Question Number: 24344

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/19/2010

RE: Travel Under 11

Bob Stankieiwcz of Burlington, NJ Burlington asks...

2 Questions:
1) If a tripping occurs directly on the
18 yard line (not on the outside or on
the inside), would the foul be considered in the penalty box and be awarded a penalty shot?

2) Goalie has the ball and is ready to punt the ball and steps directly on the 18 yard line (not outside), is this a hand ball on the goalie?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
1. The line is part of the penalty area so if the foul occurs directly on the line a penalty kick is awarded.
2. Works the other way here. As the line is part of the penalty area the goalkeeper has not deliberately handled the ball outside the penalty area so there is no offence. As I have said many times the referee needs to be 100%+ certain that the ball has been deliberately handled outside the area before awarding this free kick. Many times it is not or it is trifling. I recall this offence being called in a PL game and it was shown that the GK had in fact released the ball inside the penalty area and he kicked it outside the PA in the air which is not an offence. AR made the call and it was shown with freeze frame that he was incorrect. Thankfully a goal was not scored from the resultant free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. PK. The line is 'within' the penalty area.

2. Where is the ball? The keeper may handle a ball so long as any part of the ball is on or over the line. The location of the keeper's feet is irrelevant. On most punts, the difference is so slight that any infringement should be ignored as doubtful (where exactly was the ball when it left the keeper's hands) or trifling (is there any real disadvantage to the other team from the punt ).

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If it is a defender doing the tripping, and it occurs on the penalty area line, then it is a PK.

Unless the keeper has kept the ball in his hands and has obviously (to everyone, including the AR and the referee) left the penalty area with the ball in said hands, it is most likely a trifling offense, and in most cases, even doubtful. Doubtful because often the keeper has released the ball before he steps on the penalty area line, in which case, there can be no offense at all!

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

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