Law changes: Throw-ins

[Refollie]

Apologies if this has already been answered.

We’ve all been there in the latter stages of a grassroots match where winning teams delay taking a throw-in by not sending any player to go and get the ball to take a throw-in.

Would you be within law as a referee following next season’s changes to start the countdown and then award the throw-in to the opposing team if no-one steps forward to take the throw and the team are delaying the restart?

The law change seems to suggest not as it’s wording references “a player” delaying the restart rather than a team, and in those instances it’s often hard to determine a specific player who should be taking the throw-in.

Interested in thoughts.

 

[Archer]

Law Change says "Use of a five-second visual countdown when a player/team is delaying the taking..."

 

[RefereeX]

Also, not a unique issue to grass roots. I've had to caution the closest player before when nobody stepped forwards to take one.

 

[Gabriel]

Taken this from the full 2026-27 LOTG document:

The referee does not have to wait for a player to have possession of the ball to start the five-second countdown. The countdown can also be started if the player deliberately causes a delay by:
• slowly retrieving the ball
• taking up an incorrect position at a throw-in
• putting the ball in an incorrect position at a goal kick

So actually, not only is it allowed in law, it seems to be expected as well

 

[Archer]