Question Number: 20582

Law 14 - Penalty kick 11/24/2008

RE: Women's Division 1 recereational Adult

Eduardo Alvarado of Austin, TX USA asks...

I award a penalty kick because of a defender handling the ball in the penalty box. After everyone was set, upon blowing the wistle to signal the execution of the kick, one defender (A)encroaches the penalty box from my far side but behind the kickers sight. Defender (B) sees defender (A) two yards in to the penalty box and also encroaches, I get ready to blow the wistle incase defender (A) decides to slide tackle the ball or the kicker stopped before putting the ball in play. I decided to wait and see what was the outcome of the kick. The Ball was kicked to the bottom of the far goal post and rebounded back to the penalty mark directly to defender (A) who kicked it out of bound over the tough line. I signal that the benalty kick has to be retaken because of the encroachment.

I want to know if this could have been handled better. Even though there were 3 to 4 yards between defebder (A) and the kicker when the bal was put in to play, I was afraid the kicker might get tackled from behind by defender (A), which would possibly had an injured player, and a caution, maybe an ejection.

What advise can you give me that can help me to better handle or avoid similar situations. I now make sure to remind everyone that the ball is not in play until it moves forward.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I would advise you to read and re-read Law 14. Here's part of it.
a team-mate of the goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:
? the referee allows the kick to be taken
? if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
? if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken

You NEVER stop the penalty kick from being taken for any player infringement. Law 14 is crystal clear on this, you allow the kick to be taken and then decide what to do based on what happens. I have never seen an opponent of the kicker try to slide tackle the ball before the kick is taken. Any player this ignorant of the Laws shouldn't even be on the field. But, in the absolute unlikelihood that an opponent tackles the ball before the kicker has put it into play you would either caution the player for unsporting behavior (unfortunately there's no caution for stupidity) or send him off and show the red card for violent conduct if he got the taker of the penalty kick. As it turns out, you acted properly as per Law 14.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The defender DELIBERATELY handled that ball right?
A Pk is NOT Signalled until all participants are in the correct position. Once the PK is signalled if those participants alter their status the Pk laws are very clear on what to do and how to proceed.
The issue of encroachment generally once one player goes others start to follow. While some is marginal and does not affect an outcome here it was clear the Pk was required to be retaken.

At a PK , hold the ball look the pk kicker in the eye and tell him,' This does not occur until I blow the whistle understand?' Get a YES response then hand him the ball.
Then out loud remind everyone that NO one enters the area until AFTER the kick is taken the whistle is only for the PK taker to begin. Your ARs are prepared in position with eye contact just before you blow
Ensure all participants (including the ball) are correctly placed BEFORE you blow.
Follow this and your PK issues will be minimal