How should a referee proceed after stopping the game for player treatment?

When a referee stops the game for player treatment, it is important to manage the situation in accordance with the Laws of the Game. Restarting play in the correct manner is essential to maintaining the flow of the game.

In this context, if a stoppage occurs because a player is injured and requiring treatment, the team that was in possession of the ball at the time of the stoppage is typically granted the opportunity to restart play with a kick. This kick should be an indirect free kick, as the ball must be played to another player before a goal can be scored.

This approach prioritizes fairness and respects the flow of the game, as it allows the team that was affected by the injury to regain possession under the same conditions as they had before the interruption. The referee's responsibility includes ensuring that the game resumes smoothly and that the team is given the opportunity to capitalize on their prior momentum when play is resumed.

In this situation, determining the next phase of play immediately, assessing time lost, or making notes for potential penalties are secondary considerations. The primary focus should be on a smooth and fair restart for the team that maintained possession before the stoppage.