The Ball In and Out of Play
WHAT IS A "DEAD BALL"?
Question:
Some of the rules of competition for tournaments indicate "unlimited substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee, on any dead ball." Reviewing FIFA laws and the USSF advice to referees, I am unable to find a definition of "dead ball". Unless specifically covered by tournament rules, it is my understanding that substitutions are allowed only when the ball is out of play (across the touchline, across the goal line, after a goal is scored) and for an injury. Since tournament rules do not define "dead ball", I am uncertain whether substitutions are allowed after a foul (prior to a free kick).
Veteran refs that I have spoken with seem confused. Some do not allow a substitution following a foul. Others allow them occasionally--for example when the substitutes have been waiting to enter for a long time and when the substitution does not interfere with the effort of the attacking team to play the ball (free kick).
Do you have any advice on this matter?
Answer (April 16, 2001):
Unless the rules of the competition specify otherwise, substitutions are allowed at any time the ball is out of play, in other words, when the ball is "dead."
Law 9 tells us that this includes those moments after the referee has stopped play for an infringement (foul or misconduct) or any time the ball passes over one of the boundary lines.
BALL HITS REF OR AR BUT REMAINS ON FIELD
Question:
If a Ref (or AR) was off the field of play when the ball struck them, but the ball never (completely) left the field of play, is the ball considered to be out of play?
Answer (January 29, 2001):
As you note, the referee and assistant referee are considered to be part of the field when they are on the field. The principle applies equally when the officials themselves are off the field but, by making contact with the ball, prevent it from fully leaving the field of play. In that case, the ball has not left the field of play and is thus not considered to be out of play.
