Question Number: 27884

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/13/2013

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27873

I'm confused by some of the answers regarding FIFA LOTG. I thought that a GK can be lawfully charged until he/she actually possesses the ball(and I know that trapping includes even trapping the ball with one finger) & cannot be charged after that. I also thought that a GK could be lawfully charged when going for the ball, without trying to determine whether the GK intended to use hands, feet, or anything else.

e.g. if the GK goes for a ball in the air, you could use shoulder to shoulder if you were within playing distance of the ball, as long as it wasn't a careless or reckless charge. Is this wrong?

Where does the FIFA rules say a 'goalkeeper may be fairly charged if going for the ball OTHER than with his/her hands?

Thank you in advance,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The act of charging is a challenge for space using physical contact within playing distance of the ball without using arms or elbows
In the legal charge it is shoulder to shoulder and many charges in the air of that manner can be legal.
The goalkeeper is like any other player and he can be legally charged if the ball is not in the goalkeeper's possession but is being played by the goalkeeper in some other manner such as being dribbled at the feet, header etc.)
The problem is that many opponents use the arms or it is into the back or front of the goalkeeper which is not legal. It is reasonably rare for the goalkeeper and a challenging opponent to be shoulder to shoulder but rather facing. In addition once the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands in the air a charge is not then legal. Timing of that is everything.
The Law does not distinguish between players and goalkeepers except in those duties / Laws that are particular to goalkeepers. The Law simply says that if the ball is within playing distance, a player may be fairly charged by an opponent. The goalkeeper is a player. The exception is made that once the goalkeeper has control of the ball he may not be charged

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

In a nutshell, the goalkeeper can be challenged just like any other player until he has the ball in his hands - the laws do not support protecting the goalkeeper more than other players from challenges.

Unfortunately some referees are very quick to the whistle for any challenge on the goalkeeper.

However, the referee also needs to consider that the goalkeeper's position requires him to enter some challenges in a manner different to other players (diving on the ball), and needs to be able to take this into consideration (eg a studs-raised challenge on a keeper diving for the ball is particularly serious, as this often results in him being kicked in the face or stomach, compared to the field when 2 players may slide for the ball feet first).