Question Number: 22722

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/13/2010

RE: Amateur Adult

David Harris of Modi'in, Israel asks...

This question is a follow up to question 105171

What to do if a player repeatedly shouts 'leave it'?

Many thanks

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Leave it!

Generally, there is nothing to do, unless perchance the shouter has done something unfair. Try giving them a hard look first, if you have to do anything, but only if you are absolutely convinced what they are doing is disadvantaging an opponent unfairly.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Harris
There is a myth in the game that the use of 'Leave it', 'My Ball' and other calls by a player is an infringement of the laws.
It is not an infringement unless (and a big unless) the player does it to deceive or distract an opponent and to quote the Law ' verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart' which is a cautionable offence. I have yet to come across the use of Leave It in an unsporting way as it always shouted to a team mate and never to an opponent
So if the referee believes that a player has verbally distracted or deceived an opponent then the decision is to caution the player and restart with an indirect free kick from where the offence happened. If the player does it again he receives a second caution and he is dismissed. The IDFK cannot be awarded without the caution which again has developed into a myth which leads to shouts by opponents of 'No Name Ref' looking for the IDFK. The test always for the referee is to ask " Is this call deserving of a caution". If the answer is no then play continues.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yup free speech is alive and well, the use of the term **leave it** as communication for a team mate is fine! If it was used to distract or deceive an opponent then we could have issues as a form of USB!

On a few occasions I have over exuberant coaches or parents SCREAMING **LEAVE IT** or **LET IT GO!** from the touch line especially in youth matches usually u-12 and under where players from both teams actually skid to a stop or cringe when near the touch lines from the blast! I generally award drop ball and suggest that those so excited to remain calm so as not to adversely affect the younger players!

As my colleague Ref McHugh aptly points out there is NO FOUL called **verbal impeding** it is a myth born out of the referees who choose to award indfk for these outbursts but fail to caution for the USB thinking it too harsh! I do understand the concept of a caution is a big stick to swing but then really understanding the act for what it is, a blatant attempt to cheat, most often it is not, it is simply a guy communicating to his team mates!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

David, the only time you have to say something is when this phrase deceived the opponent and the ball falls into the possession of the person or his teammate. If this is an advice to his teammate, there is no offense.