Question Number: 23555

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/25/2010

RE: Comp Adult

Nick of Montreal, Quebec Canada asks...

Player Change.

A player leaves the field of play at the center line but the new player doesn't enter the field of play but walks done the line to do a throw in.

I request that the player enter the field of play then leave the field of play to become a eligible player.

Is this too much or is there another way of doing this without all the show?

Is it necessary at all?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It is necessary. Until the player has entered the field, which can be as simple as standing on the touchline, he is not a player. If he were to turn around before entering the field and cold cock anyone, or say something totally inappropriate which gets him sent off, his team doesn't play short, and can get another substitute up to go in (at the next stoppage) assuming they have any subs left to use.

Good for you for following the protocol. It can and will save much grief.

Read other questions answered by Referee Michelle Maloney

View Referee Michelle Maloney profile

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Nick
Absolutely correct decision and you followed the substitution procedure fully as laid down in the Laws. The substitute does not become a player until he steps on the FOP.
In the situation where a substitute say off the FOP strikes someone that substitute would be dismissed but the team does not play short. A team could argue that it changed its mind say on a substitution if that scenario happened in a game and the referee is then perhaps forced to concede that the substitution in fact did not happen nor was it intended.
Another more likely scenario is on a substitution where the player that is coming off commits VC on the FOP. The team will argue that the substitution is complete and that when the player is dismissed that it does not play short. That is why it is important to do this.
Remember as well that once the substitute steps on the line he is on the FOP.

Read other questions answered by Referee Joe McHugh

View Referee Joe McHugh profile

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Nick,

You approached it correctly - and while it may seem a tiny thing, it could become a big thing.

What if, as he goes to take the throw in, an opposition supporter behind him makes a comment, and he retorts with a comment that gets himself sent off?

As he hasn't entered the field of play, the substitution hasn't been completed - so you'd have to allow the player who left to return or another substitute to enter the field.

Whilst it's unlikely, a colleague had a match abandoned due to a brawl between players and spectators after a player abused a spectator in response to a comment one made.

So while it's unlikely that a substitute not stepping onto the field will create an issue, it's certainly possible.

Of course, how you approach the situation can have an impact on how players view you. Keep in mind that the player won't understand why you're making an issue out of something that seems completely irrelevant, so if you approach it in a fairly relaxed fashion, ask the player to just step onto the field first without making an issue out of it, the players won't make an issue out of it either.

Approach it in an overly officious manner and you may well lose respect.

So while it's necessary, it can be managed in a fairly relaxed fashion - of course, your approach will depend upon the match, the level of play and your own personality.

Almost certainly there would not have been a problem anyway. But if there was, then you would've created a very bad situation for yourself by not adhering to the laws of the game.

Read other questions answered by Referee Jason Wright

View Referee Jason Wright profile