Question Number: 14224

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/23/2006

RE: Competive Adult

chris of Bel air, Maryland Harford asks...

I am a goalkeeper. After catching a ball floated into the box, I started towards the edge of the penalty area to distribute the ball. Unknown to me, a striker from the other team, came up behind me and, according to him, hit the ball from under my arm with his head (actually, he punched it with his hand) collected the loose ball and pushed it into the net. I have several questions. First, for sake of argument if he in fact did hit it with his head, is that legal? He apperently was screaming that I need to read the rules as they have changed and it is legal to do this if a keeper is holding the ball in one hand(he is a local high school coach which adds some validity (?), and in my opinion a horse's rear end for the way he carried on afterwards). Also (second question), since in fact he did hit it with his hand, isn't that an immediate card?

Thanks,,
Chris

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. You have control of the ball, he may not challenge you. In 2005, for some strange reason, FIFA decided to allow an opponent to head the ball out of your hand if you had the ball held out in your palm. First, you had the ball UNDER your arm, second, FIFA reversed this in 2006,third, being a high school coach adds NO validity. Tell him to read the 2006 Q&A. If he hit it with his hand, it's deliberately handling the ball and since he did this in such a manner, I would probably caution him for unsporting behavior. You never say what the referee did. I'd be curious to know.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

He cannot challenge you when you have ball. Should have been IFK for your team and most likely a yellow card for him.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

The ball was in your possession and the player should not have been allowed to challenge let alone score a goal. As for an "immediate" card, this is not a mandatory "carding" situation but at the discretion of the referee. If I had seen the event you could bet that player would have been in the book. All the best,