Question Number: 15869

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/23/2007

RE: social Adult

Sam of , NZ asks...

Today, the goalkeeper had the ball in an open hand (that wasn't in contact with any other surface). I then, thinking that I was perfectly within my rights to do so, headed it out of his open hand and was about to hit the ball into the back of the net, when the referee blew his whistle and gave me a yellow card. What is the rule regarding this? Was it a foul? Was the referee correct to give me a yellow card?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee ruled that the keeper had control. Thus you were not allowed to prevent him from releasing it and the referee managed the situation. The referee did call a foul and in his opinion, you committed unsporting behavior which is a cautionable offense.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Sam,
No you were not perfectly right to do so!
You needed to do that a few years back when for a single season some bonehead at FIFA got it included in the Q@A that it was ok DESPITE it being in DIRECT opposition to the laws which state a goal keeper has possession an thus control if the ball is touching any part of the hand or arm. That anomaly was changed immediately next year with some embarrassment to some one I am sure.
It most definitely was a foul you prevented a keeper from being able to release the ball back into play. It is an INDFK offence assuming you made no physical contact with the keeper. The caution by the referee is well a matter of opinion as to whether it truly is necessary to set a standard but his match, his decision, his reputation. Some referees could have chose to rip a strip off you instead of show a yellow since it was allowed a few years back but I am willing to bet you will not being doing it again anytime soon. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You would have been allowed to do that a few years back but, fortunately, FIFA reversed itself. You should know you may not challenge the keeper when he has possession of the ball. Holding the ball in the palm of his hand is clearly possession

Answer provided by Referee Jon [Withheld]

FIFA have created a myth here in UK because of their strange ruling. This myth is that a keeper has to have the ball in two hands. This is not so, they simply have to be in control of the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

From 1 July 2004 until 1July 2005 this was permitted, no more. If the referee thought this unsporting behaviour he must caution and show the yellow card.

Regards,