I have a couple of quick questions on interpretting the LOTG that have come up in my first few weeks of reffing. I have separated them into different threads as I thought they might useful to other new referees. I have had several minor injuries (wind being knocked out of a player, etc.) where the coach has come on the examine the player but did not want to substitute him at the injury. Is it required that the player leave the field of play, at least for the restart before being allowed back on by the referee or is this at the discretion of the referee?
Jarrett, You will find that all kinds of modifications are made by tournament and league authorities to the laws regarding substitutions. Those "local rules" notwithstanding, if the only reason you stopped play was to deal with the injury, then yes the player must leave the pitch and may not return until after play has restarted, with your permission. The theory is that you should not stop play just for an injury unless it is obviously a serious injury. If the player can suddenly jump up and resume play after a brief visit from the trainer, how "serious" could the injury really have been? Of course all of that theory goes out the window when dealing with young players. Paul
With the exception of the restart, the re-entry, if play is stopped solely for the injury,and the blood rule, this is not an issue of the Laws at all. Rather, this is covered in your rules of competition for the league, tournament or match you are doing. For example, in the town leagues I do, when play is stopped for an injury the player must be subbed, and futher, under USYSA, after an injury is a substitution opportunity. In the premeir league I work as both an assignor and referee, there is no such rule of competition, though the USYSA rules on subs still apply. Therefore, even if I think the player will further injure himself, if they don't wish to sub them out, it is not my concern. The only exception is if there is blood, then they must go off until the bleeding is under control. In NF the player must be subbed. Most tournaments also make this rule, often with the goalkeeper being the sole exception. But, unless required by the competition authority, no, it is not the referees discretion to decide who can be on the field and who cannot, even if you think they are placing themselves at risk.
I do mostly U14 and younger. I've found that the minor injuries you've described take up less time than you might think. The only advice I have is to make a point of asking the player if they wan't to continue after the coach has come and gone. Coaches have an influence on younger players that can sometimes be driven by the will to win more than the will to look out for the player's best interest. For all you coaches out there, please note I wrote 'sometimes'.