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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 15971

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/8/2007

RE: High School Adult

Douglas Jackson of Minot, ND USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15737

In a game the other day player A and B were approximately one yard away from the goal, the ball deflected off the crossbar, bounced off the ground to head height, player A and B played the ball but player B committed a high kick raising his foot and contacting the ball at shoulder height close to players A's face, who was attempting to head the ball. The referee blew his whistle and awarded a penalty kick, which I believe was the wrong call.

I believe the correct call should have been a dangerous play and a IDFK awarded. Since player A and B were 1 to 2 yards away form the goal, where would the ball be placed, at the spot of the infraction or 6 yards from the goal?

Where does this information come from about the 6 yards?

It is a fact that no attacking indfk can occur closer than 6 yards from goal as any infringement within the goal area is always moved out to that distance.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

First, you haven't told us whether A and B were opponents or teammates. But then I see this may be about High School, so it wouldn't matter.

If the ref called Playing In A Dangerous Manner (PIADM), not "high kicking", then the restart would indeed be an IFK. Since it's inside the goal area, the ball would be moved to the closest point on the 6-yard line. This is something every referee should know - it is found in the "Special Instructions" in Law 8.

However, if A and B were opponents, the referee could have been calling "attempts to kick" against B. It would not be PIADM because A didn't pull back from play, which is a requirement for the call. Therefore the ref called a penal offense, and the restart would be a penalty kick.



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Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

You are spot on Doug,
any indfk awarded to the opponents inside the opposing teams goal area is always on the outer edge boundary 6 yards away! The law information you seek for confirmation is written into law 8 the start and restart of play. It is called the special circumstances and also relates that ANY free kick (DFK or INDFK) for a defending team within their own goal area can be taken from anywhere within that goal area slightly different than if the DFK goes to PK status at the 12 yard spot and an indfk is at 6 yards out if the infringement was in favor of the opposition..

You are again correct that to award a PK for playing in a dangerous manner is wrong and in fact a protestable event as it is a misapplication of the laws. That said if the foul was attempting to kick a DFK thus a PK could be justified

It is important to know as my learned colleague Ref Voshol has mentioned that the USA high school has this unusual adaptation where they can in fact PIADM (play in a dangerous manner) against a team mate. Under FIFA laws only against an opponent can this occur!

Just a last tidbit since you are discussing indfks close to goal, ANY INDFK that is closer than 10 yards from goal up to that 6 yard minimum in favor of the opposition the defenders can stand on the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. It is the only exception to respecting the 10 yard free zone on a free kick.
Cheers



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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Douglas, first, we need to know if A and B are opponents. If teammates, nothing should be called everywhere on the planet EXCEPT in US High School. The referee apparently decided this was not PIADM but, instead, kicking or attempting to kick an opponent and rightly awarded a penalty kick. If he had decided it was PIADM and the action occured inside the goal area, the kick would take place at the 6 yard line parallel to the spot of the infraction. Also, the team committing the foul would have NO RIGHT to set up a wall. The referee should place the ball on the 6 yard line and raise his arm in the air indicating an IDFK and allow the kick to proceed. If the referee verbally said "dangerous play" or "high kick" or anything else indicating he was calling PIADM, and he awarded a penalty kick and the kick took place, it's a protestable event. Although I usually don't approve of players questioning a referee I think if ANY referee awards a PK for PIADM it would be a good idea for the players especially the captain to quickly say "It's an indirect ref". I'd appreciate knowing I had suddenly gone brain dead. that said, if the referee still proceeds, I would not push it.



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Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Dangerous play is IFK at spot or if in goal area, the ball is placed on top of goal area line closest to the point. Perhaps the referee was calling kicking instead which is a dfk offense.



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