One of the least understood phenomenon of the game is the "dangerous play." As the clinician at a recent referee clinic, I asked the question, "What is dangerous play?" While the answers ranged from the comical to the nonsensical, most of the responses were examples of dangerous play rather than the definition of it. The simple answer is that dangerous play is any action by a player deemed dangerous by the referee. The execution of a bicycle kick or the playing of the ball while lying on the ground are not in themselves dangerous unless they happen in close proximity to an opponent or a team-mate. The referee needs to ask him/her-self the question: "As a result of that player's action, is someone actually in imminent danger?" While no one can make a correct decision based upon incorrect information, the referee needs to get the facts before blowing the whistle. The referee's position and proximity to the action is vital.
The referee must also take into consideration the age and skill level of the participants and the intensity of the play at that time. A player's legs do no become shorter simply because of his body being on the ground. Hold the whistle, don't take the player's skills away. Maybe the player can extricate him/her-self from the situation and play may continue with no danger to anyone. If, however, the ball is somewhere between an opponent's groin area and head and the player is trying to play it, the possibility of injury is very real. Play should be stopped and an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team. The kick is awarded because the opponent did not have a fair opportunity to play the ball for fear of injury to the downed player.
Finally, we must remember that the question of danger rests entirely on the referee and his/her decision is final. The referee's sense of the tempo of the match and a good dose of common sense will go a long way toward the safety of the players and their enjoyment of the game.
Hey ref, that's dangerous ... !!!
Well, it may be, or it may not be ......
© 1999 Francesco A. Scarsella, EMSOA Rules Interpreter