Question Number: 15093

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/1/2007

RE: Recreational/Competitive Under 16

Diane Mousouliotis of Mission, B. C. , B. C. Canada asks...

Law 12, Decision 2, states: "The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms. Possession of the ball includes the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball, but does not include the circumstances where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save."

I recently refereed a tournament match where the goalkeeper, after a couple of rebounds and the ball rolling on the line beside her, got her hand on the top of the ball and the opponent, standing near, kicked/tapped the ball in. The team was disturbed that I allowed the goal, as they insisted the goalie had her hand on the ball, even just a finger, therefore the opponent could not kick the ball in. I do not find a definitive law stating this, and I ask for your guidance. What is the purpose of Decision 2 of Law 12, and how does it apply to Goalie control or possession with respect to the opponents' ability to challenge? thanks

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'm afraid, if things happened as you say, you made an error. If a keeper has her hand on top of the ball and the ball is on the ground, she has possession of it and may not be challenged and the ball may not be kicked.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Diane,
it is a reality that the keeper position is one that takes the safe out of safety when it is expected to throw oneself into the feet of an oncoming opponent and use the face and hands to keep the ball out of his /her goal! Possession was granted in the keeper's favor because of the risk of injury by allowing players to kick away while the fingers, hand or arm was in contact with the ball.

If the arm hand or finger is in contact with the ball it CANNOT be played by an opponent. The opponent must pull away from the challenge otherwise it could be a DFK foul of kicking or attempting to kick.

If you note the phrase
"touching it with any part of his hand or arms"
refers exactly to this incident.
You were correct initially to allow play, up until the keeper got her hand on top of the ball. Then the opposition must not challenge! AND more importantly you as referee must not allow them to or get away with doing so if they do!

It is prudent to wait as a striker as the ball can pop free and if so is legal to play. But the ball must be dropped by the keeper or rebound AWAY on its own, NOT with the aid of the striker giving it a wee nudge or vicious swing kick or running the keeper over as in a charge.

There are those moments when hand and foot will arrive at the ball at the same time where it will be a difficult decision whether to award a goal or award an DFK out. The ball could be fumbled and dropped and a leg swing catch the keeper in the head as the striker tries to pounce on what is technically a loose ball even if but 1/2 inch away from the outstretched arms of the keeper. As I said the position has it risks but we must be vigilant to protect the keeper from unfair knocks that try to pop free a controled posession of the ball even if it be a finger resting on the ball!
Yes the team disturbed was correct although I dislike the dissent, I understand the frustration as I to coach

As referee it was your decision that although in error was in fact a decision based as a fact of play so it stands as a goal! No sense in beating yourself up, you can learn from this, use the knowledge in following matches and ensure other referee's are similarly informed as you now are! Next time DFK out ok?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Possession includes 1 finger controlling ball between ball and ground. Without seeing the incident, it is hard to comment.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Whoops. From what I see here you most likely got this one wrong, but don't fret. There is always next time, though it won't make the goalkeeper or their team happy.

Just remember one finger = possession, but use your judgement, you can't referee entirely by a book.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

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