Question Number: 27001

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 11/11/2012

RE: Competitive Under 15

Steve of Phoenix, AZ Maricopa asks...

Hello,

My daughter had a game yesterday where the referee called for a drop ball when the other team's player hurt herself momentarily, away from the ball, by herself, without any contact from our team. Our team had possession of the ball and began to move it up the field. The referee called for the drop ball just outside our own 18 yard box.

It was our coach's contention that our team should receive the ball since we had clear possession and our team didn't foul. The referee stated that it was a drop ball, per FIFA rules. Our coach disagreed. Can you shed some light?

Thank you!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
Once the referee stops play temporarily for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was where play was stopped. In this situation the referee stopped play for an injury to a player.
What has developed over the years which is NOT part of the Laws of the Game is that the dropped ball is rarely contested and the ball is kicked back to the team in possession. It is referred to as a Fair Play restart. That is not a decision for the referee but for the teams themselves.
So here the referee might expect the injured player's team to kick the ball back but he cannot insist on that. In this situation as described it would be unsporting if the referee stopped play for an injury to a player for that team then to take advantage of the stoppage by contesting the dropped ball. The referee might suggest what should be done but it is up to the teams to decide.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Once again, the coach is wrong, the referee correct. Your coach may be confused by the High School rule that would give the ball to the attacking team if they had possession when the injury occurred.
Under FIFA rules, it's s dropped ball from where the ball was when play had stopped

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