Question Number: 23935

Law 14 - Penalty kick 9/15/2010

RE: U12 and Over where keepers are used Other

Ken of Columbus, GA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23877

In the scenario, the keeper punches the ball which most would consider a deliberate, controlled action. Chances are he could have controlled the ball some other way. Therefore, I agree that the second touch by the penalty kick taker should be allowed in this case. If, however, the ball had been saved and deflected by the keeper in an uncontrolled manner, would the same still apply?

I reference the Law 11, where a shot is saved and deflected by the keeper to another opponent who was in an offside position when the original shot was taken. The offside positioned player should be sanctioned for gaining an unfair advantage by being in that offside position even though the ball was last touched by his opponent, the keeper. It is unlikely the keeper would have deliberately chosen to direct the ball to the offside positioned player, so we treat it as if the ball had deflected from the goalpost or crossbar.

Wouldn't the same apply in the taking of a Penalty Kick or KFTM if, in the opinion of the referee, the redirection of the ball by the keeper was uncontrolled?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

At a penalty kick, no one can be in an offside position, so we don't need to refer to Law 11.

Law 14 says, 'He [the kicker] must not play the ball again until it has touched another player' Since the goalkeeper is a player, the kicker is free to play the ball again. The word is touched - it doesn't say anything about what kind of touch that is. It could bounce off someone's hind end and that would count as a touch.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ken
Law 11 does not apply at a penalty kick as the referee must not allow any player to stand ahead of the ball.
Also Law 14 makes no reference to the manner of the touch. Even the slightest touch by a player allows the penalty taker to play the ball again.