Question Number: 19910

Character, Attitude and Control 9/9/2008

RE: Intermediate Adult

Al Sinopoli of Covington, LA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 19899

Just so you understand Ref Contarino, the player was yellow carded for dissent. No doubt about that one. I thought I made that clear, as no ref would appreciate being told what to do.

I forgot to mention that in this intermediate league, there are no ARs on an 80 x 55 field, so I must get ready for a goal kick to past mid-field by high tailing it up field while keeping the ball in view to allow the kicking team to quickly play the restart. So as to whether the ball was perfectly stationairy or not, I would tend to not be able to clearly judge slight movements, but since I have been allowing some trivial settling if it was occuring, my ruling on the play wasn't in doubt. Being simpler in my explanation and picking up on this potential for 'twisting' earlier and warning the keeper to set the ball by placing it on the ground for goal kicks versus a slight toss would avoid this. I appreciate both inputs & will put them to use. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Al and thanks for update. I've been in your position plenty of times working with 1 or no ARs. My point was you shouldn't have admitted to the player that you knew the ball was not stationary and allowed it to be played anyway.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Thanks for the heads up! Have fun out there!
Cheers