Question Number: 25917

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/25/2012

RE: retired Adult

Eddy Cowen of Southport, England asks...

Why do referees conspire with the defending side when there has been a direct free kick awarded to the attacking side just outside their opponents' penalty area?Why cannot such a kick be taken as soon as the attackers want,like elsewhere on the pitch, and defenders warned that anybody preventing the kick being taken will be given a yellow card as will all defenders not retreating 10 yards(meters?)?Giving the defence time to build a wall means that the attackers lose most of the benefit and can only persuade defenders to commit a foul for which they are unlikely to concede a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Absent a compelling reason (misconduct, injury, substitution), the referee should not interfere with the kicking team's right to take a quick free kick. The referee should not automatically set the wall, but wait to see what the kicking team wants.

The defense has no rights on a free kick, except not to be misled by something the referee says or does. Referees should clearly signal and voice when all must 'wait for the whistle.'

But, FIFA also has advised that if the kicking team takes a quick free kick, they cannot then complain about the failure to respect the distance. So, it is helpful for the referee to be proactive early in the match about enforcing the distance - particularly for fouls at midfield. Setting that precedent can be invaluable later when the free kick is awarded just outside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Eddy
You make an interesting point. The answer you will find is that referees find it 'easier' to go with total control at free kicks rather than allow the free kick that is prevented by the defending side with all that goes with that. I went with a quick free kick in a game earlier this season and a goal was scored. The hassle that caused me led me to the conclusion that total control was a much easier solution in the scenarios where I have become involved albeit only by proximity to the free kick.You will recall the furore in the award of the goal by Ryan Giggs for Manchester United in the Lille game which caused all sorts of hassle for the referee including the team almost walking off and a subsequent protest to UEFA. The reaction in my game was similar followed by constant moaning throughout the game, at half time and after the game about the goal. Even a few months later the goalkeeper who was caught out by the QFK had not learned his lesson and he was still expecting a whistle for the free kick to be taken. On the opposite side of this is where a team who has little hope of a result find that the ball crashes into a defender who is close to the ball. The reaction there is for a retake and perhaps a caution. When that is declined the referee again has to deal with match control issues. Of course referees can take sanction yet many find it easier not to have to do this in the first instance.
Unfortunately it has become accepted practise to go with what is called the total control free kick and it will take a concerted effort by all referees to return to the true concept of free in free kicks. My own view is that until it happens at the highest level referees at grass roots will find it difficult to deal with it as intended by the law. Certainly a crusade by a few will only bring grief and hassle which many referees do not want.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Conspire? Really?

Perhaps if the attacking team got on with it and took the kick with no delay, there wouldn't be such issues. In all fairness to the referees, every free kick is different - sometimes the attack wants to use a set play, especially in close to the penalty area, and they intend, want and expect us to make sure the distance is respected and that a whistle restarts play. If they don't give us direction, we have to go on verbal and visible clues, being unable to read minds, and if those clues aren't apparent or are confusing, the referee will make what seems the most prudent decision under the circumstances.

As my colleagues note, making both teams aware of the requirement to retire the 10 yards early in the game makes life easier, but not perfect. Tactics enter into this, and defenders will charge the free kick or stand in front of the ball to prevent the quick free kick. We can do some things to prevent this, but if it happens, and we do stop the kick to deal with it, the only possible restart is with the whistle.

If only it were as simple as you lay it out.