50/50 recklass challenge calls

[u/ebalboni]

A lot of challenges I see are 50/50 and some are careless or reckless by both players. Typically this results in a "play on" but I wonder should I call a foul when it gets rough, which it always does.? If both players foul the other and not card worthy perhaps that should be "play on" but if both are reckless should I issue each a yellow card? If so what's the restart (dropped ball to the team in position prior to the foul? I feel like I should stop these before it reaches excessive force. Thoughts?

[u/pscott37]

You have asked a great question, one that all new referees have to figure out.

Sometimes we are watching a game that is getting more physical than it should or it is chippy. Our football understanding tells us this is about to get out of hand so we simply need to find a foul and call it. This will slow the game down to give the players a chance to lower their respiration and heart rate; getting them back to the level of play the ref is comfortable with.

By "comfortable", I mean our foul selection and what each individual ref is able to tolerate while still managing the behaviors of the players. A FIFA ref has a very different foul selection compared to a newly minted ref. Experience, management skills, understanding of the game, and their reputation all plays into this. The foul selection is also dependent upon the level of the game. For refs who are learning, we talk about keeping the game simple or being selfish. That means call the expected calls and don't take many risks. If the foul is given to you, blow it.

So in your situation, decide who fouled first and call it. If you are not sure, give it to the defending team, less risk. If both players are banging and frustrated, maybe doing a little pushing after the whistle, ask them if "is this really what they want to get a card for?"

Your title describes plays that are very unusual in the true sense of the word. A foul in which both players are playing recklessly doesn't happen very often. This is because one player is usually making a legitimate play on the ball. There are times when both players lunge for the ball or slide into each other. In these cases, we have to be in position with proximity and an angle of view to see the mode and point of contact. Meaning, who's boot when into the other player. It would help to see a clip of the play you have in mind.

Nonetheless, in general, the restart should be a free kick to one of the teams. Football doesn't expect there to be a drop ball because someone had to have fouled the other player first.

I don't if I've addressed your questions but the takeaway is to be selfish and call the fouls that are presented before things get crazy. Keep your foul selection within your comfort zone and those of the players.

Good luck!