Question Number: 34251

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/19/2021

RE: Competitive High School

Paul Weaver of Napier, Hawke’s Bay New Zealand asks...

Blue player falls over during play in the centre circle and lies on the ball trapping it between and under his legs. Green opposition player tries to kick it out connecting with both ball and Blue player’s legs, no doubt, several times until I blew the whistle to stop the absurdity of the situation. However I wasn’t sure what to award so gave a free kick to Green after settling them both down and provoking a handshake between players. However the Blue player was aggrieved that the free kick went to Green as he was the one with bruises on his legs despite the fact that he had sat on the ball like an idiot.
Would it have been better to award a est it? Would probably been a fairer outcome???

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Paul,
Your have classified your question as "Competitive High School" but that is a category for games played under the NFHS Rules used in the US. However you appear to be in New Zealand so I'm assuming your question actually comes under IFAB Laws of the Game.

Under the IFAB Laws, a player lying or sitting on the ball may be penalised for playing in a dangerous manner. This is defined as:

"any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury."

The important part here is the reference to "the player themself." By sitting/lying on the ball, the player has put themself in danger. I'm not sure how long it took you to realise what was happening but once you see the situation arise, whereby an opponent is likely to start trying to play the ball, you should whistle to stop play immediately, before the situation escalates and (as in this case) the player on the ground sustains an injury.

I think you were right to give the free kick (which should be indirect) to Green, since the player on the ground committed the first offence. However, you could still at a very minimum have a stern word with the Blue player for kicking a player who was on the ground. I think a yellow card (for USB, since the ball was, in effect out of play) could be warranted. In the UK at least, we would probably use the USB caution category C1 - AA, defined as "adopting an aggressive attitude."

In fact, the way you describe it with multiple kicks to an opponent, hard enough to cause bruising, it might even be enough for a VC (violent conduct) offence, depending on your best judgement, of course.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Paul,
when a player falls onto the ball we expect him to get up. As part of momentum and chance, we give a player time to correct an accidental mishap of a non-serious nature

Mind you, he does not have to get up in such a way that makes it easy for an opponent to get that ball nor is he prevented from playing that ball on the ground.

He is essentially shielding the ball within playing distance but he can not do it in such a way as it endangers themselves or an opponent.

Now a prolonged layabout to warding off using arms or covering & trapping by squeezing legs together or lying on top squiggling about is not permitted but that said no opponent can say to heck with it and just kick the crap of the player for being down.

The opponent must refrain from trying to injure the opponent and an astute referee will reward their vigilance with an INDFK in their favour, not a DFK against for kicking an opponent.

The key here is an opponent must be disadvantaged by the antics of a player covering up a ball on the ground. They can stick a foot in to roll it away of or give it a nudge to knock it out safely but they CAN NOT kick away indiscriminately. That offending player on top of the ball, MUST in the opinion of the referee, make a real effort to get up & keep playing. It is an INDFK to not do so and a possible caution for USB The opponent must refrain from doing damage delibertely but that is not to say a lowered head at an inopportune time might meet with a rising foot.

Based on your description I think you responded too slowly but the factors to consider.
Was it OBVIOUS he was not making an effort to get up? He has a right to try to get to his feet and it takes a bit to get back up once down. . But if he just decided to not get up, to ONLY shield the ball by lying on top of it to cover up and the opponent is there with the quizzical look, "What's up with this? I can not play the ball without kicking this dude? that is an INDFK and possible caution for USB.

Did the opponent halt or give ANY indication of the immediate plight of the downed player? If so he was deserving of his INDFK for not whacking the crap out of the dude trying to get the ball. You indicate though or at least infer he simply started kicking away immediately? This is a DFK offence of a superior severity than INDFK PIADM and could be construed as reckless or excessive so cards a definite possibility.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
As described the Green player was guilty of playing in a dangerous manner (to himself) in that while there is no restriction on playing the ball on the ground, it cannot be done in a way where it places the player in danger of getting kicked by an opponent who is also trying to play the ball.
To tidy up these situations it is best to call the IDFK offence of PIADM immediately when it is clear that the player on the ground is unable to play the ball away and that there is every chance that the player will get kicked for his actions. It is judgement call for the referee to make based on the location of the ball, the player on the ground, his chances or intention of playing the ball away and the position of the opponent.

From your description the IDFK could have been called immediately on Green as he *sat on the ball like an idiot*. That protects him from attracting a kick and perhaps prevents Blue from kicking his opponent in a way that may require sanction with a card.