Question Number: 28231

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/3/2014

RE: Sunday League Adult

Matt Newsome of Sheffield, England asks...

On Sunday during a match one of our players deliberately passed the ball back to our goal keeper. He knew he couldn't pick it up so went to clear it with his feet, he actually miskicked the ball and it sort of flew over his own head towards the goal, he then ran back and saved it with his hands. What's the rule, a free kick or play on?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matt
The restriction of the goalkeeper not touching the ball with his hands when the ball has been deliberately kicked to him by a team mate continues to apply until the ball has been touched by an opponent or by a teammate in a manner that it can be touched such as a header, chest etc.
So in this situation the restriction still applies and it is an IDFK from where the goalkeeper 'touched' the ball with his hands.

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Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Matt,

The Laws state that it's an indirect free kick if the keeper handles the ball after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate. What the keeper does with his feet between the kick and handling the ball is irrelevant.

However, the laws prevent the goalkeeper from receiving a card for any handling-related offence inside his own Penalty Area.

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