Question Number: 28448

Kicks From The Penalty mark 5/21/2014

RE: Any Adult

Evan of Kansas City, MO USA asks...

At the conclusion of the second period of extra time, the match is tied and proceeds into kicks from the mark. The first kicker, Blue #7, was cautioned earlier in the match. The referee blows his whistle to signal the taking of the first kick, the kicker illegally feints the kick, the ball goes in. The referee cautions the player for UB, then sends him off for 2CT. Does the other team then have to reduce to equate?

(The question really is: when exactly, according to the law, does the 'taking of the first kick' occur. If it is at the moment the ball is kicked, then it would seem the opposing team would have to Reduce to Equate, since the violation occurred before the taking of the first kick)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Evan
In my opinion Kicks from the Penalty a Mark have 'begun' so there is no requirement now to equate. The Law is mute on the actual point of the start. Some have suggested that the whistle to end play begins KFTPM.
Also common sense would dictate that with both teams at half way and kickers nominated that equating would cause a significant delay. Simply continue with the kicks

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While the first kick was not taken correctly, the KFTPM phase had begun. The other team does not reduce to equate.

Page 56 of the Laws of the Game states, 'If at the end of the match and before the kicks start to be taken from the penalty mark, one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce its numbers to equate with that of its opponents and the team captain must inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. Any player thus excluded may not participate in kicks from the penalty mark.'

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

As you know, there is no further reduction for injuries or sendoffs after the kicks phase has begun - - the moment the first kick has been taken. Your clever question notes that the first kick began, but was not concluded. The retake will be also be called the 'first kick.'

While I am not aware of any formal guidance on this issue, in my opinion, the kicks phase started when the ball was kicked, regardless of the result or retake.