Question Number: 23676

Law 18 - Common Sense 7/16/2010

RE: Adult

brian campbell of Edinburgh, Scotland asks...

This question is a follow up to question 8950

if a player leaves the field of play can he return to the field of play without permission from the referee?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Depends on how he left.

If it was during the run of normal play - for example to veer around an opponent, to keep a ball from going out, or to retrieve a ball for a throw-in - then all is fine and the player is expected to reenter the field as soon as possible.

If the player was off the field with the permission of or at the direction of the referee - for example, for injury or to correct equipment - then the player must wait to be beckoned on.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When a player leaves the field of play outside the normal run of play, the player needs permission from the referee: (a) to leave and (b) to return. Entering or leaving without the permission of the referee may be cautioned as misconduct (yellow card shown).

When a player leaves as part of the normal run of play - to take a corner or throw-in; because of momentum; or running along the touchline, we consider that player 'temporarily off the field of play' and the implies permission to leave and return.