Question Number: 14368

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/5/2006

RE: rec Under 10

John of Hernando, MS USA asks...

My keeper was attempting to pick up the ball, the opposing player slid into the keeper. My keeper made the save, but I was under the impression that at no time could you slide into the keeper. Just need to know for future reference.

In the same game my player is one on one with the keeper. The keeper tries to pick up the ball and my player shot into his chest. Great save. My player is shown the yellow card.!? There was no contact between the players at all. In my opinion, sliding into the keeper was the more dangerous play, please let me know your opinion.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

You must evaluate why the keeper got slid into. Was it his fault or the keepers fault? A player can slide for the ball if not done in a dangerous manner. If the player started the slide and the keeper bent down to pick up ball or dove on ball, then it is the keepers fault for putting himself in the position of the sliding players path. I know many referees favor the keeper, but the keeper is really allowed no special rights here.

Answer provided by Referee Jeroen Krijvenaar

Hi, Sliding towards the keeper is allowed as long it is in a decent manner, and the keeper does not hold the ball in his hand or hands.

About your player getting the yellow card, you might ask why did your player kick the ball against his own keeper chest ?? as this might be picked up by the ref as unlawful behavior. If he shot this to the chest of the keeper of the other team, I can only assume that the ref thought that the keeper was already in possession of the ball.