2009/10 Indoor Season

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(Mar. 15th) Question 13:  “Towards the end of a co-ed game an incident occurred…”

Towards the end of a co-ed game an incident occurred right in font of the referee\'s box with a female player getting knocked over by a male player from the opposing team. I called a foul and the box referee indicated a caution and yellow card was appropriate. The card was shown and while the female player was being attended to, she was winded by the contact, the buzzer sounded for full time.

As the teams were leaving the field the box referee described the contact in more detail, saying the male player was deliberately aggressive, and I realized that a red card for SFP would have been more appropriate.

Play had not been restarted after the incident and then the buzzer sounded for full time. Could I have changed the yellow to a red even though the game had already finished?

Response:  The short answer is that yes, the referee could have reversed his decision.  The Laws stipulate that the referee may reverse his decision "...provided that he has not restarted play or Terminated the match.".  In the context of the Laws, "Terminated" means (in more common, if incorrect vernacular) "Abandoned".  The match ending does not fit either of these criteria.  So yes, the yellow could have been rescinded and a red issued.

This is probably a good learning experience in that the Ref and AR are a “Team”.  Top level Officials are aware of their respective experience levels.  For less experienced Officials handling the AR duties, it may be appropriate to discuss the incident with the AR (especially if the Ref did not see the incident).  As mentioned above, the Laws/Rules of the game do spell out how a Referee can change a decision.  At top level games, players respect this.  At lower level games, some players may contest a change (I know they shouldn’t, but they do), so taking a few seconds to discuss the incident with the AR, then showing the card may avoid a heated debate.

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 (Jan. 10th) Question 12:  “U16B player completely removed his shirt to celebrate a goal…”

At a recent indoor game a U16B player completely removed his shirt to celebrate a goal.  The ref chose to ignore this, though it made me question if a yellow card should have been shown as per the outdoor regulations.

Is a double minor penalty too harsh for this offence in indoor soccer.

Also does it make a difference if the player has an undershirt on?  In the above case he did not, and it really looked like he was just looking for an excuse to display his body..

Response:  By the letter of the FIFA Laws of the Game, this is a caution for Unsporting Behavior (Page 116).  ASA Rules of Indoor Soccer (ROIS) mandates that a player receiving a caution must serve a ‘double minor’ penalty, except for the Keeper.  A keeper may receive the caution, however a team mate must serve the ‘double minor’ penalty.  Therefore the ‘penalty’ is a result of the caution. 

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 (Jan. 10th) Question 11:  “Q and A section… Rule 15 Ball Out of Play, Ceiling or Side”

Reading the Q and A section of the indoor rules and think this one does not make sense as it makes it possible for the keeper to pick up a ball passed deliberately by a team mate:

Rule 15 Ball Out of Play, Ceiling or Side

August 2009 69

Q. On a kick in from the side, may the goalkeeper touch the ball with his/her hands, if it has been deliberately kicked by a team mate?

A. Yes, provided the kick did not come from outside of the team’s defensive zone.

Response:  You are referring to an outdated Rules of Indoor Soccer (ROIS) publication.  This document was revised September 14th, 2009, for the 2009/2010 Indoor Season. 

 ie. http://albertasoccer.com/clientuploads/2009%20-%202010%20ASA%20-%20Rules%20of%20Indoor%20Soccer%20-%20Final-%20Sept%2014%20(3).pdf

 The Q&A passage you referred to in your E-Mail now reads:

 Rule 15 Ball Out of Play, Ceiling or Side

 Q. On a 'kick in' from the side, may the goalkeeper touch the ball with his/her hands, if it has been deliberately kicked by a team mate?

A. No, the keeper is not allowed to touch the ball with his hands if it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate.

 

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 (Dec. 6th) Question 10:  “I am new to Calgary and would like to become involved in reffing soccer.”

I am new to Calgary and would like to become involved in reffing soccer. Can you tell me how I could become involved as an outdoor soccer Referee and how much it pays?

Response:  I’ll answer your 2nd question first.  Game Fees are set each season by the Calgary Soccer Federation (CSF) and published on their Website:

www.calgarysoccerfederation.com

When you go to this sight, select Referees from the menu on the left side of the page.  Then move the mouse cursor over Information and select Game Fees from the Pop Up.

From this same website, place the mouse cursor over Courses and Clinics and select CSF Course Offerings.  This sight will explain what you would need to do to be eligible to officiate Soccer Matches in Calgary.

 

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(Dec 1st) Question 9:  “Are slide tackles in indoor soccer allowed?”

Maybe I have missed the page or interpretation but I am unsure. On two instances last night (one I was the Ref, the other an AR) a slide tackle was made on an opponent.

In both cases, in my opinion, safely and cleanly, but much to the disapproval of the other team. No fouls or free kicks where awarded, but I wonder if you could clarify please.

Should play be stopped for a foul? Is a card warranted, or will the free kick suffice?

Response:  The answer is YES and NO.  For CUSA, CWSA and CMSA leagues, as long as the tackle is done without committing a penal offence, it is OK in indoor soccer.  I would warn the players to be careful if they are slide tackling in any proximity to the boards, even if the slide tackle is "clean".

Historically the Co-Ed league did not allow “slide tackles”.  However with the League Regulation for all Adult Leagues now merged for this season, this statement is not mentioned.  So I checked with the Co-Ed League Board of directors and received this response:

“YIKES – that item must have been lost in the merge.  Slide tackles are not permitted and are to be cautioned with a yellow card for USB.  So sorry that was “lost” we will make sure it is updated for the Spring classes.”

Restart is a Free Kick awarded to the opposing team.

 

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(Nov. 27th) Question 8:  “Player A on Team A get's a blue card… Does Team A get their player back …”

Player A on Team A get's a blue card, 30 seconds into that penalty, Player B on Team B get's a blue card, both teams are 4v4.  Team B scores thirty seconds later.  Does Team A get their player back, or do that player have to serve the full penalty?

Response:  Referring to ASA Rules of Indoor Soccer, Rule 12 “Relief of Minor Time Penalty”:

“If a team has fewer players on the field of play than its opponents, because one or more players are serving a minor time penalty, and that team is scored upon, then:

•  if the earliest unexpired minor time penalty is the last or only time penalty being served by a player, that player returns to the field

•  if the earliest unexpired minor time penalty is the first of consecutive time penalties, the balance of the earliest unexpired minor time penalty is relieved, and next time penalty begins

Only one unexpired minor time penalty is relieved for each goal scored against a team.”

So the key phrase for your question is “If a team has fewer players on the field of play than its opponents…”.  So the simple answer is “Team A” has to serve the full penalty.

 

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 (Nov. 27th) Question 7:  “ASA's change on the keeper handling is something I like, …”

ASA's change on the keeper handling is something I like, but I've already seen one pair of officials that "just don't get it."  The rule as stated specifies deliberately kicked, so I figure that is pretty much like outdoor, no?  But, we've had one pair that gave a free kick off a ball that came off a thigh, accidentally at that...

Response:  From what you’ve described, you are correct in your interpretation.  And your thoughts of officials that “just don’t get it” doesn’t necessarily stop at the change for Keeper Handling.  To resolve this, CSF encourages Team Officials to first talk to the Ref to request a clarification on the call, preferably at half time or full time.  You may explain your understanding, but please DON’T debate the call.  If the Ref is worth his/her grain of salt, they will review the ASA Rules of Indoor Soccer for future reference.  CSF also requests each team to provide a ‘Ref Evaluation’ after each game (both Positive and Constructive Comments).  Each team that does this on a regular basis is awarded extra fair play points.  CUSA has provided a link to the CSF ‘Ref Evaluation’ on their web site (MENU Bar on Left Side: Forms | Referee Evaluation).  CSF periodically reviews these, and if they spot a common pattern, they will contact the Ref.

 

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 (Nov. 26th) Question 6:  “Can a player be registered and play, in a Tier 1 team of a senior age(BU14)…”

Can a player be registered and play, in a Tier 1 team of a senior age(BU14) and also play for a junior age Tier 1 team (BU14) that he is not registered in, from the same Club???

Response:  The simple answer is NO.  Refer to CMSA Team Officials Rules of Play, which is the supplement to the ASA Rules of Indoor Soccer, Section IIG:

“1. Tier I – a Tier I player can only play up for a Tier I team in a higher age group.”

“12. For the Tier I/II, Tier II / III, and Tier III/IV seeding rounds, a player can not play for any other Tier I/II, Tier II / III, or Tier III/IV team within their age group…”

To paraphrase, a Tier I BU14 player CAN NOT ‘play up’ laterally within their own group.  A Tier I BU14 player CAN ‘play up’ to a Tier I BU16 Team within their club.

 

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 (Nov. 25th) Question 5:  “…some player cards have parts of the ID # faded…”

During my short tenure as a ref, I have noticed some player cards have parts of the ID # faded to the point where it is impossible to read or completely disappeared. This situation has occurred mainly with O45 Mens, but I have seen the odd O35 card with some missing #\'s as well. In every case, these players have memorized their # and are proud of it. My question is: are we to simply NOT ALLOW a player to play in this situation, or perhaps give a stern warning and report the situation on the game sheet...Furthermore, has the ASA or CUSA already addressed this situation or will they in the near future?

Response:  CUSA is aware of this problem, and has been replacing cards that have been turned in for Discipline.  However this catches a very small percentage of CUSA members.  Therefore CUSA is requesting Officials that see these cards during the pre-game check to allow the person to play and note the card condition on the game sheet.   CUSA will contact the individual to arrange a replacement.

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 (Nov. 24th) Question 4:  “…pass back to the Keeper…U10 League”

Does the changes to Rules of Indoor Soccer regarding the pass back to the Keeper apply for the U10 League?

Response:  Yes, the rule regarding a pass back to the keeper applies for all CMSA league U10 thru U18.  U10 only has modifies rules for: Duration of Game (ie. last 2 mins is NOT stop time); Scoring to indicate WINS and LOSSES only; Size of the Ball; Play ups; and ID Cards.

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 (Nov. 22nd) Question 3:  “…player passes back to his GK a ball which goes through the air…”

A player passes back to his GK a ball which goes through the air and the GK doesn't catch the ball in his hand but he boxes it. Can a referee call that a pass back and automatically award a FK to the opponent team????

Response:  No one likes to see an ‘own goal’, but technically the Referee can call a ‘pass back’ under the 2009/2010 ASA Rules of Indoor Soccer.  ‘Handling’ is not limited to catching and hanging onto the ball.  ‘Handling’ is defined as touching the ball with the hand(s) or arm.  A ‘Pass Back to the Keeper’ is defined as an intentional pass from the foot of the player to their keeper.  Normally a player would pass back to their keeper on the turf so that the Keeper does not have to ‘handle’ the ball.  So the Ref needs to determine if the player ‘mis-kicked’ the ball, or the player did intend to pass it back and for some reason did not keep the ball on the turf.  If it’s the latter, then YES, the Referee can call a pass back and award a free kick at the top of the arc.  I suspect the Keeper would rather see that as oppose to letting in an ‘own goal’.

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(Nov. 5th) Question 2:  “…what is boarding???…”

what is boarding???

Response:  Boarding is one of the eight penal offences listed under Rule 12 in the 2009/2010 ASA Rules of Indoor Soccer.  Boarding is defined on Page 42 of this document:

“Definition of Boarding:

Boarding is any contact by a player that forces an opponent to hit the boards that, in the opinion of the referee is careless, reckless or using excessive force.”

ASA has also published a Power Point Presentation to assist Referees in understanding this offence: Boarding-IndoorRefresherPowerpoint.pps

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 (Nov. 3rd) Question 1:  “…boy tackled him from the back and my son tripped and fell down …”

My son was recently playing a U16 Tier 2/3 game. He was attacked by a boy from the side and another boy tackled him from the back and my son tripped and fell down. There was no call. Would I be wrong in thinking that there should have been a call for my son? What should have the call been? I am thinking that as there was a tackle from the back, a card should have been given to that player for violent conduct..

Response:  You would be incorrect “…in thinking…” a “…card should have been given to that player for violent conduct.”   However the level of sanction the Referee may hand out would depend on the severity of the action.  Not having seen this 1st hand, I would suspect in the opinion of the Referee this was either a fair challenge or a trifling foul.  A player falling down does not necessitate a foul (ie your son tripped over the player as oppose to being tripped by the player).

 
First: Did the player that ‘attacked’ your son do so in a way that is considered a ‘fair challenge’.   Or did the player act careless or reckless, which would result in a foul or a Yellow card for Unsporting Behavior (USB) respectively.  Remember just because the player ‘touch the ball first’ does not mean he was not careless and/or reckless.


Second: The other player “…tackled him from the back…”. I’m going to assume  you mean he challenged for the ball by sliding through your son’s heels.  Again the Referee would need to determine if the act was careless, reckless, and/or excessive, or a fair challenge.  If  it was careless and your son’s team maintained possession, the call may be to ‘Play Advantage’ meaning the foul is recognized, but no stoppage is required.  If possession was lost, stop play and award a Direct Free Kick.  Either decision may warrant a conversation between the Referee and the Player.  If the challenge was reckless, the Referee may caution the player and show a Yellow Card for USB.  If the challenge was excessive (ie. going beyond what was needed to gain possession and risking harm to your son), the Referee may dismiss the player and show a Red Card for Serious Foul Play (SFP), not Violent Conduct (VC).  The difference between SFP and VC is the discipline handed down from the league.

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