Play is restarted with a dropped ball for a Team A player in the middle of the field. After the ball has touched the ground, an opponent (Team B), who was more than 4 m away, quickly runs to the ball and plays it first. Surprised by this action, the Team A player pulls the opponent to stop a promising attack (SPA). What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The opponent was allowed to play the ball before the player for whom the ball was dropped because the required distance was respected until the ball touched the ground. From that moment, the ball was in play and any player could play it (no offence by Team B). Consequently, the referee punishes the pulling offence committed by Team A with a direct free kick and a caution (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (SPA).