Question Number: 25261

Law 17 - Corner Kick 7/28/2011

RE: rec Adult

alex of richmond hill, ontario canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25248

Thanks for the replies. I raised the flag because I believe loudly calling his teammate to take the corner while softly whispering to me that he will do the corner kick falls into the category of verbal distraction to his opponents.

To answer Keith's question, the CR did direct the CK to be retaken. However, at the end of the game discussion, he indicates that he prefers to allow that play to continue as verbal deception is acceptable (similar to some of the panel's advises)because it have been done by everybody (well I think he meant a lot of players).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
I have no problem with a player kicking the ball into play at a corner kick and leaving it for his team mate to dribble away. That is fine with me.
However in Europe I am in the camp that a player shouting to a team mate to come and take a corner kick is verbal distraction while at the same time putting the ball into play.
As the distraction has happened before the ball is in play the restart is a retake. The two such examples I have seen at the professional level in Europe in recent times all resulted in a retake by senior FIFA officials
USSF has opined that it is not an offence except where a coach becomes involved. However once the ball is in play at a corner kick the referee must deal with any pushing, pulling, shenanigans with either a direct free kick or a penalty.
UEFA has advised that referees should be pro-active prior to the taking of corner kicks / attacking free kicks near goal and should be clearly seen to be taking preventative action.
Referees should deal very firmly with any further illegal use of the arms / hands. If this happens before the ball is in play, disciplinary sanctions should be administered. However, in clear cases of holding / pushing after the ball is in play referees are expected to award a penalty kick (for an offence by a defender) or a free kick (for an offence by an attacker) in addition to possible further disciplinary sanctions.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Alex:
The USSF has opined that the kicking team is allowed to use verbal and gestures at a free kick, including a corner kick, so long as it is done by the players themselves, and not by the coach.

'USSF answer (January 30, 2009):
It is perfectly legal to do this. How could anyone object to this tactic? The player has put the ball in play in accordance with the Laws of the Game. The kicking team is allowed to use such deceptive tactics and SHOULD NOT be punished for them. However, if the kicking player had merely stepped on top of the ball and then left it for the next player, who dribbles it away, that would not have been a legal restart. But even that is not punished with a caution, as it is not misconduct; in that case, the referee would call the second player for a double touch and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.'



Most of the time a youth team tries this trick corner kick, the original kicker only taps the top of the ball. Call the double touch.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Alex and thanks for the update. As long as the coach stays quiet USSF allows this verbal deception and as long as the ball is properly put into play play continues.

You should note that other parts of the world view this differently

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

See Question: 25301