Answer to situation from Week 7 in Review

Under the AYSO national rules, there are only THREE specific substitution periods in AYSO matches. That said, when the sub period comes and the sub is unavailable in the bathroom, the RED team has two choices:

(1) allow another player to play, and the sub in the bathroom will have to miss that period because there will not be another substitution period before the end of the match. This option ignores the AYSO requirement for playing half the game, and a player being in the bathroom is not sufficient reason to deprive the player of playing time, unless the player were ill.

(2) bring off the two players who are subbing out, and send on the one replacement who is present. The RED team should play with 10 players until the other sub returns. Under the Laws, the sub can enter the field when he is beckoned on by the referee. Indeed, the sub can step on with the ball in play as long as he steps on from the touchline.

Before some of you say it is unfair for the RED team to have to play with only 10, remember the rules are established for both teams, and it is NOT the opposing team's fault the RED sub is not ready at the moment of substitution. There are many situations during which a team must play short. No team as an ABSOLUTE right to 11 players.


Going back to the scenario...

1. the AR should NOT have given permission to the sub to enter the field. When he did, it created a situation of 12 players on the field.



2. the Referee was correct to stop play when he saw the extra player run on, but had there been an advantage (scoring opportunity) for the opposing team, the Referee should allow play to continue until RED gained control of the ball or the ball went out of play.



3. When these situations happen, coming out with a card quickly is not recommended. First, the AR gave the sub permission to enter the field and the sub should not be punished for that error. The Referee should confer with the AR to find out what happened, then make an informed decision.



4. Had the sub just run onto the field, a caution would be justified for "unsporting behavior" as subs can only be cautioned for unsporting behavior, dissent, or delaying the restart of play.



5. In this case, since a caution is not appropriate and was rescinded by the referee, the restart should be a dropped ball from the place where the ball was when play was stopped.



6. Had a caution been administered, the restart should be an IFK for the opposing team from the place where the ball was when play was stopped.