Question Number: 25590

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/12/2011

RE: AYSO Under 15

Lynn of Palmdale, CA USA asks...

Blues team awarded tripping DFK outside Reds PA, but referee standing out of sight of Blues kicker, raises arm vertical IFK signal. Blue take DFK but Red GK sees IFK signal lets ball untouched into goal. What should referee decide?
In Blues attacking third, Reds last touch ball going out for throw in, Blues player throws ball to mate who. scores although Réf is signalling, he admits his error, Red throw in resultimg in Reds cofused. What should réf do?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lynn
First of all tripping is a direct free kick foul? Was the arm signal to point the direction of the free kick?
If the referee raises his arm directly above his head to signal that it is an indirect free kick then the restart is a goal kick. The referee however should look at his mechanics though to ensure that there is no doubt that the kicker is aware that it is an indirect free kick. In the same way the defending team should not be confused by the signal.
On the throw in situation the referee has decided that it was a Red throw in. No goal can be scored after the referee has stopped play with the whistle. The restart is a retake of the throw in as the referee decided to stop play for that reason. The referee decides whose throw in it is and in this case it is his decision that it is Red's. If play was inadvertenly stopped the restart is a dropped ball from where play was stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the referee mistakenly raises the arm to indicate an indirect free kick (when it should have been a direct free kick) and the kick goes into the goal without touching another player, the referee should order the kick retaken.

No goal can be scored after the referee whistles to stop play. But, if the 'signal' that confused the defense was a flag raised by the assistant referee, the goal should be allowed. Players understand that they need to play to the whistle.