Manorlounger
Well-known member
- Joined
- 6 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 8,507
Lately I've noticed that some referees have been insistent on the same ball being returned to play rather than using one of the sanitised balls placed around the pitch. The FA Cup game today between Chelsea and Luton highlighted how Chelsea took a quick throw in with an alternate ball to advantage and scored despite the original ball being still on the pitch.
I searched and found no more than general rules indicating that under EFL games it is at the discretion of the official as to which ball is returned. FA rules are even less conspicuous. It seems odd that a goal can stand with two balls on the pitch at the same time. There is a rule which mentions other balls, objects and animals (Cuddy's dog) being on the pitch but, so long as they are not interfering with play, all is ok.
Does anyone have a reasonable explanation?
I searched and found no more than general rules indicating that under EFL games it is at the discretion of the official as to which ball is returned. FA rules are even less conspicuous. It seems odd that a goal can stand with two balls on the pitch at the same time. There is a rule which mentions other balls, objects and animals (Cuddy's dog) being on the pitch but, so long as they are not interfering with play, all is ok.
Does anyone have a reasonable explanation?