Question Number: 20320

Character, Attitude and Control 10/20/2008

RE: Rec Adult

Ed of Athens, GA USA asks...

1) I saw an adult rec game last night. One play dribbled the ball in the middle of the field and at the same time two players argued and pushed and pulled each other. The referee stopped the play and seemed to talk to the players, no cards. He restarted the play by dropped the ball where the ball was.
Is it correct? or what is the correct one?

2) In the middle of the play, one of players said something to the referee. It's not related to the ball play. The referee stopped the play and give him a yellow card. He restarted by the indirect free. Is it correct or how can he restart the game?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. He stopped play to just talk with the players. Dropped ball where the ball was when he stopped play is proper restart.
2. The referee stopped play solely to deal with misconduct on the field by a player. Restart is an IDFK where the misconduct took place. Good job by this referee

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Right both times! I love it when the referee does it right!! Hip, hip, hooray!

A referee can definitely stop the game to deal with issues between players that don't involve misconduct or a foul. As such the only possible restart is a dropped ball wherever the ball was located when he stopped play.

It sounds like the player who was cautioned dissented from the referee's decisions. If the referee stopped play to give the caution, then the only possible restart is an indirect free kick, as no foul occurred.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ed,
if two opposing players are simultaneously fouling each other the drop ball is correct. The referee is not under an obligation to show a card if in his opinion the action was merely a bit of careless zeal and the mini conference corrects such actions. Admittedly I am thinking caution show yellow card if two opposing players are playing hand bags at close quarters to where I must STOP play to deal with it and a simple 'CUT that CRAP OUT! does not do it!

If a referee stops play solely to show a card it is an indfk from the point of the infraction unless the player was off the field then it occurs from the point where the ball is as a drop ball.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

This referee knows his or her trade and they were right in both cases.

For me, I do not think I would stop the play unless I intended to issue misconduct and show cards to the players. What they are doing is called 'bringing the game into disrepute' and it cannot be tolerated. I like Ref Dawson's idea of verbally admonishing the players (IF YOU CAN DO IT SAFELY and without comprimising the rest of the game) while the ball is in play and then just keep one eye on them for a while...

The second case shows a referee who felt there was dissent to his/her decisions. THe referee stopped play and cautioned the player and showed them a yellow card. The restart should be located at the location of the offense and because dissent is misconduct only and NOT a foul, the restart is an indirect Free kick.