Ext Interfer

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The aim of this page is know what action the Referee must take to stop, suspend and restart play if the game has been effected by external interference.

1. The game must be stopped if the game is effected by?:

2. How to restart game after a temporary suspension:

3. For Dropped-Ball re-start, see the Dropped Ball page)

Dopey Ref gets some external interference!

1. The game must be stopped if the game is effected by?:
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(a) Encroachment by: Spectators, Substitutes, Officials, Substitutes, Animals or even the weather.

(b) Farcical situations which interfere with the ball or with the players. Unforeseen circumstances.

Some examples of external interference are:

A player rips his shorts to such an extent that it leaves nothing to the imagination!
A ball from the next pitch gets in the way of the play action of the game.
A Referee or Assistant Referee (or a player) is hit by a missile from the crowd, and it is necessary to stop the game.
Crowd encroachment on to the field of play.
The manager or coach entering the field of play whilst the game is in motion.
Streakers! (Some chance!)
Inclement weather conditions e.g. a thunder storm.
Animals on the field of play (and I don't mean the players!)

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2. How to restart game after a temporary suspension: Go Back to the Top of this Page

If the ball was in play when you stopped the game, then restart with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when you stopped play. If the game is stopped whilst the ball is in play inside a goal area - restart with a dropped ball on the line marking the outer edge of the goal area, parallel to the goal line at a point nearest to where the ball was in play.

See the Dropped Ball page for details of the 'Dropped Ball' procedure.

If you (the Referee) have to stop the game because of external (outside of the game) interference, then note position of the ball when the game was stopped; you will need to remember how and where to re-start the game !!!!!!!. It is very easy to remain focused on the cause of the external interference, and then forget where the ball was when you stopped play.

IT IS VERY EASY TO FORGET WHERE THE BALL WAS WHEN YOU STOPPED PLAY !!!!!!!

If the ball was out of play when you stopped the game, use the appropriate restart, i.e. goal kick, throw-in etc.....

When the ball is still in play, any offences committed on the actual field of play between team-mates or against encroaching officials, coaches, illegal substitutes entering the field of play, or spectators etc, play should be restarted with the award of an indirect free kick against the offending team.

(Note: A substitute who has come onto the field of play does not become a 'legal' player until all of the criteria of the Law 3 ‘Substitution Procedure’ has taken place.)

If the misconduct occurred off the field of play whilst the ball was still in play, the restart should be a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped by the Referee.

If when a ball is about to cross over the goal line for a goal, it is stopped or deflected towards goal by an outside agent such as a dog, or a spectator, then you must award a DROPPED BALL at the place where the incident occurred. (Except in the goal area - then drop the ball on the nearest point of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line.) At park level games, it is not unusual to have spectators standing very close to the goal posts, who have been know to deflect the ball into the goal by placing a foot into the field of play - or conversely, to even prevent a goal.

If the ball deflects off a dog and then goes into the goal - the goal does not count. This is external interference, and a dropped ball is the correct method for restarting the game.

If during a penalty kick - the ball is touched by an outside agent whilst it moves forward - the penalty kick must be retaken.

The Referee (and Assistant Referees) are deemed to be part of the field of play, so if the ball is deflected from the Referee and goes into the goal - the goal counts! The moral here is for the Referee to stay well clear of the goal areas during periods of play.

External Interference examples

End of this External Interference Page

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