Question Number: 14612

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/19/2006

RE: AYSO rec Under 15

Cameron of Palmdale, CA USA asks...

A forward from team A has broken away with the ball and is just inside Team B's penalty box 44 yard line with team B,s GK at ready stance inside his goal when a player from B team trips a player from A team who is inside (and onside) the PA. The ref awards a PK. Is this a right call?

Answer provided by Referee Mike Gartenhaus

If I understand the question to be is it a PK call if an offensive player is tripped inside the defense's Penalty Area, then yes it was a correct call. The player tripped need not be the one with the ball. However, the referee should be sure that it was a clear trip, and not just incidental contact.
Thank you for writing.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, correct call. The referee called a trip and it was inside penalty area. PK.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This would be a correct decision even if the player was in an offside position and not active.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Cameron,
I do hope you refer to the penalty area as the penalty area= PA! While it is 18 yards deep from goal line to outer parallel boundry and 18 yards wide on both sides of the corner posts with 8 yards of goalline in between so the parallel lines to the midfield are 44 yards long I never heard of anyone explaining it in the context you used it.

If the careless trip occurs inside the PA against an opponent without the ball it is in fact a DFK penal foul and as such becomes a PK provided the ball was in play.

You mention the player was onside as well as inside the PA!
I just want to point out being offside positioned does not mean the offside player can be fouled with impunity or only be misconduct. He is required to participate with active involvement at some point during that phase of play! cheers