Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)
From U.S. Soccer's Web Site, "Ask a Referee", at:
http://www.ussoccer.com/laws/askref/index.jsp.html
Updated July 7, 2008
DISSENT OR FOUL/ABUSIVE LANGUAGE?
Question:
What does a player have to say to be sent off and shown a straight red card for
the "use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures"?
I watched the New York at Colorado game on MLSLive.tv and in the 81st minute
Colorado defender (and USA National Team player) Pablo Mastroeni felt AR1 Bill
Dittmar missed a clear offside call and began screaming at Dittmar from across
the field, and clearly saying (from the replay) "F#@# You!" directed right at
Dittmar. Dittmar does nothing. Only after the next minute or so when Mastroeni
continued to scream at him for the "missed call" did Dittmar finally get
Weyland's attention and indicate to him that Mastroeni needs to be cautioned for
dissent. Caution? So what does a player have to say to actually be sent off for
the language they use toward officials?
Is USSF reviewing this and punishing Mastroeni further? And how could the CO
coach protest and give the 4th official an earful after Mastroeni was cautioned?
My question is why wasn't Mastroeni sent off?
Do players cuss on the field? Of course. But directed toward an official!?
That shouldn't be. I'm reading a book by former English Premier League Referee
David Elleray and I know by the things he's said in his book that Mastroeni
would have been sent off right away.
Have things changed that much since the early to mid 90s when Elleray was
around?
Answer (July 7, 2008):
One of the things we need to remember when watching professional and
international games is that the game is called differently at every level of
play, whether it is the pros, top senior amateur, other amateur, top-level youth
play, lower-level youth play, etc. The pro players are more experienced and are
willing to put up with and dish out more than the referee will allow at the
senior amateur level of play (and so on down the line) and a lot more than
referees should or will allow for younger, less experienced and conditioned
players. In any event, the MLS looks at all instances of this nature and deals
with them through its disciplinary process.
The matter of dissent and how the professional-level referee should judge it
was covered in the "Referee Week in Review 14," under Dissent, which you can
find at this URL:
http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/LessonsLearnedWeek_14_2008.htm
When deciding whether a player's actions
are cautionable for dissent (by word or action) or can be red carded for
offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures apply the following
criteria:
· Public
Are the player's actions public in nature? From a visual perspective, can
others see it and, if so, what message is the player sending? Verbally, who
can hear the comments (other players, spectators, television) - consider the
volume of the comments? Are the actions or comments meant to "show the referee
up?" Consider whether the actions/comments create a negative
impression/attitude towards the referee in general.
· Personal
Are the comments directed at the referee or just said as a reasonable
emotional reaction to a poor play? Consider the tone of voice and the
derogatory content of what was said. Are the actions of the player aimed at
the referee or merely personal frustration?
· Provocative
Are the comments or actions intended to incite further misconduct or heighten
the tension level? Do the comments elicit anger and potentially provoke
further conflict on the field? Consider the ramifications of racial or gender
based comments.
Overall, are the comments and actions
disrespectful to "any referee" - not just to the referee to whom they were
addressed? Officials must be aware of actions/comments that undermine the
position of the referee and must take the appropriate action that matches the
actions of the player.
As to Mr. Elleray's book, we do not comment on the works of retired referees
from other countries.
UNSPORTING BEHAVIOR -- VERBAL DISTRACTION OR NO?
Question:
Under the rules for "Unsporting Behavior", are there any restrictions on what
players may/may not say?
For example, is it a foul to say "mine" or "let go" to signal to a team mate
that he should leave the ball for me?
I read under "Unsporting Behavior" that one cannot say things to distract an
opponent - are these considered fouls then?
Answer (July 7, 2008):
No, this would not be a foul, but it might possibly be misconduct. A foul is an
unfair or unsafe action committed (1) by a player (2) against an opponent or the
opposing team, (3) on the field of play, (4) while the ball is in play.
Deliberate handling of the ball is committed against the opposing team, not
against a particular opponent. If any of these requirements is not met, the
action is not a foul; however, the action can still be misconduct. Unsporting
behavior is one form of misconduct.
A defending player is generally allowed to call to his or her teammates that
he or she will play the ball. However, if the defending player calls to distract
an opponent, rather than to give information to a teammate, that is unsporting
behavior. On the other hand, the team with the ball is allowed to use "false"
calls to deceive their opponents.
IF, IN THE OPINION OF THE REFEREE
Question:
Situation: girls age14/16 rec game where it is a tight game 2- 1 going into the
4th period (extremely hot that day, halves broken into 2 periods). In the last
30 sec. of game, a corner kick is awarded to the team down by one. It goes off a
defending team player, down team then is awarded another corner kick. The
kick is good this time. There are probably 12 to 15 players in front of
the goal. In the melee the ball is almost caught by a member of defending team
and immediately dropped out of surprise by the action. Parents and
spectators witnessed the infraction. I was out of position and had no idea
that anything had happened. Nothing was called by the referee. The game ends.
Upon shaking hands with the ref at centered field, he tells me,"I know your
parents are going to complain, but with that many players in the box, you are
not going to get that call." I still had no clue what he was talking about.
After talking to parents and other spectators and hearing about what they saw, I
put two and two together.
Question: Did the ref see something and not call it because of the situation?
Wouldn't a valid hand ball be a valid hand ball regardless of the situation?
Answer (July 7, 2008):
Girls 14-16 rec game? Hot day? The referee probably saw the possible
infringement as an accident.
However, let's look at the possibilities. If it was seen and:
- if a defender "caught" the ball and then, in surprise/shock/embarrassment,
dropped the ball, it should have been a penalty kick (and a red card if, but for
the handling, the ball would have gone in the net).
- if the ball was kicked into the crowd of assorted attackers/defenders and
struck the hand of a defender who pulled her hand back in
surprise/shock/embarrassment, there was no foul or misconduct and the match
ended properly.
TREE OVERHANGING THE FIELD
Question:
I was officiating at a park which has trees which over hang the pitch, my
question is, if the ball hits an over hanging branch and falls into the field of
play (the ball was has not crossed the line), is it out or play on?
At my association (Sydney, Australia) the rule is play on as this is a fixed
natural feature of the field.
In this instance everyone stopped and I called "play on", at half time I had
to explain my ruling and the general consensus was... "are you kidding, ref???".
Can't find anything relating to this in the LOTG.
Answer (July 2, 2008):
The answer is the same here as in Sydney -- play continues. Consider this
excerpt from the USSF publication "Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game"
2008 edition:
1.8 DEALING WITH APPURTENANCES TO THE
FIELD AND OUTSIDE AGENTS
//snipped//
(c) Pre-existing conditions
These are things on or above the field which are not described in Law 1 but
are deemed safe and not generally subject to movement. These include trees
overhanging the field, wires running above the field, and covers on sprinkling
or draining systems. They do not affect one team more adversely than the other
and are considered to be a part of the field. If the ball leaves the field
after contact with any item considered under the local ground rules of the
field to be a pre-existing condition, the restart is in accordance with the
Law, based on which team last played the ball. (Check with the competition for
any local ground rules.)
OFFSIDE?
Question:
During an actual international friendly match at an overseas location, Team A is
down by one goal. Player A1 on his own half of the field, takes a long kick
which travels long towards the goalkeeper of team D. At the time of the kick,
forward player A2 is on off-side position 5 yards passed midfield. Player A2
makes an attempt to run for the ball, but abandons his attempt after taking 2 or
3 steps towards the ball realizing he has no chance of reaching it. Assistant
Referee One (AR1) decides not to raise his flag since the ball quickly traveled
all the way down the field inside the Penalty area of goalkeeper D. AR1 quickly
sprints towards the goalkeeper's position following the ball. The goalkeeper
controls the ball with his feet and starts dribbling it around the Penalty area,
but never picks up or touches the ball with his hands. Approximately, 10 seconds
later, forward player A2 realizing the goalkeeper D is attempting to consume
time, starts running towards goalkeeper D. Player A2 reaches the Penalty area
and is able to steal the ball from goalkeeper D. Player A2 scores a goal.
The Center referee (REF) and AR1 signal for a goal. Team D complains and
calls for an Off-side. Game is resumed with a kick off and ends 15 minutes
later.
Was AR1 wrong by not raising his flag for the off-side when it initially took
place? When is an off-side considered over and a new play started, if the game
is never stopped for any reason by the referee?
Was AR1 supposed to raise his flag as soon as he realized player A2 is
running towards goalkeeper D, 10 seconds later?.
Were the REF and AR1 correct by allowing the goal?
Does the Spirit of the Game, and Spirit of the Law have any weight in this
scenario?.
This scenario has created a lot of controversy at the overseas location where
I officiate.
Answer (July 1, 2008):
This following answer applies to games played in the United States. We cannot be
responsible for what might be permitted in "the overseas location" where you
officiate.
A player's offside position must be reevaluated whenever (1) the ball is
again touched or played by a teammate; (2) the ball is played (possessed and
controlled, not simply deflected) by an opponent, including the opposing
goalkeeper, or (3) the ball goes out of play -- which is not applicable in this
scenario.
The result of this reevaluation, of course, may be that the player remains in
an offside position based on still being beyond the second-to-last defender, the
ball, and the midfield line. Referees must remember that a player cannot simply
run to an onside position and become involved in play. The player's position
with relation to the ball and the opponents must change in accordance with the
Law.
If the goalkeeper has clearly established possession and control of the ball,
as suggested in your scenario, then player A2 is now relieved of his offside
position and may play the ball.
To answer your questions as they occur: AR1 was correct. We have shown how A2
is no longer offside if he stopped his initial play for the ball and then waited
the ten seconds to begin running after the ball now clearly in the goalkeeper's
possession and control. No, the AR was not supposed to raise the flag in this
case. Yes, the referee was correct in allowing the goal -- the AR has no say
there. The Spirit of the Laws and of the Game were not injured here.
MISCONDUCT/PASS TO THE 'KEEPER
Question:
1) In a recent game, a player was quite disrespectful towards me, and even
twice, in the same conversation, used foul language ("F" word), as well as asked
"have you ever refereed before?" I was extremely nice, as I only cautioned him,
given that it was his first time playing in the league. I simply asked that he
act maturely like all other players in the league (who for the most part respect
my calls, given that most think I'm a good ref who properly knows/enforces the
Laws of the Game). When I asked his name (we're required to obtain the name in
this league--unfortunately, no ID cards are issued), he refused to give it to me
(simply laughed and again mocked me). I strongly suggested he provide it unless
he wanted to see a red card. After the game, and over the course of the next few
days, I've become upset with myself for not issuing a red card during the match
for his various acts of dissent, as well as for a lack of any signs of
contrition (no apology by him, only by his captain). My question to you (I'm
sure the answer is 'no'): I know that one can 'downgrade' a card from red to
yellow, but is there precedent for one to 'upgrade' a card from yellow to red?
If so, please point me directly to the source (couldn't find it on your or
FIFA's website), so that I can show the commissioner, as well as his captain.
This guy needs to learn a lesson.
2) If a player like this shouts dissentful remarks while the ball is in play,
I just want to make sure of where the restart is (near him or where the ball was
when the whistle was blown) supposed to take place. Alternatively, shall I wait
next time until play stops (out of bounds) until issuing a card? His words were
so egregious that I stopped play immediately.
3) In a recent game, a goal kick was started with the FB passing wide to the
GK. The GK became nervous with pressure by the opposing FW, and simply dribbled
back to his box, where, once inside, he fell on the ball and used his hands.
This incident isn't your normal passback situation where it leads to an indirect
free kick. My question: is such a play permissible, or should it also lead to an
indirect free kick for the other team? Thank you.
Answer (July 1, 2008):
1) When a player clearly "uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or
gestures" toward the referee or any other participant in the game, that player
is sent off. No cautions, and no ifs, ands, or buts. If the player will not give
the referee his/her name, then the referee should get it from the captain. And
no, once given, a send-off cannot be downgraded to a caution if the game has
been restarted. Nor may a caution normally be changed to a send-off once the
game has restarted. The referee must simply include all pertinent details in the
match report.
2) If the referee stops play for misconduct while the ball is in play, the
restart is an indirect free kick from the place where the offense occurred. In
this case, where the player uses offensive or insulting or abusive language
and/or gestures.
3) This situation is indeed the classic offense of the goalkeeper playing the
ball with his hands after it was kicked deliberately to him by a teammate. The
restart is an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the place where the
goalkeeper played the ball with his hands (bearing in mind the requirements
listed in Law 13 regarding indirect free kicks inside the goal area.
USING THE WHISTLE TO START OR STOP PLAY
Question:
When a goal is scored, do you blow your whistle and point up field running
backwards to the center? Or just point up field and run backwards to the center
line - no whistle.
This topic comes up by our junior refs as they maintain that the Pro refs on
TV never blow the whistle when a goal is scored.
Answer (July 1, 2008):
Referees on the professional game do this because they are following the
instructions in the Laws of the Game (Additional Instructions and Guidelines for
Referees in 2007/2008; Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for
Referees in 2008/2009).
Use of whistle
The whistle is needed to:
* start play (1st, 2nd half), after a goal
* stop play
- for a free kick or penalty kick
- if match is suspended or terminated [Note: For 2008/2009 "terminated" has been
changed to "abandoned"]
- when a period of play has ended due to the expiration of time
* restart play at
- free kicks when the wall is ordered back the appropriate distance
- penalty kicks
* restart play after it has been stopped due to
- the issue of a yellow or red card for misconduct
- injury
- substitution
The whistle is NOT needed
* to stop play for:
- a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in
- a goal
* to restart play from
- a free kick, goal kick, corner kick, throw-in
A whistle which is used too frequently unnecessarily will have less impact when
it is needed. When a discretionary whistle is needed to start play, the referee
should clearly announce to the players that the restart may not occur until
after that signal.
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