Question Number: 20694

Law 1- The Field 12/27/2008

RE: Rec/Comp Under 13

Jeffrey of Saratoga, California USA asks...

It is my understanding that the determination of the keeper handling the ball inside/outside the Penalty Area depends on whether *any* part of the *ball* is over the Penalty Area line. Even if the majority of the ball is outside the Penalty Area, but some is breaking the plane of the P.A. line, the keeper could place his/her hands on the portion outside the Penalty Area and this would be legal.

(1) is this above interpretation correct?

Now, my real question: (2) a ball is stationary on the P.A. line, with the majority in the field of play, but some breaking the plane of the P.A. line. A defender intentionally handles the portion of the ball in the field of play (outside the P.A.). Assuming this is not trifling, should this be called as a Penalty Kick?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

(1) YES you are correct
(2) SEE our YOU CALL IT #18 question on the front page of the asktheref.com website.
Take a crack at it and look for the answer shortly in the new year
Hint
IF # 1 is true, why it is, is also why #2 is or isn't
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yes, if ANY part of the ball is on or over ANY part of the boundary line, the ball is considered to be inside that boundary, in this case the penalty area so the keeper may legally handle it.
2. I don't know what intentionally means. Do you mean the defender deliberately handles the ball? Since Ref Dawson wants to wait on an answer I'll leave it to you to decide if a defender other than the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball inside his own penalty area and it is not trifling, if you award a penalty kick

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

You are over-complicating a very simple idea. 1) you said that a defender deliberately handled the ball. If that is so, then it's not trifling. It is a foul. So given that, the position of the ball determines where that foul occurred. 2) The line is a part of the field that it marks. Your scenario describes the position of the ball as being on the penalty area line -- therefore the ball IS in the penalty area. There is no consideration for majority of the ball in one part of the field. It is either in or out of the penalty area. To sum it up, if in the opinion of the referee a defender, while in their own penalty area, deliberately handles the ball, it is a foul and a penalty kick is awarded to the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Call the penalty.