The Bstard
Active Member
One of the teams I was refereeing yesterday ran out of subs. Player injures hisback, and just wanders about the center of the pitch for the rest of the game (he can't run, his backhurts too much). Not my problem, so I leave him to it (actually I make fun of him mercilessly. We have a good laugh at every goal kick).
At one point his team get a free kick on the edge of the area. So up he walks, to the defensive line. Then past it. Then past the keeper. And he just stands, leaning against the post with his arms folded. Cue defensive pandemonium. "He's offside ref!" "Just leave him be, the ref'll call offside as soon as its taken." I let them know he's not offside unless he interferes with play.
Kick is taken, hits the bar, scrambled out for a corner. The player hasn't moved the whole time, just developed a massive grin as the defensive team get more and more riled up at me and him. He didn't move. He didn't interfere with the ball or an opponent. It wasn't offside.
It was, however, bloody hilarious - and very clever to boot.
At one point his team get a free kick on the edge of the area. So up he walks, to the defensive line. Then past it. Then past the keeper. And he just stands, leaning against the post with his arms folded. Cue defensive pandemonium. "He's offside ref!" "Just leave him be, the ref'll call offside as soon as its taken." I let them know he's not offside unless he interferes with play.
Kick is taken, hits the bar, scrambled out for a corner. The player hasn't moved the whole time, just developed a massive grin as the defensive team get more and more riled up at me and him. He didn't move. He didn't interfere with the ball or an opponent. It wasn't offside.
It was, however, bloody hilarious - and very clever to boot.
