Question Number: 23625

Law 14 - Penalty kick 7/6/2010

RE: Adult

David Hooper of London, England asks...

In the recent Spain V Paraguay game in the World Cup Cesc Fabregas was clearly fouled by the Paraguayan goalkeeper who was following up after having saved the retaken Spanish penalty. However, Fabregas was only in the position to be fouled because he had encroached into the penalty area as Alonso was taken the penalty. In these circumstances, had the referee seen the foul and the encroachment what should his decision be?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
A lot went on during that five minutes of the game. I personally thought that the encroachment on the first penalty kick was trifling and no different from the PK at the other end? I would not have gone with a retake and I don't think it was expected by either side.
Anyway Mr Batres decided to order a retake and I'm not 100% sure if there was blatant encrochment on the 2nd kick. As regards the challenge on Fabregas I certainly believe that it was a foul challenge by the GK. I would expect though because of the position it happened and the position of the referee that it was the AR's call to make. For whatever reason it was missed and not given.
If the referee had seen encroachment on the 2nd penalty by Fabregas only or by Spanish players only the correct decision is an IDFK to Paraguay from where Fabregas encroached into the penalty area before the kick was taken. The foul on Fabregas does not then arise
If both teams encroach the PK is retaken in all circumstances.

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the referee judges that any member of the attacking team has infringed on a penalty kick and a goal is not scored directly from the kick, the referee should stop play and award in IFK to the defending team at the spot of the infringement. Any subsequent contact by the goalkeeper would not affect the restart (but could be cautioned if unsporting behavior).

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