Question Number: 15226

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/20/2007

RE: Competitive Under 15

Aubrey Waddell of Maryville, TN USA asks...

I attended a U.S. high school game the other night. Late in the game, with team A leading 3-2, team A's keeper made a routine save. Both teams retreated except one team B player who hung around at about the 30 yard line. Team A's keeper trotted toward the 18, dropped the ball in front of him with the ball totally within the penalty area, and looked around to see where he wanted to kick it. The team B player rushed in to pressure the keeper, and the keeper picked up the ball and punted it. The referee and AR made no call. I thought if a keeper (in control of the ball) released the ball from his hands to the ground to pass to a player or to kick the ball and then picked it back up (while the ball was still in the penalty area) that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the infraction. Am I wrong?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You are not wrong. The referee either didn't pay attention to this (he should have) or he incorrectly applied the rules.

The attackers should have been given an indirect free kick from the place where the goalkeeper picked up the ball again.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

You be spot on mate!
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player.

It is not a trifling or doubtful offence in this case! To ignore it as such, it is frankly disturbing the officiating crew could miss so obvious a transgression. Either to not know this part of the law or be so preoccupied and unaware it was done these officials need a refresher course in some very basic stuff!

By the way was it quiet on the bench of the team not awarded the kick when this occurred?
note FIFA Q&A LAw 12
#15. The goalkeeper in his penalty area holds the ball in his hands then places it on the ground and takes it outside the penalty area. He then decides to re-enter the penalty area and touches the ball again with his hands. What action does the referee take?
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team*.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Yes, it seems this referee was so far into rectal defilade he's going to need a window instead of a belly button to see the rest of the match. Just their luck he'll be puffing so hard it'll fog up and he still won't be able to see...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Should have resulted in ifk for oppoents. Keeper touched ball with hands after releasing it from his possession.