In a dropped-ball restart situation, if two players from one team participate while only one from the opposing team is available, what should the referee do?

In a dropped-ball restart situation, it is essential to ensure fairness and proper representation of both teams involved in the game. When one team has two players participating in the restart while the opposing team has only one player, the correct action is to have one of the players from the team with two participants step away.

This ensures that both teams have an equal opportunity during the restart. Allowing both players from the same team to participate would create an unfair advantage, as it would effectively mean one team is represented by two players while the other team is only represented by one. The goal of the dropped-ball restart is to provide a balanced opportunity for both teams to re-engage in the game following the stoppage.

By directing one player to move away, the referee maintains fairness and integrity in the game, adhering to the Laws of the Game, which prioritize equal representation during restarts. This approach upholds the spirit of the sport, ensuring that the game continues with both teams on equal footing.