Question Number: 17257

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/12/2007

RE: JV High School

Jeff Goldstein of Monticello, NY USA asks...

The white team sent a ball into space to the blue goalkeepers left about 1 yard outside the penalty area. The keeper got there first, dribbled the ball into the box and picked up the ball. The whistle blew and the keeper was called for a foul. The ref placed the ball on the line where the keeper went into the box and awarded a DFK. When I questioned his call he just said the keeper can't do that. No law reference was given. Could this be a high school rule because I do not know of a rule in FIFA that says this? If there is one please let me know as we see this all the time when watching the pros.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Not even HS rules have mucked this up. I suspect you got one of those superbly NFHS-trained basketball refs who needed something to do in the off-season.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The keeper was correct in what he did. The referee was not. Please print our answers and send them to your athletic director so the referee assignor can be made aware to this deficiency in his referee.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee really made a mess of this. Of course, what the keeper did was entirely legal. But, suppose the ball had been deliberately kicked there by a teammate. Then the keeper could not do this but a DFK is still wrong as it would be an IFK. I'm shocked this referee didn't award a penalty kick!!