What should occur if a player fakes an injury on the field?

When a player fakes an injury on the field, the appropriate response is to issue an indirect free kick to the opposing team. This action reflects the principle of fair play, as the game must be governed by the spirit of sportsmanship. Faking an injury can disrupt the flow of the game and can be considered unsporting behavior. According to the Laws of the Game, if a player is found to be deliberately deceiving the referee or the opposition regarding an injury, it warrants a penalty of an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team from the location where the offense occurred.

Continuing the game or checking for a legitimate injury, while appropriate in situations involving actual injuries, would not address the specific action of faking an injury. Raising the flag for offside is unrelated to injury situations and is only applicable to incidents of offside offenses. Therefore, the issuance of an indirect free kick is the correct course of action to take when dealing with a player suspected of faking an injury.