Question Number: 21871

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/1/2009

Tim Mann of Akron, OH USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21851

This is in relation to a statement in Dennis Wickham's answer, and stems from a play I saw about 12 years ago. I know as a referee that a defender is not allowed to hang on the crossbar to defend the goal, but does that include the keeper?

Example, shot is coming in towards the crossbar on it's way in, keeper jumps and holds on to the crossbar with the right hand and swings he left hand up and punches the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick. What would you do? Nothing? IDFK? IDFK and caution? IDFK and while I doubt it I'll mention it so a follow up question doesn't get asked, a send off for DOGSO due to the unsporting behavior not deliberate handling of course.

I doubt I'm likely to see this again, but it's humanly possible, so I may as well find out.

Thanks again for all of your answers. This site has been a valuable resource to my improvement, which most recently included upgrading to grade 7.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Congratulation on the upgrade.

In 2003, the USSF answered that hanging on the crossbar is misconduct (even if the ball then hits the defender's chest). The defender is cautioned for unsporting behavior or sent off, if ITOOTR the misconduct denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) by an infringement punishable by a free kick. I see no reason why the USSF would think it makes a difference whether it is the keeper or another player. This is misconduct.

What is the restart? An indirect free kick from the spot on the 6 yard line perpendicular to where the goal keeper committed the act of misconduct.

What's the color? I'm showing the keeper a red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity by an offense (the misconduct in hanging from the crossbar) punishable by a free kick.

Although the keeper cannot be sent off for touching the ball inside the keeper's area, that isn't the offense. It is the misconduct in hanging from the crossbar that denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

USSF interpretation of this is to treat the keeper as any other player in this instance. The hanging off the crossbar is misconduct

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

It is conceivable to consider the act by the keeper as an extension of his hands thus no DOGSO is possible only an indfk and caution for the USB. I fail to see hanging off the crossbar as anything but USB since a keeper CAN use the hands where a denial by a player involves the use of his hands which can not be used! There are certain forms of misconduct that escape justice because it is not easy to cover every circumstance within the same set of laws. Aside from keeper misconduct with handling extensions we also have non fouls just outside the boundaries where drop balls are awarded instead of free kicks. FIFA/IFAB requires a blanket statement in law that says IF the act UNFAIRLY denies a goal or obvious scoring opportunity the culprit is sent off. Until then we have these wishy washy possibilities!
Cheers