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Over the last few weeks we have been inundated with suggestions for You Are The Ref.

The next You Are The Ref scenario will appear on Wednesday, but in the meantime has kindly taken time out to give his answers to some of your submissions so far.

If you have any other suggestions then please let us know, using the comments below.

Scenario from knecht
A player is about to be substituted. As he walks off the pitch he punches one of the opposition. Can he be sent off? In which case would the substitution be permitted?

Keith Hackett's answer
Great question. The player would be issued with a red card and the team reduced to 10 players. Therefore the substitute can only be used to replace one of the remaining players.

Scenario from Shedsheaven
During the Turkey v Switzerland game a mass punch-up erupts and you witness at least five players from each side committing serious violent conduct, noting each player's number. Knowing that a team forfeits a match 3-0 if they end up with fewer than seven players on the pitch, can you send them all off for violent conduct? If so, how is the match awarded?

Keith Hackett's answer
Yes, if a player commits a violent conduct offence then this is a red card and dismissal. If any of the teams are reduced to less than seven players then the game is abandoned. The determination on the outcome of the game would then rest with the disciplinary panel. It is likely that if both teams are reduced to less than seven players then they could be thrown out of the tournament.

Scenario from MontyPanesar
What would happen if, for example, Jens Lehmann of Germany was being attacked by five pigeons while he was in goal and Phillipe Senderos decides to shoot from 50 yards for Switzerland and scores? Would this goal stand?

Keith Hackett's answer
If it is a serious distraction then frankly I would apply common sense and rule the goal out. In fact I would be blowing the whistle before the ball hit the back of the net.

Scenario from gareth2020
My question is: can a player catch the ball between his chin and chest and then run over the goal line?

Keith Hackett's answer
I would class this as a trick and a clear attempt to circumvent the laws of the game. I would therefore not allow this goal.

Scenario from Jordo81
At the end of 90 minutes the fourth official holds up the board saying there is 12 minutes of extra-time to be played, but you think the proper amount of time is nearer four minutes. What do you do?

Keith Hackett's answer
Wow, a really great question and I am glad that it did not happen whilst I was officiating. Law 5 states quite clearly that the sole timekeeper is the referee. So, whilst in a game the fourth official puts up the board, the reality is that the referee has instructed him on how many minutes to add.

One of the problems in the modern game is the failure of officials to play the appropriate amount of added time. For example, if there is a substitution or stoppage in added time then the amount lost should also be added on. This is often overlooked. Look out for this in Euro 2008.

Scenario from EmmanuelEboue
What does the referee decide to do if a player runs up to take a penalty, taps the ball slightly to the side and his teammate runs from behind him to smash the ball into the net? Is it a goal or not?

Keith Hackett's answer
This is allowed providing the player's teammate was outside the penalty when the kick/pass was made. If the above has been fulfilled then the goal would be allowed.

Scenario from royston_X
A goalkeeper holding the ball hears a whistle from the crowd replicating the final whistle. In celebration (or fury), assuming the game is over, he turns and blasts the ball into his own net. Does it stand?

Keith Hackett's answer
Yes the goal would stand. That is why all referees also use a hand signal to close the game.

Scenario from royston_X
An unlikely side are guaranteed to finish either first or second in the group, depending on whether they win their last group match. If they win they will go on to face a much better team than if they finish second. They spend the entire game scoring deliberate own goals and go on to reach the final of the competition even though their tactic was blatant cheating.

Keith Hackett
I would report this to the organization, who I am sure would then look at the video evidence and determine a course of action to be taken. I do think frankly that this type of incident would not happen.

Scenario from BlueStarIT
OK, how about this one: A side are defending a one-goal lead when they are awarded a direct free-kick just outside their own penalty area. In an attempt to retain possession, the defender takes the free-kick, passing the ball back to his goalkeeper. To his horror, the keeper is not paying attention and the ball goes straight into the goal.
The opposition celebrate an equaliser. The defender is berated by his team-mates. What is the referee's decision and how does the match restart?

Keith Hackett's answer
I am glad to say that the defender can breathe a sigh of relief as this is not a goal.
The referee would re-start the game with a corner kick.

Scenario from Richard Lasowski
The stadium's roof is closed to prevent rain from ruining the pitch. Edwin van der Sar takes a goal-kick which hits the closed roof and bounces back into his own net. Does the ref award the goal?

Keith Hackett's answer
The referee would not award a goal. The game would be restarted with a drop ball below the point at which the ball hit the roof.

Scenario from Richard Lasowski
A striker takes a shot which is on target and has beaten the goalkeeper, but the mascot of the opposing team comes on to prevent the shot from crossing the line. What action does the ref take?

Keith Hackett's answer
The referee would stop play, order the team mascot from the field of play and report him to the appropriate authorities. The game would be re-started with a drop ball. If the mascot was standing in the goal area then the ball would be dropped at the six-yard goalline nearest to the point at which the mascot was standing.

Scenario from BigTonyWhite wrote
In the event of an indirect free-kick, the player taking it strikes the ball and it hits the referee and deflects in. Does the goal stand? I know the referee counts as part of the field of play but I don't know if the obstacle's touch of the ball could make an indirect free-kick shot legitimate. I'd be very interested to know the answer.

Keith Hackett's answer
No - I would not allow the goal as the indirect free-kick law states that it MUST be touched by another player. The referee is not another player.

Tony - both Paul and I really enjoy the challenge of You Are The Ref and the excellent questions that we are asked. So keep them coming.