Question Number: 25599

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/13/2011

RE: Rec Under 10

Gabe Rieger of Lake Jackson, TX 77566 asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24604

So what is the answer to the question about stepping over the line with the ball? I assumed it was a 'hand ball' just like any other player (direct kick?), but the Ref we had awarded the other team a penalty kick and made everyone get out of the box. I did not make a scene during the game, but afterward asked and she said, well I may have made a mistake. I checked the FIFA rules, but there isn't a clear definition of the offense other than common sense hand ball. Just want to make sure I understand correctly as our girls are just learning the positions and it might happen again. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gabe
A penalty kick is only awarded when the defending team commit one of the ten direct free kicks inside the penalty area. The goalkeeper is exempted from deliberate handling inside the penalty area
If a goalkeeper handles the ball outside the penalty area it is deliberate handling and a direct free kick is awarded. Now on a punt the referee has to decide if the offence must be called or if it is doubtful or trifling. On a punt close to the line it is IMO trifling and no offence should be called. I know other referees who will award the DFK.
If it does not arise there is no decision to make.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A penalty kick can only be given if a player commits one of the 10 direct free kick fouls inside the penalty area. Deliberate handling is one of those 10 fouls, but the goalkeeper is specifically exempt when the ball is in the penalty area. Thus it cannot be a penalty kick. It would be a direct free kick where the goalkeeper handled the ball, just outside the line of the penalty area if the keeper carries the ball out. But if the keeper is distributing the ball and goes just a hair over the line, it is a trifling foul that should not be called; the keeper should just be warned to 'watch the line'.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Big oopsie by the referee, but I'll bet she doesn't make that mistake again. If the ball wasn't in the penalty area (which includes the lines), then the only possible punishment for a deliberate handling foul is an direct free kick.

Since a keeper is supposed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area, there can never be a PK awarded for the keeper handling the ball inside her own PA. That is specifically exempted in Law 12. Outside of the PA, the keeper is just another player and the exemption does not apply.

I hope the referee studies up on this, and learns that not only was this not a PK offense, but if it was the goal line the keeper crossed with the ball in her hands (the location of the ball here is critical) it would have been a goal!

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

See Question: 25625