Question Number: 26037

Law 16 - Goal Kick 3/7/2012

RE: Rec Other

Sam of Rolling Meadows, IL usa asks...

A goalkeeper takes a goal kick in a windy day, the ball goes outside the penalty area and returns pushed by the wind, the goalkeeper in his struggle to keep the ball from going into his own goal slaps the ball, but the ball starts moving toward the goal line. My question is, A)should I call an IFK once he slaps the ball to avoid any complications. B)Apply the advantage play and wait for the ball to go in? and if so, will it count as a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The USSF interpretation is that advantage does not apply to double-touch infringements . Thus, B is not an option for matches sanctioned under USSF, and the infringement results in an indirect free kick.

IMO, the referee may consider this a trifling infringement, and not stop play. The goal would then be allowed. If the referee determines to call the infringement, however, the correct restart is an IFK.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1.Ball is in play as it left the penalty area
2. There can be no advantage as this is Law 16. 3. Double touch by keeper. Restart with IDFK for opponents

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sam
Advantage cannot be played here in the US as it is a Law 13 infringement. The correct restart is an IDFK from where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands.