Question Number: 19122

Law 14 - Penalty kick 5/18/2008

RE: Adult

Warren of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 19055

Hi Panel,

"Law 14 requires the ball to be on the penalty mark and this is so stringent that if the ball will not remain on the mark the match is abandoned."

Is this the North American version of Law 14 ? If there is a separate version of the laws of the game for North America can you please point me to a place where I can see them ? Thanks.

In any case, in the situation of the original question, does the fact that there was a bit of a hole there constitute "not remaining on the mark" ? Aren't you making something of an assumption here or did I miss something ?

In years gone past we sometimes had to play where the penalty spot was in the middle of a little puddle !! Anyway, unless the referee decides before the match that the pitch is unsuitable, on what basis does the ref decide that everyone shouldn't just put up with the poor pitch condition wherever it occurs on the field ?

Cheers,
Warren.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Games are abandoned for a defect in the field making it unsafe or unplayable. What unplayable or unsafe means is in the opinion of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Actually the answer comes in reading Law 14 Warren. "The ball: is placed on the penalty mark"

Once we understand the meaning of the words "on the penalty mark" what happens when the ball is not placed on the penalty mark is easily deduced. If on the penalty mark means the ball is sitting in a hole where the mark should be, or that same hole filled with water, then that's where the ball is required to be by Law.

Fill in the hole before the match and mark its location is the answer. Of course there are referees world wide who will just make something up rather than do what is correct under the Law. Perhaps you have not seen a referee do it correctly and have been educated by myth instead of Law.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

On the penalty mark means just that. It's long held tradition everywhere I know of if this regulation cannot be met, then the game is abandoned

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Warren, given the nature of your questions, I am wondering if you have investigated the resources available to you on the FIFA website? There is a wealth of information, including the Laws of the Game and the Additional Instructions and Guidelines, all of which we, as referees certified through our national organizations, who in turn are sanctioned by FIFA, are duty bound to follow - you are certified through your national organization, one assumes? While there are some regional variations in interpretations, none of the interpretations can violate the letter of the Laws. Your continual suggestions that somehow we in the USA or on this panel are making up our own laws is insulting, especially given the lack of plainly available information you have not taken the time to learn. The information available will answer most of your questions, if you studied it. Instead, you insolently challenge this panel's attempts to help referees worldwide come to a better understanding of the Beautiful Game and our role in it. If, after studying the creditable sources listed, you still have a question for which you cannot readily find an answer, we will to attempt to lead you to an answer supported under the Laws and within the practices and traditions allowed by FIFA.

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

See Question: 19155