GAME DELAY

[paulis]

Boy, are soccer and basketball different! I have noticed that players are allowed to delay the other team from beginning play following the officials whistle. Players kicking or throwing the ball away from the team entitled to a throw in or free kick. What is up with that? In hoops, players are required to either not touch a dead ball or immediately retrieve it and give it to the official. If not, they are issued a delay of game warning for the first offense and hit with a technical foul for further violations. In soccer, it appears as though players can deliberately delay the game and prevent their opponent from re-starting play without recourse. Is this so?