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Cesc Fabregas

Question number 9
Spain are playing in a quarter-final at Euro 2008 when one of the opposition players is substituted. The player is not pleased. He walks to the touchline and swaps places with a teammate, who is substituting him. Then, out of frustration, he throws his shirt to the ground, walks over and punches the fourth official.

He is presumably sent to the stands, or to the dressing room. But the question is, will his team be reduced to 10 players or have they got away with it, because the substitution had been completed by that point? And what would be his punishment?

Thanks to RichBarber for this question.

We will bring you the answer to this question on Friday.

Now for a reminder of question number 8, followed by Keith Hackett's answer.

Edwin van der Sar

Question number 8
It's the quarter-final of Euro 2008. The Netherlands are a goal down with just seconds remaining of added-on time. The referee awards a corner kick to the Dutch.

The Netherlands keeper leaves his goal and races into the opposition penalty area, but the corner is hit too high and is likely to swing past the far post out of play, well out of everyone's reach.

Two Dutch players hoist the keeper high in the air, rugby-style. They do not block, impede or interfere with any opponents as they hold the keeper steady in the air like a towering statue.

The ball flies towards him and he meets it perfectly to head it into the back of the net.

What would you do in this situation?

Keith Hackett's answer
This is a very good question and with the regular exploits of Edwin van der Sar into his opponent's penalty area when playing for Manchester United this could well happen at Euro 2008.

In this type of unusual incident in the heat of a game and in the dying seconds, it could catch a match official out and result in a wrong and very debatable decision.

It is NO GOAL. The two players involved in lifting the goalkeeper, as well as Van der Sar, will be cautioned for UNSPORTING BEHAVIOUR. The game would re-start with an indirect free-kick to the defending team from where the offence took place.

If, however, the offence took place in the goal area, then the kick could be taken from anywhere in the six-yard box.

Thanks to themilkybarkidfromliverpool for this question.

Keep sending us in your suggestions and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport will choose some to be turned into You Are The Ref scenarios. We reserve the right to modify any we select.


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