Question Number: 25360

Law 1- The Field 8/27/2011

RE: fun Adult

David Ellis of Stafford, Staffordshire United Kingdom asks...

If a defender is standing in the 18 yard box, but his hand touches'the ball outside the box, is it still a penalty.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the ball is completely outside the penalty area, it is a handling foul, but a direct free kick restart. It's a penalty kick only if some portion or all of the ball is inside the PA. (The PA starts at the outermost edge of the line.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
It is irrelevant where the player is standing. The key factor is the position of the ball when the player touches it with his hand.
If the ball is inside the penalty area which includes the penalty area line and the defending player touches it with his hand then it is a penalty. If on the other hand the defender player is standing inside the penalty area and he touches the ball with his hand when it is clearly outside the penalty area and line then it is free kick at that point.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The answer always depends on the location of the ball. If any part of the ball is on or over the penalty area line, the ball is in the penalty area. A field player who handles the ball inside his penalty area will result in a penalty kick.