Question Number: 27130

Law 5 - The Referee 1/24/2013

RE: Competitive Other

S. Patrick of Wilmington, DE USA asks...

SITUATION: An atttacker takes a shot on goal. The keeper makes the save and is moving towards the 18 and all other players are retreating back to midfield awaiting the punt. The keeper ever so slightly carries the ball over the 18 before releasing the ball. There isn't a player within 30 yards of him and they are running away from him.

ISSUES: This caused considerable discussiion amongst referees of all levels Grade 8 up to National Grade 3. The two positions argued ... 1. It is trifiling and doubtful, there is no advantage gained by this transgression and should not be enforced. If it was seen by the AR the proper tact is to wait until the ball is upfield and advise the keeper to watch his line. If it continues then sanction ..... 2 arguement it is a violation and should be enforced, with a direct free kick has the keeper handled the ball out of the box. What is your position?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

First off we want to make sure the keeper has carried the ball over the line - often a keeper will release the ball just on the line, but the momentum will mean he and the ball are well over the line before it has been kicked. As long as the ball is not handled while it is wholly over the line (don't forget, even partially above the line is still inside the PA) then no offence has been committed.

If he's carrying it over by a matter of inches then I'd advise considering it trifling and telling the keeper to 'watch the line', perhaps consider pulling it up if he does it a few times.

If it's far enough over that it's very clear he's carried it onto the field before releasing the ball then there's no choice but to award a direct free kick. There is no reason to caution a keeper for this. Potentially you could for persistent infringement, but only if you've penalised him a number of times. If he hasn't been penalised for it then no offence has been committed, so you cannot sanction him.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
This question is regularly posted on our site.
Unless the action of the goalkeeper is blatant and deliberate I would advise referees to view any minor infringement here, if there is any, as 'trifling' 'doubtful' and allow play to continue. On an inward ball I would be much more stricter ensuring that the goalkeeper has not disadvantage the opponents by handling outside the penalty area. Position to view it is important.
In this video can a referee or assistant tell if a goalkeeper has handled the ball outside the line at frames 45 & 1.00 ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWDMOFxEQuk
A referee 40 yards certainly could not and an AR would also be challenged to make such a tight call at speed. Where the ball is kicked outside the area is not an infraction when the ball is released from inside or on the line.
My advice is to only call those that are 110% certain of having been carried outside the penalty area by the goalkeeper and those are indeed rare.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This is trifling and doubtful. A word to the keeper to 'watch your line' will suffice.