UEFA Referees Development Programme 2011

Revised version – 04.02.2012

5th Course for European Futsal Referees

5 – 7 December 2011

Prague. CZECH REPUBLIC

General CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Attention is drawn to a number of agreements made at the recent 5th UEFA course for European International Futsal Referees, for the benefit of futsal in Europe, adopting a standard approach in terms of interpretation and application of the Futsal Laws of the Game. The agreements refine those conclusions and recommendations concluded at the UEFA courses for European Futsal Referees in 2003, 2005 and 2008, 2009, which form the basis of this document. Major new points added for 2011 are highlighted in bold italics below.

It was felt that the conclusions and recommendations made by the participants after following the theme of the course (“Uniformity in interpreting and applying the Laws throughout Europe”) should be shared with futsal referees throughout national associations in Europe and will also be useful for Futsal clubs.

CONTROL AND APPLICATION OF THE LAWS

1. Letting play flow

A basic principle in futsal is to allow play to flow as freely as possible. The nature of futsal is a fast game. Referees must try to restart the game when play is stopped (free kicks, penalties, injuried players, show cards, etc) with the maximum speed.

2. Consistency in applying the Laws

It was agreed that referees must maintain a consistent level of punishment both before and after the fifth accumulated foul. 2

3. Sliding tackles

After the FIFA Circular 1234 of 15 July 2010, the word “sliding” is not mentioned anymore in the Law 11 (Law 12 after the new numbering of the Laws of the amendments of 2010) as one of the fouls penalised with a direct free kick, and it´s mentioned “tackles an opponent”. So, if a player tackles an opponent in a manner considered by the referees to be careless, reckless or using excessive force, a direct free kick must be awarded to the opposing team. It was reiterated that it makes no difference if the tackle is from behind, the front or the side.

4. Impeding the progress of an opponent

Referees were reminded that if a player impedes the progress of an opponent with his body, and in doing so commits an offence usually punished by a direct free kick in Law 12, they should award a direct free kick. Conversely, if the action of impeding does not cause an offence usually punished by a direct free kick in Law 12, an indirect free kick should be awarded.

5. Advantage

It was confirmed that playing advantage should benefit the team it is given to. Consequently, it was agreed that after the fifth accumulated foul, if a foul is committed, the best advantage for a team is to be awarded a free-kick. Referees are reminded that even when they apply advantage, the foul must be accumulated. Referees should therefore take into consideration the accumulated fouls of both teams so that if a 6th foul occurs, after previously applying advantage, the free kick must be taken according to the Laws of the Game applicable after a 5th accumulated foul. Having possession of the ball should not always be considered as an advantage in futsal, unless it is clearly an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Too much advantage may cause more serious offences. Where advantage is played, the correct disciplinary sanctions must still be undertaken once play stops.

It is also considered reasonable practice for a referee to delay giving a foul by one or two seconds in order to see if a possible advantage actually develops. If after this time has lapsed the referee considers there to be no advantage, play can be brought back to where the infringement occurred and a free kick given (‘wait and see’ principle).

6. Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity

Referees were reminded that a player (including the goalkeeper) who denies his opponents a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling a ball or by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick must be sent off.

In deciding if an offence committed denies a player an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, referees were made aware that the following criteria should be consider when taking the decision:

- Type of the offence

- Possibility to control the ball

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- Speed and direction of the attacker

- Distance to the goal

- Position of the defenders (including goalkeeper)

7. Encroachment

If a player on the defending team encroaches within 5m at a corner kick, kick-in and free kick, he should be cautioned with a yellow card regardless of whether he touches the ball or not.

8. Simulation

Referees agreed that all simulating acts, which are intended to deceive the referee, should be penalised by a caution regardless of the position of the offence. A player’s action in trying to deceive the referee may take the following forms:

- where no contact has been made at all,

- from an attacker deliberately using a slight contact with an opponent,

- by a player anticipating a possible contact from an opponent,

- following a player initiating a contact with an opponent

- overreacting and pretending the manner of the offence deserves higher level of punishment.

9. Handball Situations

Referees are reminded that deliberate handball is punished with a direct free kick or penalty kick if the offence is inside the penalty area. However, deliberate handball should not be automatically punished by a caution or dismissal, unless a player:

- deliberately and blatantly handles the ball to prevent an opponent gaining possession

- attempts to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball

- pretends to be playing the ball with one part of his body when he is really doing so with his hands in order to deceive the referees

- tries to prevent a goal or deny a goal scoring opportunity with his hand when the goalkeeper is not inside his penalty area, and fails in his attempt.

10. Showing of red and yellow cards

Referees received confirmation that only players can be shown the red or yellow card (regardless of whether they are on the field of play or the bench). Players would be cautioned:

i. For “demanding” that an opponent should receive a yellow card.

ii. When crowding round one of the referees - at least one other player should receive a caution, and not just the initiator.

iii. For dissent by word or gesture at or running towards one of the referees.

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Any challenge involving excessive force (and therefore endangering the safety of an opponent) must be considered as serious foul play and result in a dismissal (red card).

Elbows used deliberately as a weapon against an opponent are included in this category.

Referees must identify and punish appropriately strong unfair challenges with hands and arms; they should be aware of the particular danger of the deliberate movement of arms and elbows in an unnatural manner.

Cards should not be shown to any other team officials.

It was also confirmed that if any player commits an offence during the interval between the two periods of normal time or extra time that leads to his sending off., (text removed) his team shall start the next period with one player fewer. The player who received the red card may not, of course, take any further part in the match.

11. Control of benches

Referees reported difficulties in deciding who should control the bench and agreed that this should be the responsibility of the third referee. Only one official of both teams should be allowed to stand and give instruction to the players. This should be in a responsible manner and directly in front of his own team’s bench.

12. Time-Out

During the one minute time-out, it is important that referees know the difference between players and substitutes. To facilitate this, substitutes must were bibs during a time-out. If a player is sent-off during a time-out, his team restarts the game with one player less. If a substitute is sent-off during a time-out, his team restarts the game with same number of players.

13. Substitutions

Participants were reminded that it is not allowed to make substitutions during time-outs. Substitutions are allowed, as soon as the time-out is finished (even before the ball is in play again).Holding around or in the penalty area.

Referees should be pro-active prior to the taking of corner kicks, kicks-in or free kicks near goal and should be clearly seen to be taking preventative actions. Deal very firmly with any further illegal use of the arms/hands. If this happens before the ball is in play, disciplinary sanctions should be administered. In cases of holding/pushing after the ball is in play, referees are expected to award a free kick or penalty kick in addition to possible further disciplinary sanctions. Of course, if the ball is in play, the accumulated foul will be counted.

14. Ball back to the goalkeeper.

Law 12.-

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper: 5

 .......

 After playing the ball, he touches the ball again in his own half of the pitch, after it has been deliberately played to him by a team-mate without an opponent playing or touching it.

Law 16.-

If the ball is in play and the goalkeeper touches it again in his own half of the pitch after it has been deliberately played to him by a team-mate, without an opponent playing or touching it.

SIGNALS

15. Signals

Attention was drawn to the thirteen referee signals illustrated in the Futsal Laws of the Game and referees were reminded that only these signals can be used. Signal of advantage (to the table, when the ball is out of play) must be done 3-4 metres in front of the table. In addition, it was recommended that signals should be made only when the referee is stationary and before he takes his new position (except in advantage situation) as signalling whilst moving may be confusing and, in some cases, physically dangerous to players.

16. Indirect free kick

It was confirmed that when an indirect free kick is given, it should be signalled by both referees.

17. The four-second count

Referees were reminded that this is mandatory in the following situations:

- Kick-in

- Corner kick

- Goal clearance

- Goal Keeper controls the ball in his own half of the pitch.

Restart of play:

18. The referees especially ensure that restarts of play are carried out quickly and do not allow play not to be restarted immediately for tactical reasons after a temporary stoppage (kick-in, goal clearance, corner kick or free kick). In these cases, the four-second count starts and it is not necessary to use the whistle. In cases where the restart does not allow the four-second count (kick-off or penalty kick), the player or players who delay it are cautioned.

19. Subsequent responsibilities of referee who whistles for a foul.

It was recommended that the same referee who whistles for a foul should be the one who enters the pitch to administer cautions, sendings off and to ensure the five metre distance if required. However, in situations where several players are involved, it is recommended that 6

the other referee assists by ensuring the five metre distance in order to allow the free-kick to be taken as soon as possible. To measure the distance the referee should clearly pace out the five metres by walking backwards from the ball. He should also make it clear to the team taking the free kick that they must wait for him to whistle before taking the free kick. To communicate this it is recommended that the referee show his whistle to the players preparing to take the free kick before he begins to measure the five-metre distance.

20. Confirmation of goal scored

The use of the whistle is not needed to allow a goal. It´s mandatory if the situation is unclear.

21. Wearing of jewellery

No jewellery may be worn by players and referees. Tape to cover jewellery is not allowed. Referees are expected to set an example and also remove any items of their own jewellery. A player later seen to be wearing jewellery on the pitch, must be required to remove it immediately and should be cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.

22. The duration of the match

If the ball has been kicked towards the defending goalkeeper goal, the referees must wait for the kick to end before the timekeeper may sound the whistle or acoustic signal. The period end:

 The ball goes directly into the goal and goal is scored

 The ball leaves the boundaries of the pitch

 The ball touches the goalkeeper, the goalpost, crossbar or ground, crosses the goal line and goal is scored.

 The ball touches any player other than the goalkeeper after it has been kicked at the opposing goal and no infringement has been committed that requires a direct free kick or a penalty kick to be retaken or, during the trajectory of the ball, one of the teams does not commit an infringement that is sanctioned with a direct free kick, beginning with the sixth accumulated foul, or a penalty kick.

 The defending goalkeeper stops the ball or it rebounds from the goalpost or crossbar and does not cross the goal line.

POSITIONNING

23. Following the FIFA Laws of the Game edition 2010, the Referee can be positioned on either side of the pitch and it is not necessary to be on the opposite side to the benches. If during the match, referees decide to change side of the pitch, they will NEVER do it when ball is in play.

24. Basic principle

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The basic principle of positioning should be that the two main referees maintain a position that keeps the ball between them at all times using a good diagonal system and good running style.

25. Control of play

During play one referee should control the action area and the other the influence area, with the aim of not having both referees looking at the ball at the same time and with a good sharing of authority. Control of the goal line

It was noted that it is important to have a good control of the goal line. Consequently, at least one referee should always be paying attention to this.

26. Control of players and substitutes

It´s a must for the 3rd referee, to notice the numbers of the last players (into the pitch) at the end of the first half, or, if extra time is going to be played, at the end of the match and end of the first period of the extra time. That way, referees will control who is a player and who is a substitute.

27. Physical condition

Having a good physical condition will help referees stay in control for the entire duration of a match and be in the best possible position for making correct decisions. This also gives referees credibility.

REFEREE PROCEDURE AT UEFA MATCHES

28. The referees concluded that they should warm up on the field of play forty minutes before kick-off. One minute before kick-off the first and second referees should check the goals, whilst the third referee checks the number of people on the benches, which according to the UEFA Futsal Regulations should be no more than six officials and seven substitutes. The first and second referees should also check the goals before commencing the second half of the match.

After receiving technical instruction, studying incidents on video and taking part in group and fieldwork, it was agreed that the aims of the course had been achieved and that colleagues would benefit from the circulation of these notes by UEFA.

UEFA / Referees Committee / December 2011