FLAG ON REFEREE UNIFORM

Question:
I met a USSF Grade 8 referee this weekend who was on a field next to the one was refereeing on. I noticed that he had a flag sewn to the sleeve of his uniform. Two part question:

Is this legal, and if so, how would we know (where in the documentation does this exist)?

This particular referee is English and the flag on his uniform was the Union Jack. Is this legal? Why/why not?

Thank you,

USSF answer (September 1, 2010):
If the referee chooses to wear it, the USA flag patch is to be worn on the left sleeve, between elbow and shoulder.

The wearing of the USA flag path was originally permitted as a reminder of 9/11 and is still allowed. There is no basis for a person registered with the U. S. Soccer Federation to be wearing the Union Jack on his uniform, no matter what his nationality.…

“LAST DEFENDER!”

Question:
I am currently a coach, parent, and member of our local soccer club board of directors. I have been around soccer most of my life. Our local youth premier league had their opening weekend recently, and I saw 4 occasions of what I would I thought was a strange call. This happened in U11 girls, U13 girls, U11 boys, and U12 boys.

The call as stated by the referee in all occasions was simply “last defender” One coach asked the referee what this meant, and was not answered beyond those words. The call incurred a yellow card in each case.

The first instance was in U11 boys. One of our defenders was playing catch up with a break away, and was just about to gain the goal side on the other player. The other player tried to take a quick shot, and kicked the turf and went tumbling. No contact happened, but I chalked it up to a center ref not leaving the center circle.

The second instance was in the U12 boys game. This time our player was making a run on the goal, and the opposing defender made a perfect tackle on the ball. Surprisingly there was no body contact, or slide involved. It was just a good solid tackle of the ball. The kind of defensive save that makes you cheer even when it prevented your team from scoring. The referee was at a very good vantage point to make this call.

The third was in U11 girls game. This time the defender was containing the girl nicely. Had per pressed to the outside, making a shot difficult at best. The girl took a sweeping kick, and the defender made her tackle on the ball at this time. The ball shoots out along the goal line.

The fourth instance was in the U13 girls game, and the offensive player came from the corner into the penalty area, and tried to make a move past the defender. Her move took her straight into the stationary defender, and she fell.

In all these case the ruling of the referee was “last defender”, and a yellow card was issued. It appears that in our league this year, it is illegal to be the last defender, but I was wondering if there were a better explanation for these calls.

USSF answer (September 1, 2010):
We see two possibilities here for the totally non-standard term “last defender.”

1.It could possibly have been the referee’s way of saying that the player who was cautioned had committed what used to be called a “professional foul,” usually committed as a last resort to stop a promising attack.

2. Or, rhis was a foul committed by a defender against an attacker under circumstances in which all the elements (the “4 Ds”) of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity have been met, in particular including the number of defenders where the referee has judged that there was only one or no defender between the location of the foul and the goal, not counting the defender who committed the offense. Of course, given this, the card should have been red, not yellow.

We are aware of no possibilities beyond these and can only say that some referees, just like some coaches, are very inventive.…

RENTERIA

Question:
During the Concacaf Champions League game between Santos Laguna and the Columbus Crew on Tuesday August 24th a goal for the Crew was disallowed. Renteria, the Crew player who assisted on the goal, was not wearing a jersey with name or number, having had to change it due to the presence of blood. After treatment he was waved onto the field at least twice by the center referee which is clear from replays and the fourth official made no attempt to stop him from entering the field. The goal is scored almost immediately. It is only then that the coaching staff of Santos besiege the fourth official (who is Mexican as well). After a conference between the center and the fourth the goal is disallowed, Renteria is cautioned and has to come off to change his jersey. restart is a goal kick.

USSF answer (September 1, 2010):
Your description of the situation seems to suggest that the game was stopped because the player had no numbers or name on his shirt, not because he entered the game without the referee’s permission. That is a matter regarding the rules of competition, not the Laws of the Game and interpretations thereof, and thus falls outside our competence to answer.…

FOULS IN THE PENALTY AREA

Question:
alright so first question is about the penalty box and penalties committed by the defending team. is there such thing as an indirect free kick in the box and if so is it taken from the spot of the foul? what is done then about moving players ten yards away if its within 10 yards of the goal? hand ball fouls, is there a difference between intentional and unintentional as pertaining to penalties, beside a obvious handball being a cardable foul?

and this is half question half opinion, it seems to me fouls that could be called direct penalties and then fall under a penalty kick restart aren’t all goal scoring opportunities. Is there any way of dealing with these types of fouls besides awarding a penalty? and in my opinion it seems more just that they award a corner much like field hockey’s penalty corners. just doesn’t make sense to award a player who had his back to goal on the edge of the area near the endline should receive a pk for being fouled in a non scoring opportunity.

thanks for clearing everything up.

USSF answer (September 1, 2010):
1. Yes, the referee may award an indirect free kick (IFK) to the attacking team in the defending team’s penalty area. That would be done for any infringement punishable by an IFK.

If the IFK is to be taken from closer than 10 yards to the goal line, the defending team may stand on the goal line.

There is no such thing as an “unintentional hand ball.” Handling is either deliberate or it does not exist.

2. Sorry, life is very hard and the Laws of the Game are quite explicit. A penal foul (direct free kick/DFK foul) is a DFK foul, no matter where it occurs, unless it is in the penalty area. In that case, if it was committed by the defending team, it becomes a penalty kick. There is no connection between most penalty kicks and a goalscoring opportunity.…

WAIVING REQUIREMENTS FOR UPGRADE

Question:
I have been refereeing since I was 11 years old and have been to many Regional and ODP events. This is my 4th year of refereeing. I was curious if there is a way around the minimum age requirement on the Grade 7 Referee Status. You must be 17 to become this grade, but is there a way to get this age requirement disregarded if someone approves it? If so, would it be the state, region, or USSF who would approve it?

USSF answer (August 31, 2010):
The requirements for upgrade are set by the U.S. Soccer Federation Board of Directors or the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee. They are the only bodies that can make this change. Consult your state association for advice on this.…

SUBSTITUTE STOPS GOALSCORING OPPORTUNITY (CORRECTED)

Question:
A substitute who is warming up behind his own net when his team is in danger of receiving a goal, enters the playing field and prevents the goal with his foot. What should the referee call?

And what should the referee call if he blocked the ball with his hand intentionally?

USSF answer (August 31, 2010):
According to Law 12, a player, substitute, or substituted player is sent off if he commits any of seven offenses, including denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) and denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.

And the Advice to Referees tells us:

12.29 SENDING-OFF OFFENSES
“A player (or substitute) who commits serious foul play, violent conduct, a deliberate handling of the ball which denies a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, or a foul which denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity must be sent from the field.

This information is based on the IFAB Questions and Answers (published by FIFA for the IFAB) of 2006, which have not been changed.

Q&A 2006, Law 3:

13. A substitute, warming up behind his own goal, enters the field of play and prevents the ball entering the goal with his foot. What action does the referee take?
The referee stops play, cautions the substitute for unsporting behavior and the match is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team where the ball was when play was stopped *.
13.1. If the player prevents the goal with his hand, what action does the referee take?
The referee stops play and sends-off the substitute for denying the opposing team a goal by deliberately handling the ball and the match is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team where the ball was when play was stopped *.

Note: These restarts should be conducted in accordance with the guidance in Law 13 on the location of free kicks.

As to the substitute in Q&A 13, we believe he could also be sent off, based on the following: (a) cautioning him for unsporting behavior (the illegal entry) and then (b) cautioning him a second time for USB (an action which shows a lack of respect for the game, viz., the interference with the goal). If the substitute performs any sort of action directed at the attacker and, in the process, interferes with the goal-scoring opportunity,the referee could send him off directly if that action was violent in any way, or caution (the second one) for USB, again for showing a lack of respect. .

And, for the future, the referee should privately resolve NEVER to let subs warm up behind the net. The Laws of the Game specify the location of substitutes (the technical area) for a reason and longstanding tradition limits even their warm-up activities to an area well back from the SIDELINE.…

WHERE TO TAKE THE THROW-IN

Question:
I know that the rules state that the throw-in has to take place within one yard/meter from where the ball exited the field of play. I am looking for some clarification on this rule. Does this mean that the ball has to “re-enter” the field of play from within 1 yard/meter of where it exited, or does it mean that the player throwing the ball has to be within 1 yard/meter for where it exited? I was recently playing in a game where I threw the ball back in, but was standing about 2-3 meters behind the touchline (but was directly behind where the ball exited the field of play). The referee blew down the throw-in stating that I had to be within a yard of where it exited.

What is the correct ruling?

I know that the rules state that the throw-in has to take place within one yard/meter from where the ball exited the field of play. I am looking for some clarification on this rule. Does this mean that the ball has to “re-enter” the field of play from within 1 yard/meter of where it exited, or does it mean that the player throwing the ball has to be within 1 yard/meter for where it exited? I was recently playing in a game where I threw the ball back in, but was standing about 2-3 meters behind the touchline (but was directly behind where the ball exited the field of play). The referee blew down the throw-in stating that I had to be within a yard of where it exited.

What is the correct ruling?

USSF answer (August 30, 2010):
The player should be within one meter/yard of the place the ball left the field. However, we need to remember that this is usually a very simple play, restarting when the ball has left the field. The referee should indicate to the player approximately where the ball should enter the field. The player should try not to cheat by 3 or more yards, as we often see in professional games.
The player should be within one meter/yard of the place the ball left the field. However, we need to remember that this is usually a very simple play, restarting when the ball has left the field. The referee should indicate to the player approximately where the ball should enter the field. The player should try not to cheat by 3 or more yards, as we often see in professional games.…

FINAL FEEDBACK: WHY ARE WE OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES?

Thanks to all who contributed. These will be the last responses posted.

Feedback 5:
The way an effective referee should manage a free kick will depend on what actually happens during the free kick process, whether quick or ceremonial. We like to label free kicks as quick or ceremonial, but not every “quick” free kick will be the same, and not every “ceremonial” free kick will be the same.
One variable that referees have to realize exists is that most players don’t really know (or pretend they don’t know) how far 10 yards actually is. I have often told an argumentative coach or player who doesn’t agree with “my 10 yards” to simply look at the center circle to realize how far 10 yards really is. Of course that statement only works with someone who wishes to have a rational argument with you.

I have experienced all of the following situations and think that common sense, Law 18, tells me to deal with them in the following ways – generally speaking, there are exceptions at times. And I’m sure there are several other possible situations. Can’t wait to see that new USSF video. That might make me see the light even more.

Situation 1:
Multiple defenders line up in a wall that they honestly think is 10 yards away from ball, but it isn’t (say 7-9), and kicker asks for 10 yards.
Resolution:
Proceed with ceremonial free kick (i.e. establish position of free kick, tell kicker to wait for whistle, back up wall to 10 yards making sure kicker does not try to move ball any further forward during this time, take up a appropriate field position depending on circumstances, signal for kick to be taken.) If defender then encroaches and affects kick in disadvantageous way for kicking team, caution for FRD and repeat ceremonial free kick.

Situation 2:
Multiple defenders quickly line up in a wall that they honestly think is 10 yards away from ball, but it isn’t (say 7-9), and kicker takes unobstructed quick free kick.
Resolution:
Continue play.

Situation 3:
Multiple defenders quickly line up in a wall that they honestly think is 10 yards away from ball, but it isn’t (say 7-9) and kicker takes quick free kick. The kick is affected by a defender who encroaches from this wall in a way that is disadvantageous to the kicking team.
Resolution:
Stop play, caution encroaching defender for FRD. No need for attacker to ask for 10 yards in this case. Restart with ceremonial free kick.

Situation 4:
Multiple defenders quickly line up in a wall that they honestly think is 10 yards away from ball, but it isn’t (say 7-9) and kicker takes quick free kick. The kick is affected by defender(s) who have maintained their position in this wall in a way that is disadvantageous to the kicking team.
Resolution:
Stop play. A caution in this case is probably not needed. Simply warn/educate defenders about proper 10 yard distance and restart with ceremonial free kick. Consider cautioning if same defending team does this again at another free kick.

Situation 5:
No defensive wall is formed, but when kicker takes quick free kick a defender who, in the opinion of the referee, is obviously less than 10 yards away from the spot of the kick, lunges toward or makes some other type of movement to intercept and obstruct the path of the ball once it was kicked. In other words, if the defender had stood still the ball would have continued past this defender on its own path.
Resolution:
Stop play. Caution defender for FRD. No need for attackers to ask for 10 yards in this case. Restart with ceremonial free kick.

Situation 6:
No defensive wall is formed, but when kicker takes quick free kick a defender who, in the opinion of the referee, is obviously less than 10 yards away from the spot of the kick, intercepts the ball because it was directly kicked to him/her, and this defender had no intention of obstructing a passing lane to an attacking teammate nor a shot on goal.
Resolution:
Continue play, unless misconduct has been committed by the kicker.

Situation 7:
No defensive wall is formed, but when a kicker takes quick free kick a defender who, in the opinion of the referee, is obviously less than 10 yards away from the spot of the kick, intercepts the ball because he/she managed to intentionally quickly stand in the way of a passing lane to an attacking teammate or a shot on goal.
Resolution:
Stop play. Caution defender for FRD (and possibly deal with any misconduct committed by kicker). No need for attackers to ask for 10 yards in this case. Restart with ceremonial free kick.

Situation 8:
No one is within 10 yards of the ball except for one defender who tries to deceive the referee by non-chalantly walking in the path of the ball as the kicker is running up/preparing to take the kick. The kicker is affected by this action and/or the ball is intercepted by the defender.
Resolution:
Stop play. Caution defender for FRD. No need for attackers to ask for 10 yards in this case. Restart with ceremonial free kick.

Situation 9:
Once the ball is spotted for the free kick, one or more defenders quickly stand directly in front of the ball (or at some distance that is obviously less than 10 yards away) to intentionally delay the kick until his teammates can set up a wall or otherwise establish better defensive field position. In the opinion of the referee, this has affected the kicker’s timing of when/where to kick the ball.
Resolution:
Caution defender(s) for FRD. No need to ask for 10 yards in this case. Restart with ceremonial free kick.

Situation 10:
Once the ball is spotted for the free kick, one or more defenders quickly stand directly in front of the ball ( or at some distance that is obviously less than 10 yards away) to intentionally delay the kick until his teammates can set up a wall or otherwise establish better defensive field position. In the opinion of the referee, this has not affected the kicker as he/she has played the ball quickly in a different direction.
Resolution:
Continue play and warn defender(s) of their cautionable offense.

Feedback 6:
There are many societal issues that affect the way people behave on the field. In the course of my life, particularly the past 25 years, I have noticed an increase in the negative way referees, umpires, officials are treated.

Since I have started doing girls softball and high school and youth soccer, while I was never one to complain about an official, I have little patience for those who do.

As a parent or spectator, I do not question calls. I teach my daughter to respect each of her opponents, to respect the difficult job the officials have, and to stay within herself by playing her game the way she knows it should be played. She knows that if anyone needs to say anything to an official, her coaches will do that. I don’t believe such sportsmanship is widely taught anymore.

As a coach and a fellow official, I might discreetly ask a question about a call, or about a rule, but I do not argue and I do not demean, like many coaches, players, and parents do too often.

Nor do I publicly comment on a call made by another official. If someone asks me a question about a rule, I’ll discuss the rule, but not call or the person who did or didn’t make it.

Each person watches the game from a different angle; therefore, each person sees a variety of plays differently. Each person knows the rules to varying degrees; therefore, plays that may seem incorrect to some are, in fact, actually correct, and vice versa.

My goal in calling a game, especially below middle school level, is to call the game as best I can, in the fairest way possible, while allowing there to be a flow to the contest.

With the youngest kids, I explain why after making a call. Could I call all those games tighter? Absolutely. Would anyone like hearing the whistle a hundred times? Doubtful.

As the players get older and more experienced, I call the games tighter and I say why a lot less. And while I sometimes forget to say play on, thereby at least acknowledging the foul, I do sometimes let minor violations go because I don’t perceive calling them will make a huge difference in the game.

In games played by adults, it is my perception that some referees call the games hoping to get as little garbage back as possible.

Applying every single rule to the letter in a recreational adult league game is not what some of these guys want to do, especially on a Sunday morning.

In countless adult league games I’ve been to for softball, basketball, flag football, and soccer, part of the league schedule, as well as gym or field availability, can be a factor in the blowing of the whistles.

I also don’t think that some of the adult league officials take the games as seriously as some of the players, who still treat the contests as life and death. For others, and perhaps for the refs, too, the fact that the games are recreational applies that the enforcement of the rules can be a little more lax.

As an official, on a field with coaches and/or players who always think they know more, I think we pick our battles. While flagrant fouls clearly deserve red cards, and so too do constant infractions of minor fouls, who really likes to give red cards?

And in an adult recreational league, who really wants the added aggravation and a situation in a parking lot with an offending player afterward?

Getting excessively angry with and hating officials is a mark of immaturity. No offense meant to the writer of the original note. But when the game is truly a game, and nothing more, I bet the tone and underlying feelings are quite different.

Feedback 7:
Just as reformed drunks and reformed prostitutes are least charitable to those currently still in bondage to those conditions, so players who have become referees tend to be hardest on those of our brethren who are less proficient than we all could hope.

It would be wonderful if all referees thoroughly understood the underlying spirit of the Laws, as well as the Laws themselves and their proper application. It would also be wonderful if all players and coaches understood, or even occasionally read, the Laws – even more marvelous if all players strove to play fairly all the time. But we must deal with the world as is, not how we wish it to be.

All of us referees are works in progress; not one of us has ‘arrived’. The real issue is those referees who do not perceive their own shortcomings, and, due to that lack of insight, make no effort to correct those deficiencies. This is where mentors and assessors come in, to provide the perspective that self-analysis cannot attain.

The best we can do, as colleagues of our demonstrably less-than-knowledgeable fellows, is recommend, and continue to recommend, that they seek out guidance from more advanced referees that they can trust, such as Week in Review and Askasoccerreferee.com.

But be prepared for rejection – two hallmarks of underperformers (in any field) are a lack of awareness of their own shortcomings, coupled with a dire lack of motivation to do anything about it, even after they gain awareness.

Parents sometimes discover that, in spite of how hard they strive and how many parenting books they have read, their children still end up going sideways on the road of life. It doesn’t mean those parents did a poor job, it just means that those children needed to learn from their own mistakes, instead of the mistakes of others. Some referees will never get better: what you have in front of you is as good as it gets. Yes, it’s frustrating. But the alternative is not having a referee today. While that may be preferable, there’s really no way to know that ahead of time.

And as one very good coach in another sport once said, to win a championship, you often have to be good enough to win in spite of the officiating.…

GOAL OR FREE KICK?

Question:
A goal was scored in which one of the offense players committed a foul that deserves a red card. The referee approved the goal and sent off the player for what he did during the attack the resulted on a goal.

If I may ask, what would be the rule/law on this?

Here is a 1:30 min video of the incidence.

Thanks for helping.

USSF answer (August 30 2010):
If, in the opinion of the referee, the goal was scored before the violent conduct took place, then the goal counts. We hesitate to say yes or no in this case, as the action was so quick and even the referee seems to have had doubts as to which way the call should go.…

SPITTING

Question:
In the send off offenses – Spitting is listed separately as it’s own offense. Is it appropriate for it to be written up as Spitting or should it be written up as Fighting.

Also – If a Red Card is being issued for spitting and subsequent to that 2 other players followed it up with pushing would these players then be subject to Red Cards as well for the continuation of a Fight.

USSF answer (August 24, 2010):
When in doubt, follow the rules: A player may be sent off for only seven reasons (see Law 12), none of which is “fighting.” If a player is sent off for spitting at an opponent or any other person, that is the reason given in the match report.

Any illegal action that follows a sending-off offense is punished on its own “merits.” If the pushing is reckless, the player is cautioned and shown the yellow card for unsporting behavior. If the pushing involves the use of excessive force, the player is sent off and shown the red card for violent conduct. There is no misconduct named “continuation of a fight.”…