Question Number: 21580

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 6/22/2009

RE: rec Under 12

jason of belle river, ontario canada asks...

in a u11 game blue vs red blue team had the ball and was running down the sideline near the parents, a loose dog ran on the field and went after the ball. the ref stopped play the dog was removed and play restarted with a free kick for blue because they had the possesion. another parent yelled that that wasn't the proper restart was this parent correct? if so what is the propper restart?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The proper restart is a dropped ball. (A dog is not a player, substitute or team official, so a free kick wasn't proper.)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Jason the dog was a blue supporter? ;o) Under normal FIFA law this is ALWAYS a drop ball restart. The team that was unfairly disadvantaged may feel hard done by but the opposition if they accept and understand FAIR PLAY could
(a) not challange the drop or
(b) offer to kick the ball back to blue.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Amazing at is seems and as much as it pains me to admit this, the parent was correct. The proper restart when an outside agent, like a dog, interferes with play is a dropped ball.