Question Number: 21763

Kicks From The Penalty mark 8/10/2009

RE: Any level

Mark of Springfield, VA USA asks...

In the 'reduce to equate' for KFTPM, how is the player(s) from the team with greater numbers selected to leave the field? Is the coach permitted to pull them or may I review my game notes and select the players based upon their foul count and/or attitude?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The captain of the team informs the referee who is to be excluded from kicks from the mark. KFTPM is one of only two places where the captain is mentioned in the Laws, and the only place that gives the captain any specific duty. (Also found here is that the captain who wins the coin toss at KFTPM decides which team will kick first.)

In many games, I would expect the captain will receive directions from the coach.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

FIFA also has now clarified that once the captain identifies the player who will not participate, that person must leave the field of play. I wonder who needed that clarification.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No, you as the referee have no authority in choosing which player(s) must leave. Nor do you have the authority to decide in which order the players will take their kicks. These things are up to the coaches and relayed by the captains.