Question Number: 25996

Law 5 - The Referee 2/24/2012

RE: Recreational Under 15

Francis Chen of Palmdale, California USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25706

Following up on the IDFK from an intentional pass to the keeper.

If player A, during an IDFK restart, played the ball with his feet back to the keeper and the ball took a bad bounce and was going towards the goal. The keeper realized the ball may go into the goal and dived and used his hand to try to deflect the ball away from the goal. However, the ball went into the goal after contact with the keepers hand was made.

Would you allow the goal or would you award the other team with an IDFK because the keeper handled the ball played to him from a teammate before the ball crossed the goal line?

Thank you!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you had the presence of mind to not immediately blow the whistle and apply the advantage, then you count the goal.

But once your whistle sounds, play is dead. You can't allow a goal after the whistle has blown.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

What's more advantageous to the other team - allowing play to continue, or stopping play and awarding an indirect free kick?

The answer to that question is fairly obvious, and that's really all you need to consider here. The fact that no attacking player has been involved doesn't mean we can't apply advantage.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The most advantageous thing in soccer is a goal. Whenever there is any infraction near the goal, the wise referee holds his or her whistle and watches to see what happens for a second or 2.

In your example, the referee should not blow the whistle and award the goal

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Francis
The referee should allow advantage and award the goal.