Question Number: 13993

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/30/2006

RE: Rec Adult

Ed of , Singapore asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13377

If the "Single Action" release of the ball takes the keeper outside of the penaly area (ref. Bolton v. Liverpool 30 Sept 2006) isn't the referee right in awarding a free kick to the opposition? No opposition player is allowed to go for the ball once outside the area (only after keeper kicks the ball) and the goalkeeper should not be allowed to take advantage of this. In extreme, the goalkeeper can "release" the ball quite high and far, to meet up with the ball several meters outside the area (without opposition allowed to go for the ball). There must be a limit for this, and surely the limit is the penalty area?

Thanks,
Ed

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

No, the keeper kicking the ball is considered to be its release and it being kicked. As long as the keeper is not touching the ball with his hands outside the penalty area nothing is amiss.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Only thing that matters is that the keeper had no contact with hands in penalty area. HE RELEASED IT!

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

There is nothing that prohibits an opponent from challenging for the ball outside of their opponent's penalty area. The keeper's opponents cannot interfere with the keeper's releasing the ball while the GK is inside the PK. If, in the scenario you describe, the keeper releases the ball high, then meets up with it outside the penalty area (assuming the keeper is not controlling it with their hands) there is nothing in the LOTG to stop an opponent from challenging for it. The keeper has released the ball (albeit to himself) and is now fair game.