1995 MEMORANDUM
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USSF Advice to Referees [in the case of publicity within or on the field of
play, newly made a violation of Law I]: In the situation in which you have
been assigned to take charge of a match, you must order the forbidden
material or extraneous equipment removed prior to starting the match. In the
instance of forbidden logos on the turf inside the field of play that cannot
be reasonably removed or obliterated prior to scheduled game time, play the
game, but describe the details of the offense in your written report to the
competition authority. Also, send a copy to the appropriate State
Association.
USSF Advice to Referees [regarding the new IBD 14 on referee liability]:
Although this provision protects the referee from liability as far as FIFA
and its affiliates are concerned, be aware that some persons are litigious
by nature and may still file a frivolous lawsuit in certain instances.
Furthermore, if a referee willfully commits some wrongdoing that is outside
the purview of the Laws of the Game, this provision may not be of
assistance.
USSF Advice to Referees [regarding the change in the Law permitting a half
time break of up to fifteen minutes]: The maximum half-time interval of 15
minutes as stated in the Law will apply to most normal situations. In those
rare situations in which the competition authority has stipulated a
half-time interval that exceeds 15 minutes, not uncommon in professional
matches, you may follow those stipulations.
USSF Advice to Referees [regarding changes in the language of Law XI
defining when a player in an offside position is to be penalized]: This
simplification of the Law brings the text of the law into conformity with
the reality of what USSF and FIFA instructors have been teaching for many
years. Note that the decision as to whether the player in an offside
position is to be penalized for an offside offense, is still, as it has
always been, the decision of the referee.
USSF Advice to Referees [regarding major changes to the language of the
first part of Law XII dealing with major fouls]: Through these changes to
Law XII, the International Board has removed the previous requirement of the
referee to decide on the "intent" of the player in committing a particular
act.
This revision of the Law brings the text of the Law into conformity with the
reality of what USSF and FIFA instructors have been teaching for many years.
In the case of direct free kick offenses, it is still the responsibility of
the referee to judge the result of an unfair challenge (first six being
careless, reckless or involving disproportionate force -- last four strictly
on result observed) and to penalize the offending player/team accordingly.
Take note that:
1. Charging is now a single offense. The former offenses of Charging in a
Dangerous or Violent Manner and Charging from Behind have been deleted. The
deletion of International Board decisions (2) and (3) is consistent with
this change in the Law.
2. Spitting is now an offense unto itself. It was previously included under
striking.
3. Tackling and Contacting the Opponent Prior to Contacting the Ball is a
newly defined offense. This was previously treated by referees as a form of
tripping.
4. Handling the Ball. Please pay special attention to the provision of the
Law for this offense. Unintentional contact of the ball with the player's
hand or arm has never been and is still NOT AN OFFENSE.
5. The following previous International Board decisions have been reworded
to instruct the referee to penalize results observed, removing the term
"intentionally" on the part of the offending player. They are:
(8) "positions his arms" (renumbered as #6)
(9) "impedes the progress" (renumbered as #7)
(12) "lies on the ball" (renumbered as #10)
(15) "is impeded by an opponent" (renumbered as #13)
[The 1995 Memorandum reminded referees that the "Specific Instructions"
presented in the 1994 Memorandum were not being adequately implemented
regarding reckless challenges and challenges from behind. Accordingly, the
Board repeated and re-emphasized them.]