How should a referee react if they observe a player feigning injury?

A referee should react by cautioning the player if they observe someone feigning injury. This response is appropriate because feigning injury is a form of unsporting behavior that can disrupt the flow of the game and potentially deceive opponents, officials, and spectators. The Laws of the Game emphasize the importance of fair play and integrity on the field, and cautioning the player serves both as a disciplinary action and a deterrent to similar behavior in the future.

By issuing a caution, the referee highlights the unsportsmanlike nature of feigning injury, reinforcing the expectation of honesty and sportsmanship among all players. This action helps maintain the overall spirit of the game and ensures that players who engage in such tactics face appropriate consequences.

Other responses do not adequately address the issue of unsporting behavior. For instance, ignoring the situation does not hold the player accountable, which may encourage further unsporting conduct. Stopping the game immediately could disrupt gameplay unnecessarily if the incident does not warrant such action. Encouraging the player to continue may be seen as dismissing the seriousness of attempting to game the system, which does not encourage fair play.