As part of our Know The Game series, we asked State Referee Manager David Wiebe about a little-known Law which came to the fore during Brisbane Roar’s Elimination Final win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
THOMAS BROICH’S PENALTY SHOOTOUT SIDESTEP
The Context
After 120 energy-sapping minutes, Brisbane Roar’s epic Finals Series clash with Western Sydney Wanderers headed for penalties.
Roar star Thomas Broich was sprawled out on the touchline with ice packs strapped to both legs. He had not been substituted.
The veteran was ultimately not needed as Jamie Young decisively saved Wanderers’ sixth attempt.
Would Broich have been required to take a penalty had the shootout still been deadlocked after 10 attempts?
Shame we didn’t get to see Broich rip off the ice packs to take a pen #BRIvWSW
— John Stensholt (@JohnStensholt) April 21, 2017
Why Broich Sat Out
Wiebe: Due to the earlier dismissal of Western Sydney player Jaushua Sotirio, Brisbane would have been required to nominate a player to sit out the shootout. Law 10.2.4 states that both teams must have the same number of players for a penalty shootout. Thomas would not have been eligible to take a kick as he was the excluded player. Had both teams finished the match with 11 players, Thomas would have forfeited his attempt had he not been able to take it in time.
SWEARING ON THE FIELD PLAY
The Context
Recent weeks have seen a spike in send-offs related to swearing. Where is the line?
Wiebe: Football Queensland’s Referees Department has made it clear to all referees that there are two words we will not tolerate. One is cheat, and the other begins with the same letter. There have been numerous send-off reports with the second word in particular and it needs to be emphasised that this word will not be tolerated to any degree, even if you only say it to yourself. If the referee overhears it, you will be dismissed from the field of play. All other swear words are still up to the referee’s interpretation. It’s worth remembering that, as per Law 12, sending-off offences are not limited to swear words and can include any offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.