TRIFLING
Dictionary Definition: Describes things so unimportant or so small as to be scarcely worth notice Of Slight Importance Insignificant
FIFA Laws of the Game Law V Former IFAB Decision 8 It is the duty of referees to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful beaches produces bad feeling.
FIFA Laws of the Game Law V Former IFAB Decision 8 This is no longer part of Law 5, but it is still considered an integral element of the Spirit of the Game.
FIFA Laws of the Game Law V Former IFAB Decision 8 This was removed from the Law only because it was felt to be an unnecessary reminder of the referee's fundamental duty to penalize only those violations that matter.
FIFA Laws of the Game Law V Former IFAB Decision 8 It is applicable to all possible violations of any of the Laws of the Game.
The Application of Common Sense LAW 18
RIGHT vs. BEST
RIGHT Implies an absolute standard Only one permissible result
BEST Standard is NOT absolute Standard is variable
Two Arguments: 1) What is right is always best (Letter of the Law) (Literal Definition)
Two Arguments: 2) What is best is always right (Spirit of the Law) (Common Sense)
In the beginning referees are trained to focus on being right
Gradually, over time and with experience, referees are encouraged to understand the difference between right and best, as competitive level increases. The Law also allows and encourages referees to use that difference in officiating in the various levels of competition.
It is the duty of the referee to penalize only those violations that matter. It is within the referee s power to determine which violations matter.
SAFETY Is Never Ignored
FAIRNESS Must be a Consideration
Advice to Referees, Section 5.5 states: A trifling infraction is one which, though still an offense, has no significant impact upon play. A doubtful offense is one which neither the referee nor the other officials can attest to.
Advice to Referees, Section 5.5 states: The referee s decision as to whether a player s action is trifling or not is affected considerably by the skill level of the player. Very similar to what affects making an advantage call or not.
Factors to take into consideration: Reactions of player(s) to a call/no call Are they playing through it Do they necessarily want the call Are they affected by the play Do they really care Is it accepted as part of the game
Factors to take into consideration: Is a call an unnecessary interruption to the play Does the level of play warrant a call Does a call/no call reflect the ability of player(s) involved
The referee s decision as to whether a player s action is trifling or not is affected considerably: by the skill level of the teams by the skill level of the individual player(s) vs. team skill level of play
One team may be physical and the other team not Referee may have to deal with making trifling calls on what may appear to be a one-sided bias.
Younger players typically want the fouls called. They get upset when fouls are not called. This may be more the case with younger girls. These players do not understand the concept of trifling nor what advantage means.
Lesser skilled players also expect fouls committed against them to be called. This is more of an individual, as opposed to a team thing. What a referee may consider to be trifling with respect to one player may not be trifling to another player.
As a referee you must be able to determine the star and the klutz and distinguish the abilities of everyone in between. The klutz is the player who would trip one a blade of grass. The star is the player whom you could not knock over with a truck. Oftentimes age is not the determining factor. higher skill vs lower skill
Referee must also remember to consider trifling offenses in determining persistent infringement of the Laws.
Trifling infringements may nonetheless lead to frustration and retaliation if they are allowed to continue.
Remember A trifling infraction is one which, though still an offense, has no significant impact upon play. It is applicable to all possible violations of any of the Laws of the Game. It is the duty of the referee to penalize only those violations that matter.
Remember An unsafe act can never be considered as trifling. Blow the whistle Stop the game!!
Scenarios The following slides are only examples (one for each Law) that COULD fit into the definition of trifling. These are NOT mandates, simply examples of possibilities. (Many are admittedly a stretch )
Scenarios LAW 1 Field of Play No goal net. TRIFLING Goals not anchored. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 2 The Ball Using wrong size ball TRIFLING Ball over-inflated. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 3 Number of Players Allowing substitute to enter field before player leaves. TRIFLING Playing with less than 7 players. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 4 Players Equipment Undergarment not matching. TRIFLING Shinguards not worn. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 5 The Referee Wearing long black pants in cold weather.. TRIFLING Failing to suspend play when distant thunder is heard. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 6 The Assistant Referees Wearing a long-sleeve black turtleneck under a short-sleeve referee shirt in cold weather. TRIFLING Failing to signal the referee when violent conduct is seen. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 7 Duration of the Match Arbitrarily shortening second half in a one-sided match. TRIFLING Allowing match to continue with insufficient light. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 8 Start & Restart of Play Allowing a player to stand on the opponent s half of the field to receive the kick-off to start the game. TRIFLING After an injury stoppage, restart play with an IFK. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 9 Ball In & Out of Play Stopping play and awarding a throw-in when a ball, which is clearly about to go completely over the touch-line, hits the AR and remains in play... TRIFLING Stopping play when the ball hits the referee near midfield and interrupts a run on goal. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 10 Method of Scoring Awarding a goal scored that prior to crossing the goal-line first struck a GK s water bottle located in the goal.. TRIFLING Awarding a goal that was scored when two balls were in the vicinity of play at the time. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 11 - Offside A quick restart is taken at the point where the ball was touched verses where the player was at the time of the initial kick... TRIFLING Stopping play before a player in an offside position becomes actively involved. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 12 - Fouls The incidental grabbing of a jersey.. TRIFLING The swinging of an elbow in close quarters. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 12 - Misconduct Failure to caution players when jerseys are changed with GK without referee s permission... TRIFLING Failure to send off a player who commits a tackle which endangers the safety of an opponent. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 13 Free Kicks Allowing youth players closer than 10 yards on DFK.. TRIFLING Awarding a goal on DFK taken while ball was moving. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 14 The Penalty Kick Awarding a goal after kicker s teammate encroaches slightly.. TRIFLING Awarding a goal after the PK is taken prior to whistle for restart. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 15 Throw-In Allowing play to continue on a foul throw intercepted and controlled by an opponent.. TRIFLING Allowing a flip throw on a wet field surface. UNSAFE
Scenarios LAW 16 - Goal Kick Allowing play to continue when a ball is caught by the GK after he took a proper goal kick, which left the penalty area and was then blown back by a strong wind. TRIFLING Allowing opposing players to remain standing in the penalty area at the taking of a goal kick. UNFAIR
Scenarios LAW 17 Corner Kick Allowing the kicker to either reset vertically or remove a corner flag that has become improperly placed. TRIFLING Allowing kicker to remove a properly placed corner flag at the taking of the corner kick. UNFAIR
FINALLY Under no circumstances should the advantage clause be invoked for trifling or doubtful offenses.
BRAIN TEASER #7 On a throw-in by the Blue team, the ball is thrown into the field from the wrong location, but possession is gained by a Red player who turns and begins attacking the Blue goal. Advantage cannot be applied because Law 15 requires that the ball must be thrown in from where it left the field, so the correct location of the throw-in is a requirement that exists before the ball is in play. Even though the Red team has benefitted from the Blue player s offense the illegal throw must be whistled and the restart given to the opposing team, even though the Red team may have preferred to have been permitted to keep possession of the ball from the original restart. Could the referee consider this TRIFLING and allow play to continue?? YES NO
BRAIN TEASER #8 Could this be considered as trifling? YES NO