No, this isn't what you're thinking....just a query regarding the role of the 5th/6th officials.
Last night in the City v. Juve game, there were two balls on the pitch as Joe Hart lined up to take a GK. One was being used, the other was on the opposite side of the box, about three yards directly in front of the extra official. Instead of sticking out a foot and pulling it back, he signalled to the ref, who wouldn't allow the game to restart until Hart had gone across the box and moved the ball of the field.
Is there a rule that officials cannot touch the ball? It just seems weird that he would stand looking at the extra ball rather than just sticking a leg out and getting the ball off the pitch. Just seems like a waste of time for the keeper to have to go across to remove the ball.
As a side note, I though the ref was excellent last night; let the game flow, kept the cards to a minimum and didn't fall for the theatrics from either team (*cough* Evra *cough* Yaya).
Last night in the City v. Juve game, there were two balls on the pitch as Joe Hart lined up to take a GK. One was being used, the other was on the opposite side of the box, about three yards directly in front of the extra official. Instead of sticking out a foot and pulling it back, he signalled to the ref, who wouldn't allow the game to restart until Hart had gone across the box and moved the ball of the field.
Is there a rule that officials cannot touch the ball? It just seems weird that he would stand looking at the extra ball rather than just sticking a leg out and getting the ball off the pitch. Just seems like a waste of time for the keeper to have to go across to remove the ball.
As a side note, I though the ref was excellent last night; let the game flow, kept the cards to a minimum and didn't fall for the theatrics from either team (*cough* Evra *cough* Yaya).