Circular No.3: Additional Guidance on Law 11 - Offside (Videos)

To all football associations, confederations and FIFA
Circular no. 3
Zurich, 17 July 2015 SEC/2015-C051/bru
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON LAW 11 – OFFSIDE

Dear Sir or Madam,

Following requests from a number of football associations and confederations regarding offside, The IFAB would like to provide additional clarification and/or guidance relating to the definition of the offside offence of ‘interfering with an opponent’ and also to the definition of ‘save’ in the context of offside (Laws of the Game, p. 110).
This clarification follows detailed deliberations between our Technical Sub-Committee and the Technical Advisory Panel, which consists of refereeing experts from all the confederations.
Please be informed that this clarification replaces any non-IFAB instructions or guidance received previously with respect to this matter. We trust that this clarification will ensure a higher uniformity in the application of Law 11.
1. “Interfering with an opponent”
Clarification
In addition to the situations already outlined in the Laws of the Game, a player in an offside position shall also be penalized if he:
• clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an
opponent or
• makes an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

Guidance
• ‘clearly attempts’ – this wording is designed to prevent a player who runs towards the ball from quite a long distance being penalized (unless he gets close to the ball).
• ‘close’ is important so that a player is not penalized when the ball goes clearly over his head or clearly in front of him.
• ‘impact’ applies to an opponent’s ability (or potential) to play the ball and will include situations where an opponent’s movement to play the ball is delayed, hindered or prevented by the offside player.

However, just because a player is an offside position it does not always mean that he has an impact. For example:
• if the ball is on the right-hand side of the field and an ‘offside’ player in the center of the field moves into a new attacking position he is not penalized unless this action affects an opponent’s ability to play the ball • where a player tries to play the ball as it is going into the goal without affecting an opponent, or in situations where there is no opposition player near, he should not be penalized

2. “Save”
Clarification
Law 11 outlines situations when an offside player is penalized by becoming involved in active play and these include (p. 110):
• “gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball i. that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position ii. that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent having been in an offside position A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage.

As indicated in the last sentence a ‘save’ can be made by any player and is not limited to the goalkeeper. Therefore, The IFAB wishes to clarify that: A ‘save’ is when a player stops a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of his body except his hands (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).

NB: This clarification is consistent with the use of the word ‘save’ in Law 12 – Offences by the Goalkeeper (p. 122).

Additional information: change of FIFA Quality Program logos Unrelated to Law 11, we would like to take this opportunity to mention the change to the FIFA quality marks on footballs (p. 16), which was not part of the previous correspondence. This change is already reflected in the printed editions of the Laws of the Game 2015/16, which you received recently.

Thank you for your attention and please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or inquiries.


Yours sincerely,

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Lukas Brud Secretary

_____________________________________________________________

VIDEO #1

"Interfering with play" and "Gaining an advantage from that position" are both out. What's left? "Interfering with an opponent", so let's break it down.

Did the player in the offside position, ‘clearly attempts’ to play the ball? 

'Clearly attempts' – this wording is designed to prevent a player who runs towards the ball from quite a long distance being penalized (unless he gets close to the ball). YES. 

What's next? how close?

How ‘close’ is important so that a player is not penalized when the ball goes clearly over his head or clearly in front of him. YES 

Finally, did he impacted the opponent's ability or potential ability to play the ball? 

‘impact’ applies to an opponent’s ability (or potential) to play the ball and will include situations where an opponent’s movement to play the ball is delayed, hindered or prevented by the offside player. I CAN'T TELL WITHOUT A DOUBT. 

Decision: Play continues.

VIDEO #2

Offside, for interfering with an opponent. Red #10 in an offside position made a clear action within playing distance which impacted the ability of the goalkeeper to play the ball.

VIDEO #3

This is a tricky play and to get it right you need to break it down into manageable chunks!
White #9 was in an offside position when White #7 took a shot on goal.
Blue #14 made a goal-line "save". After the "save" White #9 challenges Blue #4 for the ball but he is unsuccessful. "Gaining an advantage by being in that position" is out. Why?
“gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball i. that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position ii. that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent having been in an offside position. In this play White #9 did not touch the ball.

So, what's next?

White # 9 from an offside position clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him, this 'obvious action' clearly impacts on the ability of the opponent to play the ball.

Decision: OFFSIDE "interfering with an opponent".

ATR 5.8 Injuries

There is no higher priority for the officiating team than the health and safety of the players. Accordingly, referees must remain vigilant in any situation where an injury might have occurred to err on the side of protecting the safety of the player. This is particularly the case where an injury may have occurred to the head or neck of a player as a result of hard contact with anyone, whether or not as a result of a foul, or of contact with any hard surface. The first action to be taken immediately is to stop play and then
to bring medical assistance onto the field.
Players who are injured are required to leave the field under either of two conditions:
• the referee stops play solely for a serious injury (i.e., no other violation) or
• with play stopped for any other reason, the referee signals approval for someone (team official, medical personnel, etc.) to enter the field to assist the injured player.a goalkeeper is injured,

There are three exceptions to this rule:
• a goalkeeper is injured,
• one or more field players (regardless of team) and a goalkeeper are seriously injured in a collision, or
• two or more players from the same team are seriously injured in a collision.
In most cases, treatment for an injury is required to be done off the field but the referee must allow treatment on the field under any of the exceptions listed above or, where an exception does not exist, if a player’s injury is sufficiently serious that moving the player off the field would itself constitute a danger (usually, situations where immediate first aid must be administered).

If play has been stopped for an injury or if assistance has been waved onto the field, it is usually unwise to remain in the area of the injured player. The referee should move away and pursue other duties – consulting with one or both assistant referee about details of the event, calming other players understandably upset about the injury, checking in with the fourth official, and so forth.

HD Video click here

F.I.R.E.

The F-I-R-E Principle for Dealing with Above-the-Shoulder Challenges

Actions aimed at the face of an opponent must be dealt with severely REGARDLESS OF THE FORCE USED if the actions are:

• Deliberate
• Intended to intimidate
• Endangering the safety of an opponent
• Insulting and/or offensive in nature
• Potentially inciting further action on the part of opponents

The following lists some specific examples (but not all examples) of the manner in which the contact can be initiated are:

• Use of the backhand
• Open handed slap
• A push/slap to the face
• The jabbing of a finger(s) to the face
• Grabbing hair
• Use of a fist

To assist referees in recognizing and properly addressing these situations, the acronym F-I-R-E was provided to assist officials with the identification of elbows that should be defined as red card offenses (violent conduct):

• Frustration
• Intimidation
• Retaliation (payback)
• Establish Territory or Space

When applying the aforementioned examples, the use of force becomes increasingly important as it relates to contact with the back of the player’s head as the likelihood for injury is somewhat lessened as compared to contact with the face.  Consequently, some discretion may be exercised on the part of the referee as it relates to contact with the back of the head depending upon the intent and the force used.

Video Clip: New England at Real Salt Lake (19:53) 
This clip involves violent conduct as a result of a player striking an opponent by head butting him. The player uses his head (hard surface) to contact the opponent in a very vulnerable area (the soft surface of the face). In addition, the act falls under the guidelines provided above and in the “Contact Above the Shoulder” directive. The player’s actions are: deliberate, intended to intimidate, endanger the safety of the opponent, incite further action on the part of opponents and are executed in a provocative and inciteful manner. As a result, the player must be sent off for violent conduct.

Referees can attempt to take preventative actions when similar situations arise. Although the referee attempts to provide flow to the game by allowing play to continue as the goalkeeper gains clear possession of the ball (despite a bridging/tripping foul being committed by the attacker as the keeper goes up in the air to gather the ball), the referee must be cognizant of the actions that follow and their potential impact on the game. In this case, a quick whistle on the part of the referee to stop play as soon as the players go chest-to-chest would potentially prevent further action. Given the attacker’s immediate actions, the referee could stop the game and eventually restart with a free kick for the defense. The free kick could result from the tripping/bridging foul as advantage did not materialize or for unsporting behavior for bringing the game into disrepute (review the “Game Disrepute and Mass Confrontation” directive. This would require the referee to caution the attacker for unsporting behavior and restart with an indirect free kick. By taking either of these actions, the referee is using common sense and is using preventative techniques to manage/control the game.

Once the referee has stopped the game, he should immediately sprint to the area of the confrontation. The referee’s presence could act as a tool to prevent escalation of the situation. Upon quick arrival, the referee could separate or channel the players thereby defusing the situation.

Pursuant to U.S. Soccer directives and guidance, the attacker in this clip should be red carded for violent conduct.

2014 Advice to Referees

An updated and revamped version of U.S. Soccer's Advice to Referees is now available for download. 

This file provides U.S. Soccer's official interpretations of the FIFA Laws of the Game. All affiliated competitions and registered officials are expected to adhere to and implement this information to the fullest extent possible.

Please note that while this information can be helpful to officials working at all levels of competition, the content is most relevant for those referees officiating competitive youth games and above. This updated version is available here.

ATR: 3.6 and 5.8 (Injuries)

US Soccer Referee Program

Advice to Referees (2014)

5.8 Injuries:

There is no higher priority for the officiating team than the health and safety of the players. Accordingly, referees must remain vigilant in any situation where an injury might have occurred to err on the side of protecting the safety of the player. This is particularly the case where an injury may have occurred to the head or neck of a player as a result of hard contact with anyone, whether or not as a result of a foul, or of contact with any hard surface. The first action to be taken immediately is to stop play and then to bring medical assistance onto the field.

Players who are injured are required to leave the field under either of two conditions:
• the referee stops play solely for a serious injury (i.e., no other violation) or
• with play stopped for any other reason, the referee signals approval for someone (team official, medical personnel, etc.) to enter the field to assist the injured player.
There are three exceptions to this rule:
• a goalkeeper is injured,
• one or more field players (regardless of team) and a goalkeeper are seriously injured in a collision, or
• two or more players from the same team are seriously injured in a collision.
In most cases, treatment for an injury is required to be done off the field but the referee must allow treatment on the field under any of the exceptions listed above or, where an exception does not exist, if a player’s injury is sufficiently serious that moving the player off the field would itself constitute a danger (usually, situations where immediate first aid must be administered).

If play has been stopped for an injury or if assistance has been waved onto the field, it is usually unwise to remain in the area of the injured player. The referee should move away and pursue other duties – consulting with one or both assistant referee about details of the event, calming other players understandably upset about the injury, checking in with the fourth official, and so forth.

3.6 Re-Entering Players:

When a player is off the field under circumstances where the referee’s permission is needed to re-enter, the following requirements must be met in addition to receiving the referee’s permission:

Blood, bleeding, or equipment issue:
- Anywhere along touchline at stoppage
- Pass inspection to confirm correction of problem

Injury, serious injury, any other reason for which player received permission:
- Anywhere along perimeter line at stoppage, anywhere along touchline during play

A player while departing during play by order of or with the permission of the referee commits cautionable misconduct (unsporting behavior) by interfering with or participating in any way with ongoing play.

Contact Above the Shoulders

Violent Conduct
Contact Above the Shoulders

Due to the work by officials to eliminate tackles from behind, players have been forced to find other methods to slow opponents and to send messages or intimidate. The use of the arm, forearm or hand to foul opponents has replaced the tackle from behind. In particular, the use of these items as a weapon in aerial challenges has increased. Due to the speed and athleticism that is a characteristic of the modern game, contact with the arm/forearm/elbow/hand (a hard, solid surface) with any part of the opponent’s body above the shoulders (soft tissue areas) makes the incident much more dangerous. The speed at which many of the aerial challenges are committed increases the force and severity of the contact and, therefore, often translates into excessive force which increases the possibility that the opponent’s safety is endangered. Should the referee believe that excessive force is used in a challenge, a red card would be mandated.

The 2009 Directive on “Contact Above the Shoulder” provides a framework for officials to use in deciphering challenges near the neck and facial region. Key is the referee’s ability to differentiate between the use of the arm/forearm/elbow/hand as a “tool” or as a “weapon.” The following table will assist match officials with interpreting whether the use of the arm/forearm/elbow/hand is fair, careless, reckless or excessive force.

TOOL	WEAPON
Arm used for balance Normal body movement No swing of the arm INTO the opponent Opponent into arm/elbow/hand – not arm/elbow/hand into opponent Arm/elbow was out before the challenge was initiated Not UP and IN – just UP	Excessive force used Safety of the player is endangered Hard surface (forearm/elbow/hand) contacting soft surface (facial and neck region) Arm/elbow UP and IN to opponent Arm/elbow/hand is swung toward opponent’s facial region UP and IN – arm used as a ”battering ram” Injury results

When the arm/forearm/elbow/hand is used as a “weapon” as described above, the referee is required to issue a red card. The more it is used as a “tool,” the referee should consider a foul and/or a yellow card. Officials should thoroughly review the 2009 Directive “Contact Above the Shoulder” referenced above.

VIDEO #1

• This “contact above the shoulder” situation had several warning signs that could have assisted the referee by increasing his urgency through anticipation and decreased reaction time. As the clip is viewed, consider the following: approximately two minutes earlier, there was a red card that resulted in game disrepute and further misconduct.
  
  Considering the circumstances and atmosphere of the game created a few minutes before (a first warning sign), the referee must anticipate increased tensions and be prepared to respond to volatile situations like the one in clip 4. A headbutt is precipitated by late and hard body contact after the ball is gone (a second warning sign). The player on the receiving end of the late and reckless foul then responds with a more intense response of his own, a headbutt.
  
  As soon as the referee recognizes the late body charge by the Houston player (orange shirt), the referee must move to the spot with urgency with the hope that the player that has been fouled “feels” the referee’s presence and “feels” that the referee will take prompt and correct disciplinary action. As you watch the referee’s response to the situation, notice his first few steps. These initial steps lack urgency and energy, thereby reducing his arrival time on the scene of the crime.
  
  Given the actions by the two players, the disciplinary decisions by the referee are correct. The Houston player (orange shirt) should be cautioned for his reckless challenge (unsporting behavior) while the Chicago player is correctly sent-off for violent conduct (head butt). 

Game Disrepute and Mass Confrontation: USSF Directive

Definitions

Game Disrepute: The Definition(s)

   * Involves at least one player and sometimes two or more opposing players adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials.

The actions of the players bring the game into disrepute.

  * Usually the ball is dead (out of play). Players feel at liberty to have a “go” at each other because they don’t have to chase a live ball. These are volatile situations. Because the ball is dead, a specific foul cannot be called but that should not prevent the referee from taking appropriate action

   * Actions that detract from the enjoyment of the game. Something where the general fan says, “That is not what I want to watch.”

   * Aggressive behavior toward an opponent or behavior that attempts to provoke an opponent or the benches. For example: Trying to get a negative reaction from the opponent (like taunting an opponent).

   * Treating the game, the referee, or the opponents in a disrespectful manner; often the player is attempting to show he is above the game.

Mass Confrontation: The Definition(s)

  * The concerted actions of three or more players (may be from either team):

1. Toward the referee by multiple players of the same team

Disputing a decision by surrounding the referee or hindering or forcing movement by the referee. Involves aggressiveness toward the referee, AR, or fourth official. Players are trying to intimidate one or more of the officials to influence a current outcome/decision or a future outcome/decision.

2. Toward opponents by multiple opposing players

Coming together to engage in a physical and/or verbal confrontation. Involves a swarm of opposing players exhibiting aggressive behavior toward each other. Physical contact is often a by-product of the acts. Intimidation and a source of strength are trademarks.

* Game Disrepute can quickly escalate and become Mass Confrontation.

Characteristics and actions required by officials to prevent escalation:

* Caused by a trigger issue

Follows an issue or foul that is sensitive to players like a hard foul in front of the bench or a foul where the safety of a player is endangered. Consider the foul to a goalkeeper or key player. The player who runs into the goal to retrieve the ball after they have scored a goal can also ignite a confrontation.

* Recognize the trigger issue

Officials must immediately recognize the flash point or trigger issue. Failure to recognize or a slow response by the referee will result in further escalation.

Before the game, discuss trigger issues with the referee team based upon the characteristics of the teams/players involved and store that information in your databank. For example, teams have certain players who are more protected by their colleagues than others. These players can often be the

trigger points for mass confrontation between opponents. Identify them before the first whistle.

* Get there to diffuse

Once mass confrontation among opponents arises, a member of the referee team must get there immediately to prevent escalation. For each step you are late, it allows one more player to participate.

* Separate and disperse

The first official on the scene should work to carefully separate the immediate players. Once three or more players enter the scene, the referee should step back and observe the situation. The two assistant referees should also take a vantage point to

observe the actions of the players while the fourth official maintains his position and monitors the bench area unless he can get to the scene sooner than the bench side AR. If this is the case, the bench side AR assumes the duties of the fourth official. This procedure forms a triangle around the confrontation and maximizes the sight angles from which to monitor the situation and gather information. As the situation settles, officials should attempt to channel opposing players into safe zones away from the hot spot in a positive, non-threatening manner.

* Observe and prevent others from joining in

All four officials should not focus on the same hot spot or become too involved in gaining control of the situation. As stated above, form a triangle around the situation, observe, and make notes (mental and otherwise). Look for positive ways to prevent other players from joining in as these players

often add “fuel to the fire.”

* Dispense appropriate misconduct

Once the situation is under control and players have been channeled to safe zones, the referee team must quickly dispense the appropriate punishment.

The referee should ensure he has solicited the input of the other officials prior to taking action unless immediate action is required to control the situation and the perpetrators are clear. Violent conduct should be the first line of focus.

Warning Signs or Flashpoints

Game disrepute and mass confrontation can happen at any time in the match.

There is normally a trigger situation. For this reason, the referee must not let his guard down and get complacent.

1. Severity of the initial foul

2. Zone of contact / location on the field:

  * Near signboards / walls

  * Near benches

3. Ball is often out of play or not playable

   * Near the boundary lines

4. The distance a player runs to become engaged in the situation

5. Score

6. Time

7. Physical contact that is a step above normal play

8. Player standing over another player (intimidating stance)

9. Players putting hand or finger near opponent’s face

10. Players running into the goal to get the ball after a score

11. The comments between players

12. Delaying a restart

   * Standing over or directly in front of a ball when a restart is contemplated

   * Carrying / throwing the ball away

   * Kicking the ball way

13. Body stance and aggression displayed

   * Invasion of body space

   * Chest-to-chest

   * Push or shove

   * Touching the face of the opponent

14. Collision with the goalkeeper

   * Players continuing their run toward the goalkeeper

15. Challenge off the ball

16. Frustration levels / Temperament of the game

   * What the players are saying to each other

   * Body language

How It Should Be Handled

1. Recognize the flash-point or warning signs (Awareness)

   * Anticipate and expect the unexpected

2. Become the “third man in”

   * Get there early: the closest official

   * Act quickly

   * Defuse it before it starts or escalates (especially to prevent game disrepute from escalating to mass confrontation)

   * Do not be the one that raises the temperature of the situation as a result of your actions/approach

   * Attempt to separate players (when only 2 involved) or channel them to neutral areas

3. Body language and voice

   * An authoritative approach should be used without “adding fuel to the fire”

4. Consider getting the card out quickly to discourage others from joining in

5. Once game disrepute becomes mass confrontation (3 or more players):

   * Step back

   * Form “triangle of control”

6. Identify / Observe players

   * Negative players / instigators / escalators / third man in

   * Positive players / peace makers: use them to facilitate control

7. Take notes

8. Isolate players: once issue settles, step in

   * Channel players to neutral areas

   * Administer any obvious red cards

9. Referee team meet, if required

10. Issue formal sanctions (misconduct) to any other player(s)

11. Get the game restarted as soon as possible

Roles and Responsibilities of the Referee Team

Note: roles vary based on the position of the situation on the field and the relative position of the officials to the incident.

Entire Team

1. Pre-Game

   * Establish the “game plan”

   * Review the logistics as well as roles and responsibilities in the pre-game

   * All team members are empowered to ask questions in order to clarify

2. Discuss use of the “triangle of control”

3. Closest official becomes “third man in”

   * Get there as quickly as possible to defuse and prevent escalation

4. Identify the:

   * The instigator

   * The retaliator

   * Third man in

   * The escalator

   * The player who comes from distance to be involved (may be the “escalator” or “third man in”)

5. Pay special attention to contact in the face area

6. Post-Game paperwork

  * Ensure complete and accurate descriptions and reasons are provided in game report – be specific

Referee

1. Identify the flashpoints

2. If 2 players are involved attempt to intervene until it becomes 3 or more players, then step back and form “triangle of control”

   * Defuse and minimize

3. Consult with crew regarding misconduct

   * Make sure everyone is aware of the information you require from them

   * Ensure the following individuals are clearly identified:

a. Instigator

b. Retaliator

c. Escalator

d. Third man in

e. Anyone who has come from a distance to get involved

4. Administer misconduct

5. Restart game as soon as possible

6. Heighten awareness in order to be cognizant of retaliation

Closest AR

1. Enter field if:

   * You can prevent the situation from escalating (third man in or can prevent others from participating)

   * Game disrepute turns in to game misconduct (more than 2 players involved)

Note: if the fourth official is closer to the incident and he can arrive sooner, then assume the role of the fourth official and monitor the technical areas

2. Step back and observe if further game misconduct occurs

* Take mental or written notes

3. Provide information to the referee

Furthest AR

1. Enter field if:

   * Game disrepute turns into mass confrontation (more than 2 players involved)

2. Quickly form the third point in the “triangle of patrol”

   * Take a very wide view to capture any fringe misconduct

3. Observe

   * Take mental or written notes

4. Provide information to the referee

Fourth Official

1. Remain at the bench area to ensure no one from the technical areas enter the field of play unless:

   * You are closer to the incident than AR1, then you enter the field and follow the same steps noted for the “Closest AR.” AR1 will assume the fourth official responsibilities

The “Triangle of Control”

The “triangle of control” is to be utilized in all instances of game misconduct following the steps outlined above in accordance with the roles and responsibilities provided.

Dealing With Misconduct: Taking Official Action

Referees are encouraged to consider the following as situations involving misconduct on the part of the participants. Based upon the severity of the players’ actions, the referee should make a determination as to whether the

misconduct warrants a yellow or red card.

1. Game Disrepute

   * If the situation involves only 2 players, the referee has flexibility and discretion to manage

   * Particular focus should be given to the Instigator / Aggressor – the player who aggressively initiated the game disrepute. Referees are encouraged to deal more firmly with this player

   * The aggressive nature of the confrontation should be considered when determining the sanction

   * The referee is encouraged to consider cautions to both participants if both players act in an aggressive and intimidating manner KEY: The referee should ensure both players are punished

uniformly

2. Third Man In

   * If a third man joins the game disrepute and causes it to escalate to mass confrontation, this player must be cautioned for unsporting behavior.

   * The third man in may be sent-off for violent conduct if his actions so warrant

3. Mass Confrontation

   * Once game disrepute becomes game misconduct, referees should monitor for the third man in and take appropriate action as noted above

   * Should the situation warrant it, the referee should look for a 1 and 1 situation for cautions (minimally 1 player from each team must be cautioned in cases of mass confrontation)

KEY: The referee should ensure offenders are punished uniformly

4. Use of Hands / Arms: Violent Conduct

When evaluating player behavior / actions during times of game disrepute and mass confrontation, referees should pay particular attention to the following:

   * Hands out: are hands used to defend or are they used to intimidate and aggressively inflame the situation?

   * Location of contact with the hands/arms/elbows:

(a) Above the shoulder to the front of the face is a red card for violent conduct

(b) From the side to the back of the head (from the ears back) is minimally a yellow card but may be a red card depending upon the aggressive or violent nature and intent of the contact

In all cases, referees must follow the U.S. Soccer Directive relative to “Contact Above the Shoulders.”

Scenario #1: Video

What would you do different if anything?

Requirements for Injured Players 2012

Law 5 establishes the basic principle that, if the referee stops play solely because a player had been judged to be seriously injured, that player is required to leave the field for treatment and may not return to the field (assuming the player is not substituted) until after play has been restarted and only with the permission of the referee. USSF guidance on this matter, based on interpretations provided by the International Board, establishes the following additional information:
• The goalkeeper is exempt from this requirement.
• A player who is injured may still be required to leave the field if the referee
beckons medical assistance onto the field at a stoppage called for some other
purpose.
• A player who leaves the field, with the permission of the referee, for treatment of an injury without having assistance beckoned on or for whose injury play has not been stopped, may return before play is restarted, provided the player receives the permission of the referee.

The goalkeeper exemption from the requirement to leave and not return until after play has resumed was extended to include any field player (from either team) who may have been injured with the goalkeeper in a common collision. This exemption was extended in 2010 to include any two (or more) players injured in a common collision if they are from the same team.
Questions have been raised regarding different variations of these basic scenarios. The purpose of this paper is to resolve these issues in a clear, understandable way by providing a chart of the possible variations and the correct referee response to each. Before doing so, however, one significant point must be emphasized. When the International Board stated the “common collision” exemptions, it was assuming (without stating it explicitly) that all persons involved in the collision were seriously injured. Unless there was a serious injury, there would have been no requirement to leave the field in the first place and thus there would not be any
need for an exception.
The scenarios in the chart below are based on two persons only. Extending the chart to include collisions involving more than two would have complicated the chart unnecessarily because there is no fundamental difference in the proper action to take for collisions involving three or more players than for collisions involving just two players. In all cases below, the referee has stopped play solely for at least one injury which has been deemed serious.

Correct Actions To Take In Regard To Player Injuries

Players Involved	Injury Status	Correct Accion
Goalkeeper + Field Player	Both Seriously	Both permitted to receive treatment on the field and to remain on the field.
Goalkeeper + Field Player	Only Goalkeeper Seriously	Goalkeeper permitted to receive treatment on the field and to remain on the field. Field player remains on the field.
Goalkeeper + Field Player	Only Field Player Seriously	Field player required to leave the field to receive treatment, cannot return until after play resumes and only with the permission of the referee.
Two Field Players Same Team	Both Seriously	Both permitted to receive treatment on the field and to remain on the field.
Two Field Players Same Team	Both permitted to receive treatment on the field and to remain on the field.	The seriously injured field player is required to leave the field to receive treatment, cannot return until after play resumes and only with the permission of the referee. The other field player not seriously injured remains on the field.

NOTE 1: Any field player or goalkeeper who is not required to leave the field may still do so
with the permission of the referee and is allowed to return prior to the restart of play with the
permission of the referee. Where a goalkeeper requests permission to leave, play may not be
resumed without another goalkeeper either substituted or identified from among the field players.
NOTE 2: Any player whose injury is deemed “severe” may receive emergency treatment on the
field, but it is expected that the severity of the injury would require the player eventually to leave
the field with no likelihood of returning for the balance of the match.
NOTE 3: Any player other than a goalkeeper who has been seriously injured, whether required to
leave the field or not as described above, will nevertheless be required to leave the field if
bloodied and/or bleeding (regardless of whether the blood or bleeding is the result of an injury).
Such a player may not return to the field until and unless an inspection of the condition is
conducted by the referee, or by another official designated by the referee, to determine that the
situation has been corrected. If the blood or bleeding is not the result of a serious injury, the
player may return to the field before play resumes; otherwise, the player must wait for play to
resume and then request the permission of the referee to return. A seriously injured and bleeding
goalkeeper may have both conditions treated on the field.

The following examples illustrate the above chart:
• Blue #13 and Blue #5 collide and the referee stops play based on the determination that both players are seriously injured. Both players may remain on the field while treatment is provided and neither is required to leave. Blue #5, however, requests permission to leave the field to change a uniform item torn in the collision. Blue #5 can leave the field and, with the referee’s permission, can return to the field before the restart of play.

• The Red goalkeeper and Blue #11 collide and the referee stops play based on the determination that the goalkeeper is seriously injured. The goalkeeper is bleeding as a result of the injury. The goalkeeper is allowed to stay on the field and have both the injury and the bleeding attended to (but the bleeding condition must still be inspected by an official to confirm that the problem has been corrected). Blue #11 is not required to leave the field.

• Red #44 and Red #51 collide and the referee stops play after determining that only Red #44 is seriously injured. Red #44 is required to leave the field and may not return, except with the referee’s permission and not until after play has been restarted. Red #51 remains on the field.

• Red #44 and Red #51 collide and the referee stops play after determining that only Red #44 is seriously injured. However, after stopping play, the referee decides that Red #51 needs medical attention and beckons the team’s trainer onto the field. Since this action normally triggers the requirement to leave the field, both Red #44 and Red #51 are now allowed to remain on the field and receive treatment.

• Red #55 collides with the Blue goalkeeper and the referee determines that only Red #55 was seriously injured. Red #55 is required to leave the field and may not return, except with the referee’s permission and not until after play has been restarted.

• Blue #34, Blue #51, and Red #17 collide and the referee stops play based on the determination that Blue #51 and Red #17 are seriously injured while Blue #34 is only slightly injured. Blue #51 and Red #17 are each required to leave the field and neither may return, except with the permission of the referee and not until after play is restarted.

• The Blue goalkeeper collides with a teammate, Blue #46, and the referee stops play after determining that both players are seriously injured. Additionally, Blue #46 is bleeding at the forehead from the contact. Both players are allowed to be treated on the field for their injuries but Blue #46 must leave the field to correct the bleeding problem (and may also receive treatment for the injury off the field): Blue #46 may be allowed to return to the field, with the permission of the referee, before the restart of play, provided the bloodied
jersey problem has been corrected and inspected.

• Red #15 collides with Blue #39 and the referee stops play after determining that both players are seriously injured. Accordingly, both would normally be required to leave the field for treatment but the referee, on closer inspection, decides that the injury of Blue #39 is severe. Red #15 is still required to leave the field but Blue #39 may receive treatment while still on the field. However, Blue #39 is removed from the field after
emergency first aid is given and an ambulance arrives to transport the player to the hospital. Red #15 must wait for the resumption of play before requesting the referee’s permission to re-enter the field.

Referees are reminded that the correct actions described above are based on the Laws of the Game and existing official guidelines and interpretations. They are not dependent on the age of the players or the competitive level of the match. However, decisions as to whether an injury is serious or severe are and must be highly influenced by such factors and, in any questionable case, the referee should decide in favor of protecting the safety of the players.

By Richard Rodriguez

For the Clinic PPT and Lesson Plan Click here.