Question Number: 29130

League Specific 1/24/2015

RE: Competitive Under 18

Ian Bishop of Upland, CA United States asks...

In discussion with other refs it became clear that USSF has different guidance to procedures than found in the 'Interpretations' section of the FIFA published LOTG. For example, USSF says during PK's/KFTM, if GK moves off early and no goal, the AR should place the flag low and across his/her front to signal to the CR to rekick, while the Interpretations section of the LOTG says the AR should raise the flag. USSF also appears to state their guidance takes priority. This raises several questions - why does USSF have different guidance, as do they take precedence? Are the Interpretations in the FIFA published LOTG from FIFA or from IFAB - and why don't they have seniority...

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ian,
Hmmm is the use of mechanics really an absolute in terms of law?
Even within the LOTG, inside the interpretive section, it provides each association with some input into communicative procedures. The USSF prides itself on churning out compliant, competent officials who toe party lines or you do not get advancement up the ranks easily. So pick your battles carefully.

Signalling system for the additional assistant referees
The additional assistant referees will use a radio communication system only and not flags to communicate decisions to the referee. In the event of a breakdown of the radio communication system, the additional assistant referees will use an electronic signal beep flagstick to indicate their decisions. As a general rule, the additional assistant referee must not give obvious hand signals. However, in some instances, a discreet hand signal may give valuable support to the referee. The hand signal should have a clear meaning. The meaning should have been discussed and agreed upon in the pre-match discussion.


The message from FIFA/IFAB as Circular 1224 (2010) put it:

“It has been noted that certain associations and confederations are unilaterally issuing their own instructions and recommendations to referees within their territories concerning the enforcement of the Laws of the Game, thus increasing the chances of differing interpretations around the world. We would like to reiterate that the International Football Association Board (or FIFA on its behalf) is the only body with the authority to issue such additional instructions concerning the Laws of the Game in order to ensure uniform application worldwide.”

The actual 17 laws are by the decree of the IFAB and FIFA accordingly not transmutable to be rearranged at whim but idiosyncrasies of national organizations do have impact on interpretive directions.

A good friend Julian Carosi from England and I would often argue such things For example: a ball goes out for a throw in say at midfield and was performed within a yard or so of where it had exited, the FOP! However, the player was parallel with the touch line about 1 yard back, so upon delivery, the ball travelled outside the touchlines, parallel for say 20 yards and at the last moment, the wind or angle was sufficient for the ball to BREAK the plane of the touchline to enter the FOP!
He was ADAMANT that the throw in was incorrect BECAUSE the ball did not re-enter the FOP from where it had left the FOP originally.
I said the laws only stated the throw in had to take place from where it exited not that it must cross that exact spot upon being returned.
His argument was it was no different than if the player had run 20 yds up field to take the throw..

We also argued over the spit foul
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits the following offence: • spits at an opponent
A direct free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred!

Could the restart be placed at the most advantageous spot as a form of violent misconduct from where the culprit was who spit or from where it struck or might have struck an opponent ?
The laws are now clear about throwing not spitting!
Misconduct originates from where it occurs as a restart principle so if a red player outside his PA spit at an opponent inside the red PA we can award a PK instead of a DFK for outside the PA because we chose to see the act as where the impact occurs. If a red keeper from inside his PA spit at an opponent outside his PA we can again award a PK instead of a DFK because we chose to see the foul occurred from the point of the originating point of misconduct.

If a keeper throws a boot/water bottle at a ball and miss the ball but the act impeded the striker from scoring a goal because the shoe startled him.
One could award a PK and claim it was the keeper as the target of the strike VC even if it was clearly at the ball and clearly was not ever going to hit the ball or the player.

But that is not the event, that is fixing it to comply with a desired outcome

In reality it is a form of USB misconduct punishable by an INDFK from where the keeper was (subject to law 13 special circumstances in the goal area) when he threw the item and because the infraction denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity the keeper should be sent off

If that thrown shoe/water bottle by the keeper had HIT the ball and knocked it out of play because it is considered an extension of the keeper's hands he can only be cautioned and shown a yellow card no send off!
So is it an INDFK from where the ball was hit or from where the keeper was when he threw it subject to special circumstances of law 13? If the keeper was outside the PA do we bring it out for a DFK?
Very unfair yet these are the goofy stuff we wrestle with when discussing how each association responds to such things.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ian
Throughout the refereeing family worldwide there have been AR flag signals that are unique to an association. In the US this *skirt* flag was used to signal a penalty or an infringement at the taking of a penalty kick. See Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-XHXTi3OuI&t=8m23s
In recent times IFAB/ FIFA has been keen to bring all signals in line with what is in the Guidelines for Referees which is part of Laws of the Game booklet and as a result such signals are now not taught and frowned on by most Associations. In the UK a similar type flag signal was made higher up across the chest which signalled a penalty. The FA Referees' Committee (in consultation with PGMOL the Pro Referee Body) decided last year that this signal should no longer be used on advice from FIFA/ IFAB and the procedure as outlined in the Laws of the Game must be used.
Some referee bemoan the change as it was seen by those that used it as a discreet signal that perhaps a referee could decline if he did not agree with it and it attracted less attention when ignored.
The signal now is a raised flag for an infringement at a penalty kick most usually encroachment by the goalkeeper or the fluttering flag plus movement towards the corner flag in the case of a penalty.
What I can tell you is that the flag will not be used in FIFA, UEFA, African Cup of Nations, World Cups at all ages. I suspect that many will continue to use the signal despite no longer being approved or taught. In our League there is a signal, not sure where it came from, for a foot over the line at a throw in. I still see some of the older referees using it.
What is vital is referees must be sure to discuss these signals regarding penalty kick and penalty kicks situations in their pregame and to be very clear about the circumstances in which the signal for goalkeeper movement should be given and the signal to be used.
As regards priority IFAB's advice and interpretations trumps any association. IFAB has left the dissemination of information, laws, guidelines to FIFA who in turn use the associations. Whether a unique flag signal is seen as something to be concerned about that depends on who is asked. The FA certainly took the instruction to change. What you can be certain of is that none of the FIFA badged referees or assistants will be using it certainly not while being watched by a FIFA observer.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

My sense is that USSF is identifying and modifying interpretations that may differ from FIFA and the Confederation. The latest edition of the Advice To Referees illustrates some of this change; it is greatly reduced because much of the information is now in FIFA Interpretations and Guidelines. USSF is publishing the law book including the I&G so that both are readily accessible. USSF has also created a single online source for materials, and many of the items are directly from FIFA. (ussoccer.com/referees/resource-center ).

It would not surprise me to see a revision to the Guide of Procedures (I believe last revised in 2012) to reflect the Interpretation and Guidelines.

That said, I believe that US Soccer would disagree that the notion that its interpretations have ever taken precedence over that from FIFA/IFAB. For a long time, USSF materials were the only ones generally available throughout the world. The major 'change' IMO is that we now have access to more information than ever directly from FIFA.