Question Number: 28340

Law 16 - Goal Kick 4/14/2014

RE: Competitive Adult

Amy Lloyd of Portland, Oregon USofA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27779

While discussing with colleagues in the calm and cool confines of an establishment dispensing dk bitters, after a gruelling and windy day, conversation turned to matters of law, one of which was:

'Must the ball always need to be stationary for a correctly taken goal kick from within the goal area as per the written law?'

In one of the answers, there was 'However if the ball is moving then the player may not play a moving ball at a goal kick. The kick is retaken.' Q 27779

In another, 'Only in small sided games would one find such a rule. Law 16 on goal kicks clearly says the ball must be played from a stationary position on the ground within the goal area, but that is occasionally modified in local rules for the little guys.' Q 26238

The procedure for goal kick per the text of Law 16 is clear, that the ball is kicked from within the goal area by defender (the defender per FIFA, and not as quoted in Referee Voshol's answer in Q 27810).

The other direct and indirect free kicks, including kick-off, penalty kick, have clear definitions and are enforceable. Corner kick and goal kick are not specified as free kicks, to our blurry eyes. However, by convention, and similar to kick-off and penalty kick, since a goal may be scored, it could be ***assumed*** that they are direct free kicks. In free kicks (law 13) '... ball must be stationary' is clear. I reckon sometime in 1869 or after is when the goal kick was defined in the laws, and only an implied reference that the goal kick and corner kick are direct kick restarts in contemporary law book (FIFA). Guidance and counsel from your experiences will be most helpful.

I reckon pragmatically, there are instances when a moving ball during goal kick would be considered trifling even in competitive clashes - extremely windy situations, a very quick restart, ... and perhaps for some youth leagues.

NB: this inquiry is modified Q 28339. Please remove reference to any panel-referee names; I referenced names for the sole purpose of quoting their statements.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Amy
Referees should always consider what effect a decision has on the game and that includes match control.
There will be many times when a slightly moving ball is put into play. Factor can include wind, field surface etc. Many times players won't even notice it or for that matter the referee. Sometimes opponents will try to get a restart stopped so that they can defend properly. The referee has to decide if the appeal is legitimate or not. Most times it is trifling and it could be ignored.
I have seen plenty of appeals for a moving ball with the kicking team then giving the ball away and the opponent very quickly 'forget about' the appeal and get on with play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The ball must always be stationary on any free kick. The framers of the laws of the game remove bits that they think everyone knows, so the absence of the terms in one law does not mean that it doesn't apply.

The ball also must not be placed beyond the goal area line on a goal kick. But, it the keeper puts the ball into play when the ball is two inches beyond the line, the wise referee will ignore the infringement as a trifling. It provided no advantage to the kicking team, no detriment to the opponents, and the players do not want the game interrupted by such pickiness.

My experience, however, is that the players (i.e., the defending team) do want the the ball to be stationary on a free kick because they use that time to get into position. They are more likely to conclude that the referee isn't paying attention and is allowing the opponent's to cheat. Not calling that infringement reduces match control.