Question Number: 24039

Law 5 - The Referee 9/28/2010

RE: Rec Professional

Hany of Columbia, SC USA asks...

When is a defending wall required after a foul?

Upon a whistle for a DFK just outside the penalty area of the defending team, can the attacking team start with a quick free kick directly into the goal before the defending team have the chance to build a wall?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A wall is never required. The defenders will often want to put up a wall. But the attackers do not have to wait for the wall to be formed. They may take a quick free kick.

Did they not cover this in your referee certification class?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

A quick free kick is always the right of the attacking team.

The purpose of a free kick is to restore an advantage that has been lost due to a foul. If the kick is then delayed to permit the defensive team to fully organise and pull all 11 players back behind the ball, then how has the advantage been restored? Remember, it's the attacking team that's been wronged and the defence who broke the laws - so we're going to be more worried about what's fair for the attack than the defence.

A quick free kick is their right, be it a direct or indirect. The referee should only intervene if he needs to interrupt to card a player, allow a substitution, see to an injured player or perform some other relevant duty. If you keep an eye on things you should be able to tell if they're going to take it quickly - otherwise if it isn't obvious that the attack wants to wait (usually the attacking team will want to wait for the referee anyway), then ask the attack if they want you to move the wall back or if they want to take it quick. If the latter you don't need to say or signal anything (though if it's in response to my asking, I'll usually say 'Play!' to let the attack know they have permission), just get out of the way!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hany, this should have been drilled into you at your certification or at least at a recert. The defending team having committed a foul have the following rights:

NONE NADA ZIP ZERO NOT ANY AT ALL!!!!!

There is no 'right' to form a wall. The team that has been fouled has the right to a free kick and that means to take it whenever they want once the referee indicates they have been fouled and where the kick takes place.