Question Number: 20223

Law 18 - Common Sense 10/12/2008

RE: Travel - Premier Under 14

Steven Grosser of Montebello, NY USA asks...

Are there any circumstances when a player can make contact with a Keeper? Also, is there any situation when a player kicking a goalie does not involve a yellow card? What about a red card?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

There are lots of circumstances where contact could occur. Some might even be the fault of the keeper. Some of course the fault of the opposing player. Some the fault of neither, simply a meeting of the bodies trying to occupy the same space in an attempt to play the ball. That is really what we look at, the safety of the challenge and the opportunity those involved actually have to play the ball.
If a keeper already has the ball in his possession the opposing player is not permitted to challenge and it is at minimum an indfk for even trying to. A DFK for kicking or charging etc.. is certainly plausible and the manner or force of the challenge is judged as careless (just a free kick), reckless ( Cautionable & free kick) or excessive (Send off & free kick). So yes to all possibilities and maybe and no as well, as EACH situation is judged on its individual merits. If there is a foul and it is reckless or excessive then the cards follow, if there is a collision but no foul we look to see if they are ok and play continues.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

This is a loaded question...

So I will keep the answer direct and simple, and it will only adress exactly what you have asked.

Yes, there are circumstances where a player can make contact with a keeper.

Yes, there are situations when a player kicking a goalie does not result in a yellow or red card.

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

See Question: 20250