Soccer is a game full of unexpected moments, and sometimes the ball might hit the referee during play. Knowing the correct rule for this situation is crucial for players, coaches, and fans. Let’s explore what should happen if the ball strikes a referee and affects the play.

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The Scenario

Imagine the home team attempts a pass, but the ball deflects off the referee and ends up at the feet of an away team forward, giving them a clear run at the goal. What should the referee do in this situation?

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The Rule

According to the rules of soccer, if the ball hits a referee and any of the following occurs:

• A promising attack starts,
• Possession changes, or
• The ball goes directly into the goal,

The referee must stop play. The game then restarts with a drop ball.

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How to Restart Play

The drop ball is awarded to the team that last touched the ball before it hit the referee. In our example, since the home team attempted the pass and the ball then struck the referee, the drop ball would be given to the home team.

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Why This Rule Exists

This rule ensures fairness and prevents the referee's unintentional involvement from significantly impacting the game. By stopping play and awarding a drop ball to the team that last touched the ball, the game can continue in a manner that minimizes any unintended advantage caused by the ball hitting the referee.

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Conclusion

In summary, if a ball hits a referee during a soccer match and it leads to a promising attack, changes possession, or directly scores a goal, play is stopped, and the game restarts with a drop ball to the team that last touched the ball. This rule helps maintain the integrity of the game by ensuring that the referee's presence does not unduly influence the outcome of the match. So next time you see a ball deflect off the referee, you’ll know exactly what should happen!