Question Number: 20563

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 11/20/2008

RE: Select Under 12

Bill of Blandon, PA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20502

The answers to question 20502 stress that the position of the ball and not the position on the keeper is key when determining if the keeper illegally handled the ball.

I was wondering if this can be found in the LOTG, ATR, or other official documentation or if this is just generally inferred from Laws 9, 10, and 12?

Law 12 contains the text: 'handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his
own penalty area)'.

That statement isn't clear to me whether the intent is the ball or the keeper.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Think about it this way - Law 12 says the keeper may legally handle the ball within his penalty area - which is the exception you quoted above. This can only mean he may use his hands on the ball when the ball is in the penalty area. If he uses his hands on the ball when the ball is not in the penalty area, he is guilty of deliberately handling the ball, because outside of the penalty area, the keeper is just another player.

Logically (and historically in the game) this also means it matters not where the goalkeeper's body is, only where his hands and the ball are located. Here's another example: keeper catches a ball over her head - and her arms go back. Unfortunately, she's standing on the goal line, and when her arms go back, the ball completely crosses the goal line in between the posts and under the crossbar (the AR had a clear view) - Law 10. Because the ball crossed the line, it doesn't matter that she is still holding it in her hands. What matters is the position of the ball and the goal is scored.

So, perhaps it is inferred from what is written - it is one of those facts about the game that have been around for so long, it is assumed everyone knows it. You won't find in the LOTG where it says a player who is sent off can't be replaced, either, but it is true.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

LAW 1 Field Markings
The field of play must be rectangular and marked with lines.

***These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.***

Think on these points!
1-A foul can ONLY occur on the field of play while the ball is IN play 2-NO goal can be awarded until all of the ball has completely crossed the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts.

If a defender, fully insided the netted area of the goal which is considered to be outside the field, used his hands to stop the ball from completely crossing the goal line on the 3/4 portion of the ball that has crossed the goal line the remaining quarter of the ball actually on the goal line.

What restart do you think is approprate?

A drop ball because the portion of the ball being touched is outside the field of play or a PK because the ball is on the goal line which in this case is part of the penalty area as well??

The correct answer is a PK with a send off for DOGSO H show the red card.
LAW 12 FIFA QUOTE
Sending-off Offences
A player is sent off if he commits the following offence:
? denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring
opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply
to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
end quote

Now lets take the same situation except we move out to the top outer edge of the 18 yard penalty area inside the field of play. Imagine the ball has only just 1/4 rolled onto the boundry line with the remaining 3/4 s still outside in the field facing the centre circle . Our defending player COMPLETELY outside the penalty area punches the 3/4 portion of the ball hanging into the field side back to his keeper just before an opponent can kick it for a shot at the goal? What restart do you think is approprate?

A DFK for a foul of handles the ball deliberately outside the PA or a PK for a foul of handles the ball deliberately inside the PA??

The correct answer is a PK with a possible send off for DOGSO H show a red card.
LAW 12 FIFA QUOTE
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player
commits the following offence:
? handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his
own penalty area)
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded if the above offence is committed
by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of
the ball, provided it is in play.
end quote

The reason is in both cases for a PK is if the defending KEEPER had used his hands on that portion of the ball in that position play would simply continue with no foul because
(a) the ball was deemed to be inside the penalty area
(b) the keeper is permitted to use his hands on a ball that is inside his own penalty area

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You specifically ask about the keeper handling the ball but throughout the LOTG it is the position of the ball in relationship to boundary lines that is what's important. Law 15 a throw-in is awarded when the ball totally crosses the touchline, Law 16 A Goal Kick is awarded etc. Law 17 a Corner Kick is awarded etc. In soccer, it's all about where the ball is. This is opposite to American Football where it is the player's position that's important. A receiver may catch a pass in bounds as long as his feet are in bounds when he catches the ball even if the ball is over the line.