Question Number: 13893

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/24/2006

RE: rec Adult

Jeff Rapp of Buffalo, New York USA asks...

A defender, running along the side of the penalty area, standing straight, had the ball hit his arm from an attempted cross, while his feet were directly on the penalty area line. Should this be called a penalty kick or a direct kick spotted on the line?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Neither, you said the ball hit his arm; that, in itself, is not foul play. The player did not deliberately handle the ball.

If deliberately handling the ball is a correct decision then the referee must also determine if the ball was in the penalty area or not. It matters not where the player is, where did the hand contact the ball, in the penalty area or outside the penalty area.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This would be neither. You said the ball hit the player's arm. This is not deliberately handling the ball which would result in a foul. If the player had deliberately handled the ball, the only thing that would matter as to restart is where the BALL was when handled. If inside the penalty area, it's a penalty kick. If outside, it's a direct free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Alexander

Both Referees Fleischer and Contarino are correct. The ball hitting the hand without a deliberate movement of the player to the ball dictates that no offence has taken place and therefore no infringement should be awarded.