Question Number: 22673

Law 3 - Number of Players 12/27/2009

RE: competative Adult

andrew munsey of croydon , Surrey UK asks...

This question is a follow up to question 97910

At the beginnining of the half both sides have 11 players .
Between 45 -70 mins blues score 2 goals .
In 70th mimute reds score however it is noticed at this time they have twelve players on the pitch
Should the goal stand if not why not ? What Action should be taken and against whom .

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You say 'it is noticed at this time.' If you mean that play has not been restarted after the apparent goal, then the goal cannot count. If play has restarted then the goal counts. Assuming play has not restarted, the goal cannot count. If the 12th person on the field is a substitute who has entered without the referee's permission or a player that was given permission to leave the field of play but re-entered without the referees permission, or if playing with limited substitutions a player that has already been substituted out, the restart is an indirect free kick for blue from blue's goal area. The 12th person is cautioned (illegal sub or substituted player for unsporting behavior, the player for entering the field without the permission of the referee) shown the yellow card and removed from the field of play. If the 12th person is someone that was not on the roster, or a player or substitute that had been sent off, the restart is a dropped ball. on blue's 6 yard line.These persons are considered to be outside agents and cannot commit fouls or misconduct so no cards may be shown but the referee should include their actions in his report.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Munsey
If play has not restarted after the Red goal is scored in the 70th minute, then the referee disallows the goal and cautions the 12th player who is asked to leave the field of play. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick in the goal area to the blues.
After the game has been completed the matter is reported by the referee to the League authorities giving a full account of the incident.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If the referee is aware 100% that red did indeed have 12 players on the field of play when the goal was scored the goal is rescinded and red must reduce to the required number of players before the indfk for blue could take place. There are times during a goal celebration the substitutes or bench personal could enter AFTER the goal. If you have neutral ARS use their input. If a coach is pushing the substitution issue, head it off before problems like this arise! In the pre game I push the proper substitution format to my senior AR in charge of such things and expect him to get my attention if the teams fail to heed his instructions as he is not a 4th and has considerable responsibility to the normal AR duties! My point is you need to be sure taking away a goal is a big deal as is allowing an illegal one to stand!

A referee is at times the creator of these situations in as much it could be a mistake by the red team or an over eager player who thought he was to be on versus an actual attempt to cheat! Multiple substitution opportunities at youth and constant in and outs need to be carefully monitored that those leaving have indeed left before those entering are permitted to come in. Failure to follow good substitution practices can result in not being aware that an extra body entered the field. I am pretty strict and even I have found myself in situations where there are more on the field then there was supposed to be! :o(
.
I recall waving in three substitutes after I thought I saw 3 players step out off the field! What I was unaware of was one of the three I thought stepped off had actually gone around the field to get to the washroom from the technical area. The 3rd player who needed to come off did not hear his name called. My fault for assuming things not quite in keeping with my own instructions in which I request players leaving to raise their arms as they are stepping out so I can tell they are off the field. The bathroom player was waving to his mom and dad .Best laid plans can still go wrong! In cases where referee error is involved I see no reason to seek to caution even if I can not allow the goal

If the 12th person can be readily identified as a legitimate roistered participant he certainly could be cautioned and shown a yellow card if the referee assumes no complicity in the situation.

FIFA QUOTE
Goal scored with an extra person on the field of play
If, after a goal is scored, the referee realizes, before play restarts, that there was an extra person on the field of play when the goal was scored:
• the referee must disallow the goal if:
– the extra person was an outside agent and he interfered with play
– the extra person was a player, substitute, substituted player or team official associated with the team that scored the goal

Extra persons on the field of play

Outside agents
Anyone not indicated on the team list as a player, substitute or team official is deemed to be an outside agent, as is a player who has been sent off.
If an outside agent enters the field of play:
• the referee must stop play (although not immediately if the outside agent does not interfere with play)
• the referee must have him removed from the field of play and its immediate surroundings
• if the referee stops the match, he must restart play with a dropped ball in the position where the ball was at the time when the match was stopped, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped

Team officials
If a team official enters the field of play:
• the referee must stop play (although not immediately if the team official does not interfere with play or if the advantage can be applied)
• the referee must have him removed from the field of play and if his behavior is irresponsible, the referee must expel him from the field of play and its immediate surroundings
• if the referee stops the match, he must restart play with a dropped ball in the position where the ball was at the time when the match was stopped, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped

Infringements and Sanctions
If a substitute or substituted player enters the field of play without the referee's permission:
• the referee stops play (although not immediately if the substitute or substituted player does not interfere with play)
• the referee cautions him for unsporting behavior and orders him to leave the field of play
• if the referee has stopped play, it is restarted with an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the position of the ball at the time of the stoppage (see Law 13 – Position of Free Kick
End Quote

I tend to think over eager youth or inexperienced adults are the main culprits, mixed in with referee inattention but there are teams and coaches who will flaunt or decided they can circumvent things and take advantage of a single referee or inexperienced ARs and this is where a stricter approach and using the laws of the game require the more liberal use of cards to drive home the point. Also note the time used and add it if required! You record all such transgressions in the match report, red having too many players when blue is leading is not likely to result in a replay or a protest unless blue was to be denied a fair result!
Cheers

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