Question Number: 35685

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/8/2024

RE: 5 Other

Neil cooper of Watford, Herts United kingdom asks...

Ball out of play defender punches attacker in the box what's the result

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Neil
Thanks for the question

It is a straightforward answer. The offender is dismissed for violent contact and shown a red card.
As the ball is out of play the restart does not change as it is misconduct only.

It might be strange that the offender’s team could have a restart after violent conduct such as a corner kick, free kick yet the ball has to be IN PLAY for a free kick to be awarded.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Neil ,
no choice, RESTART REMAINS for why the stoppage occurs! Ball out of play the striking action is VC! As misconduct you show the red card, send off the player reducing his team by a player. If it was a substitute or a substituted player , you show the red card, & send off the substitute or substituted player but they do not play short!

In a u19 match a player that was being substituted on a corner kick in their favour, stepped outside the FOP into touch behind the opposition goal as the substitute was coming on. In a rather foolish gesture as he passed by the corner goal post where the opposing keeper was he reached back into the FOP and gave the keeper a whack. Now while they screamed for a send off and a reduction in number, GIVEN the substitution had already occurred, I could only show the red card & send the substituted player away and the restart remained a corner kick.
Cheers