Question Number: 25018

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/27/2011

RE: REC Adult

GILBERTO MALDONADO of REDLANDS, CA USA asks...

blue defender commits a fouls closed to his own penalty area, blue goal keeper was on his way to stop the ball, referee blows his whistle and awards a direct kick to Red player, Red player sets the ball and shoots quick to try to score, goal keeper was moving back and within six yards of the ball and inside his penalty area, goal keeper prevents the red player from scoring by stopping the shot with his hanads, would you consider as D.O.G.O?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gilberto
The goalkeeper cannot be guilty of denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by handling the ball inside his penalty area. However the referee has to decide whether the goalkeeper has failed to respect the required distance when play was restarted or whether he simply intercepted the QFK
As the player decided to take the free kick quickly he gave up the 10 yard condition and if the goalkeeper intercepted it, the referee must allow play to continue.
However if the goalkeeper advanced towards the ball at the QFK and performs an act that makes a difference in the play then he is cautioned for failing to respect the required distance and play is restarted with the original free kick.
If the attacker decided to take the free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution that player for delaying the restart of play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. A goalkeeper can never be guilty of DOGSO for handling inside his own penalty area for starters. But, what exactly did the keeper do wrong? The attacking team gave up the right to 10 yards when they executed a quick kick. The keeper was free to play the ball without fear of an infraction unless he charged the ball which you seem to say he did not

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Never a red card.

First, Law 12 excepts the keeper from DOGSO based any offense involving using his hands on the ball inside the penalty area.

Second, although it appears that the keeper was retreating, the misconduct (if any) was failure to respect the distance. This happened when the ball was not in play. Thus, the infringement itself is not punishable by a free kick. Instead, the kick is retaken.

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