Question Number: 26638

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 8/17/2012

RE: rec Under 17

bob of New York, New York USA asks...

what do you do if you accidentally blow your whistle. EX:
you blow the whistle accidentally would you allow play to continue, restart with a drop ball, or give an indirect free kick to the team that had possession.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A whistle cannot be undone. Restart play with a dropped ball.
An indirect free kick to the team in possession is a special high school (NFHS) or, when the keeper was in possession, college (NCAA) rule - - it is an incorrect restart in matches played under the laws of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

When play is stopped for 'any other reason', the restart is a drop ball where the ball was when play was stopped, assuming the match is played using the regular laws of the game.

I strongly advise referees to avoid running around with the whistle in their mouth. Not just for this reason, but because it's also quite dangerous - a colleague of mine required dental surgery after being hit with a deflected ball in the face when he had left his whistle in his mouth for a few moments.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
Once the whistle sounds play is stopped. In the case of an inadvertent whistle the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped.
It would also be followed by an apology from the referee to the players for the mistake and hopefully it did not interfere with a goal opportunity.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

An inadvertant whistle stops play and the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was when the whistle was blown subject to what is said in Law 13.