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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 1812

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: Other

Bob Beaverson of Big Rapids, MI USA asks...

What is considered a hand ball, hand, forearm, entire arm? When is it inadvert hand ball, in which case a free kick would not be awarded?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bob ,
the portion of the arm from the shoulder, (where the seam of a shirt runs along the underarm) to the finger tips is the illegal portion of the arm which if used to propell or deliberately play the ball is a DFK offence under the penal fouls listed in law 12.

I love the word inadvertant as that is the best true description of a NON handling FOUL for a ball that strikes the arm as what a player intends to do or happens accidently can still be deliberate action by the player in the opinion of the referee. Cheers




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Offside Question?

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