Question Number: 16707

Kicks From The Penalty mark 9/15/2007

RE: competitive Under 14

greg of toronto, canada asks...

a player on the opposing team took his penalty shot and hit the crossbar.The referee deemed the waiting goalie(same team as the player taking the shot) was to close to the net(distraction) and allowed the player to retake his kick which he scored.The referees decision seemed to penalize our team.I feel he should have not allowed this retake?THIS WAS DURING A SHOOTOUT TO DECIDE A PLAYOFF GAME>

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Can't possibly comment on this without having seen what transpired. If the referee felt the waiting keeper influenced the outcome than his decision is final

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If the referee required the opposing goalkeeper to be at the intersection of the goal line and penalty area, where the diagram in the Laws of the Game shows him, this would not have been a factor. The assistant referee would have been between the keeper and the opposing keeper. Not only that but the opposing keeper would have been 18 yards away. Reading the Laws of the Game is the first step in a referee's education, funny how many referees don't read everything available to them then have to make something up to dig themselves out of a hole. The same thing applies to a coach, he is permitted to read the Laws and instruct his players to do something or be someplace specific when the Law requires it.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Greg,
the referee decides when the pk is over. Now as to how the pk kicker's own keeper distracted to him leaves me scratching my head in bewilderment???? The waiting keeper should be behind the AR well away from goal along the goal line? I suppose you could protest the decision to retake and see what explanation if any comes forth? It usually costs money to submit a protest and within a specified time as well! No guarantee you will get anything except too bad so sad! The referee must follow proceedure. Was a proper signal given to start the pk? was the keeper distracting the other keeper? Then a caution for USB as well could beconsidered. The situation if as you describe sours the taste of fairplay!
Cheers