Question Number: 18776

Law 14 - Penalty kick 4/13/2008

RE: semi pro Adult

simon gosling of london, herts england asks...

ronaldo took a pen against arsenal the first pen had to be re taken. on his run up he stopped mid run up then hit it in. the ref was seen to be telling him to take it properly when he re took it he did the same and the goal stood but why? im sure that players are not allowed to stop in mid run up. can u clear this up for me pls

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Renaldo started his run-up then came to a complete stop, in fact he might even have retreated a tiny bit. It is then the referee intervened. The kick was retaken and there was no unsporting behaviour caution for Renaldo. On the second iteration Renaldo didn't stop, he nearly stopped and the kick was allowed to proceed.

I could not read the lips of the referee in the televised version of the match I saw.

This is the governing policy from FIFA on the subject from their AIG:

Feinting to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. However, if in the opinion of the referee the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behavior, the player shall be cautioned.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I suspect the referee simply told him that the penalty was being retaken because players from each team had encroached the penalty area. He is permitted to do this.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 19167