Question Number: 13377

Law 18 - Common Sense 7/20/2006

RE: Rec Adult

Pontius Malmberg of San Diego, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13261

I have seen when a goalie holds the ball only in one hand, and an opponent that was forgotten behind the goalie comes and uses his head to get the ball out of the goalies hand and scores. Is that legal? Or also a foul?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

For a while FIFA, in Questions & Answers 2004, allowed this. It was for one year only. It found it's way into that document in a manner many of us seem confused by. Never the less it disappeared in the next issue of Q&A.

So, a player using his head to knock the ball from the keeper's possession is foul play as it always was, save the one year. The referee has the option of considering it dangerous or charging or striking or whatever, he just does not accept it.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Nope. Once keeper has possession, he must be allowed to release it.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This was actually allowed for a year to cut down on taunting by keepers. It's no longer allowed, thankfully. Keeper has the ball in his hand, he may not be challenged

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Pontius,
the keeper has six seconds to handle the ball inside his area before releasing the ball back into play. During those six seconds or while the ball is in contact with the arm no opponent can legally challenge for that ball including your senario. Nor can they prevent the release of that ball back into play.

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:

(1)plays in a dangerous manner
(2)impedes the progress of an opponent
(3)prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands (4)commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.
The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred.* (see page 3)

From law 12 FIFA Q&A section

16. A goalkeeper holding the ball bounces it before he kicks it upfield. Is it an offence to bounce the ball?
No. In the spirit of the Law he would not be regarded as having
released the ball from his possession.
17. If a goalkeeper is bouncing the ball, may an opponent play the ball as it touches the ground?
No.
18. After taking possession of the ball, a goalkeeper allows it to lie on his open hand. An opponent comes from behind him and heads the ball from his hand. Is this permitted?
No.
19. As a goalkeeper releases the ball to kick it into play, an opponent
intercepts it before it touches the ground. Is this permitted?
No. It is an offence to prevent a goalkeeper releasing the ball from his
hands. The releasing of the ball from his hands and the kicking of the
ball is considered to be a single action.

Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 13601

See Question: 13993