and appropriate expressions of joy are to be expected. However, the Laws of the Game make clear that such celebrations must not unduly delay the restart of play, nor must they involve actions which are derisory, calculated to demean the opponents, or be offensive to participants and spectators. Although there was mention in the past that leaving the field, jumping over barriers, and entering the crowd was unacceptable, that no longer exists. The referee’s primary concern remains ensuring that the celebrations not delay the restart of play.

Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees (2011/2012 Law 12):

Celebration of a goal
While it is permissible for a player to demonstrate his joy when a goal has been scored, the celebration must not be excessive.

Reasonable celebrations are allowed, but the practice of choreographed celebrations is not to be encouraged when it results in excessive time-wasting and referees are instructed to intervene in such
cases.

A player must be cautioned if:
* in the opinion of the referee, he makes gestures which are provocative, derisory or inflammatory
* he climbs on to a perimeter fence to celebrate a goal being scored
* he removes his shirt or covers his head with his shirt.
* he covers his head or face with a mask or other similar item

Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offense in itself but it is essential that players return to the field of play as soon as possible.

Referees are expected to act in a preventive manner and to exercise common sense in dealing with the celebration of a goal.

…