Question Number: 35807

Law 3 - The Players 11/20/2024

RE: Rec Under 17

Philip Harraway of Simi Valley, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35284

Can a player leave the field for the purpose of completing a move begun by that player in order to avoid opposition players. I am referring to passing movements such as the give-and-go or overlap.

I would suggest that this type of movement does not meet the criteria governed by the normal run of play but rather the player is seeking to gain an advantage but not having to avoid the opposition players.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Philip
Thanks for the question. Glad you found an old Question. The answers on that are still correct today. We do say that with Law changes that old answers may not be current and should be checked. That one is still current and it has been that way for a very long time.

The Law is quite clear on this
Law 3 states and I quote
** A player who crosses a boundary line as part of a playing movement does not commit an offence.**

As described going around an opponent on a give and go would be considered a playing movement.

It has been that way for ever. Indeed the old FIFA Questions and Answers as part of the Law book, back in the day, had this question
** A player in possession of the ball passes over the touch line or the goal line without the ball in order to beat an opponent. What action does the referee take?
Play continues. Going outside the field of play may be considered as part of a playing movement, but players are expected, as a general rule, to remain within the playing area.**

So remaining within the playing area would relate to say examples such as at a corner kick where players should not be allowed to stand over the goal line or at a throw in to be over the touchline.

Have a look at this video
https://youtu.be/Fg88lhfeZno?si=EkyRnoPZbgAJXNtQ

This is no legal in that it is not connected with a playing movement.
The first player to leave should have been cautioned, that is the first offençe, the goal disallowed and the restart should have been an IDFK in the goal area.

Alternatively play should have not been allowed to restart, the first player to offend cautioned and play should then restart with the corner kick.

A world of difference between this ruse and a player going around an opponent as part of a playing movement.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Philip,
a bypass run that takes you outside into touch along the boundary be it touch line or goal line is perfectly acceptable under the conditions of normal player movement. Where it becomes an offence and even cautionable is a drastic manipulation, like exiting in behind the goal and running around the other side or exiting in behind the technical area mixing in with subs then sprinting out further along. Simply avoidance of a potential collision is not an offence! A defender can hold their ground but can not set a pick and impede a runner through unfair contact. Nor can the attacker run over a defender in the way, hence he slips outside briefly.
Cheers