[Tackle] Shove into touch

[writetodave]

Watching a game last week and Winger A made a break along the touchline and was 'headed off' by Defender B but rather than a tackle, shoved A into touch with his hands. The touchline was clear of people and obstructions and A went to ground in touch with no danger to himself or anyone else. Line out awarded to Team B awarded. If A had been shoved into something or someone then presumably that could then have fallen into the 'dangerous' tackle zone? Views?
Thanks

 

[OB..]

It wasn't a tackle, technically, but it might have been dangerous play under some circumstances. Law 7.1 says it is legal to push the ball carrier.

 

[Christy]

also , there shouldnt be people / water bottles /spectators by touch line .
so a shove into touch , should always be ok .

 

[TheBFG]

make sure there is a minimum of a 5m gap to spectators :wink:

As others have said, pushing a player is not illegal

 

[talbazar]

[LAWS]7.1 ../.. Any player may tackle, hold or push an opponent holding the ball. ../..[/LAWS]

So to me, nothing wrong on the pitch by the players.

Now, as mentioned, a clear zone around the touchline is a must...
In some stadiums, that may include the rain catching grids. Here we have a few pitches where the rain drains are in the inside of the track. As such, very close from the pitch side...

 

[irishref]

I'm no fan of pushing, would like to see it removed from 7.1