Question Number: 26018

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/1/2012

RE: rec High School

matt wilson of Bolton, Lancashire England asks...

If the goalkeeper has his feet in the penalty area but reaches with his hand to catch a ball in the air but outside the penalty area, has an offence occurred or would this be play on?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is entirely about the location of the ball. If all of the ball is outside all of the penalty area, the foul is handling.

In real life, the offense probably should be ignored as doubtful or trifling when the issue is a matter of centimeters and should be called when the issue is a matter of meters.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matt
The position of the goalkeeper's feet is irrelevant in this. It is entirely the position of the goalkeeper's hands and the ball that matters. So as described it is deliberate handling by the goalkeeper.
However it can be very difficult in normal play and at speed to determine that the ball was entirely outside the penalty area, making it a very tight call. The line is part of the penalty area and if any part of the ball is touching any part of the plane of the line it is inside the penalty area.
Unless it was 100% obvious that the ball was outside the penalty area I would be allowing play to continue in this situation.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If all of the ball is outside the penalty area and the keeper handles it deliberately, it's the direct free kick foul of deliberately handling the ball.

While it's not 'play on' which is reserved for advantage, such a transgression by the keeper is so insignificant that most referees would find it to be trifling and elect NOT to punish it

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

See Question: 26092