What is the referee's action if a player commits a foul just before a throw-in?

When a player commits a foul just before a throw-in, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team. This decision is based on the Laws of the Game, which state that a foul during a throw-in situation affects the conduct of play. The foul must be handled through an indirect free kick rather than a direct free kick or other sanctions like a penalty kick or a red card.

An indirect free kick is given in situations where a player plays in a way that is considered unfair or dangerous but does not warrant a direct shot on goal. In this case, since the foul occurred just before a throw-in, the opposing team is recognized to have been wronged, and they receive the opportunity to restart play with an indirect free kick from the spot where the foul occurred. This maintains the flow of the game and ensures that players adhere to the expected conduct during set plays, like throw-ins.