I'm new to this board and have just spent the last hour reading through this thread. Interesting to say the least.
I know this has been beaten to death, but one thing no one has mentioned is the definition of fouls (2-16).
This particular foul, a substitute entering the field during the down and not participating, cannot be a nonplayer foul according to the definition: a noncontact foul while the ball is dead or during the down which is not illegal participation and does not influence the play in progress (2-16-2e).
Because this foul is now labeled illegal participation it no longer fits the definition of a nonplayer foul.
It's obvious (and disappointing) that the rule was not thoroughly thought through as there are conflicting rules regarding this.
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