U.S. Soccer Referee Position Paper: June 22, 2007

U.S. Soccer's Referee Department breaks down a quick restart situation from an MLS match between the New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew on June 16, 2007. A detailed analysis of this rule interpretation, and more, can be found at: ussoccer.com/laws/papers.jsp.html

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[rcdawsonnh]

The point isn't that the NE player is withing the 10 yards, he clearly is. What makes the difference here is that he is moving away from the ball in a timely manner, but then moves toward the ball just as it is about to be kicked. By moving towards the ball, he is guilty of encroachment. If he was struck, for instance, in the shin while backing up, then it's what we tend to call "nothing".

[millerhome208]

With no audio, as most of the referee videos omit, it is difficult to know what has happened dynamically. The position paper does explain the situation, but the audio would be nice as well. More importantly, the resolution of the video makes seeing the "offense" almost impossible, even when enlarging the screen size. I had seen the match and remember the incident and thought...oh, oh, we are going to here about this one.

Miller in the Tetons.

[PacManWhammy]

i dont get what happens

[nukedukem31]

Yea the key here is that the NE player would have been fine if he was backing up and did not stick out his leg. However, he was not backing up and he did stick out his leg when the ball struck him, which makes him guilty of encroachment. Caution to him for Failure to Respect the Required Distance, retake the free kick.

[intechpc]

I think the video quality is actually a YouTube issue, in that they reduce the quality in the posting process. However, it would be helpful if USSoccer could zoom the video prior to posting so that the incident is more clearly the focus of the frame.

[PuhiSamoLevski]

ahahahahhaha MLS is funny

[1ladyref]

US Soccer's Advice to Referees and FIFA's LOTG are very clear. The team who committed that foul must retire least 10 yards. The offended team does not have to ask for it, nor do they have to insist on it. However, if the offending team interferes with their opponent's ability to take the free kick because their encroachment, that must be dealt with as unsporting behavior and the free kick must be retaken.

[1ladyref]

Not according to FIFA Laws of the Game, Questions and Answers 2006, and US Soccer (Advice to Referees, 2006).

[Grubba12]

This is from the USSF memorandum that should be with the clip:

"It is the consensus of the U.S. Soccer technical staff, that in this particular clip, New England's Wells Thompson did move toward the ball by thrusting his leg forward to block the kick. The free kick should have been retaken and set up as a ceremonial free kick with the required distance from the ball attained."

[Academikz]

mrecint is right.