What’s the correct way to restart a game in this scenario?
Hi all, I’m not a qualified ref - more of an enthusiastic dad who likes to help out at u12 level - so asking for what should have happened in this scenario according to the rules of the game?
The other week, I was running the line in a crucial cup game. It’s grassroots, more development level. Still, passionate coaches and parents on the sidelines…
The attacking team was on a very promising break, when a toddler from the sidelines waddled onto the pitch in the direction of play. I flagged, game was stopped, kid was removed from the field. This is where the argument began…
The ref said it was a drop ball, and got the defending team to boot the ball back to the attacking teams goalkeeper to restart the game.
The attacking teams coach, fuelled by being behind in the game went nuts at the ref for “not knowing the rules”.
I’m not sure what he was after, it’s surely not an indirect free kick is it? Or is it? He was saying “there’s no such thing as drop ball” and had to he calmed down by his fellow coaches.
The game carried on as tense as it was - but was just curious - what should happen in that scenario?
Cheers!