Question Number: 24468

Law 5 - The Referee 1/9/2011

RE: Other

andy elliot of palm coast, florida usa asks...

As a former ref. in the old N.A.S.L, I see
most goalkeepers are now carrying the ball to the edge of the penalty area and beyond
when they finally kick it, this used to be a
direct free kick and as officials we were told to call it. Have the rules changed?
Also I see a lot of foul throw-ins that used to be called.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When the goalkeeper is distributing the ball, going just a few inches beyond the edge of the penalty area is trifling. It may technically break the Law, but there is so little effect on the game that it isn't worth calling. Even if the distance is a foot or so outside, I'd first advise the goalkeeper: 'Keeper, watch your line!'

Similarly, a throw-in is just a simple way of getting the ball back into play. It has to be pretty bad to make it worthy of calling. (In leagues with very young players, where the players are learning, we can be a little more strict so they will learn the proper techniques.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andy
Referees go with what players accept as tolerable in the game. I rarely get shouts any longer for a free kick for possible encroachment beyond the penalty area line by the goalkeeper. Teams probably see it as trifling with their own keeper doing it and anyway it is rarely awarded. The DFKs that have been awarded at the highest level have been shown to be wrong with the ball released inside the PA. I also have had stories recounted to me by other referees who have awarded the DFK for match control to be compromised by what the team view as a doubtful call. A word with the GK is much better IMO.
Same goes for throw ins. Many players have different throwing actions and with the change in Law 15 from uses both hands to holds the ball with both hands has made the interpretation of a legal throw much wider. Unless as Referee Voshol states that it has to be pretty bad to be called most referees simply allow play to continue and for the teams to get on with play.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There is a great deal of difference between deciding which Laws we will ignore (hopefully none) and where we are allowed latitude within the Law to do the right thing for the game. As we were instructed by FIFA and the IFAB from way back, the games are intended to be played with as little interference as possible from the referees, and that consequently what we call should be those deliberate breaches of the Law. Anything considered trifling and/or doubtful (judged by the needs of those teams that day) should not be bothered with - and the two you mentioned are two areas where doubtful and trifling often occur.

If we are not absolutely certain the keeper's hands were still on the ball when s/he crossed the penalty area line, then we should absolutely not call it. Warn him/her perhaps, but no call. Even if you are certain - it is most likely trifling, and unless it is repeated after a warning - what has the referee gained in game management by micromanaging the punt? Blatant abuses should certainly be dealt with and promptly, but the normal case is a keeper who crosses the line somewhere in the process of releasing or having released the ball.

As for throw-ins, did it meet the spirit of the Law? Was it within a yard of where it went out more or less? Did it get back into play promptly? Did the thrower come from behind and over the head (mostly) with both hands on the ball, while facing the field and were the feet on or behind the line? Not sure - why bother calling it back unless the violation is obvious and totally disadvantageous to the other team? A throw can be really ugly, and still be legal.

And, as with most things, if the referee is proactive in getting matters attended to at the beginning of the game - 'Here's where it went out.' - either verbally or by gesture for TI's and 'Watch that line, keeper.' on punts, we may never have to get to whether it is trifling or doubtful, as the teams are on notice what is acceptable.