Question Number: 25941

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/30/2012

RE: Competitive Other

Bernard Markowitz of Los Angeles, CA USA asks...

The attacking team was awarded a direct free kick just outside the penalty area. The referee asked the teams to wait for the whistle before taking the kick. The attacking team took the kick before the whistle was blown and missed. What is the restart?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

As the team was required to wait for the whistle before taking the kick, if they attempt the restart prior to this then the ball hasn't been put into play in accordance with the laws, meaning that the kick must be retaken.

I know this doesn't necessarily seem fair - and that's why some referees will simply award the goal kick instead of applying the laws correctly, but strictly speaking the referee should have the kick retaken.

The player who took the kick could be cautioned for delaying the restart of play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi bernard
The restart is a retake of the free kick. The player that ignored the referee's instruction by taking the kick can be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

While one could debate whether the referee SHOULD have asked the team to wait for his whistle, the fact here is that the referee DID ask the kicking team to wait and they did not. Depending on the age and skill level and if the referee believed the kicker heard him or not, the kicker could be cautioned. In any event, the free kick must be retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Referees have a specific mechanic to use to make sure the kicking team and the defending team know when the ball may be kicked on a ceremonial free kick. The whistle is held at the end of both arms outstretched at chest level, eye contact is made with first the kicking team, and then the defending team, so there is no misunderstanding or not hearing. If a player ignores this very specific instruction, they've earned a caution in my book. The only exception might be very young or unskilled players, in which case we would instruct first.

Since the team was told to wait for the whistle and didn't, the ball was not properly put into play, and therefore the only possible restart is a retake of the kick. That's one reason why a caution is in order.