An attacking team player falls to the ground without being fouled while their team-mate has possession of the ball near their opponents’ penalty area. What is the referee’s decision if the player is seriously injured and there is no goal-scoring opportunity for the attacking team?

THE DECISION

The referee stops play to ensure that the player receives medical attention. Depending on the injury, the player may be assessed and/or treated on the field of play but must then leave the field and remain off it until play has restarted and one minute has elapsed. As the injury is not the result of an offence, the referee restarts play with a dropped ball to a player of the attacking team at the position of the ball when play was stopped.