2013-14 Amendments

U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program2013-14 Amendments to the Laws of the GameJuly 2013

Law 11“Interfering with an opponent” means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball

Bold = New language

Replaced “making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.”

Clarification: “Just standing there” isn’t offside

Law 11“Gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball ….” • There were changes in the wording of this interpretation• The explanation specifies there is no change in application• So we won’t bore you with the wording change

Law 5Advantage – Change in application• MAY apply to any offense while ball is in play

(e.g. double-touch, offside)• Still does not apply to offenses while ball out

of play (throw-in, goal kick, etc.)• Minimal effect on what we do

– Might call it “advantage” instead of “trifling”

NY West Risk Management

Risk Management Pass Reminders• Required of all referees working youth games• Pass must have referee’s picture• Pass must be laminated• Questions? Go to the “Risk Management” tab

at www.wnyreferee.org

NY West Risk Management

NEW POLICY• Officials may show RM pass before game• Officials MUST show pass if:

– Requested by a team official on the roster (or bench personnel if no roster); and

– Request is made before the requesting official’s team takes the field to start play

• If pass is shown, game report should reflect which officials showed pass and to whom it was shown.

NY West Risk Management

SANCTIONS• If an official cannot show a pass when requested:

– Either coach may decline to have the official participate– Any replacement (referee or club linesman) must

present RM pass– Coach may decline to play the game. In this instance,

officials will NOT be paid– NY West may take further disciplinary action– Local districts may choose to impose fines or other

sanctions on future assignments

NY West Risk Management

It’s easy enough to avoid a problem

Keep your pass in your referee bag

GAMES SHOULD NOT BE DISRUPTED BY AN ACTION (OR LACK OF ACTION) BY A

REFEREE!