DROPPED BALL: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT HITS THE REFEREE?

AREADING FC supporter asked me about a rather curious decision by the referee during the match against Preston

North End. It was for one of the minor laws, but one that has been affected by three changes in the last three seasons.

The Law about the ball hitting the referee was changed in 2019.

Previously, the game carried on even if this meant the ball went into the goal.

Now, it depends on what happens.

If the ball rebounds to a teammate of the player who last touched the ball, play continues unless it leads to a promising attack or a goal.

However, if the ball rebounds to an opponent, the referee stops play and restarts with a dropped ball.

The referee did this, but not in accordance with other dropped ball Law changes, also in 2019.

Originally, players from both teams could contest the dropped ball, but in later years they often opted to kick it back to the goalkeeper.

The Law now says that if the game is stopped with the ball in the penalty area or last played in the penalty area, the ball is dropped for the defending goalkeeper.

If that’s not the case, the ball should be dropped to a player of the team that last touched the ball where it was last played.

Instead, Reading’s referee took the ball back some 20-yards from where a Reading player last played it, and dropped it at the feet of a Preston player.

Only he knows why, but I was out with three referees last season who didn’t even know the Law had changed.

The third Law change (2020) affecting a dropped ball is for the rarity of the ball bursting.

I heard one referee explain to his colleagues that the law change was simply a reminder to restart with a dropped ball.

In fact, previously the ball was dropped where the old ball burst.

Now, it follows the new dropped ball laws and is dropped where it was last played – which could be very different.

Perhaps referee training for Law changes needs some improvement?