| Ref's
View |
By
Steve Cartwright |
I
hope this column will be of interest to all those involved with WMCFL.
A forum for clarification of certain laws etc. affecting the beautiful
game. A chance for us Refs to have a say.
If
anyone has a comment or question please feel free to contact me. I cannot
and will not comment about specific incidents that have occurred during
a particular match. |
Pre-Season
2006/2007 (added
23 July 2006) |
| Yes it’s that time again when we look forward to another new season. So a few brief notes regarding the Laws Of Association Football, or as we Ref’s call it “Using your loaf!” Amendments to LOAF as of 25th April 2006 Players Equipment: Players MUST wear Jersey or Shirt, Shorts (if thermal undershorts are worn they must be of the same main colour as the shorts), Stockings/Socks, Shinguards & footwear.
All the above does
not constitute all the amendments as stipulated by F.I.F.A. Should require
complete text and explanation you should obtain a copy of ‘L.O.A.F.’
for the 2006/2007 season.
|
Pre-Season
2005/2006 (added
14 August 2005) |
| We
all look forward with anticipation to the new season. In line with the
FA and FIFA Amendments to the Laws of the Game, I thought it worth highlighting
the key points and law changes that came into effect on 1st July 2005. Players are reminded that should not wear anything that could constitute a danger to themselves or other players i.e. Jewellery. ‘Taped’ rings are only permitted if they are rendered entirely safe. Referees are instructed to inspect all player’s footwear to ensure no injury can be caused from damaged studs or blades. Racist, Abusive, Offensive and language likely to incite will NOT be tolerated with the appropriate action being taken. This applies not only to players, but anyone connected with the game i.e. Clubs, Officials and supporters. We ALL have a responsibility to ensure that the above is not tolerated. (The W.M.C.F.L. already operate a ‘zero tolerance’ of Racist, Abusive and Offensive language. With players guilty of this/these offences being immediately dismissed from the field of play). Blood Injuries: Players with bleeding from wounds MUST leave the field of play for treatment. Players will NOT be allowed to wear blood stained clothing on the field of play. Players surrounding the Referee: Any group of players challenging the Referee in such a manner, bring the game into disrepute and could be punished accordingly. Throw ins: At the taking of a ‘throw in’ an opponent must stand a minimum of 2 metres from the point at which the throw in is taken. You maybe interested
to know that F.I.F.A are currently experimenting with the following:
Once a referee has awarded a free kick, any player from the offending
side who deliberately touches the ball could be considered to be guilty
of delaying the restart of play, a cautionable offence. The same reasoning
applies also restarts for throw ins, corner kicks. Also to a player
removing the ball from the goal net after his team has scored a goal.
Watch this space for further developments and feedback. |
Pre-Season
2004/2005 (added
29 August 2004) |
Welcome back to the new season. Just to start us off, a few points that require your attention and action: During the summer months the WMCFL Officers, Club Secretaries and Match Officials have been discussing various thorny issues relating to the laws of Association Football, FIFA directives and how they affect our particular league. As referees, we have been asked to show more consistency with regard to: Offensive,
Insulting or Obusive Language and Gestures This topic has been discussed many times in the past. All of us have witnessed such offensive language etc., whether on park pitches or on television. It's a very difficult area for the Referees and Match Officials to be consistent. As law 12 stands, the type and amount of ‘offensive language’ is very much left to the discretion and tolerance of the Referee. See example quoted below: Following discussions with the League Officers, having the 100% backing of ALL the Club Secretaries. West Midlands Christian Football League has published on this website and will be also sending a letter to every WMCFL Club, who in turn should make EVERY player aware that the WMCFL League will not tolerate any form of ‘offensive language’. In addition, in order to be consistent with the League’s statement, WMCFL Referees will also adopt a ‘nil tolerance attitude’ to ‘offensive language’. What does this mean? It means that if ANY swearing, foul, abusive, offensive or insulting language is heard by the referee regardless as to how or why it has occurred the offending player(s) or Club Official WILL be shown the red card and ‘sent off’. Example: If a player has a ‘goal bound’ shot tipped over the bar by the ‘keeper when a goal looked a certainty, with the player in uttering various ‘expletives’ under his breath. Even though the Ref. may have heard these remarks, he would have used his discretion as to whether or not to send the play off. But as of THIS season in the WMCFL, there will be no discretion. Any and all ‘offensive language’ if heard by the Referee will result in the offending player being sent off. REGARDLESS of excuse. Needless to say the same punishment also applies to offensive gestures, spitting and racist remarks. Players’ Equipment – Jewellery / other Adornments Law 4 states that a player must not use or wear equipment which is dangerous to himself or other players. Including ANY kind of jewellery. F.I.F.A. have further emphasised the above by issuing a directive to ‘remind’ players that they should not wear any kind of Jewellery, leather Necklaces, Bracelets, ‘Studs’ etc. Please note that term ‘jewellery’ does not only apply to metal i.e Gold etc, it applies to any adornment made from any material which could cause harm to any person on the pitch. Should such items be visible by the Referee, that player will be asked to leave the field of play, and will not be allowed back onto the field of play until the offending jewellery has been removed or rendered harmless. The wearing of Wedding Rings is acceptable, providing they are of a ‘plain/flat’ design i.e. containing no ‘stones’ etc. and are rendered entirely safe by being enclosed by tape.
In an attempt to reduce injury caused by opponents studs or blades on footwear. F.I.F.A. has instructed all referees to inspect players’ footwear prior to commencing the game. No player will be
allowed to participate in a game if in the opinion of the referee that
player’s footwear represents a possible danger to other players. |
| The
‘New’? Offside Law (article added 21 February
2004) |
| There’s
been much publicity regarding what some people call 'the New Offside Rule'.
Whilst I could quote verbatim from ‘LOAF’ (Laws Of Association
Football), this I feel would not serve much purpose, as in effect there
is NO ‘new’ Offside law.
The Offside law has not changed since the start of this current 2003/04 season. From time to time, FIFA issue directives to referees, players, clubs and officials which can give guidance as to how the individual laws of the game can be interpreted and how the laws can be applied. Particularly if FIFA think that by interpreting a law in a particular way will lead to making the game more attractive. Much of this aimed at the professional game, rather than parks football. You may have seen the Bolton game on TV a few weeks ago where they employed two forwards as old fashioned goal hangers. Given the large audience that saw the game, this gave rise to the comment of a 'New Offside Law'. Of course, there is no new law. Just an interpretation of the offside law helped by a FIFA directive. This interpretation of the Offside Law, whilst still legal was at best not within the spirit of the game. Indeed, it’s very application difficult enough for the professional referee and two assistants, let alone ‘on the parks’ with just a referee and two club linesmen. That’s of course assuming that clubs fully understand the offside law and it’s interpretation! So where does that leave us now? As far as we at parks level football are concerned, exactly where we started. In order to quell the increasing tide of queries and questions from players, clubs and spectators, the FA have further issued guidelines. In essence the FA have stated that if a player is in a position to distract an opponent, even though they are not in an offside position only by virtue of the fact that they are not within the playing area of the ball, that player could be deemed to be offside. (This has not been taken verbatim from the FA statement) I hope this has served to expel the myth and clarify the ‘Offside’ situation. Nothing has changed, it’s business as usual. |
| Dealing
with Injured Players |
| There
has been a certain amount of confusion concerning the appropriate procedure
to be taken when dealing with an injured player. With obvious head or
serious injuries, play is stopped immediately in order that the injured
player receive prompt attention to ascertain the extent or severity of
the injury and the appropriate treatment given.
Confusion generally arises with regard to the treatment or attention required for other less serious injuries. Should the injured player leave the field of play after treatment? Should the player leave the field of play to receive treatment? The Instructions issued by F.I.F.A. to Match Officials originally arose in an attempt to speed up the treatment of injured players and thus help the continuity of the game, i.e. to prevent teams deliberately delaying play in order to gain an unfair advantage as used as a tactic for time wasting. Indeed for International matches, ‘golf type’ buggies have been introduced to move the player etc. from the field of play. F.I.F.A. stated that if a player is injured on the field of play, IF the doctor, physio or trainer is allowed onto the field of play to administer treatment. The injured player MUST leave the field of play, regardless of whether or not the player is fit enough to continue. That player CANNOT re-enter the field of play until permitted to do by the Referee. Generally, the player will be allowed back onto the field of play as soon as possible by the Referee, providing the ball is not within playing distance of where the injured player re-enters the field of play. For example, the injured player wishing to enter the field of play would not be allowed to enter the field in the goal area if a taking of a corner was in progress. Of course for obvious reasons the above directive does not include an injury to the Goalkeeper. From a purely personal point of view I feel this procedure is generally unnecessary when applied to ‘parks’ football, never the less it IS a F.I.F.A. directive that MUST be adopted. Not forgetting that maybe, that injured player could have a more serious injury than was at first apparent, and by waiting to come back on the field of play, that could just be the extra time needed to monitor the injured player. Thus reducing the possibility of further injury to that player. Should a player not require the attention of the trainer, thus not having any treatment, that player can remain on the field of play. If any injury results in bleeding from a wound. That injured player MUST leave the field of play for further treatment. The WMCFL in line with the F.I.F.A. directive has adopted the procedure as set out above. This involves, referees, managers, trainers, physio’s and players. Please ensure everyone involved is aware.
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