Is this unfair?

[misterb]

Yesterday we played an all African team, who during the game did not speak a word of English, their coach sending on instruction and tactics in their native tongue also.

The referee gave two free kicks against us for our lads not putting a name on a contested ball - ("mine," rather than yours or their own name)

How do we know that other teams don't say "mine", in their native tongue, which unless the ref was of the same nationality would go unnoticed.

Just seems a bit of a dated pedantic rule really as a game could be won or lost on such a ruling. Maybe time to get rid of the rule considering how many teams in the amatuers do speak their native language during a game.

Luckily enough the free-kicks were far enough away to not concern us too much and we ran out 1-4 winners - but nevertheless it could have proved a turning point in the game.

[God is an Englishman]

The law is not as simple as calling mine and it's a free kick. It's only a free kick if someone is tricked by the call. Seeing as they were speaking in a language you couldn't understand then it's surely not possibly for anyone on your side to have been fooled by it.

PLAY ON!

[misterb]

The law is not as simple as calling mine and it's a free kick. It's only a free kick if someone is tricked by the call. Seeing as they were speaking in a language you couldn't understand then it's surely not possibly for anyone on your side to have been fooled by it.

PLAY ON!

what a stupid rule how do you fool your own team mate when two of the same team are going for the same ball.

Stupid answer to a stupid rule - how would we know if we had or hadn't been tricked by something a non English speaking team had shouted. I am sure most of the referees wouldn't know of the definition of the "rule" and its interpretation that you kindly point out. The majority of refs just hear the word mine and whistle, as it was yesterday - still a stupid rule - apart from the word in its dictionary sense - we could just as easily "trick" someone by saying yours or by calling their name out, or for that matter anyone else name - total bullshit

[Green Warrior]

The law is not as simple as calling mine and it's a free kick. It's only a free kick if someone is tricked by the call. Seeing as they were speaking in a language you couldn't understand then it's surely not possibly for anyone on your side to have been fooled by it.

PLAY ON!

what a stupid rule how do you fool your own team mate when two of the same team are going for the same ball.

Stupid answer to a stupid rule - how would we know if we had or hadn't been tricked by something a non English speaking team had shouted. I am sure most of the referees wouldn't know of the definition of the "rule" and its interpretation that you kindly point out. The majority of refs just hear the word mine and whistle, as it was yesterday - still a stupid rule - apart from the word in its dictionary sense - we could just as easily "trick" someone by saying yours or by calling their name out, or for that matter anyone else name - total Barossa Pearl

Not usually one to jump to giae defense but the only thing stupid is this topic. How would we know if we had or hadn't been tricked? Close to the stupidest thing anyone has ever said!

[Steve#4]

Oh ffs...

Play on....

[safehands]

I would suggest from your post, you got nearby this team? If so, stop looking for excuses. If you won, then who cares what language they were speaking, you beat them.

[egg and chips]

There is no law that says you have to call a name. Like GIAE said it comes under the "unsporting behaviour" (free kick and booking) if you shout mine to deceive an opponent. If you cannot understand a word the opposition is saying how can they possibly be guilty of any deception. Unless your team mates were calling "mine" to deceive the opponent the referee was probably in the wrong by awarding a free kick.

[pork belly]

Heres a thought, what happens when a team from England plays a team from Spain

[robinfriday10]

[quote="pork belly"]

Heres a thought, what happens when a team from England plays a team from spain

unfortunately normally a loss PB

[barbarez01]

Heres a thought, what happens when a team from England plays a team from spain

unfortunately normally a loss PB

excellent answer

[stickhead]

The law is not as simple as calling mine and it's a free kick. It's only a free kick if someone is tricked by the call. Seeing as they were speaking in a language you couldn't understand then it's surely not possibly for anyone on your side to have been fooled by it.

PLAY ON!

Im with GIAE on this one.....
Anyway, off topic but does anyone know the rule about playing on from a free kick??? Specifically when a wall is being set???

[n8]

Who's to say the African team understood English and knew what mine means so they could be tricked...stupid rule full stop.

[God is an Englishman]

Who's to say the African team understood English and knew what mine means so they could be tricked...stupid rule full stop.

Well the same as an English side could do the same. What about if you'r playing a greek/italian/serbian/scottish/outer mongolian side?

The laws are very simple here!

[Bodø's Publicist]

I see what you did there.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

What a stupid topic. Ade gamisou

[The Kings Jesta]

Heres a thought, what happens when a team from England plays a team from Spain

depends on who it is

Arsenal / Newcastle vs anyone is france vs spain

Liverpool / Everton vs anyone is scouse vs spain

Millwall vs anyone... wait, Millwall never get a ticket to Europe... (just for GIAE )