Question Number: 12970

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/6/2006

RE: Select Under 14

Jim Duncan of St. Catharines, Ontario Canada asks...

In a recent game one of our players was fouled with in the opponents 18 yrd box. (dangerous kick, he was struck on the face) The Ref. awarded a indirect free kick. I questioned the call his reply was that regardless of where the infraction of dangerous play happens on the field an indirect free kick is awarded. A penalty shot would not have helped us anyway. Clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee is correct. Playing in a dangerous manner is ALWAYS and indirect free kick. Penalty kicks are only awarded for Direct free kick fouls committed inside one's own penalty area. I doubt the referee called this for a kick in the face. If he actually got kicked, it's NOT playing in a dangerous manner but kicking an opponent which IS a penal foul

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If the referee thought playing in a dangerous manner was what he saw then the restart of play is indirect free lick. I would have to have seen the incident but just thinking about it getting kicked in the face seems more like kicking or attempting to kick and that's a direct free kick offence or a penalty kick depending on its location.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jim,
it is true PIADM (playing in a dangerous manner) is an infringement that can occur anywhere and is ALWAYS punishable by a INDFK (indirect free kick) restart.

HOWEVER getting kicked in the face is more of a penal foul!
FIFA Q&A law 12
#32 A player plays in a dangerous manner raising his leg when the opponent tries to head the ball and makes contact with the opponent?s head. What action should the referee take?
He would award a direct free kick * or penalty kick.

INDFK restarts awarded to the Attacking team inside the Defender's penalty area are awarded from the spot of the infraction subject to law 8 special circumstances within the goal area. ANY DFK penal fouls by a defender inside his own penalty area are ALWAYS a PK
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This was correct. Playing in a dangerous manner is a IFK regardless of where it is on the field. If the player got kicked in the face, then kicking should have been called which is a DFK or penalty kick (if done by defenders in PA). As Always,

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