In discussion with FIFA the advice would lead to a different decision. As there are likely to be other occasions when kicks from the penalty marks are going to come into play you may think it worthwhile appraising the officials who work for you of the decision below.

The situation as I understand it.

A game was to be decided by kicks from the penalty mark. Just before the game finished a player was injured and left the field for treatment.

He had not returned before the end of the game as the treatment was not completed. He had not been replaced by a named substitute.

The team assumed that as he was fit again before kicks from the penalty mark he would be able to participate in the kicks.

The team was advised that only the players on the field at the end of the game would be allowed to participate in the kicks and that this player and one from the opposition would need to stand down.

The Law actually says

  • When a team finishes the match with a greater number of players than their opponents, they shall reduce their numbers to equate with that of their opponents and inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. The team captain has this responsibility.

FIFA guidance points to the Spirit of the Law. The reduction in the number of players in the team was temporary as the player had not been replaced.

If the injury had not been treated in time for the kicks from the penalty mark to proceed the equalisation procedure would have come into play.

In other words the player should have been allowed to participate.