Lundan Cabbie":rkam6d2a said:
With a blood injury/blood soiled kit, he can't return until the officials have confirmed he is "clean" although at this level I don't know why that can't be done by the fourth official.
What is interesting is that Cheltenham must have kept the ball for a whole five minutes because had Argyle had a kick during this time they would surely have put it out of play to allow Mellor to be checked and return.
Another case of the players, manager and the crowd not knowing the Laws I'm sorry to say. The ref may have had a bad day but it seems to me he got this one right.
The players don't have to kick the ball out, it's up to the ref to stop play.
Today the ref didn't check Mellor was "clean" when he eventually came back onto the pitch.
When the ball is on the far side of the pitch away from the player waiting to come on the ref usually waves him back on.