TRIFLING

TRIFLING

TriflingDictionary Definition:

Describes things so unimportant or so small as to be scarcely

worth notice

Of Slight Importance

Insignificant

Trifling

“It is the duty of referees to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful beaches produces bad feeling …. “

FIFA Laws of the GameLaw V – Former IFAB Decision 8

Trifling

This is no longer part of Law 5, but it is still considered an integral element of the “Spirit of the Game”.

FIFA Laws of the GameLaw V – Former IFAB Decision 8

Trifling

This was removed from the Law only because it was felt to be an unnecessary reminder of the referee's fundamental duty to penalize only those violations that matter.

FIFA Laws of the GameLaw V – Former IFAB Decision 8

Trifling

It is applicable to all possible violations of any of the Laws of the Game.

FIFA Laws of the GameLaw V – Former IFAB Decision 8

TriflingThe Application of

Common Sense

LAW 18

Trifling“RIGHT”

vs.

“BEST”

Trifling“RIGHT”

Implies an absolute standard

Only one permissible result

Trifling“BEST”

Standard is NOT absolute

Standard is variable

TriflingTwo Arguments:

1) What is “right” is always best

(Letter of the Law)

(Literal Definition)

TriflingTwo Arguments:

2) What is “best” is always right

(Spirit of the Law)

(Common Sense)

Trifling

In the beginning referees are trained to focus on

being “right”

TriflingGradually, over time and with experience, referees are encouraged to understand the difference between “right” and “best”, as competitive level increases.

The Law also allows and encourages referees to use that difference in officiating in the various levels of competition.

TriflingIt is the duty of the referee to penalize only those violations that matter.

It is within the referee’s power to determine which violations matter.

Trifling

SAFETY

Is Never Ignored

Trifling

FAIRNESS

Must be a Consideration

Trifling

“A trifling infraction is one which, though still an offense, has no significant impact upon play.”

“A doubtful offense is one which neither the referee nor the other officials can attest to.”

Advice to Referees, Section 5.5 states:

Trifling

“The referee’s decision as to whether a player’s action is trifling or not is affected considerably by the skill level of the player.”

Very similar to what affects making an “advantage” call or not.

Advice to Referees, Section 5.5 states:

TriflingFactors to take into consideration:

Reactions of player(s) to a call/no callAre they playing through itDo they necessarily want the callAre they affected by the play Do they really careIs it accepted as part of the game

TriflingFactors to take into consideration:

Is a call an unnecessary interruption to the play

Does the level of play warrant a call

Does a call/no call reflect the ability of player(s) involved

TriflingThe referee’s decision as to whether a player’s action is trifling or not is affected considerably:

• by the skill level of the teams

• by the skill level of the individual player(s) vs. team skill level of play

TriflingOne team may be physical and the other team not …

Referee may have to deal with making trifling calls on what may appear to be a one-sided bias.

TriflingYounger players typically want the fouls called. They get upset when fouls are not called. This may be more the case with younger girls.

These players do not understand the concept of “trifling” nor what advantage means.

TriflingLesser skilled players also expect fouls committed against them to be called. This is more of an individual, as opposed to a team thing.

What a referee may consider to be trifling with respect to one player may not be trifling to another player.

TriflingAs a referee you must be able to determine the “star” and the “klutz” and distinguish the abilities of everyone in between.

The “klutz” is the player who would trip one a blade of grass.

The “star” is the player whom you could not knock over with a truck.

Oftentimes age is not the determining factor …. higher skill vs lower skill

TriflingReferee must also remember to consider trifling offenses in determining persistent infringement of the Laws.

TriflingTrifling infringements may nonetheless lead to frustration and retaliation if they are allowed to continue.

Remember

It is the duty of the referee to penalize only those violations that matter.

A trifling infraction is one which, though still an offense, has no significant impact upon play.

It is applicable to all possible violations of any of the Laws of the Game.

RememberAn “unsafe” act can

never be considered as “trifling”.

Blow the whistle … Stop the game !!

Trifling Scenarios

The following slides are only “examples” (one for each Law) that COULD fit into the definition of “trifling”.

These are NOT mandates, simply examples of possibilities. (Many are admittedly a “stretch”)

LAW 1 – Field of Play

No goal net …. TRIFLING

Goals not anchored …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 2 – The Ball

Using wrong size ball … TRIFLING

Ball over-inflated …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 3 – Number of Players

Allowing substitute to enter field before player leaves …. TRIFLING

Playing with less than 7 players…. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 4 – Players’ Equipment

Undergarment not matching …. TRIFLING

Shinguards not worn…. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 5 – The Referee

Wearing long black pants in cold weather….. TRIFLING

Failing to suspend play when distant thunder is heard …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 6 – The Assistant Referees

Wearing a long-sleeve black turtle-neck under a short-sleeve referee shirt in cold weather …. TRIFLING

Failing to signal the referee when violent conduct is seen …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 7 – Duration of the Match

Arbitrarily shortening second half in a one-sided match …. TRIFLING

Allowing match to continue with insufficient light …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 8 – Start & Restart of Play

Allowing a player to stand on the opponent’s half of the field to receive the kick-off to start the game …. TRIFLING

After an injury stoppage, restart play with an IFK …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 9 – Ball In & Out of Play

Stopping play and awarding a throw-in when a ball, which is clearly about to go completely over the touch-line, hits the AR and remains in play .... TRIFLING

Stopping play when the ball hits the referee near midfield and interrupts a run on goal …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 10 – Method of Scoring

Awarding a goal scored that prior to crossing the goal-line first struck a GK’s water bottle located in the goal ….. TRIFLING

Awarding a goal that was scored when two balls were in the vicinity of play at the time …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 11 - Offside

A quick restart is taken at the point where the ball was touched verses where the player was at the time of the initial kick.... TRIFLING

Stopping play before a player in an offside position becomes actively involved…. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 12 - Fouls

The incidental grabbing of a jersey….. TRIFLING

The swinging of an elbow in close quarters …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 12 - Misconduct

Failure to caution players when jerseys are changed with GK without referee’s permission .... TRIFLING

Failure to send off a player who commits a tackle which endangers the safety of an opponent …. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 13 – Free Kicks

Allowing youth players closer than 10 yards on DFK ….. TRIFLING

Awarding a goal on DFK taken while ball was moving …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 14 – The Penalty Kick

Awarding a goal after kicker’s teammate encroaches slightly ….. TRIFLING

Awarding a goal after the PK is taken prior to whistle for restart …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 15 – Throw-In

Allowing play to continue on a foul throw intercepted and controlled by an opponent ….. TRIFLING

Allowing a flip throw on a wet field surface…. UNSAFE

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 16 - Goal Kick

Allowing play to continue when a ball is caught by the GK after he took a proper goal kick, which left the penalty area and was then blown back by a strong wind …. TRIFLING

Allowing opposing players to remain standing in the penalty area at the taking of a goal kick …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

LAW 17 – Corner Kick

Allowing the kicker to either reset vertically or remove a corner flag that has become improperly placed…. TRIFLING

Allowing kicker to remove a properly placed corner flag at the taking of the corner kick …. UNFAIR

Trifling Scenarios

TriflingFINALLY

Under no circumstances should the advantage clause be invoked for trifling or doubtful “offenses.”

BRAIN TEASER #7On a throw-in by the Blue team, the ball is thrown into the field from the wrong location, but possession is gained by a Red player who turns and begins attacking the Blue goal. Advantage cannot be applied because Law 15 requires that the ball must be thrown in from where it left the field, so the correct location of the throw-in is a requirement that exists before the ball is in play. Even though the Red team has benefitted from the Blue player’s offense the illegal throw must be whistled and the restart given to the opposing team, even though the Red team may have preferred to have been permitted to keep possession of the ball from the original restart. Could the referee consider this TRIFLING and allow play to continue?? YES NO

BRAIN TEASER #8

Could this be considered as “trifling”?

YES NO